Happy Birthday Mario

Nintendo's official birthday for the stout plumber is September 13th, and today marks his 20th Anniversary. Via Kotaku, an Edge Online article celebrating the man's greatness. From the article: "Undoubtedly, you will have played at least one of those games - so let's talk about how far he's come, and why he's so great. In terms of his history, it's one filled with successes, and a few mysteries to boot. The working class hero has spent more time beating a fantasy tyrant to save royalty than he has on his serviceman job" Nintendo.jp also has a bunch of congratulatory messages from Japanese groups, all for the man in red. Update: 09/14 05:48 GMT by Z : Push the Buttons has a really great tribute to Nintendo's finest that I felt should be added to this post.

Shigs

[reclusivemonkey]

Its Shigeru Miyamoto, not Mario, that is the real magic here. Mario 64 was so good it still makes me want to weep. This was the first 3D environment I was totally immersed in. It wasnt a little italian plumber running around in there; it was me.

Re:Age

[Edgewize]

Why is it whoring? So far, every game Mario has appeared in (with the exception of EA's Street titles) has been fun, simple to learn, and full of familiar characters who have consistant traits. Bowser is always slow and powerful, Mario is always a good all-around player, etc.

If "Mario Power Curling" hits the shelves, does that somehow mean that Mario's next platformer is going to be any worse? No. You might not want to buy it, but where's the problem?

Mario Rap

[technoextreme]

Do the Mario! Swing your arms from side to side Come on, it's time to go, do the Mario! Take one step, and then again Let's do the Mario, all together now! You got it! It's the Mario! Do the Mario! Swing your arms from side to side Come on, it's time to go, do the Mario! Take one step, and then again Let's do the Mario, all together now! Come on now, just like that!

Re:Oh my

[JamesInsomniac]

I'm not that big of a fanboy! The Micro looks like a smaller GBA. Does Nintendo really expect us to purchase 3 versions of the same system (The GBA, GBA SP, and the Micro)??

Wrong anniversary

[earthbound kid]

Today (actually in Japan time, yesterday) is the 20th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. But Mario debuted in the American Donkey Kong arcade game in '81 or so. After that, there was the game in which he and Luigi fought crabs in underground pipes, Mario Bros. The game Super Mario Bros. came much later than either of those.

Of course, Super Mario Bros. did rock socks, so it's worth celebrating on its own. But it's important for us to know what exactly we're celebrating.