Mario Multimedia Roster, Updated

And we'll finish off with our non-game roster!

Mario Multimedia Stage Roster, Updated

MARIO MULTIMEDIA STAGE ROSTER

And here's the new stage roster with the Movie Kingdom representing The Super Mario Bros. Movie added in.

Movie Kingdom

MOVIE KINGDOM

In a lot of ways, the best aspect of the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie was its visuals. Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto worked closely with the film's directors to brink the imagery of the games to life in a new and unique way. One of the first things that got me excited personally was the release of a poster that showed the concept for the Mushroom Kingdom, with Peach's castle built on top of one of those domed mountains, with a big complex city built up and around the mountain.

There was no way the stage for this movie was not going to be a touring stage. Using that moving platform Peach used to take Mario to her training course as the base, the stage will work its way around the capitol city, touching down in a lot of important spots, such as the courtyard in front of the castle, the training course itself, several spots around the city, the mushroom forest outside the city where Mario first emerged, and, at one point, Bowser's Kingdom will arrive on the scene, giving the stage new places to land at.

Possible stage theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5JhBz9zSn8, or (because I couldn't possibly not include it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imSefM4GPpE

Koopa General

KOOPA GENERAL

In 2023, a new theatrical version of Super Mario Bros. was produced. Though initially met with hesitation due to the involvement of the notoriously cheap animation studio Illumination and the casting of Chris Pratt as Mario, the movie ended up generally being well received, at least by audience members, due to its high animation quality, serious Easter Egg game, decent story, and absolute devotion to its source material. The story saw Bowser attempting to invade the Mushroom Kingdom and force Princess Peach to marry him, only for a pair of plumbers from Brooklyn to stumble across their world and become unlikely heroes. Standing at Bowser's side were his faithful wizard Kamek and a new character, commander of Bowser's army, complete with wings and a blue spiky shell familiar to any casual Mario Kart player.

This is the Koopa General, a new character and origin of the famous Spiny Shell item in the game. He would prove a serious threat to our heroes during the chase scene across Rainbow Road, only falling due to the combined efforts of Mario and Donkey Kong to take him down. In a last ditch effort, he sacrifices himself, turning into the Spiny Shell of the game, and destroying the track, taking Mario and DK with it.

As a fighter, the Koopa General will be flighty and fast with good aerials, and sharp, deadly combos stemming from his ruthless and cruel nature. His moveset will pull from his abilities shown in game, including his large and deadly personal kart.

Likelihood rating: Non-game . . . ?

Character Sheet: Koopa General

KOOPA GENERAL

The Koopa General was an original character created for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, voiced by Scott Menville (AKA Robin from Teen Titans). He was a blue Paratroopa with a spiky shell, making him the origin of the Spiny Shells in the game. He clashed with the heroes most prominently during the battle on Rainbow Road, driving a giant armored kart with a crushing mouth on the front and a Bullet Bill launcher on the top. He is also seen wielding a spear. After Mario and Donkey Kong work together to destroy his vehicle, he emerges from the wreckage, tucks into his shell and takes off after them, divebombing them just as the Spiny Shell would in-game. There is easily more than enough here.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Bullet Bill Launcher

He will activate his bullet bill launcher and fire one straight forward as a projectile.

Side B: Crusher Car

He will charge forward in his kart, the metal teeth on the front clanging open and closed, dealing heavy damage when connected.

Up B: Heat-Seeking Wings

He will take off into the air on his wings, able to move at much higher speeds than a normal Paratroopa and moving in straight lines while making the familiar hiss.

Down B: Explosion

He will charge for a time and, when struck or connecting with another player, will let loose a bright blue blast.

Final Smash: Spiny Shell

He will stand, looking angry, shout "Blue Shell" and take off into the sky and offscreen. He will then target the player in the lead, circle down over their head, and strike them, exploding and destroying the stage around them for a short time.

Entrance: He will land on his wings and stand at attention.

