Mario's placeholder art, from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
Series
Super Mario
Debut
Donkey Kong (1981)
Weight
Medium
Size
Mid-Small
Smash Status
Veteran
Availability
Default
Final Smash (default)
Mario Finale
Final Smash (custom)
Gold Mario
“Mario is a balanced character with high, iconic jumps. He's a great character to start with for beginners.”
— Description
Mario is one of the default characters in Super Smash Bros. Zenith, and is one of Nintendo's most well-known icons. He is a plumber that has rescued Princess Peach many times from Bowser, even if it were on tropical islands or even outer space.
Mario has been in Super Smash Bros. already since the first one. Mario has always been a balanced character, even in his own games.
Mario first appeared in the Arcade game Donkey Kong, released in 1981 using the same cabinets as Radar Scope, in which he originally was known as Jumpman and was a carpenter. In Donkey Kong, a raging ape named Donkey Kong kidnapped a girlfriend of Jumpman (which was at this period of time Pauline) and climbed up some girders, throwing barrels at Jumpman, who was determined to save his girlfriend from the primate, and had to avoid the barrels and other obstacles found on later levels. At his debut, Jumpman couldn't just jump on the barrels like Mario could, nor could he use fire powers: his only means of attack was a Hammer. As Jumpman reached Pauline, Donkey Kong grabbed the lady and began to climb up higher. Donkey Kong would reach the top at 100 meter, where the fourth level began. This time, the objective was to defeat the simian by destroying the platforms by walking over them. As Donkey Kong was defeated, Jumpman and Pauline reunited.
As the game became a success, Nintendo decided to make a sequel, in which he actually was named Mario. However, Mario played the antagonist this time and had to be defeated instead by Donkey Kong's son.
Mario gains his own game in 1983, Mario Bros. As the name says, Mario had a brother this time, under the name Luigi. Mario Bros. also established their job as plumbers. The objective of this game was to defeat enemies in the sewers by bashing under them, and kicking them away when they were laying down (Mario still couldn't jump on them).
Most of the elements of the Mario series haven't seen the light of day until 1985, when the Famicom was released in Japan alongside the launch title Super Mario Bros., one of the first sidescrolling platformers. In this game, Mario has to traverse the Mushroom Kingdom, defeat King Bowser Koopa and rescue Princess Peach Toadstool, who had been kidnapped after the Mushroom Kingdom fell under a dark spell. Since this game, many of the well-known Mario elements return every time a new game has been released, including Bowser being the antagonist, Peach needing to be saved, and many Power-Ups and enemies that were introduced in this game and later titles.
Most of Mario's attacks in Super Smash Bros. take inspiration from Super Mario 64, but there have also been references to Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Super Mario Sunshine.
Movesets[]
Standard/Tilted Attacks[]
Move
Description
Neutral Attack
Mario jabs with one fist, then with his other fist and finishes with a kick.
Side Attack
Mario uses a spinning kick.
Up Attack
Mario performs a spinning uppercut.
Down Attack
Mario sweeps on the ground with a low kick.
Dash Attack
Mario slides forwards while kicking with his legs.
Smash Attacks[]
Move
Description
Side Smash Attack
Maro thrusts his arm forwards whilst producing a small fire blast in his hand.
Up Smash Attack
Mario headbutts skywards
Down Smash Attack
Mario performs a breakdance sweep.
Aerial Attacks[]
Move
Description
Neutral Aerial Attack
Mario kicks with one leg while his other leg is bent in a way that his foot reaches the other leg's thigh.
Front Aerial Attack
Mario punches forwards, which would lead on a Meteor Smash when it hits
Back Aerial Attack
Mario spins and kicks backwards.
Up Aerial Attack
Mario does a somersault and kicks backwards
Down Aerial Attack
Mario spins around like a tornado, with both fists outwards
Floor/Edge Attack[]
Move
Description
Floor Attack (Front)
Gets up and then kicks around, first behind and then in front.
Floor Attack (Back)
Gets up and then punches around, first behind and then in front.
