Character Sheet: Mario (Original Sidescrollers)

MARIO

Now that we have all of the original sidescrolling Mario titles for the NES and SNES under our belt, I think it's time we go through and evaluate every character we have picked so far as being playable.

This time we have several, many of which can be fully developed right now, many who do not have a full moveset yet but have been pegged for their role in the series, and many with only half a moveset. We'll start with our main cast for now:

1. Mario
2. Luigi
3. Princess Toadstool
4. Toad
5. Yoshi
6. Bowser
7. Koopalings
8. Wart

First up, we have Mario, our main playable character and a returning veteran from the arcade titles. For Mario, many of his abilities in the NES and SNES titles have become far more synonymous with the character than almost everything he does in the arcade titles, so I expect most of his moveset to be replaced.

Mario remains a jack of all trades with middling stats and an above-average jump. Throughout most of his sidescrollers, Mario's weapons come from items he picks up, including, but not limited to: a fire flower that grants him the ability to throw fireballs, the Starman, which makes him invincible, the raccoon leaf and Super Cape feather, which both give him the ability to fly and flick enemies, the Tanooki Suit, Frog Suit, and Hammer Suit, all three of which add unique abilities, and the Power Balloon, which inflates Mario like a balloon. Much of his moveset will likely be based upon all of these.

Here is the new moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Fireball

Mario tosses out a fireball. The fireball bounces along the ground and does minimal damage. This move is his Standard B in Super Smash Bros. already.

Side B: Cape

Strictly speaking, this move is based upon the flick ability given to Mario by both the Super Cape and the Raccoon Leaf. I am tempted to include both, but as the cape forms the basis for the move in Super Smash Bros., I will go along with it.

Up B: Raccoon Tail

Since the Side B was based on the cape, it seems only fitting that the Raccoon Tail be the one to represent his flight capabilities. This move acts much like the move from SMB3, carrying him aloft for a short period and damaging anyone who touches the tail.

Down B: Tanooki Statue

This move is based on the ability granted by the Tanooki Suit, which lets Mario turn into a statue and crush enemies beneath him. The move will act much like Kirby's Down B and deal heavy damage.

Final Smash: Starman

Mario would gain the power of a Starman, which would both make him invincible to damage while also allowing him to KO any opponent on contact. He can then run around the stage at will.

Entrance: Pops up from a warp pipe.

Taunts: Mostly based on Mario's victory screens in the games. For sure his two-fingered peace sign he often flashes.

Next up, we'll tackle Luigi, who will no longer act as Mario's echo, but will instead be something of a semi-clone.