Super Mario turns 35 ---------------------------------- Super Mario Bros, the game that put Mario into millions of households and sparked a multi-billion dollar franchise, was launched 35 years ago Mario is now fully rendered 3D model Character design has evolved as technology and artistry improves Humble origins, just 16 pixels wide 1985 1986 1990 1996 First foray into three dimensions 2007 2017 ---------------------------------- BIRTH OF LEGEND Jul 9, 1981: Donkey Kong arcade game released by Nintendo. Features protagonist called Jumpman. Due to graphical limitations of hardware, designer Shigeru Miyamoto (right) clothes character in red overalls and blue shirt to create contrast, and adds red cap to avoid drawing hair Aug 1, 1982: Sequel Donkey Kong Junior released. Jumpman renamed Mario, nicknamed by U.S. Nintendo staff who think he resembles their office landlord Mario Segale (right). Only game where Mario portrayed as antagonist Jul 14, 1983: Mario Bros released in arcades. Features Mario and brother Luigi as Italian-American plumbers navigating platforms and sewer pipes to defeat enemies Sep 13, 1985: Super Mario Bros (above) launched for Nintendo’s new NES home console (below), and is later bundled with it to boost sales. Game features Mario running left to right across side-scrolling platforms – franchise is born ---------------------------------- SUPER MARIO GAME HISTORY* Released/rereleased on Switch for anniversary Game included in compilation Year Game title (console) See key below Units sold, millions Gross earnings, millions 2020 Super Mario 3D All-Stars (SW) - - 2019 Super Mario Maker 2 (SW) 5.48 $274 2019 New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe (SW) 6.60 $330 2017 Super Mario Odyssey (SW) 18.06 $651 2015 Super Mario Maker (Wii U) 4.01 $200 2013 Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)† 5.84 $499 2012 New Super Mario Bros U (Wii U) 5.80 $486 2012 New Super Mario Bros 2 (3DS) 13.34 $506 2011 Super Mario 3D Land (3DS) 12.70 $610 2010 Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) 7.67 $566 2009 New Super Mario Bros Wii (Wii) 30.30 $2,343 2007 Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) 12.79 $947 2006 New Super Mario Bros (DS) 30.80 $1,812 2004 Super Mario 64 DS (DS) 11.06 $589 2003 Super Mario Advance 4 (GBA) 5.43 $223 2002 Super Mario Sunshine (GC) 6.31 $362 2001 Super Mario World (GBA) 5.69 $325 2001 Super Mario Advance (GBA) 5.57 $177 1999 Super Mario Bros DX (GBC) 5.07 $152 1996 Super Mario 64 (N64) 11.91 $1,125 1993 Super Mario All-Stars (SNES)‡ 10.55 $830 1992 Super Mario Land 2 (GB) 11.18 $481 1990 Super Mario World (SNES) 20.61 $1,748 1989 Super Mario Land (GB) 18.14 $422 1988 Super Mario Bros 3 (NES) 18.00 $1,262 1988 Super Mario Bros 2 (NES) 10.00 $400 (aka Super Mario USA in Japan) 1986 Super Mario Bros 2 (FDS, Japan only) 2.66 $90 (aka The Lost Levels in rest of world) 1985 Super Mario Bros (NES) 40.24 $1,584 336 million units sold (28 games) $19 billion earned ---------------------------------- Key: SW = Switch, DS = Dual Screen, GBA = Game Boy Advance, GC = GameCube, GBC = Game Boy Color, N64 = Nintendo 64, SNES = Super Nintendo Entertainment System, GB = Game Boy, NES = Nintendo Entertainment System, FDS = Famicom Disk System ---------------------------------- Charles Martinet (right) began providing Mario’s voice at Nintendo trade shows in 1990. His first console game performance was in 1996 for Super Mario 64 ---------------------------------- *Platform games only – omits Mario Kart driving game series, numerous other spin-off titles, iOS/Android games and mini consoles. Earnings do not account for emulation download rereleases on later consoles and are unadjusted for inflation. †Rereleased Feb 12, 2021. ‡Free for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers ---------------------------------- Sources: CNBC, Nintendo, Fandom Video Game Sales, Super Mario Wiki Pictures: © Nintendo, Creative Commons, Gage Skidmore © GRAPHIC NEWS