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How It Works • Games & Tech

Mario (franchise)

Mario is a Japanese video game and media franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Mario is a Japanese video game and media franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo. It centres on Mario, Nintendo's iconic mascot, and has expanded into television, films, comics, and theme parks.

What it is

The Mario franchise is a long-running series centred on the character Mario, created by Shigeru Miyamoto. It is one of Nintendo's most important properties and spans many entertainment formats.

Key details

The franchise began with the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, where Mario first appeared. Mario is an Italian plumber living in the Mushroom Kingdom with his brother Luigi. He is Nintendo's most recognizable mascot.

Media and adaptations

Beyond video games, the franchise includes TV shows, comics, films (1993 and 2023), a planned 2026 sequel, and a theme park area. The franchise is widely consumed in Canada and globally.

In short

  • Created by Shigeru Miyamoto.
  • First appearance in Donkey Kong (1981).
  • Nintendo's iconic mascot.
  • Spans games, films, TV, comics, and theme parks.
Canadian angle

The franchise is widely consumed in Canada through Nintendo game releases, console ownership, and film adaptations, making it a familiar part of Canadian pop culture.

Quick questions

Who is Mario?
Mario is a fictional video game character created by Shigeru Miyamoto and the main protagonist of Nintendo's Mario franchise.
What is the Mario franchise?
The Mario franchise is a Japanese video game and media series created by Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo, beginning with games and later expanding into other media.
Who created Mario?
Mario was created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario
    Supports: Mario’s identity, creator, role as Nintendo mascot, first appearance, and voice actors.
  2. Super Mario Wiki — https://www.mariowiki.com/Mario
    Supports: Mario as the main character and titular protagonist, and his current/latest portrayals.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_(franchise)
    Supports: Definition of the Mario franchise and its expansion into other media.
  4. nippon.com — https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02742/
    Supports: Mario’s debut in Donkey Kong in 1981 and historical context.