How Nintendo's Mario Got His Name

harrymcc writes "In 1981, tiny Nintendo of America was getting ready to release Donkey Kong. When the company's landlord, Mario Segale, demanded back rent, Nintendo staffers named the game's barrel-jumping protagonist after him. Almost thirty years later, neither Nintendo — which continues to crank out Mario games — nor Segale — now a wealthy, secretive Washington State real estate developer — like to talk about how one of video games' iconic characters got his name and Italian heritage. Technologizer's Benj Edwards has researched the story for years and provides the most detailed account to date."

well that explains

[butterflysrage]

the coin obsession... never met a landlord yet who wasn't in it for the shines

Re:well that explains

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, surprisingly enough numbers of non-paid amateur landlordery enthusiasts are dwindling.

Re:How Wario got *his* name

[BadAnalogyGuy]

It's hard to explain, but the long and short of it is that you have to understand Japanese.

Mario

[gyrogeerloose]

Speaking as an American of Italian heritage who also used to be a plumber, not only am I not offended by Mario, I hold him up as a role model. I mean, I lost count of the number of times I had to chase some damned monkey through the pipes. Happened all the time.

Re:How Wario got *his* name

[Anonymous Coward]

It's hard to explain, but the long and short of it is that you have to understand Japanese.

One day I will find a Westerner who learned Japanese for reasons other than casually dropping the fact into web forums.

Really?

[ProdigyPuNk]

This guy did research for YEARS to publish this article ? I like Nintendo/Mario as much as the next person, but somewhere between year 1 and 2 you think he would have thought "Damn, maybe this isn't really all that important..."

Okay, okay, stop me if you've heard this...

[Chysn]

J.D. Salinger, Thomas Pynchon, and Mario Segale were hanging out together at a bar. Salinger says, "I'm sick and tired of these ambitious news people harassing me because I wrote a book." Pynchon replies, "Tell me about it, I just want to be left alone." Segale nods, downs his limoncello in one gulp, and says, "Mama mia! Vito, break-a these-a-guys' thumbs!"

Re:well that explains

[ArsonSmith]

There called Parents. Most have a basement where Slashdot readers live.

Re:Most Racist Video Game Character Ever

[Homr Zodyssey]

At least he's not in the Mafia.

Maybe not the character. But the article is about the man who inspired it. He's a real estate developer who has a tight-knit family circle and avoids media exposure. My first thought was, "Sounds like mafia." Then again, in the origin story, he came in demanding his overdue rent but then left without breaking any kneecaps.

Re:Mario

[calibre-not-output]

For the non-Portuguese speaking people, this is an old joke in Brazil:

-Do you know Mario?
-What Mario?
-The one who fucked you behind the closet.

It rimes in Portuguese. =/

Re:well that explains

[Anonymous Coward]

Where called Parents?

Re:How Wario got *his* name

[dkleinsc]

One day I will find a Westerner who learned Japanese for reasons other than casually dropping the fact into web forums.

Are you excluding the completely hopeless anime enthusiasts, and the western guys who learned Japanese in the hopes of snagging a hot Japanese girlfriend (yes, these groups overlap)?

Re:How Wario got *his* name

[daremonai]

One day I will find a Westerner who learned Japanese for reasons other than casually dropping the fact into web forums.

That would be me. Just thought I'd mention it.