Game:

Super Mario Bros. (1985)

Duration: 3:41

92,957 views

5,897

Let's call this one a reaction video of sorts. There's no tremendous original insight or anything, I'm sure you all already know about Mario's history as a Brooklynite in the Super Mario Bros Super Show and the original Super Mario Bros movie with Bob Hoskins.

That said, I think it's interesting to point out WHY Mario being a New Yorker is so powerful within his story: why it matters to celebrate the Italian-American community, and, by extension, migrants from around the world.

Because Mario's story is one of immigration: he arrives in the Mushroom Kingdom from some nebulous elsewhere (the "real world" if you will) and finds it in the midst of political strife. It's significant that Mario, as a newcomer to this country, is the one to fix its problems. It's also significant that the blue-collar plumber goes up against a king, the head Koopa himself, and defeats his entire army.

There is, therfore, a hidden signifance to Mario's New York accent. It's a reflection of his journey as a fish-out-of-water, and it's a reference to the atmosphere in New York; a cultural melting pot where everyone is welcome.

Indeed, it's because of New York's welcoming atmosphere that Nintendo was able to establish a base in America in the first place. It's because of New York's diverse population that the company was inspired to name this character Mario in the first place.

Anyways, this video isn't particularly well thought out, but here's hoping you like it anyway!

Matthew

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