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Revision as of 16:07, July 1, 2007
- This article is about the Mushroom Kingdom, the political entity ruled by Princess Peach. For the stages in Super Smash Bros. series, see Mushroom Kingdom (stage) and Mushroom Kingdom II.
The Mushroom Kingdom (Japanese:キノコ王国) is the one of the largest kingdoms on the Mushroom Planet. Under the rule of Princess Peach Toadstool, the kingdom has enjoyed and endured both a peaceful and traumatic existence. The former is largely attributed to Peach's ability to rule and the general good-natured feeling that permeates Mushroom Kingdom society. The latter is largely attributed to the Koopa Troop, a group of turtles who reign over the badlands known as the Dark Land, and their leader, Bowser. The Mushroom Kingdom shares a border with the Beanbean Kingdom.
History
Shroob Invasion
During the events of Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, the Mushroom Kingdom was invaded and conquered by a race of aliens known as the Shroobs. Growing tired of life on the toxic, barren Planet Shroob, they discovered the Mushroom Kingdom, and set out to conquer it using their expansive military.
One of the first targets was Princess Peach's Castle. The Shroobs began to set base there after a brief encounter with the future Princess Peach, who had traveled back in time via a time machine. The princess trapped the Elder Princess Shroob inside the Cobalt Star, which powered the machine. Peach then destroyed the artifact and spread the Cobalt Star Shards throughout the kingdom. The rest of the invasion and the search for the Shards was carried out by Princess Shroob, the elder's younger sister.
As the Shroob invasion spread, the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom fled, leaving entire towns, such as Toad Town, nearly desolate. A number of unfortunate Toads were captured and brought to Toadwood Forest, where their vim was sucked out of them to create fuel for the Shroobs' war fleet of Shroob UFOs.
The Mushroom Kingdom was saved by Mario and Luigi, then Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, and their future selves. During the storm of Shroob Castle, previously known as Princess Peach's Castle, the younger Princess Shroob was defeated. The Elder Princess Shroob escaped from the Cobalt Star as a result of the reunion of the Shards, was defeated, and then was taken to the future in the form of a purple Mushroom. A stream of baby tears came through the Time Holes from the future and destroyed the handywork of the Shroobs. Whether the Shroobs themselves were killed or escaped is unknown.
Koopa Kingdom Attack
Many years after the Shroob invasion, during the events of Super Mario Bros., King Bowser led his first devastating attack against the Mushroom Kingdom. Using dark Koopa magic, Bowser transformed many of the kingdom's citizens into blocks, mushrooms, and other objects. However, when Bowser discovered that Princess Peach had the power to undo his curse on the citizens, he captured her and seven of her closest Mushroom Retainers, imprisoning them in eight castles scattered across the kingdom.
Mario and Luigi soon heard of the Mushroom Kingdom's plight. Quickly, they came to the kingdom and began to fight back on behalf of the incapacitated citizens. They traveled to each of the castles, finding a False Bowser guarding each, and that "the Princess is in another castle", as the Mushroom Retainers they rescued repeatedly told them. Finally, in the eighth castle, they defeated Bowser and rescued the Princess. Bowser and his army fled from the Mushroom Kingdom.
Bowser's Second Attempt
Wasting no time after his defeat, Bowser again invaded and conquered the Mushroom Kingdom using dark Koopa magic, as depicted in the game Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. He also kidnapped Princess Peach and hid her deep inside one of his castles. While many of his troops employed similar tactics as before, several new strategies were used. Some Bloobers were instructed to fly in the sky and the Piranha Plants spent hardly anytime hiding in their Warp Pipes. Poison Mushrooms were used as well. However, against all odds, Mario and Luigi were able to rescue the Princess once more.
Mushroom World Invasion
Bowser's next attack on the Mushroom Kingdom was part of a much larger scheme. With the help of the Koopalings, the Koopa Troop's power spread throughout the seven kingdoms of the Mushroom World, as seen in the game Super Mario Bros. 3. Luring Mario and Luigi away from the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser was able to again kidnap the Princess and take her to his home in Dark Land. The plumbers were able to save her from her fate once more and defeat the Koopa King, saving the Mushroom World from his reign.
Viral Infestation
Just when the kingdom’s problems seemed to be over, an epidemic broke out among its citizens during the events of Dr. Mario. The microscopic viruses were responsible for the infection. In response, Mario assumed the title Dr. Mario and worked to develop a cure: the Megavitamin. While the process was effective, it was slow. Dr. Mario needed to place viruses in vials before dropping the proper Megavitamin on each virus, a very painstaking process. However, his efforts were fruitful, and the Mushroom Kingdom regained its good health.
