Baby Mario: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:07, December 22, 2013

“Not-a-bad, for a baby!”

—Baby Mario, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

Baby Mario is a major character in the Yoshi series, and he is Mario as an infant. Baby Mario, with Yoshi helping him, is often rescuing Baby Luigi, who is carried off by Kamek in several games. Since then, he has appeared in two other games in the Yoshi series and alongside his older self in several sports spin-off games. Despite being a baby, he is capable of playing various sports, driving karts, and even battling enemies (as shown in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time).

History

Yoshi series

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

File:SMW2 BabyMario.png

Baby Mario as he appears in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

Baby Mario makes his debut in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (and plays the same role in the remake Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3). Here, the Stork is on his way to deliver Baby Mario and Baby Luigi to their parents in the Mushroom Kingdom. Kamek, however, has predicted that the Mario Brothers will cause problems for the Koopas in the future, and he attempts to kidnap the babies. He successfully kidnaps Baby Luigi and the Stork. Baby Mario falls into Yoshi's Island and lands on the back of Yoshi. Yoshi brings Baby Mario to the other Yoshis, and they decide to help Baby Mario rescue Baby Luigi from Kamek and Baby Bowser. After they journey throughout the worlds, they reach Baby Bowser's Castle, where they battle Baby Bowser. After defeating him, Yoshi and Baby Mario rescue Baby Luigi. Then, the brothers are brought back to their parents.

Yoshi Touch & Go

Baby Mario riding Yoshi's back in Yoshi Touch & Go.

Baby Mario appears in the Nintendo DS game Yoshi Touch & Go. The game starts off with Kamek knocking Baby Mario off the Stork and taking Baby Luigi captive. The player has to guide Baby Mario to the ground using clouds and trapping enemies in bubbles. When he reaches the ground, a Yoshi is at the bottom, saving him when all his balloons pop. Baby Mario and Yoshi then chase after the Toadies, who are carrying Baby Luigi away. Yoshi and Baby Mario eventually save Baby Luigi.

Yoshi's Island DS

Superstar Mario in Yoshi's Island DS.

In Yoshi's Island DS, Baby Mario is one of the babies kidnapped by Kamek in his search for the Star Children. The Stork arrives just in time, however, and manages to rescue Baby Mario, who drops onto Yoshi's back as in the original Yoshi's Island game. He is one of the babies who accompany the Yoshis on their quest to rescue the other children that Kamek has kidnapped. As the other babies in this game, Baby Mario possesses special abilities that he can use to assist the Yoshis. His powers enable the Yoshi that is carrying him to dash quickly, as well as causing M Blocks to be visible. Baby Mario, the Yoshis, and the other babies eventually succeed in rescuing all the children from Kamek and Bowser, after which he is revealed to be one of the seven Star Children.

Yoshi's New Island

Template:Newsubject-section Baby Mario will appear in Yoshi's New Island for the Nintendo 3DS. He is once again sitting on Yoshi's back.

Mario Golf

Artwork of Baby Mario in Mario Golf.

Baby Mario makes his first spin-off appearance in Mario Golf for the Nintendo 64. He is a basic character, being a default character out of four. Baby Mario has a draw shot with a drive of 215 yards. In result, he is the strongest of all the default characters.

Mario Tennis series

Mario Tennis

File:BabyMario MT64.png

Baby Mario as he appears in Mario Tennis.

Baby Mario is a playable speed character in Mario Tennis for the Nintendo 64. He offers more power than the other speed characters but lacks reach. He also shares a stage with Yoshi, simply titled the Baby Mario and Yoshi Court. His tennis racket's insignia in this game is a lowercase letter M.

Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)

Baby Mario is playable in the Game Boy Color version of Mario Tennis. In this game, he is a speed character, and he is also given his own minigame, titled Baby Mario Target Shot. He has the same signature as the previous game (a lowercase letter M).

Mario Power Tennis

Baby Mario and Baby Luigi (spotted in the bottom right hand corner) in the Mario Power Tennis opening.

Though not playable in Mario Power Tennis, Baby Mario, alongside Baby Luigi, makes a cameo appearance in the opening of the game. They can be seen only in the first match, where Mario and Luigi defeat Wario and Waluigi.

Mario Tennis Open

Baby Mario in Mario Tennis Open.

After four years of not appearing in games, Baby Mario appears as an unlockable playable character in Mario Tennis Open, which happens to be the first time he appears as an unlockable character. He is unlocked by completing Level 3 of the Special Game, Super Mario Tennis. His insignia on his tennis racket is now updated and has an uppercase letter M like his adult self, but with bonnet frills around the letter M. As in all Mario Tennis games, he is a speed character. Baby Mario's racket costs 1200 coins in the Clubhouse for Miis to be able to use.