Taunts: Up, he will stand at attention and salute. Side, he will stand beside his kart and look proudly at his opponents. Down, he will look angry and say "You won't get away from me!"

Kirby Hat: His awesome helmet

Kart: His kart from the movie, obviously

Special Move: He will literally become the Spiny Shell, and then revert back after emerging from the explosion.

Spirit Battle: A horde battle of Bowser's minions with him in the lead, on Movie Kingdom.

Victory Screen: A blue explosion will light up and he will land, looking cocky.

Losing Screen: He will emerge from burning wreckage, looking angry.

Color Swaps: His normal colors, a green shell version, a red shell version, a yellow shell version, a dry bones version, a Koopatrol version, a Bowser version, and a Dry Bowser version.

Thanks for reading! Next up, his character card, and let's toss in the new stage's card for good measure.

Penguin

PENGUIN

The fourth world of Super Mario 64 consists of an icy mountain, complete with snowmen, a slip-and-slide, and strong breezes. Just behind you, at the starting point, you will see a small little penguin wandering around, searching for its mama.

Three of these Penguins appear on the stage: the baby, its mama at the bottom of the mountain, and a big guy inside of the stage's cabin who challenges you to a race. These creatures would go on to be a staple of the Mario series, often appearing as obstacles of the kart races or friendly allies on his many adventures.

As fighters, they won't be very powerful, but will be fast and slippery, about to get out of a jam with ease. Their moveset will pull from their shown abilities throughout the games, and the little bit added to them in the new movie.

Likelihood rating: Probably not.

Character Sheet: Penguin

PENGUIN

Today, let's cover the penguins that inhabit the Mario world. Having been a constant presence since Super Mario 64, where they raced Mario on the ice and missed their babies (most of which were thrown from the mountain by pretty much every player ever), the penguins never had quite enough to claim playership, but now with the launch of The Super Mario Bros. movie, where an army of them attack with snowballs and catapults, we can welcome them in.

Here's the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Snowball

The penguin will throw a barrage of snowballs forward. They will do minimal damage.

Side B: Slide

The penguin will leap forward onto its belly and slide across the stage, barreling into the nearest fighter.

Up B: Sliding Jump

The penguin will slide onto its belly again, but this time up a small ramp that will launch it high into the air, based on its Galaxy appearances.

Down B: Catapult

It will roll a catapult forward a few spaces before it launched a big lump of snow, burying anyone hit by it.

Final Smash: Slip Slidin' Away

The penguin will slide forward and strike an opponent, dropping them onto the slide from Mario 64 just as the penguin from that comes barreling down it.

Entrance: The penguin will be sitting in a pool and crying loudly.

Taunts: Up, the penguin will wave at the camera. Side, "That is but a taste of our fury! Do you yield?". Down, the penguin will walk around in a circle doing its little clucks.

Kirby Hat: The top of its head

Kart: A big one based on the sliding penguin from Mario 64.

Special Move: The road directly in front of them will become covered in ice, allowing them to slide much more quickly.

Spirit Battle: Two large and one small on Shivering Snow Land.

Victory Screen: It will stand proudly as the victory fanfare from Mario 64 plays.

Losing Screen: Their opponent will toss them off the side of a mountain.

Color Swaps: The standard version, a Mario 64 version, a version based on Tucks, Mario in the Penguin Suit, a red version, yellow version, the big one from Mario Galaxy, and King Penguin.

Thanks for reading! Next up, Blue Shell!!!

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE

Today, let’s cover the Super Mario Bros. movie, specifically meaning the 2023 Chris Pratt movie produced by Illumination, not the old 1993 film starring Bob Hoskins. The film came out about a month and a half ago, at the time of his writing, and has since been pretty much killing it at the box office and in audience reception, even if critical reception was initially mixed. The film stars Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black among others and mostly retells the basic premise of the original game, with Bowser trying to take over the Mushroom Kingdom, which Mario had just recently come to from Brooklyn. The film does swap out Peach for Luigi as the “Damsel in Distress” role, but I do feel that helps Mario build a relationship with Peach in the movie while already having that brotherly relationship with Luigi, which would have been difficult if she’d been in a cage the whole movie.