Super Mario Kart Tournament
Named after the Mario, the first Mario Kart races were not witnessed by many citizens firsthand. However, it served to popularize the karting sport. Later tournaments proved immensely popular. Following Bowser’s kidnapping of Princess Peach in Dinosaur Land, the tournament doubled as an act of diplomacy as Bowser was allowed to race. Portrayed in Super Mario Kart, the races took place in Dinosaur Land, the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser’s Castle, Rainbow Road and possibly other locations.
Smithy Gang Attack
During the events of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, the Smithy Gang, a vicious group of mechanical villains from another dimension, warped the giant sword, Exor, into the Mushroom Kingdom's dimension. Exor took over Bowser's Keep, inadvertently saving the Princess from Bowser's most recent kidnapping, but also destroying her contact with the Mushroom Kingdom. In this state, the Mushroom Chancellor took temporary control as Mario began a counter-attack. The mechanical monster Mack conquered the Mushroom Kingdom, but Mario, with Mallow's help, was able to liberate the kingdom. Mario and Mallow eventually joined up with Geno, Princess Toadstool, and Bowser. This party travelled across the planet, liberating other countries, and reclaiming the scattered Star Pieces. Eventually, Mario and his comrades gained access to the futuristic Factory located in a different dimension. They stormed the factory, fighting robotic versions of themselves and fallen enemies before cornering Smithy, the mechanical leader of the gang. After destroying Smithy and returning to the Mushroom World, Mario and friends saw Exor dissolved into nothingness, breaking the link between the two dimensions.
Assault on Peach's Castle
After helping Mario and Princess Toadstool save the Mushroom Kingdom from Smithy’s gang, and racing in the first Mario Kart tourney, it was unclear as to what Bowser’s intentions would be in the not-too-distant future. However, this period of hope was ended when the Koopa Troop directly invaded Princess Peach's Castle during the events of Super Mario 64, isolating it from the rest of the kingdom. Once inside, the Koopas began an elaborate plan to ensure their success. Utilizing the Power Stars that provided energy to the castle, Bowser powered up his troops and entrusted the Stars to them. Each Star was hidden in an awkward location or in the hands of a boss. The majority of the Power Stars were hidden in worlds accessible through special paintings found in the castle. Trapped inside the castle's walls, Peach and the Toads could not send news of the attack to the outside world, but by coincidence Princess Peach had sent Mario an invitation to the castle that very same day. With the help of several Toads and hints by Princess Peach, Mario obtained all 120 Power Stars and rescued Princess Peach.
Mario Kart 64 Tournament
As evidenced by the crowds that gathered in the arena-based racetracks, the second Mario Kart Tournament proved much more popular. Following Bowser’s first assault on Princess Peach’s Castle and Mario’s conflicts with Wario, it again served as an olive branch. The races are chronicled in Mario Kart 64. Races took place in the Mushroom Kingdom, the Koopa Kingdom, Rainbow Road and possibly others. Famous tracks include Yoshi Valley. A short road, several bridges and minor signs mark the only manmade additions to the course.
Koopa Siege on Star Haven
After another period of general tranquility, Bowser developed a new scheme to fulfill his dreams, as told in Paper Mario. Tired of his wishes being ignored by the seven Star Spirits, the granters of wishes, Bowser attacked Star Haven, where their source of power, the Star Rod was kept. He stole the Star Rod and kidnapped the Star Spirits into cards. After spreading the spirits to remote locations of the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser used his new, unlimited powers to transport his castle directly beneath Princess Peach’s Castle and elevated both into the upper reaches of the Mushroom World. Bowser thwarted Mario’s attempts to rescue Princess Peach by turning himself invincible, and nearly killed Mario in the process, sending him hurtling to the earth.
After many long fights with Bowser’s expansive force, Mario and a new group of allies were able to rescue all of the Star Spirits. The spirits granted Mario their failsafe against the Star Rod’s power, the Star Beam, which could temporarily end the effects of the rod. However, Kammy Koopa was able to render this useless with a special machine that powered up Bowser during Mario and his partners' siege on the castles. With the help of Twink, a Star Kid, Princess Peach was able to send her power to Mario and the Star Spirits. As a result, Mario was granted the Peach Beam and used it to destroy Bowser’s castle and send him and Kammy to the ground below. Using the rod, the spirits replaced Princess Peach’s Castle in Toad Town and returned to Star Haven.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit Tournament
A longer, but less prominent tournament, the tourney upon which the game Mario Kart: Super Circuit is based proved to be one of the most challenging. Races took places in more exotic locations, such as Cheese Land and Ribbon Road among old favorites such as Bowser’s Castle. This tournament also marked the last time Coins were used as a method of powering up karts and continued the use of Item Boxes rather than Item Panels. Additionally, the Super Mario Kart tourney’s race tracks were reused for five of the cups.
