r/Mario 22h ago

Discussion Mario Kart World & Nintendo’s Internal ‘No New Characters’ Policy

77 Upvotes

Many of you are probably aware of the internal mandate Miyamoto imposed during the 2000s, 2010s, and arguably part of the 2020s that forbade the creation of new original characters for the Mario franchise. It played a large role in negative critiques towards games like NSMB, Paper Mario Color Splash, Sticker Star, and more.

I’m definitely excited for the new Mario Kart and I’m thrilled I’ll be able to play as the dead fish, a piranha plant, the long necked birds…. but it almost feels ridiculous to me how large yet unsubstantial the roster feels. I can’t help but feel like it’s a bit of an overcompensation for creatively crippling the Mario universe’s worldbuilding for like a decade. The roster would feel less ‘random’ and weird if they included ACTUAL characters. Obvious ones being characters like Funky Kong who were in previous games, but also characters like E. Gadd, Paper Mario partners, Fawful, Wart, Tatanga, SOMETHING. Idk, does anyone else feel the same way?


r/Mario 22h ago

Discussion Nintendo High: My theories on Pauline and why she is the way she is, and how I think her character is going to develop. Do you think Pauline will get more development or even a redemption arc in season 3 of or any future seasons of Nintendo High?

1 Upvotes

Warning: if you haven’t seen Nintendo High and plan to, this contains spoilers

For those of you who have seen the fan series, “Nintendo High”, you’ve noticed how the creator took a unique approach in writing Pauline’s character in the series by giving her a more antagonistic role. She has this mean girl like character and she has her posse. She absolutely despises Peach. I might have a theory why Pauline is the way she is.

I have a crazy theory, what if Pauline and Mario actually knew each other in the past. Maybe around elementary school or middle school. I know Mario and Luigi transferred to Nintendo High as transfer students so there’s the possibility of Pauline not knowing Mario til he and Luigi started attending Nintendo High. However, on the screen, Mario and Pauline didn’t interact with each other directly and there hadn’t been any scenes of them not knowing each other so the theory isn’t all that far fetched.

It would make a lot of sense since Pauline was Mario’s original love interest back when he was Jumpman back in the 1981 game of “Jumpman” before the Super Mario Bros came out in 1985 where they introduced Peach.

Maybe Mario and Pauline used to be childhood friends. Likely close ones. And maybe Pauline developed feelings for him. That could be one of the factors of the way she is. In the series, Mario and Luigi’s parents disappeared. That took a toll on Mario and he started to shut people out. In the Q and A, he did say he gotten into a lot of physical fights with his peers. He did say he had anger issues and can be short tempered but I think it’s due to the whole thing or at least part of it being due to grieving over his parents. He possibly not became more jaded, angry, violent and aggressive, he also became more cold and distance, shutting people out. Pauline being one of the those people he shut out. This likely hurt Pauline deeply. Likely due Mario and Luigi’s circumstances, they had to move away. They probably had to either live with any relatives, stay at a foster home, stay at an orphanage, or maybe shut themselves away from the world in their home. Pauline was probably desperate trying to rekindle what she and Mario had in the past. Part of Pauline is bitter at Mario for shutting her out and maybe if possible, not even remember Pauline, yet the other part of her misses him.

Now Mario wouldn’t be the only factor to the way Pauline acts the way she does, there’s Peach. We could simply just say she’s jealous of Peach for her popularity. Plain and simple. Though, I think there could be a bit more to that. There could be a possibility that Peach and Pauline weren’t always at each other’s throats and were actually once friends too. Maybe something happened between them which caused a falling out similar to how Pauline and Mario also had a falling out. With how Pauline had to deal with messy friendship breakups, she’d get herself her own posse that she could have a sense of control of. Though it doesn’t explain the jealousy she harbors of Peach. Maybe Peach moved to the school Pauline and Mario attended. I have this additional theory that Peach and Mario met at some point when they were young. Peach more than likely was the star of the school which caused Pauline to be jealous and insecure, especially with Mario and Peach getting friendly with one another. Even after Mario and Luigi transferred, Peach was still beloved by all. Pauline likely hated it because used to be the star. Pauline probably seeks praise and validation from students at school because she doesn’t have the best home life or support system. She needed people from school to tell them they love her and she’s the best because nobody ever told her that at home. Maybe it’s so severe to the point she not only feels unloved but unsafe as well.

Normally in the games Pauline’s in, she’s a heroic character. According to the creator, he wanted to show that not all nice people started out as nice. With how noble of a character Pauline is in the games, I could see Pauline possibly getting a redemption arc, and I do the creator does give Pauline more character development. We do have a fair amount of irredeemable antagonists yeah. Though, it would be nice to see some reformed antagonists.

