Mario didn't just win a game; he resurrected an entire medium. Why do we love Mario more than faster, cooler characters like Sonic? It’s the underdog factor.

If you are a child of the 80s, 90s, or even the 2020s, the sound of a coin being collected is hardwired into your brain. The sight of a red shirt and blue overalls triggers an instant dopamine hit. But how did a pudgy, mustachioed plumber from Brooklyn (or the Mushroom Kingdom, depending on your lore) become the undisputed king of gaming?

Let’s be honest: In the pantheon of video games, there are icons, there are legends, and then there is Super Mario .

What is your earliest memory of playing Super Mario? Was it on the NES, the SNES, or the Switch? Let me know in the comments below—and remember, always check behind the flag pole.

It’s-a Me, A Legend: Why Super Mario Still Owns the Throne After 40 Years