Government
The Mushroom Kingdom is a monarchy ruled by the Toadstool family. Currently, the ruler in power is Princess Peach Toadstool. While King Toadstool's role in the government has never been officially confirmed in the video games, he was mentioned in the instruction manual to Super Mario Bros. Presumably, King Toadstool ruled the Mushroom Kingdom before his daughter came of age. However, it is possible that either during the Shroob attack in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time or during Bowser's attack in Super Mario Bros. he was slain, fled the kingdom, or simply retired. Princess Peach often turns to the Mushroom Chancellor for advice, and at times the Chancellor has ruled the kingdom in the Princess' place.
The Kingdom's capital is Toad Town. Here, Princess Peach resides in a castle that is commonly referred to as Princess Peach's Castle. The castle interior and exterior have changed drastically over time, and it is possible she has multiple castles across the kingdom. Princess Peach sees foreign ambassadors in the castle.
Princess Peach keeps a hoard of Toads guards at her castle, but there is not much evidence of any military controlled by the Toadstools. However, Mario, Luigi, and countless other heroes of the Mushroom Kingdom have fought to save it and its princess countless times before, and show no signs of stopping this trend.
Demographics
The Mushroom Kingdom's population is very vast, consisting of hundreds of species. Most prevalent are Toads, Koopas, Goombas, Yoshis, and Boos. Even though Princess Peach is human, there are very few humans living in the Mushroom Kingdom.
While racism is not much of a problem in the kingdom, species tend to segregate themselves into different areas. For example, Toad Town's population is almost entirely made up of Toads, while Shiver City is inhabited by many Bumpties.
Currency
Main article: Coin
The Mushroom Kingdom primarily uses Coins for tender, referred to as Mushroom Coins in the Beanbean Kingdom. Coming in three varieties, Gold Coin, Red Coin, and Blue Coin, Coins are often found scattered throughout the Kingdom for unknown reasons. The coin has undergone several changes throughout the years; the three most famous Coin designs are the the blank design, the star design, the and the most recent "1" design.
Compared to Beanbean Coins from the Beanbean Kingdom, Coins are of little worth (their exact comparative worth is constantly fluctuating). It is unknown if this signifies a good economy in Beanbean or a bad one in the Mushroom Kingdom. It could also simply mean that the Mushroom Kingdom uses very small units of measurement compared to the Beanbean Kingdom in terms of currency.
Additionally, the gold system featured in Luigi's Mansion may additionally be used in the Mushroom Kingdom, although it is unconfirmed.
Towns and Castles
- Toad Town (Capital City)
- Princess Peach's Castle (the princess' castle)
- Mario's Pad (Mario and Luigi's house)
- Goomba Village (A small village populated by one Goomba family)
- Koopa Village (A village of Koopa Troopas)
- Koopa Bros. Fortress (The Koopa Bros. hideout)
- Dry Dry Outpost (A small desert town home to Dryites)
- Dry Dry Ruins (The ancient home of the Nomadimice)
- Forever Forest (A spooky forest guarded by an old spirit)
- Boo's Mansion (One of many ghost houses found in the world)
- Gusty Gulch (The path to Tubba Blubba's Castle; includes a village home to Boos)
- Tubba Blubba's Castle (A castle filled with Clubbas and their master, Tubba Blubba)
- Lavalava Island (An island with a volcano and a village full of Yoshis and Ravens)
- Flower Fields (Flowers and fauna grow here; home to the Bub-ulbs)
- Shiver City (A city full of Bumpties)
- Starborn Valley (Stars are born here)
- Crystal Palace (An intricate maze of mirrors and statues)
- Hollijolli Village (A jolly little town until the Shroobs invaded)
- Mushroom City (A giant city with many buildings)
- Mushroom Bridge (A bridge near Mushroom City)
Species of the Mushroom Kingdom
Protectors of the Mushroom Kingdom
- Mario
- Luigi
- Princess Peach
- Toad
- Toadsworth
- Yoshi
- Twink
- Mallow
- Goombario
- Kooper
- Bombette
- Parakarry
- Bow
- Watt
- Sushie
- Lakilester
- Star Spirits
- Wise Wisterwood
Trivia
- The Mushroom Kingdom is almost always referred to with the word "the" in front of its name, although Super Mario RPG constantly referred to it simply as "Mushroom Kingdom" due to the fact that it was merely a small town area in that game.