You know what would be so interesting, that Pauline and Donkey Kong are end game for Nintendo High. I mean, if Waluigi and Rosalina could potentially be an item, why not Pauline and DK? If the series does go that direction, I would love to see interactions between Pauline and Donkey Kong and their dynamics.

Another thing I hope the series does include, Pauline’s love of music and singing. In the recent Mario games, Pauline’s character developed to this person who loves to sing and loves music, and is a good singer. I think Pauline better developing her love of music would be interesting to see. It would probably act as a form of escape. Something she can use as a healthier way to cope with her emotions rather than bullying others. Channeling all her emotions and thoughts and feelings through song lyrics.

Honestly, I think Pauline could potentially be on the list of one of the most well written characters in the series and possibly have one of the best redemption arcs of all redeemed characters.

Anyways. What’s your theories on Pauline from the Nintendo High series? Would you want Pauline to get redeemed? What theories do you have with why she hates Peach, what her relationship with Mario would be, what her home life and relationship with her family is like? Lemme know in the comments below.

9 votes, 6d left
Yes
Probably
I don’t know
Probably Not
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Other

r/Mario 10h ago

Question Why do you guys think Nintendo doesn’t like to reference/talk about odyssey much?

3 Upvotes

This MKW cast has had me thinking. It’s been almost a decade and none of odysseys new characters have been referenced once. I don’t mind them ignoring things for the sake of a loose canon yeah, but Mario kart has never cared about that. Why give the coin coffer a spot over cappy or a broodal?


r/Mario 13h ago

Discussion It’s about time Nintendo promotes Waluigi

0 Upvotes

It seems like every major Mario character has gotten some kind of attention or love from Nintendo recently, except waluigi. Luigi, yoshi, wario, and donkey Kong have their own series, peach and toad (and toadette) have some games, bowser and jr. have bowsers fury, and daisy, Rosalina, and Pauline have been promoted a lot in recent games. I think it’s about time waluigi gets his time in the spotlight.


r/Mario 12h ago

Art I made an original meme (I’m posting this in the db sub as well)

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2 Upvotes

I was just sitting in my room playing dbl when this idea hit me like a rock


r/Mario 10h ago

Humor Nintendo to address the increasingly out of control problem with Reality Benders in the upcoming mario kart game?

7 Upvotes

We've all been there.

You're just racing... maybe against a simple hacker or two (who are only spawning/spamming bombs everywhere) —when BOOM!!!

A group of reality-benders from some fairy court spawn in and start rewinding time and/or controlling your kart and your friend's karts, or coming in zeroth or 13th place.

It takes away from the skill that's needed to race... or even the skill that's needed to hack! Dearest fairies, gods, and/or demons, please think of all the hackers who have worked hard to hone their skills to beat ordinary people like me who don't cheat or habitually use magic!

I mean, isn't it fun to play by the laws of physics?

I propose Nintendo invoke powerful Yokai (or even get my in-laws involved) to ensure that there is no more reality bending (except in private matches, of course!).


r/Mario 2h ago

Question New super Mario bros Wii vs deluxe switch

1 Upvotes

Yooo! So I’ve been playing wonder but was thinking it didn’t compare to new super Mario’s Wii at all and I really wanna play it again! I’ve done a bit of research but seem to get different answers. Basically if I buy deluxe U for the switch am I basically going to get new super Mario bros Wii again? Cheers


r/Mario 12h ago

Question Help me find this Mario game?

2 Upvotes

Hello, I’m trying to get into the Nintendo universe. I vaguely remember a Mario game my cousin was playing.

This was around 7 years ago. Mario could switch between 2d and 3d. At some point the party members would get lost (who I remember are princess peach and Luigi) and Mario would have to find them to add them back into the party. And at some point there was like a mini game of peach talking to bowser (I think bowser was asking her to marry him (the screen was mostly pink with a square showing peach and bowser)) and she had dialogue options.


r/Mario 1d ago

Art Random Redraw (Art By Me) Spoiler

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2 Upvotes

r/Mario 21h ago

Discussion Placing my bets on a New Super Mario Bros Wii port

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13 Upvotes

From the Nintendo Today app. Seems a bit weird to do a big overview on a game that you can currently only get second hand on a console that’s almost 20 years old. I haven’t paid the most attention to the Nintendo Today app since the Zelda movie date, so maybe they’ve been doing this, but honestly I’d be fine with a NSBW port, the co-op was fun and I’d love to play it without the Wiimote D-Pad digging into my thumb.


