The Many Métiers of Mario: A Top Ten Mar10 Post

A very happy Mar10 day to you! Our mustachioed man of honor is typically known for running and jumping, but he shows up in all sorts of places. Today, we explore the top ten sightings of Mario in other professions or timelines!

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10) The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Link’s Awakening turns out to be aaaall a dream but that Tarin guy sure looks a lot like Mario! There are nods to other Nintendo franchises all over this game – like an enemy shaped like Kirby, a man who suspiciously looks like the mayor of Sim City, and a frog who resembles Wart.

9) Golf

Before we formally had NES Open and the Mario Golf series, we just had regular old Golf. But, like his appearance in Link’s Awakening, there are quite a few similarities between our main man and this golfer dude. Later, we’d learn that this IS in fact Mario – though, according to Wikipedia, they formerly called him Ossan, which was apparently a generic reference to him when they were making Donkey Kong!

8) Punch-Out!!

Knock out! Mario moved on from the dream world and life of golf so he could call the shots in the boxing ring.

7) Game and Watch

In the re-release of the Game and Watch games, Mario takes on the role of a deep sea explorer, hunting for buried treasure guarded by a giant octopus.

6) Alleyway

If there’s one thing Mario is good at, it’s breaking blocks. Mario takes it to the next level by piloting a small craft that bounces a block-breaking ball around the room.

5) Wrecking Crew

Before he was plumbing, he was working construction in direct competition with Foreman Spike. And by construction, I mean deconstruction… with explosives!

4) Mario’s Picross

Mario channels his inner Indiana Jones and uncovers hidden messages on coded stone slabs. At least, that’s how I envision the scenario. Otherwise, it’s just a generic puzzle game – one that just released on Nintendo Switch Online!

3) Yoshi’s Cookie

It’s Yoshi’s cookie but Mario is the main chef? Yoshi finally gets his revenge for being dropped in all those pits by forcing Mario to bake him cookies.

2) Donkey Kong Jr.

Call the Humane Society, Mario’s only villain role during his career shows the cruel separation of animal families when he takes a father away from young Donkey Kong Jr.

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Honorable Mentions:

Mario Paint

Make some music with Mario’s decapitated head!

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1) Dr. Mario

The doctor is in, and he’ll write you prescriptions until the problem finally goes away – just a like a real doctor!

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Thanks for stopping by to read my post! What’s your favorite instance of Mario in a non-Mario game? Let me know in a comment – and show your support by “liking” my article!

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