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Dr. Mario

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This article is about the doctor persona of Mario. For the game, see Dr. Mario (game). For an overview of the series of games under the Dr. Mario label, see Dr. Mario (series).

Template:Character-infobox Template:Quote2

Dr. Mario is the persona Mario assumes in the Dr. Mario series. Under this identity, Mario dons a lab coat, a head mirror, and a stethoscope around his neck. Debuting in his eponymous game, Dr. Mario and his assistant Nurse Toadstool work at the Mushroom Kingdom Hospital, where he eliminates viruses and other diseases by using Megavitamins, a premise that has been the standard for subsequent games starring him. Dr. Mario also appears as an unlockable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where he is considered a separate character from Mario.

History

Dr. Mario series

Dr. Mario

Dr. Mario sprite from Dr. Mario.
Dr. Mario, as seen in his eponymous game.

In Dr. Mario, Dr. Mario works in a virus research lab at the Mushroom Kingdom Hospital, alongside Nurse Toadstool.[1] When an experiment goes wrong, the hospital is flooded with tri-color viruses.[2] Armed with Megavitamins–a medicine of his own invention[3]–Dr. Mario sets out to neutralize the outbreak.

In gameplay, Dr. Mario periodically throws Megavitamins into the bottle. Afterwards, the player can move and land them on Viruses, which spawn throughout the bottle. By connecting a line of three or more halves of Megavitamins to a virus of the corresponding color, the Virus disappears. As such, blue Megavitamins eliminate Chill Viruses (blue), red Megavitamins eliminate Fever Viruses (red), and yellow Megavitamins eliminate Weird Viruses (yellow). Removing all viruses on the screen advances the player to the next level.

Dr. Mario's design during gameplay also differs in comparison to his appearance in artworks and on the game's cover: his hair and mustache area a light shade of brown, his head mirror's headband is white, and he does not wear gloves.

Dr. Mario 64

Dr. Mario sprite from Dr. Mario 64.

In Dr. Mario 64, Mad Scienstein robs Dr. Mario's Megavitamins and sets off to deliver them to his master, Rudy. Dr. Mario, as well as Wario, who wants to sell the Megavitamins for money, follow the two. In order to advance through the story, Dr. Mario must defeat Rudy's minions in Vs. Matches. In the end, it is revealed that Rudy is actually sick and Scienstein was ordered to retrieve the magical healing pills to cure him.

Dr. Mario also received several subtle aesthetic changes, with most of them reflecting Mario's own changes over time. In particular, some sprites feature him wearing a tie, which has since become a staple of his design. However, unlike on the cover and in artworks, his stethoscope is still directly around his neck, his tie is blue instead of red, his head mirror's headband is white instead of grey, his doctor's coat has no buttons or pockets, and he wears a tank top instead of a shirt.

Dr. Mario Online Rx

Gameplay of Dr. Mario Online Rx with Dr. Mario as the character.
Dr. Mario, as seen in Dr. Mario Online Rx.

In the WiiWare game Dr. Mario Online Rx, players can control Dr. Mario or any Mii stored in their Wii. Dr. Mario serves a similar role as his debut game; he takes Megavitamins from his bag and throws them into the bottle, using them to defeat viruses. His design is consistent, with blue eyes, a buttoned coat, a shirt, a red tie, a grey head mirror headband, fair skin and the stethoscope has an altered position, now being along his shoulders.

Dr. Mario Express

In the DSi game Dr. Mario Express, he plays the same role as he does in Dr. Mario Online Rx. Unlike the Wii version, his model is cel-shaded, giving him a more cartoonish appearance.

Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure

Dr. Mario appears in the compilation in Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure, which includes his younger twin brother Luigi reprising his role as Dr. Luigi. Miracle Cure features "Dr. Mario", the standard gameplay where Dr. Mario assists players with destroying viruses, as well as two additional modes: "Operation L" from Dr. Luigi and "Virus Buster". One new clearing method Dr. Mario can use is the titular Miracle Cure, which is a gauge that, once filled, can be used to destroy all Viruses and Megavitamins of the corresponding color, drop a bomb to remove adjacent Viruses and Megavitamins, or clear an entire column.

Dr. Mario World

Dr. Mario appears in Dr. Mario World. Unlike the previous installments, he and Luigi are no longer the sole playable doctors; instead, they are joined by a plethora of their allies, such as Princess Peach and Yoshi, and even some enemies like Bowser, Bowser Jr., and the Koopalings.

Dr. Mario's special ability allows him to use a big Megavitamin with an "M" on it, which eliminates the lowest line. In Duel mode, he has average power and his attack gauge fills quickly, and his ability still affects everything positioned in the lowest line (two lines at higher levels). However, he has sub-par defense: he has a 30% chance of defending himself from level 1 attacks, but it decreases by 5% for each higher level.

In a version update, both Dr. Mario and Dr. Peach received Fire Flower-empowered variants, which gives them a lab coat and stethoscope over their normal Fire form outfits. Dr. Fire Mario improves upon Dr. Mario's skill by removing pieces that require multiple matches to clear otherwise. In a subsequent update, Luigi and Rosalina continued this theme. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dr. Mario, an 8-bit version of Dr. Mario was given to all players as a gift.

Nintendo Comics System

The Doctor Is In... Over His Head
Dr. Mario on a cover of Nintendo Comics System.