Floor Attack (Trip)
Kicks around (first behind and then in front) whilst getting up
Edge Attack
Gets up and kicks in front of him
Grabs[]
Move
Description
Grab
Mario has quite a short grab
Pummel
Mario headbutts his opponent
Frontward Throw
Mario spins his opponent around once and tosses it forward
Backward Throw
Mario spins his opponent around several times a la Super Mario 64 and throws them in the opposite direction
Upward Throw
Mario tosses the opponent upwards with both of his hands
Downward Throw
Mario slams his opponent onto the ground.
Special Moves[]
Move
Name
Description
Neutral Special Move
Default
Fire Ball
Mario throws a red Fire Ball that bounces a few times before disappearance.
Custom 1
Quick Fire Ball
Mario shoots a weaker Fire Ball that goes as fast as a shot from a Ray Gun. Inflicts no knockback and doesn't bounce.
Custom 2
Fire Orb
Mario fires an enormous Fire Ball that goes in a predetermined path in form of an arc. Unlike the other Fire Ball moves from Mario, this one doesn't disappear upon impact.
Custom 3
Fire Twirl
Mario throws a Fire Ball spinning in a helix-like horizontal path. It hits an opponent multiple times before it disappears.
Side Special Move
Default
Cape
Mario swings a cape that reflects projectiles. It can also be used as a small recovery that is continuously available.
Custom 1
Shocking Cape
An offensive variation that emits electricity. While it no longer reflects projectiles, it can destroy them instead.
Custom 2
Gust Cape
Mario's cape will shoot a small gust of wind, pushing opponents away and turning them around.
Custom 3
Toss Cape
Mario's cape now throws opponents towards the direction Mario isn't facing. It no longer reflects or shields Mario from projectiles.
Up Special Move
Default
Super Jump Punch
Mario punches opponents whilst jumping in an arc. It hits multiple times and features completely aesthetic Coins.
Custom 1
Super Jump
This move allows more distance for recovery than the default Up move, but won't do any damage.
Custom 2
Explosive Punch
Instead of a multi-hit punch releasing Coins, Mario's Jump Punch will now deliver a small explosion of fire. However, this Jump Punch will not come as far.
Custom 3
Diagonal Jump Punch
Instead of an arc, Mario will now jump in a diagonal straight line. The Punch isn't multihit and won't do as much damage.
Down Special Move
Default
F.L.U.D.D.
Mario pulls out F.L.U.D.D. and sprays a jet of water to push away foes.
Custom 1
Scalding F.L.U.D.D.
F.L.U.D.D. now sprays steamy hot water. Opponents hitting this scalding water will get burning damage and stay in place.
Custom 2
High-Pressure F.L.U.D.D.
F.L.U.D.D. will push its opponents even further away in trade of charging up longer.
Custom 3
Turbo F.L.U.D.D.
F.L.U.D.D. will spray water in the opposite direction, allowing Mario for horizontal recovery in the air.
Final Smash
Default
Mario Finale
Mario will shoot an enormous fire tornado in the horizontal direction.
Custom
Gold Mario
Mario uses a Gold Flower to temporarily turn into this form. His Neutral Special move has turned into Gold Ball, a massive Fire Ball that does massive damage.
Miscellaneous[]
Subject
Description
On-screen Appearance
A Warp Pipe emerges from the ground. Mario jumps out of it while saying "Let's-a go!" in a determined fashion.
Taunts
Up Taunt
Grows and shrinks in size in the fashion of after eating a Super Mushroom, while standing in the same pose as his iconic sprite as in Super Mario Bros.
Side Taunt
Mario twirls while taking his hat of and saying "Woohoo!"
Down Taunt
Jumps in the air, facing the camera and spinning, then falls down with legs in the air, as if he lost a life in Donkey Kong.
Victory Poses
Pose #1
Mario prepares and executes a punch attack
Pose #2
Mario shows off his fire arm powers and then does a pose.
Pose #3
Mario prepares to jump, then twirls in the air and finishes with a pose.
