While Dr. Mario may be one of the most classic suits donned by the moustachioed plumber, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto and creator of Mario says the character should not be trusted.
Speaking to IGN about The Super Mario Bros. film hitting theatres this week, Miyamoto shared how the movie brought out a new side of the character as an everyman hero.
That being said, the new perspective shed some light on some of Mario's other roles, with Miyamoto calling out Dr. Mario in particular as a character shrouded in shadiness.
"Mario’s a blue-collar, he’s a regular person,” Miyamoto said. "So, even when he becomes Dr. Mario, there’s a sort of, like, shadiness, like 'can I trust this person?'”
"That remained [in the film]," he continued. "And I think that’s the kind of image that’s carried down for generations as Mario. And to see that image kind of coincide, and then evolve into something of a hero is something that I’m really happy to see."
The film features more than Mario (played by Chris Pratt), of course, and the cast have shared how they managed to put their own spins on the fan-favourite Mushroom Kingdom characters.
Keegan-Michael Key had to keep up a high pitched voice for Toad, while Jack Black used Darth Vader as inspiration for Bowser. As for Seth Rogen, who plays Donkey Kong, he just wants to make a sequel.
In our 8/10 review of the film, IGN said: "The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a fireball of animated fantasy, overcoming a Paper Mario-thin plot with undeniable charm and energy."
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.