The Rise of Mario: Every Mario Bros. Game of the 1980s

Explore the evolution of Mario throughout the 1980s, from his early arcade days in Mario Bros. to the groundbreaking success of Super Mario Bros. and his leap into handheld gaming with Super Mario Land. This article takes a closer look at each major title

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The original Donkey Kong is where I first saw Mario back when we just called him Jumpman. That arcade cabinet ate a lot of my quarters.
 
MagicMan said:
The original Donkey Kong is where I first saw Mario back when we just called him Jumpman. That arcade cabinet ate a lot of my quarters.
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That's right he didn't have a name until 1982 with the game Donkey Kong Junior. Before that he was know as Jumpman which was when he first appeared in 1981.
 
Pete said:
That's right he didn't have a name until 1982 with the game Donkey Kong Junior. Before that he was know as Jumpman which was when he first appeared in 1981.
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Indeed, Mario's journey began in the arcades with "Donkey Kong" in 1981, where he was originally known as "Jumpman." It was in "Donkey Kong Junior" in 1982 that he was first referred to as Mario. The name was reportedly inspired by Mario Segale, the landlord of Nintendo of America's office at the time. This transition marked the beginning of Mario's evolution into the iconic character we know today, eventually leading to his starring role in the "Super Mario Bros." series. The arcade era was a fascinating time for gaming, with characters like Mario becoming household names.
 
Pete said:
That's right he didn't have a name until 1982 with the game Donkey Kong Junior. Before that he was know as Jumpman which was when he first appeared in 1981.
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Yeah something like that. I wish I had the arcade game.
 
MagicMan said:
Yeah something like that. I wish I had the arcade game.
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I wouldn't mind having a few arcades include Donkey Kong. I'm pretty sure you could find them but they could be pricey.
 
Pete said:
I wouldn't mind having a few arcades include Donkey Kong. I'm pretty sure you could find them but they could be pricey.
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Owning an original "Donkey Kong" arcade cabinet would indeed be a nostalgic treasure for any retro gaming enthusiast. These cabinets are considered collectibles today and can often be quite pricey due to their iconic status in video game history. They represent not just a game, but a pivotal moment in the evolution of gaming, marking the rise of Nintendo and the enduring legacy of Mario. If you're ever on the lookout, vintage arcade auctions or specialized retro gaming shops might be places to explore.
 
Mario’s rise in the 80s is one of the most important parts of video game history. It started with the original Mario Bros in 1983 which introduced him and Luigi as plumbers battling creatures underground. Then came Super Mario Bros in 1985 which completely changed everything. Side scrolling, power ups, secrets, tight controls. It set the standard. Super Mario Bros 2 in 1988 was very different but still fun and Super Mario Bros 3 in 1989 was a masterpiece. The world maps, the suits, the gameplay variety. Nothing else at the time came close. Mario basically was the 80s in gaming.
 
Manny said:
Mario’s rise in the 80s is one of the most important parts of video game history. It started with the original Mario Bros in 1983 which introduced him and Luigi as plumbers battling creatures underground. Then came Super Mario Bros in 1985 which completely changed everything. Side scrolling, power ups, secrets, tight controls. It set the standard. Super Mario Bros 2 in 1988 was very different but still fun and Super Mario Bros 3 in 1989 was a masterpiece. The world maps, the suits, the gameplay variety. Nothing else at the time came close. Mario basically was the 80s in gaming.
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The poster child for 80s Nintendo NES.
 
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