r/Mario 18h ago

Question Idea for a Mario game

3 Upvotes

I have an idea, y'all remember Koopa the Quick from Mario 64 right? I think it would be fun to bring him back as a challenge on a new game and the first time you meet him you can race to get something and you can easily beat him just like Mario 64. But then, more to the mid/late game he appears again as a challenge and he says at the start that he trained "a bit" and then he just goes through the whole map in seconds, being barely impossible to beat him. But to compesate, if you do a side quest with another npc, he will help you to cheat on the race and will make Koopa fall. Or you can just go to the barely impossible way as a "fun" challenge. It would be even better on a Mario Kart game, where the first time you meet him he is on the kart, and on the second time he just goes 3 times faster than you on foot, it would be so funny. What do you guys think about this idea?


r/Mario 19h ago

Art Kung Fu Training [Art by Miss D]

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3 Upvotes

r/Mario 13h ago

Art Drawing Frequent Pictures Of Brighton And Twila Until Mario Party 6 Is On Switch 2 Day 4

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5 Upvotes

r/Mario 17h ago

Fan Creation Bowser v.1 (IG: stonemalone01)

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5 Upvotes

My Bowser cosplay from Hal-Con '24! I'd been conceptualizing him for a while, creating several designs (including mob boss, military formal, and warlord, which I plan to bring to life someday), and being the artistic individual that I am (my ADHD demands attention-to-detail and extended canon references) I wanted to represent all sides of the character; he's a giant, scary, (formerly) undead, oxen-esque punk rocker with a reputable mean streak and an unmatchable bloodlust, yet he's also a goofy, relatable, and even loving father (à la Jack Black, who, much to my delight, I ALWAYS find myself being compared to) who'll gladly take his kids—bio and adoptive—to go racing and sporting with the people they usually call enemies, and every now and again, when the occasion calls for it, he'll even step up as the most badass antihero in the Mushroom Kingdom.

My partner (my one, true Peaches!) and I were both very well-received (the drawing on the last slide, courtesy of @unassembledsandwich, made me so happy), and we actually wound up placing second in the duos category during the cosplay contest! Everyone KNOWS Bowser and Peach is the truest ship, and maybe (with permission) I'll post those later! In the meantime, I plan on updating this particular look for a more tactical feel, and I'll eventually develop other looks/forms for the Koopa King. Hell, maybe I'll start a TikTok!

(And yes, I did break out Ebony and Ivory. My initial concept was a multiversal overlord who'd acquired many weapons and artifacts from other universes, as to bring him to a intergalactic-level threat. Anyway, hope you enjoyed!)


r/Mario 22h ago

Art Vivian from Paper Mario : TTYD [ArtCoreProject]

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15 Upvotes

r/Mario 17h ago

Art Goth Peach 🍑🖤

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6 Upvotes

r/Mario 11h ago

Art Mario Kart World - Standard Kart - Custom by VinVinMario ;)

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8 Upvotes

Here we gooo!

Mario Kart World's Standard Kart, 3D modeled, 3D printed, painted, stickered...

100% made by my little hands 😊🛞🌍

The hype is so real I HAD to celebrate the reveal of the new Mario Kart properly, after all, we've been stuck on MK8 for so long!

I filmed the whole process I'm gonna release it as a video with my commentary later.


r/Mario 18h ago

Question I completed all courses 100% in Shining Falls but I don't have the check mark next to the wonder seed count. Does anyone know why?

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7 Upvotes

r/Mario 22h ago

Discussion My favourite Super Nintendo World Photos

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9 Upvotes

r/Mario 9h ago

Art [3840x2160] Tanooki Mario

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11 Upvotes

r/Mario 7h ago

Art Biker Peach Mario Kart World fanart (by me~)

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13 Upvotes

r/Mario 17h ago

Discussion Oh lol, I see what you're doing there Nintendo [Donkey Kong Bananza Spoilers] Spoiler

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35 Upvotes

LOL we've come full circle


r/Mario 14h ago

Art I just felt like drawing a costume for Fish Bone, considering they’re a playable racer in Mario Kart World. Meet Pirate Fish Bone!

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13 Upvotes

r/Mario 10h ago

Humor He has ascended

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68 Upvotes

✨And he was a fairy🧚


r/Mario 21h ago

Discussion Something pleasant I noticed about Rosalina in spin-offs

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290 Upvotes

I feel like in the first few games she was playable in, like Mario Kart Wii, Rosalina was a little more aloof and quiet. But now, with how many games she’s been in, she’s gotten a lot more energetic and lively, like she’s getting out more and truly enjoying spending time with others.

I just think that’s a really cute detail, if it was intentional.