Mario Kart series

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

File:BabyManBabyGuyDD.png

Baby Mario and his younger brother Baby Luigi in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.

Baby Mario debuts in the Mario Kart series in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! alongside his younger brother Baby Luigi. Both are light-weight characters and both are default. Baby Mario's default kart is the Goo Goo Buggy. The babies' special item is a Chain Chomp, which can lead Baby Mario and Baby Luigi through the course, knocking other karts out of the way. They share their own course, Baby Park.

Mario Kart DS

Although Baby Mario does not appear as a playable character in Mario Kart DS, Baby Park from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! reappears as a Retro Course in the game.

Mario Kart Arcade GP 2

Baby Mario and Baby Luigi also make a cameo appearance in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, with several notable characters. Here, they can be seen throughout Yoshi Park 1 and have a sponsor, Baby Land, seen throughout other courses.

Mario Kart Wii

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Baby Mario in Mario Kart Wii.

Baby Mario appears as a starting playable character in Mario Kart Wii. Baby Mario is still a small character, having a weight of +3 and a handling of +2. His weight bonus, with Baby Luigi, is the largest in the game out of all bonuses, and it grants him a significant edge when it comes to that stat. Unlike Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Baby Mario does not have his own vehicles, as the other characters, but the vehicles available to him get a different paint job than other characters. His vehicles are mainly blue and red.

Mario Kart 8

Template:Newsubject-section Baby Mario will return to be a playable racer in Mario Kart 8.^[1]

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Baby Mario appears as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee. The trophy of him depicts him in his Mario Golf look.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Baby Mario once again appears as a trophy and two Stickers in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. His trophy look is updated to his modern appearance. As a sticker, both stickers feature him in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island artwork.

Mario Baseball series

Mario Superstar Baseball

File:MSS Ball for Baby Man.png

Baby Mario taking a bat in Mario Superstar Baseball.

In Mario Superstar Baseball, Baby Mario is a default character in all the modes. He is on Yoshi's team in the Challenge Mode. Baby Mario is a right handed pitcher and batter by default. He is a speed character and he has the Wall Jump ability. In order for Baby Mario to become a superstar, he must complete his six missions, one which is unique to him.

Mario Super Sluggers

Baby Mario returns in the second Mario Baseball game, Mario Super Sluggers. He is a default character as in the previous game. In Challenge Mode, the player learns that Baby Mario is trapped in the Mario Stadium by Bowser Jr. after Baby Luigi is rescued. After Bowser Jr. is defeated, he is set free. Baby Mario then joins the player's team.

Baby Mario has the same stats as Toadette, with the same ability: Enlarge. The two are also the same in that they bat and field with their right hands. The only gameplay difference they have is their tackle.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

Baby Mario in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.

Baby Mario and his brother Baby Luigi, star alongside Mario and Luigi in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Baby Mario and Baby Luigi first meet their adult selves in Hollijolli Village after the adult Mario brothers have been defeated by Shroobs. They then team up in order to defend Mushroom Kingdom from the Shroobs. Baby Mario spends much of the adventure riding Mario piggyback. He and Baby Luigi eventually acquire hammers in the Vim Factory. After traveling throughout the past, defeating enemies, and eventually rescuing Princess Peach, Baby Mario and company stop the Shroob invasion. Baby Mario, alongside any other character who has originated from the past, return back to their original time period. Prior to returning to the past, Baby Mario gives Mario his hammer as a good-bye gift.

In battle, Baby Mario battles identically to his brother, Baby Luigi. His default attack is jumping on foes, and, when Baby Mario acquires the hammer, can use a hammer to attack spiked foes. The player can time Baby Mario's attacks in order for him to do more damage. When Baby Mario is riding on Mario's back, he can engage in battle when the player presses the appropriate command button at the appropriate time. In piggyback mode, Mario takes all the damage for Baby Mario; when Mario faints, Baby Mario takes his place. If Baby Mario faints in battle, either Luigi or Baby Luigi holds him to avoid enemy attacks. If Baby Luigi faints, Baby Mario carries him; this hinders Baby Mario's dodging capabilities. Baby Mario has more attack and speed than Baby Luigi, but less HP and defense. Compared to his older self, Baby Mario has more speed, but lacks in all other traits.

