Mario

Lore & Background

In the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario is a simple plumber with an outsized heart. He spends his days fixing pipes, rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser's clutches, and collecting coins by the thousands. He's not a warrior by training; he's a handyman who happens to be incredibly strong, incredibly brave, and stubbornly optimistic. His hammer, his fireballs, his ability to stomp on enemies—these are the tools of a man who solves problems with whatever's in his toolbox.

When the Smash Bros. tournament calls, Mario shows up the way he always does: with a grin, a thumbs-up, and zero hesitation. He doesn't monologue or brood. He just jumps in, fires a fireball, and hopes for the best. In the multiverse of fighters gathered on those floating stages, Mario is the anchor—the reminder that this is, at its core, a game about having fun. His Mushroom Kingdom allies—Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Toad—share his world, but Mario is the one who carries the banner.

Fans have built a mythology around Mario-as-default that goes beyond gameplay. He's the character you pick when you don't know what to pick. He's the character your friend picks at a party because he's "easy." And yet, in the hands of skilled players, his grounded game, his reliable recovery, and his clean combo strings make him a legitimate competitive threat. He's the Swiss Army knife of Smash, and that versatility is his true power.

Reader's Guide

Name: Mario | Source Franchise: Super Mario (Nintendo) Unlock Method: Default character—available from the start in every Smash title. No unlock required.

Neutral Attack: A three-hit combo of a straight punch, a forward kick, and an overhead swing. Clean, fast, and great for spacing. Side Special – Fireball: A medium-speed projectile that travels in a straight line. Reliable for zoning and edge-guarding. Can be angled slightly up or down. Up Special – Jump: A double-jump that gives Mario one of the most reliable recovery options in the roster. The second jump is a short hop, making it hard to intercept but limiting in range. Down Special – Ground Pound: Mario drops to the ground and slams down, creating a shockwave. Useful for edge-guarding and punishing airborne opponents. Forward Smash: A sweeping hammer swing with good range and knockback. Up Smash: A quick upward kick, strong for anti-air at close range. Back Smash: A backward leg sweep with solid horizontal reach. Neutral Aerial: A spinning kick that hits in all directions around Mario. Forward Aerial: A forward kick, fast and effective for approaching. Back Aerial: A backward kick, useful for spacing in the air. Grab & Throws: Standard grab with forward, back, up, and down throws. The down throw is a quick slam. Final Smash – Super Star: Mario rides a glowing star in a horizontal dash, striking everything in his path.

Alternate Costumes: Classic red, a green Luigi-inspired variant, and additional color swaps (blue, yellow, white) available in later titles.

Unique Mechanics: The double-jump recovery is his signature quirk—reliable but short-range, rewarding precise timing. His Fireball is a staple of Smash's projectile meta. His overall kit is built around grounded play, making him a master of spacing and punish.

Did You Know?

• His Up Special, Jump, grants a double-jump rather than a traditional recovery move like a Falcon Punch or Roll, making his recovery one of the most predictable yet effective in the game.
• Mario's Fireball has been his Side Special in every Smash title to date, making it one of the most consistent moveset elements in the entire franchise.