7 Video Game Franchises That You Didn’t Know Are Spin-Offs
4. The Mario Series Is A Donkey Kong Spin-Off
It's easy to forget that the most recognisable video game franchise of all time is technically a spin-off.
Mario first appeared in Donkey Kong. Not only that but Donkey Kong was a well-established franchise by the time that Mario got his own game. Before the original Mario Bros. in 1983 we got Donkey Kong Jr. for arcades and Donkey Kong II for the Game & Watch, both of which also feature Mario, this time as the antagonist.
Mario had a full character arc by the time he starred in Mario Bros., no matter what way you look at it, the Mario series are spin-offs, even if they did end up overtaking Donkey Kong in recognisability.
Both franchises thrived after Mario left to do his own thing, with Donkey Kong starring in a few more games now sans Mario with a man named Stanley.
The two franchises do occasionally crossover nowadays, with the most notable examples being Mario Kart, sports games, and the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series.
Donkey Kong is now viewed as a part of the Mario cast, which is an injustice, Mario is a part of the Donkey Kong cast. Nintendo has been lying to you.