Baby Mario acquires several overworld traits as he ventures through the game. When Baby Mario and Baby Luigi acquire hammers, they also learn to use the Baby Drill, which lets them dig underground underneath obstacles; it can also be used to get Beans. Mario and Luigi can Spin Jump into Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, causing the Baby Spin, which allows Baby Mario and Baby Luigi to access areas that previous cannot be accessed with the Spin Jump. Mario and Luigi can also roll a Bros. Ball into Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, turning them into Baby Cakes. This enables them to slip through wafer-thin areas that cannot be accessed using the Baby Drill.

Super Mario-Kun

Baby Mario appears in the Japanese manga series Super Mario-Kun several times. His first appearance is issue 14, where it is based on Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. The volume starts off with adult Mario and Luigi traveling to the past in order to stop Bowser from helping Kamek kidnap Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. The adult Mario bros. also help Yoshi deliver Baby Mario. Volume 15 also contains story arcs relating to Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, where Baby Mario can be seen in Superstar Mario form. Volume 35 and 36 are based on Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, and Baby Mario is seen on the cover of Volume 40, which is based off of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.

Other appearances

Despite not appearing as often as other Mario characters, Baby Mario has received considerable merchandising, especially as mini figures and plush toys. Baby Mario has also been featured in several Mario Kart Wii pull-back karts and keychains along with Baby Luigi, Baby Peach, and Baby Daisy. Baby Mario is also featured with Baby Luigi and Baby Peach as official San-ei plushies. Baby Mario is also in a set of mini 2 inch PVC figures. Most of his merchandise are Japan exclusives, but they are available in online retailers and in retailers with Japanese imports.

General Information

Personality

Baby Mario is described as being mostly brave and courageous, such as when he constantly rescues Baby Luigi. His Super Smash Bros. Brawl trophy information, however describes him as a crybaby. Unlike his older self, Baby Mario is not a silent protagonist and is actually very talkative. He is also very energetic, as seen as when he wins a race in Mario Kart Wii. Baby Mario is also very playful when he joins his adult counterparts and his baby companions in kart and bike races, tennis games, and baseball games. Baby Mario is also shown to be very speedy due to the fact that he is a Speed or Lightweight character in every single Mario series spin-off to date. Baby Mario has a very high Speed stat in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time also shows that he is rather impulsive, and Baby Mario's brash use of his hammer has gotten him and the others in trouble multiple times throughout the game.

Physical Description

A comparison of the Baby Mario Bros.'s (Baby Mario and Baby Luigi) models. The model is rendered in 3DS Max 2010, with Light Tracer settings enabled and mental ray lighting.

Baby Mario and Baby Luigi viewed side by side. The two share many similarities with each other but also have subtle differences other than the color.

Baby Mario has beady black eyes and his large trademark nose. Baby Mario has a layer of brown hair always covered by his trademark 'M' hat. Like most of the babies, his outfit eventually changed. In earlier appearances, Baby Mario wears nothing but a white diaper and his hat. He wears a yellow cape whenever he acquires a Super Star. Later on, he is given a new outfit in Mario Golf, which he continues to wear in his spin-off appearances, sometimes with minor adjustments. In this design he wears a red shirt covered by blue overalls akin to his older self Mario. Originally, the shirt is short-sleeved during the Nintendo 64 era, but his shirt is currently long sleeved as his adult self as of Mario Kart: Double Dash. He also wears a pair of light blue and white sneakers. His emblem was originally a lowercase M in Mario Tennis, but Mario Superstar Baseball and subsequent games changed his emblem to a capital M as his adult self.

Relationships

Baby Mario and Baby Luigi share a special bond as twin brothers, allowing Baby Mario to seek out his kidnapped brother with the help of the Yoshis during their debut appearance in Yoshi's Island. In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the brothers fight side-by-side, and if one falls in battle, the other one will carry him and defend him from the enemies. They also partner up and share good chemistry in various sports and spin-off games. Baby Mario is also good friend with Baby Peach, and protects her from their enemy, Baby Bowser.

Because of time travel, Baby Mario also had a chance to interact with his adult counterpart in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Throughout their adventure, Mario acts as a parental figure for both babies; he also expresses frustration with Luigi when he directs his anger at the children, attempts to calm the babies whenever they cry, and playfully tosses Baby Mario, clearly enjoying his company. The feeling is mutual, and Baby Mario even gives Mario his hammer as a gift before they part ways at the end of the game. Despite their good relationship in Partners in Time, Baby Mario and Mario have a neutral chemistry in both Mario Superstar Baseball and Mario Super Sluggers.