Since his beginnings in 1981 as a blocky 8-bit sprite named Mr. Video, this mainstay of the wider Super Mario™ franchise has spent the last 4 decades developing into a globally established pop culture character who has featured in more than 200 video games and appears in his own movies & animated TV shows.
For over 40 years this household icon – along with his family, friends and enemies – continues driving consumers to snap up merchandise, gifts and products with boundless enthusiasm. But why does everyone love him so much?
HE’S A TRUE HERO
His friends have been kidnapped multiple times, he’s had to dodge countless Bullet Bills, fight the mighty Bowser multiple times, become a racing driver, compete in the Olympic games, avoid hordes of Boos and repeatedly save Mushroom Kingdom. That would be enough to dampen the spirits of even the most optimistic hero, but not Mario. Regardless of what life throws at him, his infectious charm, timeless appeal, relatable personality and positive demeanour remains. Who can fail to be inspired by such a loveable character? Not us!
HE’S A HEAVY NOSTALGIA HIT
For many lifelong fans , Mario was their first childhood video game hero. The seismic impact that early home consoles and computers – such as the NES and Commodore 64 – had on life in the 1980s cannot be understated. Mario stands proud in the hearts and minds of parents (and grandparents!) as a symbolic reminder that they were the very first home-gamers. He represents the generation that spawned today’s multi-billion-dollar video game’s industry and serves as an eternally familiar connection to that magical period of home-entertainment history.
HE’S UNIVERSALLY RELEVANT
The creative powerhouse that is Nintendo has succeeded in keeping the Mario franchise universally appealing and relevant. Every element of the franchise has been referenced in movies, TV and academia, and Mario’s instantly recognisable image can be easily applied across any category of merchandise. At Paladone, Super Mario™ is illuminating fans’ lives and enhancing their living spaces through fun innovative products such as the Super Mario Bros™ Icons Light, the Big Up Water Bottle, the Question Block Night Light and the Super Mario Bros™ Heat Change Mug. Explore Paladone’s trade site to see more of the incredible Super Mario™ lines available to retailers and wholesalers.
HE KEEPS INNOVATING
With each new release in the Mario franchise, Nintendo’s obvious commitment to innovation continues to drive the success and profitability of the Super Mario ™ brand. By inventing creative new ways to immerse fans in Mario’s world through innovative tech, immersive gameplay mechanics and enjoyable new characters & stories, Nintendo has not only secured a steady stream of new fans but is also keeping existing enthusiasts constantly engaged. Even more impressive is that the franchise constantly pushes the boundaries of what is possible while always honouring the core foundations of what made Mario a household name in the first place.
HE BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER
More than any other gaming franchise, the world of Super Mario™ excels at creating experiences that enrich and enhance communities. Since the first Super Mario Kart™ and Mario Party™ games in the early 90s alongside Mario’s numerous sports games, multi-player collaboration & competition has always been at the heart of Nintendo’s Mario-related output. This ethos has spilled over into the retail space too because Mario/Nintendo merchandise, clothing and gifts serve as a common connection across the global fandom. Every year, Paladone ships millions of Nintendo products to retailers and consumers dotted across the globe, demonstrating that the universal love for the moustachioed megastar and his entourage is as strong as ever.
According to research carried out by Statista, Super Mario™ is the most well-known video game franchise in the USA, recognised by 82% of gamers nationwide. Understanding what makes the character so appealing across multiple generations and demographics is key to retailers unlocking the boundless sales potential of the Super Mario™ franchise.
Aside from being a lovable video game character, Mario is also an inspiration. He is a symbol of resilience, positivity and creativity, which makes him completely relatable for anybody who comes across his games, his merchandise, or his expanded universe – and the evidence shows that he’ll be a household name for years to come.
Finally, although we always aspire to be just like everyone’s favourite video games character, we would caution against eating mushrooms found in boxes with question marks on the front; in reality it’s unlikely they’ll make you bigger…
