Mario's Greatest Cameos

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Considering that titles such as Super Mario Bros, Super Mario World and Super Mario 64 were so inspirational for other games developers, it's little wonder that from time to time other studios will slip cheeky little Mario references into their games. As a result, there are a large number of secret Mario cameos spanning a wide variety of games - both those developed by Nintendo itself and some from other studios as well.

Metal Gear Solid, The Simpsons, Zelda, Tetris, World Of Warcraft... some of the greatest franchises in entertainment history have given a cheeky nod to the little plumber over the years, and we're sure he'll continue to make appearances as long as he remains popular. So, to save you the hassle of having to find him yourself, we've done the hard work for you. We present a selection of our favourite Mario cameos.

Punch-Out!!

Punch-Out!! (NES)
The NES version of the brilliant Punch-Out!! featured Mario as the referee, counting out anyone who hits the deck.

F-1 Race

F-1 Race (Game Boy)
Before each race in this Game Boy classic, you'd be waved on and cheered by a Mario character.

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (GameCube)
One of the computers has tiny Mario and Yoshi figures standing on it.

Banjo Tooie

Banjo Tooie (N64)
When Loggo the toilet gets blocked, Kazooie suggests Mario. Loggo says he doesn't think Mario does that kind of work anymore.

Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

Zelda: Ocarina Of Time (N64)
Reasonably early in the game you come across Talon. Now, if he isn't based on Mario than we're a bunch of badgers.

Advent Rising

Advent Rising (Xbox, PC)
One of the levels has a secret area which leads to a Mario-style warp zone, complete with three different pipes.

Donkey Kong Country 2

Donkey Kong Country 2 (SNES)
When you complete it, you're shown Cranky Kong's video game heroes (Mario, Link and Yoshi) and 'no hopers' (Sonic).

Alleyway

Alleyway (Game Boy)
This is full of Mario references, from the levels shaped like Mario characters to the fact that the paddle is piloted by Mario.

Pilotwings 64

Pilotwings 64 (N64)
One of the stages has a large Mount Rushmore-like statue with Mario's face on it.

Taiko Drum Master

Taiko Drum Master (DS)
This drum-based DS game features a Mario level, which has you tapping to the beat of various Super Mario Bros. tracks.

Tetris (NES)

Tetris (NES)
Complete Level 9 on Game B on varying difficulty settings to get a special screen showing Nintendo characters

Tennis

Tennis (Game Boy)
When Tennis was eventually ported over
to the Game Boy, the 'Mario as an umpire' concept was retained from the NES version.

Tetris (Game Boy)

Tetris (Game Boy)
Should you decide to have Link battle using two Game Boys, one of you plays as Mario and the other Luigi.

Tetris DS

Tetris DS (DS)
Yet another Tetris reference to Mario. The majority of the single-player game is surrounded by Mario sprites.

World Of Warcraft

World Of Warcraft (PC, Mac)
One of the quests involves bringing items to a character called Larion (who looks like Mario) so he can attack Muigin (aka Luigi).

Stunt Race FX

Stunt Race FX (SNES)
The SNES's fantastic 3D racer looked even better whenever you drove past one of the billboards with Mario's face on it.

Super Scope 6

Super Scope 6 (SNES)
The SNES Super Scope came bundled with six games. One, LazerBlazer, included a cameo from a little Mario in a bi-plane.

SimCity

Sim City (SNES)
When your city's population reaches half a million people, you'll get a letter telling you that the people have built a Mario statue.

SimCity 64

Sim City 64 (N64
The N64 'remake' of the SNES classic also retained the Mario statue, though obviously it looks much better in full 3D!

1080 Avalanche

1080 Avalanche (GameCube)
Near the end of Angel Light: Midnight City Course, you'll come across a Mario ice sculpture.

Pokemon Stadium 2

Pokémon Stadium 2 (N64)
If you have a console in your room they will show a variety of titles, some of which are Mario games.

NBA Street V3

NBA Street V3 (GameCube)
Exclusive to the GameCube version, Mario, Luigi and Peach can be selected as playable characters in EA's great basketball game.

SSX On Tour

SSX On Tour (GameCube)
Much like with NBA Street, this is another EA title which added the GameCube-only ability to race as Mario, Luigi or Peach.

Pinball (NES)

Pinball (NES)
The game has a bonus stage where you have to control Mario and rescue Pauline at the top of the screen.

Asterix & Obelix XXL 2

Asterix & Obelix XXL 2 (PS2)
This game has more references than an encyclopedia, including this enemy who looks suspiciously like a certain Italian.

Kirby Super Star

Kirby Super Star (SNES)
During the Megaton Punch mini-game, if you look carefully you can see Mario, Luigi, Toad and Birdo sitting in the crowd.

Earthbound

EarthBound (NES)
The English version of this NES RPG featured a scene where a kid asks if you've played Super Mario Bros. 7.

Alex Kidd In Shinobi World

Alex Kidd In Shinobi World (Master System)
Here's one you'll never see: this boss (called Mari-Oh) was quickly replaced at the last minute for legal reasons.

Big Brain Academy

Big Brain Academy (Wii)
One of the observation games in Big Brain Academy features an image of Raccoon Mario from Super Mario Bros. 3.

The Simpsons

The Simpsons (TV)
One episode sees Bart considering stealing a game. Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong and Sonic pop up as his conscience.

F-Zero GX

F-Zero GX (GameCube)
Mr EAD is based on Mario. He's fat, has a moustache and wears a Starman belt. EAD is the Nintendo team that make the Mario games.

The Simpsons

The Simpsons (TV)
In another Simpsons reference, Mario turns up at the Simpsons home and is attacked by Homer who throws trashcans at him.

Futurama

Futurama (TV)
When Earth is taken over by DK, Mario says "The cruel meatball of war has-a rolled onto our laps, and ruined our white pants of peace".






Credit to The Mushroom Kingdom for some of the images

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