A Game Made by the Japanese About an Italian Plumber

If you’ve ever picked up a video game controller, chances are you’ve met him: a mustachioed, overalls-wearing hero jumping through pipes and stomping on turtles. This beloved character is the star of what many describe as “a game made by the Japanese about an Italian plumber.” But how did a Japanese company create one of the most iconic Western-style characters in entertainment history? In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating origins, global impact, and cultural legacy of this groundbreaking franchise—answering the questions fans and curious newcomers alike have asked for decades.

Who Created the Game Made by the Japanese About an Italian Plumber?

The game in question is none other than Super Mario Bros., released by Nintendo in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was developed by a small but brilliant team led by Shigeru Miyamoto, often called the “father of modern video games.”

Miyamoto, inspired by Popeye, Donkey Kong (his earlier hit), and urban landscapes, originally designed the character as “Jumpman”—a carpenter battling a gorilla to rescue his girlfriend. When Nintendo brought the game to the U.S., they renamed him Mario, after their landlord, Mario Segale, an Italian-American who reportedly resembled the pixelated hero.

“We needed a character that was easy to animate with limited pixels. A mustache hid the mouth, and a hat avoided drawing hair,” Miyamoto once explained in a Wired interview.

This blend of Japanese design philosophy and Western cultural cues created a globally resonant icon.

For more on Nintendo’s early history, see Nintendo on Wikipedia.

Why Is This Game So Important in Video Game History?

Super Mario Bros. didn’t just sell well—it saved the video game industry during a critical collapse.

After the 1983 North American video game crash, consumer confidence in gaming plummeted. Retailers wrote off the medium as a fad. Then came Super Mario Bros., bundled with the NES in 1985. Its tight controls, colorful worlds, and addictive gameplay redefined what a home console game could be.

Key stats that show its impact:

• Over 40 million copies sold (making it one of the best-selling games of all time)
• Revived the U.S. console market, paving the way for Sega, Sony, and Microsoft
• Introduced level design principles still used today (e.g., “safe” starting zones, hidden blocks, warp zones)

Industry analyst Matthew Dieterle noted:

“Super Mario Bros. established the template for side-scrolling platformers. Without it, we might not have Sonic, Crash Bandicoot, or even modern indie hits like Celeste.”

How Did a Japanese Company Create an Italian Character?

This cultural blend wasn’t accidental—it was strategic localization.

In the early 1980s, Nintendo of America wanted characters that felt relatable to Western audiences. So:

• Mario was given Italian roots (hence the name, accent, and later, the Brooklyn-inspired voice by Charles Martinet).
• His profession shifted from carpenter (in Donkey Kong) to plumber—a logical fit for navigating underground pipes in Super Mario Bros.
• The setting moved from construction sites to fantastical, pipe-filled worlds like the Mushroom Kingdom.

Yet the core gameplay—precision jumping, exploration, power-ups—came from Miyamoto’s Japanese design ethos: kaizen (continuous improvement), wabi-sabi (beauty in simplicity), and ma (use of empty space).

This East-meets-West alchemy made Mario feel both familiar and fresh worldwide.

Mario vs. Other Iconic Game Characters: What Sets Him Apart?

While all three are Japanese creations, only Mario was intentionally coded with a Western identity—a bold move that paid off enormously in markets like the U.S. and Europe.

The Evolution of the “Italian Plumber” Across Decades

From 8-bit hero to cinematic star, Mario has evolved dramatically:

1. 1981: Debuts as Jumpman in Donkey Kong (arcade)
2. 1985: Stars in Super Mario Bros. (NES)
3. 1996: Transitions to 3D in Super Mario 64
4. 2023: Appears in the Oscar-nominated The Super Mario Bros. Movie
5. 2025: Remains central to Nintendo’s ecosystem (Switch, mobile, theme parks)

Notably, Mario has appeared in over 200 games—from sports titles to RPGs—yet always retains his core identity: cheerful, brave, and endlessly optimistic.

Why Do People Still Care About a 40-Year-Old Plumber?

Because Mario represents joy, accessibility, and innovation.

• For casual players: Simple controls, bright visuals, and instant fun.
• For veterans: Deep mechanics (e.g., speedrunning, frame-perfect jumps).
• For families: Multiplayer games like Mario Kart and Super Mario Party bridge generations.

A 2023 survey by NPD Group found that 78% of U.S. households own at least one Mario game—a testament to his cross-demographic appeal.

FAQ Section

Q1: What is the name of the game made by the Japanese about an Italian plumber?
A: The original and most famous title is Super Mario Bros. (1985), developed by Nintendo, a Japanese company. The character is Mario, portrayed as an Italian-American plumber.

Q2: Is Mario really Italian?
A: Yes—in official Nintendo lore, Mario and his brother Luigi are Italian plumbers from Brooklyn, New York. This backstory was established in the 1980s for Western audiences.

Q3: Who created Mario?
A: Shigeru Miyamoto, a legendary Japanese game designer at Nintendo, created Mario (originally “Jumpman”) for the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong.

Q4: Why did a Japanese company make an Italian character?
A: Nintendo of America wanted relatable characters for U.S. players. Giving Mario an Italian identity (name, job, accent) made him feel more “American” in a multicultural sense, aiding localization.

Q5: How many Mario games have been sold?
A: As of 2024, the Mario franchise has sold over 830 million units worldwide, making it the best-selling video game franchise of all time (source: Nintendo financial reports).

Q6: Is Mario still relevant today?
A: Absolutely. With new games (Super Mario Bros. Wonder, 2023), a blockbuster movie (2023), and Super Nintendo World theme parks, Mario remains a cultural and commercial powerhouse.

Conclusion

The story of “a game made by the Japanese about an Italian plumber” is more than nostalgia—it’s a masterclass in global storytelling, design innovation, and cross-cultural appeal. From a 160-pixel hero to a multi-billion-dollar icon, Mario proves that great ideas transcend borders.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering his world, there’s no denying Mario’s place in history.

Love this deep dive? Share it with fellow gamers on Twitter, Facebook, or Reddit—and let the world know why the plumber in red still rules the gaming universe! 🍄✨