Right off the bat, we have the double-edged sword of the movie being really accurate to the games this time around, which while being awesome in its own right, kinda means that we can’t really pull a unique version of Mario or the other characters from this one. Best I can say is have a “movie version” color swap on either the standard Mario or Film Mario specifically with this design and Chris Pratt’s voice work replacing the standard Charles Martinet voice bytes for that one. As it stands, most of what we see Mario do in the movie are things we see him do in the games, such as running, jumping, punching, and using such powerups as the Super Mushroom, the Cat Suit, the Tanooki Suit, the Mini Mushroom, and the Starman. He also rides a Kart, throwing a green shell at one point, but that all also falls under the Mario Kart moveset. He also uses some plumbers’ equipment but nowhere to the extent used by Bob Hoskins’ version or the Super Show! version.

Charlie Day’s Luigi is sidelined for much of the movie, but when he is in action, he does most of the same as his brother, even joining him in the use of the Starman at the end. Anya Taylor-Joy’s Princess Peach is also pretty standard to Peach’s more action-heavy game appearances, also using such powerups as the Fire Flower and Ice Flower at different points. She does wield a halberd at one point but not through any extended action scenes.

Keegan Michael Key plays Toad, specifically the main red-spotted, blue-vested Toad, at somewhat of a midway point between his original appearance and Captain Toad, being a bit of a wanderer laden down with a backpack and a bunch of camping gear. He wields a frying pan and drives a very large kart, but is otherwise pretty standard to his normal appearances. Same goes for basically every other Toad in the movie, though they are given a significant downgrade in courage and fighting ability (I choose to believe the two guards at the friend of the castle were Buckenberry and Alagold respectively).

The Kongs make a pretty significant appearance throughout the movie, Mario, Peach, and Toad visiting them to request aid. Donkey Kong and his (now) father Cranky are the main to appear, played by Seth Rogan and Fred Armisen respectively. Donkey Kong fights with a bunch of standard DK moves, throwing barrels, punching, slapping, grabbing, flying on a rocketbarrel, and so on. He does use a Fire Flower at one point, which was really cool, but other than that, he’s basically Donkey Kong. Again, great for the viewers, not great for our purposes here. Cranky mostly sits on his throne and acts . . . crankily, but not much else. Other Kongs appearing in the background include Diddy, Dixie, Kiddy, Chunky, and Swanky. There’s also a bouncer Kong who I don’t think is supposed to be Funky, but I’m not totally certain. He drives a kart and tosses a banana peel at one point.

Other minor characters include Mario’s family back home, including a mom, dad, two uncles, an aunt, a cousin, and a grandpa, most of whom do basic NPC stuff. Foreman Spike also makes a notable appearance in the movie played by Sebastian Maniscalco as a rival plumber who bullies the brothers. He grabs and threatens Mario at one point but not much new. There’s also a character named Giuseppe played by Charles Martinet, who almost feels like a confirmed distinct Jumpman, and a Secret Life of Pets extra named Francis owned by a rich couple who tried to bite and claw at the brothers at one point. He also fills the shower to get at them, so there’s that. We also have an army of Penguins, led by a king voiced by Khary Payton, who are shown attacking with snowballs and even a snow catapult. Then there’s Lumalee, voiced by the director’s kid and portrayed as a cheerily nihilistic Luma who has given up on all of existence. Pauline also has a brief cameo, baby versions of Mario, Luigi, and Peach are seen in flashbacks, and Yoshi is teased for the sequel.

