When people think of Mario today, they picture the cheerful plumber in his red hat, stomping Goombas and rescuing Princess Peach. But Mario’s beginnings are a little more surprising than many realize. If you’re wondering “What is the very first Mario?”, let’s dive into gaming history.
Mario’s True Debut: Donkey Kong (1981)
The very first appearance of Mario wasn’t in Super Mario Bros. but in the arcade classic Donkey Kong released in 1981.
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Back then, Mario wasn’t even called “Mario.” He was known as Jumpman, a carpenter rather than a plumber.
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His mission? Rescue his girlfriend Pauline from the giant ape Donkey Kong.
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Gameplay involved climbing ladders, dodging barrels, and jumping over obstacles—the beginning of Mario’s trademark move.
This was Mario’s official birth moment as a video game character.
The First Game Titled “Mario”: Mario Bros. (1983)
In 1983, Nintendo released Mario Bros. in arcades, the first game with Mario’s name in the title.
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This game introduced Luigi, Mario’s younger brother.
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For the first time, Mario was identified as a plumber (since the gameplay centered around pipes and sewers).
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The two brothers fought enemies like Shellcreepers and Sidesteppers by flipping them over and kicking them away.
This solidified Mario as a Nintendo mascot and began the legacy of the Mario franchise.
The First Super Mario: Super Mario Bros. (1985)
While Donkey Kong (1981) was his first appearance and Mario Bros. (1983) was his first starring role, the game most people think of when they say “the first Mario” is Super Mario Bros. (1985) for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
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This introduced the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser, and Princess Peach (then called Princess Toadstool).
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It defined side-scrolling platformers and became one of the best-selling and most influential video games of all time.
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The Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and iconic music all debuted here.
So, Which Is the Very First Mario?
It depends on how you look at it:
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First appearance: Donkey Kong (1981) as Jumpman.
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First Mario-titled game: Mario Bros. (1983).
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First true Super Mario game: Super Mario Bros. (1985).
Final Thoughts
Mario’s journey from Jumpman in 1981 to global superstar in the mid-80s shows how much he shaped the video game world. Whether you count Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., or Super Mario Bros. as the “first Mario,” one thing is certain: Mario’s origins built the foundation for decades of fun.
He may have started out climbing ladders in an arcade, but today, Mario is an icon known across generations.