From simple palette swaps to beloved protagonists with their own games—how Nintendo transformed Mario's companions into gaming icons When Super Mario Bros. debuted in 1985, the Mushroom Kingdom felt surprisingly empty. Mario had his quest, Bowser had his castle, and Princess Peach had her... well, her castle to be kidnapped from. But over the last … Continue reading The Evolution of Mario’s Supporting Cast
Mario
The Art of Space: How Nintendo Crafted Two Distinct Design Languages for 2D and 3D Mario Games
When Super Mario Bros. launched in 1985, it established a design language so elegant that players could master its fundamentals within minutes. Jump on enemies, avoid pits, reach the flagpole. Simple. Yet when Nintendo transitioned Mario into three dimensions with Super Mario 64 eleven years later, they faced a challenge that would reshape game design … Continue reading The Art of Space: How Nintendo Crafted Two Distinct Design Languages for 2D and 3D Mario Games
The Mushroom Kingdom’s Ecosystem: A Closer Look at Mario’s World
From its humble beginnings as a series of simple platforming backgrounds to its modern incarnation as a vibrant, living world, the Mushroom Kingdom has captured gamers' imaginations for over four decades. This fantastical realm, brought to life through Nintendo's creative vision, presents one of gaming's most distinctive and well-realized ecosystems. Let's explore the incredible biodiversity … Continue reading The Mushroom Kingdom’s Ecosystem: A Closer Look at Mario’s World
Super Mario Bros. 2: The Unique Development Story and Its Impact
In the annals of video game history, few titles have a development story as intriguing as Super Mario Bros. 2. Released in North America in 1988, this sequel to the groundbreaking Super Mario Bros. took the gaming world by storm, but not in the way anyone expected. Its journey from concept to console is a … Continue reading Super Mario Bros. 2: The Unique Development Story and Its Impact
My Gaming History: Nintendo 64
Previously on My Gaming History... ColecoVisionAtari 2600Nintendo Entertainment SystemGame BoySuper Nintendo The Nintendo 64 was released in North America at the end of September in 1996. Nintendo made the courageous and possibly controversial decision to produce another console that relied on cartridges for their games rather than switching to a disc, as Nintendo's two main … Continue reading My Gaming History: Nintendo 64
My Gaming History: Super Nintendo
Previously on My Gaming History… ColecoVisionAtari 2600Nintendo Entertainment SystemGame Boy The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (or SNES, which will allow me to be lazy), was introduced to North American audiences way back in September of 1991. And I actually can't remember when I got my hands on one. I know it wasn't right away. Because … Continue reading My Gaming History: Super Nintendo
How Super Mario Bros. Changed the Face of Western Civilization
I'll admit that, once upon a time, I watched Glee. I didn't watch it for long. I really enjoyed the music, but the stories were crap. I know that a lot of people will disagree with that notion, but that's just my opinion. Anyway, there was this one episode where a character had a throw … Continue reading How Super Mario Bros. Changed the Face of Western Civilization
The Confusing Middle 