Check out Part One first
Mario is an almost mythical figure. He can jump heights most people only dream of. He routinely saves the world from unspeakable evil. He has a long
lasting love interest who's literally a princess. But behind this surface life of galmour, heroism, and fame, Mario has a dark history. How has this past affected Mario's present... and his future?. Welcome to Mario: Behind the Mushroom.
The SNES years: SMW etc. (some from other systems)
Following the tough breakup with Peach, Mario again looks for a physical and mental challenge to distract him. He hears of an alien invader in far off Sarasaland and goes on to defeat him easily. He then meets Daisy.
Being on the rebound from Peach, Mario falls head
over
heels for the realtively plain Daisy. They fly off in Mario's plane to a wedding in Vegas and a honeymoon night rumored by Toad to be "really kinky".
When Mario awakes the day after the wedding, he finds his bride gone, her wedding ring on the nightstand. Also missing is Mario's vast collection of coins and jewelry. Mario is devestated and goes into a deep depression.
Luigi suggests that Mario come with him and Peach on his vacation to Dinosaur Land to help him relax and forget his female troubles. He goes grudgingly, not really wanting to be around the princess.
When Peach is captured once again by Bowser, Luigi has to practically beg Mario to help him save her. Mario finally agrees, but along the way he constantly complains that he doesn't want to be there and verbally derides both the princess and Luigi.
By the time the brothers finally save the princess in peril, Luigi is so tired of Mario's complaining that he finally lets out all the pent up rage from years of being "player 2". After a long tirade directed at Mario, Luigi declare that he "no longer has a brother" and walks off, taking Peach with him.
His life in shambles, Mario goes into seclusion. Luigi, feeling bad about their recent falling out, convinces Mario to come out for a charity Kart race, but otherwise Mario sulks around his newly built Mario Land. Not even defending the palace from an invading cousin named Wario can cheer up the forlorn plumber.
In a last ditch effort for some attention, Mario bribes Bowser to capture him, thus forcing Luigi to come to his reclusive brother's rescue. At first Luigi is glad to have finally been the solitary hero for once, but when he finds out what Mario has done, he's madder then ever, and once again swears to never speak to Mario again.
Due to his rampant spending, Mario is in deep debt to his "Mushroom provider", Toad. To pay him back, Toad asks Mario to save Bowser from a giant sword that has fallen through his castle (Bowser is also one of Toad's client who ALWAYS pays on time). Mario does it unhappily, never uttering a word throughout the whole quest. On the way, though, he teams up with Peach, and the pair has a partial reconciliation.
The N64 Years: SM64 and beyond
On better terms since their epic adventure, Peach invites Mario over to the castle for a cake. Ecstatic, Mario comes by only to find that Bowser has once again captured the princess. Mario gladly saves her and gets a kiss and a reclaimed girlfriend as his prize.
Re
energized and full of life since making up with Peach, Mario starts anew. He kicks the mushroom habit. He reconciles with his estranged brother (not without some begging). He even pays off all his debts using coins found about Peach's castle.
Mario focuses his new found love of life into charity social events, including a second Kart race, two "board game parties" (all the rage with the upper crust socialites), and golf and tennis tournaments, just to name a few.
The future looks brighter than ever for our plucky plumber. With a third board game party in the works, and new challenges and adventures surely on the horizon, Marios darkest days seem to be behind him.
The End!
Contest Winners: The contest is now over. If you recall, I asked you to identify every game that is referenced or alluded to in "Behind the Mushroom Part 2". I was surprised by the large number of entries I got. Due to the huge tie for first place, I'm unableto give out a prize for this contest, but look for a nother one with a strategy guide prize soon. For now, settle for your name being featured up in lights! Here's the official list of all 12 games:
Super Mario Land, Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins, Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, Mario is Missing, Super Mario RPG, Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Mario Party, Mario Party 2, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis
I didn't include Mario Party 3 because it isn't technically a game yet, but I didn't take off for it either. Anyway, here's the scores for all the entries.
