Super Mario is one of the longest-running franchises in gaming. Super Mario Bros. came out in 1985, though Mario was a character in Donkey Kong, the arcade game, a little earlier than that. Even still, it’s been 40 years, and Nintendo believes they can keep the series going for 100 in total. Mario’s 100th anniversary is so far off, but it’s hard to imagine the series slowing down even a little bit any time soon.
Super Mario Series Could Hit 100th Anniversary
In the blink of an eye, Mario has turned 40. Those who grew up playing the original games might feel old, but 40 years is not that long. It seems longer because so few video game characters have endured the test of time like that, but 40 might be such a tiny amount of time when it’s all said and done. At least, that’s how some at Nintedo feel.
“One might think it would be a miracle if Mario was still here after 100 years, since we make things while not knowing when our players may get bored with them,” Takashi Tezuka said in an interview transcribed from Japanese by VGC. “If it’s not fun to play, you’ll get bored, and I’m always thinking of how to keep it so that something like that doesn’t happen so that people keep playing.”
It doesn’t look like anyone’s going to get bored of it, either. The Mario series reinvented itself with Super Mario Odyssey, considered by many (myself included) to be the best 3D platformer ever. The 2D line of games also got a major reinvention just two years ago with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. If that’s any indication, things can always change and evolve to keep the games fresh and fun.
“Different times bring different kinds of fun. What Mario can do now is completely different from when we started out. I want to continue making things people find fun to play, including the actions you do, by changing things little by little,” Tezuka added. The series has already evolved so much, so who’s to say it can’t continue to grow and change?
Recently, Mario was able to be enjoyed by three generations of people: grandparents, parents, and kids. Now, there’s a good chance four generations can enjoy the games together. Tezuka said he doesn’t know if they can get to four, but Nintendo aims to make something that will continue to be played by everyone together for “generations to come.” He continued, “I think it’d make me very happy if we can share that chance to experience Mario together with family and friends. We’ll continue to make Mario games for a long time, so please look forward to them.”
Shigeru Miyamoto Echoes That Sentiment
Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo executive and the creator of Mario, also believes in the longevity of this franchise. Thanks to the ever-growing tech space, he believes the character and series will “constantly evolve” and continue to grow. That’s even more true as Mario continues to move into the film sphere as well as the gaming field.
“I want to make sure we keep it interactive and digital. As long as we don’t forget Mario’s prime point – running and jumping – as we add new things, I think Mario will be with us for a long time to come,” Miyamoto said. “Nintendo takes on unique challenges, and if a new technology is interesting, I believe that by incorporating that technology, we can make that fun expand and grow-like rolling up snow for a snowman. So I hope that you will continue to stick with us.” There you have it, folks. Mario’s going to end up as old as time.
Final Boss
It seems almost impossible that any video game character is still so relevant 40 years later. Most of the games of that heyday have come and gone, but Mario is among the ones who has endured. And if Nintendo has any say about it, he will continue to endure for decades more.