That red cap and curly mustache cannot be unrecognized by many payers of Smash - that oughta be Mario! This plumber is one of Nintendo's most well-known characters, and a well-rounded fighter whose jumps are superb. He may not have the best attacks, but he's no wimp either. If you are new in Smash and don't know what fighter to pick, Mario is a good choice for beginners!
Arc.
Donkey Kong (1981)
Clear Straight Classic as Mario
NES
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Mario (Alt)
Mario has quite a bunch of Special Moves. His Fire Ball may be weak and his F.L.U.D.D. may only push you around, but then there's his Cape, which reflects any ranged attacks, like Boomerangs or Koopa Shells. Then there's the Super Jump Punch, a good recovery move that hits opponents multiple times. And better yet, it releases Coins! Unfortunately, they're only eye candy and won't help you at all in a Coin Smash.
Arc.
Donkey Kong (1981)
Clear Multipath Classic as Mario
NES
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Mario Finale
Break the Smash Ball and unleash Mario's Final Smash. Mario prepares himself, and then blasts two raging serpents of fire, twirling around each other as if they are a tornado. The attack starts small, but becomes larger and larger as it moves further horizontally, dealing great damage to foes and being strong enough to carry them off the stage. Unleashing this attack is probably best on an edge, facing the other fighters.
Wii
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008)
Clear Regular All-Star as Mario
Wii U
Super Smash Bros. Zenith (-)
Gold Mario
This is Mario's custom Final Smash. Use the Gold Flower, and become... well, Gold! Gold Mario's Fire Balls are much larger and more powerful than that of Regular Mario. Not only that, they even give Mario EVEN MORE COINS (which are yet again aesthetic)! Gold Mario still takes damage, but won't flinch even once. However, the transformation will be over sooner when being attacked more.
3DS
New SUPER MARIO BROS. 2 (2012)
Clear Random All-Star as Mario
Wii U
Super Smash Bros. Zenith (-)
Power-ups[]
Name
Image
Description
Appears In
How to Unlock
Fire Mario
In Super Mario Bros., Mario had one limited attack: jumping on enemies. But when he picks a Fire Flower, he gets the ability to throw Fire Balls as a means of projectile. Fire Mario has been one of Mario's most well-known Power-ups, and the stylish white cap has become a remarkable indication for this power. But did you know that it wasn't always white? In Super Mario Bros. 3, it was orange!
NES
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Random Trophy
SNES
Super Mario World (1991)
Raccoon Mario
Mario had only three Power-ups in Super Mario Bros.: the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower and Super Star. This all changed in Super Mario Bros. 3, which marked the debut of the Frog Suit, Hammer Suit, but also the Super Leaf, which granted Mario a fuzzy Raccoon tail that not only could be swung around, but also allows him to fly! There was also the Tanooki Suit that added access to a Statue form, but that has been replaced by the Statue Leaf.
NES
Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990)
Random Trophy
3DS
New SUPER MARIO BROS. 2 (2012)
Cape Mario
Mario's visit to Dinosaur World made the discovery of yet another Power-up: the Cape Feather, which grants Mario a shining yellow cape. Like Raccoon Mario, Cape Mario could spin around, float and fly... but this flying method works a bit different. Instead of repeatedly swinging, Mario had to catch air with its cape. Cape Mario hasn't seen much light of day... but the Cape appears alongside Mario in Smash, at least.
SNES
Super Mario World (1990)
Random Trophy
Rabbit Mario
Mario Land is apparently not full of Super Leaves or Cape Feathers like the Mushroom Kingdom or Dinosaur World, but there are still some handy workarounds in the shape of the Super Carrot, which gave Mario bunny ears. These ears are apparently large enough to hold Mario afloat and slowly land in case he made a large jump. Now in Smash, there is a rabbit with large ears, but don't expect that one to float around like Rabbit Mario.
