10 Super Mario Facts You Probably Never Knew

By Colette Stirling /

9. Mario€™s got An Exhaustive List Of Cameo Appearances

Mario has not only starred in his own games, but has also made cameo appearances in many other Nintendo games. Most fans will know that Mario started out his career in 1981 within the arcade classic Donkey Kong as €˜Jumpman€™, who rescued Pauline €“ formerly known as Lady €“ from the evil giant ape named Donkey Kong. Since the game€™s release, there have been many interpretations, with one even naming Jumpman as the villain, locking poor DK up in a metal cage. Mario€™s list of cameos is almost exhaustive, but here are a few you might not have spotted... In the original game for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time you can look through the window of Hyrule Castle and see a hanging portrait of Mario, Princess Peach, Luigi, Yoshi and Bowser. Meanwhile, in the 3DS version, you€™ll spot a scene from New Super Mario Bros. complete with a green pipe. Tennis for the Game Boy, released back in 1985 for the NES, was basically Pong with rackets and better AI. And it€™s here that Super Mario decided to make an appearance as a referee. We€™re not entirely sure how he manages to star in his first game this year in Super Mario Bros., as well as umpire several tennis matches, but what can we say, he€™s a busy man.