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History of Super Mario Timeline
(1985 - Present)Super Mario is one of the most influential video game franchises of all time. Created by Nintendo and largely shaped by designer Shigeru Miyamoto, the series follows Mario, a plumber from the Mushroom Kingdom, as he battles Bowser to rescue Princess Peach. Beginning with Super Mario Bros. in 1985, the franchise has defined platform gaming for decades, spawning sequels, spin-offs like Mario Kart and Paper Mario, films, merchandise, and a lasting cultural legacy. More Less
Development History
American video game crash of 1983 prompts rebranding strategy
1983
The American video game crash of 1983 was a regional market recession that had not directly affected the mature Japanese market. Nintendo later deliberately rebranded the Famicom platform internationally in the wake of this crash, shaping how Super Mario titles were introduced abroad.
Image source: Video game crash of 1983
Conception of third Super Mario installment begins
Feb 1986
The conception of a third Super Mario installment began shortly after the release of The Legend of Zelda in February 1986, setting development in motion for what would become Super Mario Bros. 3.
Image source: Super Mario Bros. 2
Nintendo of America seeks more accessible Mario sequel
1987
Shortly after the release of Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic in summer 1987, Nintendo of America sought a more accessible Super Mario sequel with new gameplay and better graphics, worrying that The Lost Levels' drastic difficulty increase would discourage new players.
Tanabe recalls being handed characters by Fuji Television
Jul 10, 1987
Kensuke Tanabe recalled being pulled over to Fuji Television one day, handed a sheet with game characters, and told to make a game with them. He re-implemented that prototype's elements in his new advergame-themed title for the Family Computer Disk System.
Image source: Super Mario Bros. 2
Prototype concept inspires innovative gameplay
1988
Summarizing Tanabe's recollections within a 2011 interview, Wired noted that although the initial concept had been scrapped, the development of the original two-player cooperative prototype inspired all the innovative gameplay of the resulting Super Mario titles.
Late prototype exhibited in first issue of Nintendo Power
Jul 1988 - Aug 1988
A late prototype of the game covering its gameplay changes was exhibited in the first issue of Nintendo Power, dated July/August 1988, giving fans an early look at the upcoming release.
Image source: Nintendo Power
Game Releases
Super Mario Bros. released with advanced difficulty adaptation
1985
In 1985, Nintendo quickly released an adaptation of the original game with advanced difficulty titled Super Mario Bros., establishing the foundation for one of the most successful video game franchises in history.
Image source: Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. arcade version released
1986
In 1986, a coin-operated arcade version of the original Super Mario Bros. was released, bringing the console hit to arcades and expanding the franchise's reach.
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels released in Japan
Jun 3, 1986
Nintendo released Super Mario Bros. 2, known as Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, for its Japanese market on June 3, 1986, for the Family Computer Disk System. It was later released as part of Super Mario All-Stars for the Super NES.
Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic released as advergame
Jul 10, 1987
Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic was released for the Family Computer Disk System in Japan on July 10, 1987. Based on a prototype platforming game, it served as an advergame for Fuji Television's Yume Kōjō '87 media technology expo.
Key Facts
- Super Mario Bros. was released on September 13, 1985, for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and is credited with reviving the video game industry after the 1983 crash.
- Shigeru Miyamoto created Mario, who first appeared as 'Jumpman' in the arcade game Donkey Kong in 1981.
- Super Mario Bros. has sold over 40 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time.
- The franchise expanded into major sub-series including Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Paper Mario, and Luigi's Mansion.
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) became one of the highest-grossing animated films ever, demonstrating the franchise's enduring global popularity.
Source
This History of Super Mario timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.
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