On the villain end of things, we have Bowser, played brilliantly well by Jack Black, who leans very heavily into the “Bowser simps for Peach” angle of the character. He is seen breathing fire, clawing, biting, spinning in his shell, and performing an epic piano solo. He is also force-fed a Mini Mushroom at the end of the film. Again, pretty basic Bowser stuff. He is backed up by a nearly unrecognizable Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, who uses his magic to levitate people off the ground, and once uses it to nearly compress Toad to death. I don’t think we’ve ever seen him use his magic specifically in those ways, but other than that, he’s basically Kamek.

One standout is the Koopa General voiced by Scott Menville and portrayed as the origin of the flying blue Spiny Shell. He is seen carrying a spear, drives a kart with giant crushing teeth on the front, from which he can also fire a Bullet Bill. After he is forced to crash by Mario and Donkey Kong, he turns into a kamikaze pilot and, well, blue-shells the both of them.

Across all of Bowser’s army, we see Koopas, Goombas, whatever those things are (Spinies), Shy Guys, Snifits, Swoops, Bramballs, Biddybugs, Dry Bones, King Boo, King Bob-Omb, Bob-Ombs, Bullet Bills, Buzzy Beetles, Chain Chomps, Hammer Bros, Piranha Plants, Sledge Bros, Bloopers, Cheep Cheeps, and the Unagi or Maw-Ray.

As for our stages, we start the story in Brooklyn, relatively based on real world Brooklyn, including a swanky high-rise apartment and a large sewer area taking some inspiration from Mario Bros. In the Mushroom Kingdom, we have Princess Peach’s castle and the city surrounding it, all built on and around one of the giant round mountains familiar to the series, with several structures and systems in place that make platforming a standard part of everyday life. Around the back of Peach’s castle there is a training course that Peach puts Mario through, based on the standard Mario levels.

From there, the heroes travel to the Kong Kingdom, visiting a few Easter Egg locales along the way. The Kong Kingdom seems entirely built around kart racing, working in a plot-relevant reason for Mario Kart to be part of the story. Mario and Donkey Kong also face off in a Smash-style arena at one point. After obtaining the Kong’s help, an extended action scene takes place on Rainbow Road. Finally, we have the Dark Lands, Bowser’s flying castle and kingdom all wrapped into one and combined with his castle from the Paper Mario games, covered in lava and featuring several castles. We also have the Ice Kingdom shown briefly that Bowser destroys at the beginning.

All items were previously listed, so let’s get it done! Here’s what we’ve got so far:

Characters:

Mario: run, jump, punch, Super Mushroom, Cat Suit, Tanooki Suit, Mini Mushroom, Starman, kart, green shell, plumbers’ equipment, van.

Luigi: Starman

Princess Peach: Fire Flower, Ice Flower, halberd, run, jump, punch, kick, bike

Bowser: fire, claw, bite, spin in shell, piano, Mini Mushroom

Toad: frying pan, kart

Donkey Kong: barrels, punch, slap, grab, rocketbarrel, kart, Fire Flower.

Kamek: levitate, compression

Cranky Kong

Koopa General: spear, kart, crushing teeth, Bullet Bill, fly, explode

Toads

Diddy Kong

Dixie Kong

Chunky Kong

Kiddy Kong

Foreman Spike: grab, push

Francis: bite, claw, shower

Mario’s family

Penguins/King Penguin: snowballs, snow catapult, everything else they can do

Lumalee

Pauline

Koopa

Goomba

Spiny

Shy Guy

Snifit

Dry Bones

Bob-Omb

Buzzy Beetle

Chain Chomp

Hammer Bro

Piranha Plant

Blooper

Cheep Cheep

King Boo

King Bob-Omb

Stages:

Brooklyn

High-rise apartment

Sewer area

Mushroom Kingdom

Princess Peach’s castle

Training course

Kong Kingdom

Kong arena

Rainbow Road

Dark Lands

Ice Kingdom

Thanks for reading! Next up, we have two newcomers to address, starting with the Penguins!