GB
Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins (1992)
Get a 200000 points score in Target Blast Lv1 as Lopunny
Small Mario
You may have noticed that in some games, Mario changes size with a Mushroom. Small Mario is Mario's weakest form: it grants no powers, takes away the ability to lose bricks, and Mario will lose a life if he gets hit once. Mario actually reverts to this form after being hit by an enemy as Super Mario, or in some older cases, when he's big in general. My suggestion? Grab that Super Mushroom already!
NES
Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Random Trophy
3DS
SUPER MARIO 3D LAND (2011)
Mega Mario and Mini Mario
Two contrasting Power-ups! The former is accessed by eating a Mega Mushroom and makes Mario huge! This allows him to crush anything in its path. The latter is the result of a Mini Mushroom and makes Mario roughly the size of a bean. Sounds like a bad thing, until you realize Mario's jumps have become more floaty and now can run up walls and on water. Both Power-ups are equally useful in their own right.
DS
New SUPER MARIO BROS. (2006)
Random Trophy
3DS
New SUPER MARIO BROS. 2 (2012)
Shell Mario
Blue Koopa Shells (not Spiny Shells) already debuted in Super Mario World, but they were only special for Yoshi, and Mario couldn't do much with it. New SUPER MARIO BROS., however, made it a super useful Power-up, in which Mario can slide like a Koopa Shell if he's fast enough, and he can still jump while being in it. However, elongated use may cause massive dizziness.
DS
New SUPER MARIO BROS. (2006)
Random Trophy
Cat Mario
Meow meow meow! Look how adorable Mario looks in this yellow cat suit (which is received after donning a Super Bell). This Power-up allows Mario to climb up walls, scratch, and lunge at enemies. He can even walk like a cat! There's another Cat Power-up that grants a power that is kinda like Tanooki Mario's Statue form, but then combined with Gold Mario: as in, it turns Mario into a Golden Statue that grants MORE COINS!
Wii U
SUPER MARIO 3D WORLD (2013)
Random Trophy
Other[]
Name
Image
Description
Appears In
How to Unlock
Mario and Yoshi
Mario and Yoshi have been pals for a long time. Some might say even before Mario was delivered to his parents. Mario has deep connections with the lovable dinosaur, and the fact that Yoshi is always ready for another adventure might support this. It make you want Mario to mount on Yoshi right away! ...But that is impossible in Super Smash Bros. Sigh.
SNES
Super Mario World (1991)
Clear Classic (co-op) as Mario and Yoshi
Wii
New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii (2009)
Baby Mario
In Yoshi's Island, Yoshi and his family take it upon themselves to bring Mario back to the Stork when he fell as a baby upon the eponymous island after a confrontation with Kamek. So they have become Mario's caretaker, ready, willing and able to defend the baby and prevent it from being snatched away too. It's best to keep Baby Mario as long as possible on your saddle. His crying is loud...
SNES
Yoshi's Island (1995)
Random Trophy
NGC
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003)
Mario in the Mach 8
Mario Kart 8 is a revolutionary game in the Mario Kart franchise, as it allows Mario and friends to ride on walls and ceilings via special wheels that support anti-gravity. The kart Mario is racing in on this trophy is a streamlined vehicle that traded a bit of acceleration and traction for speed and weight. It is often paired with the Slim tires, which add more speed and handling, so it's a combination for super speedsters!
Wii U
Mario Kart 8 (2014)
Random Trophy
Mario's Portrait
Poor Mario has been trapped for a second time in a portrait by the sinister King Boo. This time, it seems he can't even move at all, unlike the last time he got stuck in a portrait. Probably the worst is that Luigi doesn't even know he's involved in King Boo's scheme until Luigi has to investigate the Treacherous Mansion and retrieve the last part of the Dark Moon. All the more reason to defeat King Boo again...
3DS
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (2013)
Random Trophy
Alternate Costumes[]
Color
Image
Description
Notes
Red (Default)
Mario's cap and shirt are red, whilst his overalls are blue.
This is Mario's appearance from Siper Mario World onward.
White
Mario's cap and shirt are white, and his overalls are red