Today is another one of those made up pop culture "holidays" created by internet people, but more likely its something socially engineered by Nintendo. This is very similar to May 4th being Star Wars day. March 10th only really makes sense when you abbreviate March, and also only in languages influenced by the Roman calendar. Mar 10... MarI0. Mario Day!
This video character, in fact the entire franchise, has become probably the most recognizable video game character of all time, and probably the first video game character to become a pop culture icon. Created in 1981 as the protagonist in Donkey Kong, Mario has appeared in over 300 games since either as the main character, or in cameos. Below are some interesting factoids about everyone's favorite koopa stomping plumber...
Mario's last name is also Mario.
Confirmed in 2015, Mario Mario is this dude's full name. Making his brother Luigi Mario, which actually makes the Mario Brothers make sense. Mario was known as Jumpman in the original Donkey Kong, and was almost name Mr. Video... so he was almost named Mario Video? I kind of like that better. Reduplicant names are dumb.
Mario and Luigi were almost Carpenters.
The idea was to create a working class everyman character. Carpentry was the first choice. Jumpman is a carpenter in Donkey Kong. The design of a dude in overalls seemed more plumber-like, and so Mario and Luigi became plumbers for their debut game Super Mario Brothers, which still fits the desired working class trope. Apparently plumbers are somehow synonymous with Italian-Americans in New York, so they became Italian-american plumbers from New York. Fix-it Felix from the Wreck it Ralph films is an obvious homage to Mario, and also has a working class occupation and design. This may make Mario a Socialist icon.
Other Characters could have been Very Different
The original designs for Bowser the King Koopa were not a giant snapping turtle. Bowser was supposed to be an Ox. Giant Dragon Turtle seemed like a better option.
Yoshi was going to be another koopa, but the design team created the green dragon character instead.
Super Mario 2 was originally a completely different game called Doki Doki Panic, and Mario character skins were ported in instead. This explains why the storyline isn't a direct sequel, or why there is an entirely different main antagonist who never appears again, and all new minor enemies not seen in the first game. Also... you throw turnips. I think Super Mario 2 is under rated.
This character is as old as I am. This means there hasn't been a time in my life where Mario, and Luigi, and the princesses, and toadstool people, and Bowser, and his koopas, haven't existed. I grew up being fascinated with Nintendo properties, enjoying playing, and being frustrated by their difficulties. Happy Mar10 day to everyone!