Dr. Mario appears in Nintendo Comics System's adaptation of Dr. Mario, entitled "The Doctor Is In... Over His Head". Mario and Princess Toadstool, expecting a plumbing emergency, enter the Mushroom Kingdom General Hospital, although they find no emergency. Dr. Waldo Bloom insists so and makes Mario his research assistant, calling him Dr. Mario. After touring through the hospital, Dr. Waldo takes them to his laboratory where he shows them the Viruses, and he explains that the Viruses have been multiplying. The original Viruses, inside the jar, soon break free and introduce themselves as Chill, Fever, and Weird. Eventually, after discovering that matching the colors of stacked Megavitamins can destroy Viruses, Mario manages to defeat them.

Princess Toadstool then advises Dr. Bloom play golf and return only he is done with the game, but Mario notes that Dr. Bloom is a bad golfer, which means Dr. Bloom will be off duty for a long time. Princess Peach then suggests Mario to be both a plumber and a doctor, which Mario agrees to do.

Super Mario Adventures

A possible variant of Dr. Mario appears in the tenth "episode" of Super Mario Adventures. However, he was not a physical doctor, but rather a psychologist. It was also only a ploy to gain the trust of Big Boo and get out of the Ghost House they were trapped in.

Club Nintendo

Dr. Mario also appears in the German Club Nintendo comic "Süße Weihnachten" where he helps Bowser who suffers from a stomachache on Christmas Day. Bowser has Viruses in his stomach, and Dr. Mario advises him to take bitter pills instead of marzipan.

Super Mario-Kun

Dr. Mario. Page 21, volume 8 of Super Mario-kun.
Dr. Mario in Super Mario-Kun.

Dr. Mario makes a brief appearance in volume 1 of Super Mario-Kun, in which Yoshi falls from the Sky and Mario then transforms into Dr. Mario before stuffing a giant Megavitamin in his mouth. Dr. Mario reappears in volume 8, after being attacked by a Tweeter, Mario transforms into Dr. Mario. He then reveals a shell underneath a rock and attaches rocket boosters (which resemble Megavitamins) to it, enabling him, Luigi, and Yoshi to fly on it. This knocks away nearby Snifits.

Super Smash Bros. series

Template:SSB Infobox

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Official artwork of Dr. Mario from Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Dr. Mario's stock icon in Super Smash Bros. Melee

Template:Main-external Dr. Mario makes his first overall appearance in the Super Smash Bros. series in Super Smash Bros. Melee, where he appears as an unlockable fighter. He can be unlocked by clearing Classic Mode or Adventure Mode with Mario without losing any lives or by playing 100 Melee matches, and then defeating him in the immediate subsequent match on Peach's Castle. Unlike in his home series, Dr. Mario's design is somewhat modified for his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee: he has a blue stethoscope, a brown head mirror headband and, most noticeable, a pair of dark gray pants. Like his normal self, Dr. Mario's weight is 100 units.

According to Super Smash Bros. series creator Masahiro Sakurai, the concept of a slower, yet stronger Mario was originally considered to be used for Wario. Due to time constraints, however, this concept was instead given to Dr. Mario.[4] On a lesser note, some of Dr. Mario's animations are less energetic and thus make him appear more serious and contemplative, which Sakurai jokingly said "make him seem like an old man."[5]

Due to being a moveset clone, the overwhelming majority of Dr. Mario's moves are nearly identical to his normal self's.[5] However, some of his attacks nevertheless have a few distinct traits. In addition to his aforementioned higher strength, Dr. Mario throws Megavitamins instead of Fireballs, his forward smash uses electricity instead of fire, he uses the white-colored Super Sheet instead of the Cape, and his Super Jump Punch is stronger despite consisting of fewer hits. Dr. Mario also cannot wall jump in this game, unlike Mario. Contrary to his trophy's description, Dr. Mario's jump height and running speed are actually the same as Mario's; on a related note, his air speed is slightly faster than his normal self's.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Although Dr. Mario is absent from Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a playable character, data for Dr. Mario can be found, suggesting that he was intended to be in the game in some form. Meanwhile, his Super Smash Bros. Melee theme can be used as one of the songs that plays in the PictoChat and custom stages. He also has a Sticker depicting his artwork from the original Dr. Mario game.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

Dr. Mario artwork.
Official artwork of Dr. Mario from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

Template:Main-external Dr. Mario appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U as an unlockable fighter, along with fellow cut characters from Super Smash Bros. Melee Mewtwo and Roy. Unlike Mewtwo and Roy, however, he is included with the initial release of the games, whereas Mewtwo and Roy are available as DLC fighters.

To unlock Dr. Mario in the Nintendo 3DS version, players must either complete Classic Mode with Mario on at least 4.0 intensity, or play 60 Smash matches. Afterward, the player must defeat him on Mushroomy Kingdom. In the Wii U version, players can unlock Dr. Mario by completing a Master Orders ticket with a difficulty level of Hard or higher, or by playing 50 Smash matches. Afterward, the player must defeat him on Delfino Plaza.

Dr. Mario's design is now a composition of his appearance as of Dr. Mario 64 and his dark gray pants from Super Smash Bros. Melee, although with a few original changes from this game: his stethoscope has a slightly different color scheme, his pants are rolled up to his ankles, and his neck is longer due to the graphics. To reflect this change, Dr. Mario can wear tie equipment to boost his defense stat instead of the overalls equipment his normal self uses. However, he also uses the gloves and shoes equipment for attack and speed like Mario does.

Like Mario, Dr. Mario's weight is now 98 units and he can now Wall Jump. Unlike in Super Smash Bros. Melee, however, Dr. Mario now functions like a stronger, yet slower Mario due to multipliers being applied to his damage output and some of his attributes. Almost all of his moves deal 1.12× more damage than Mario's; conversely, his base ground mobility is Mario's multiplied by 0.832, and his base air mobility and jump/double jump heights are Mario's multiplied by 0.808. These multipliers result in Dr. Mario being distinctly affected by passive equipment physics, in which he specifically possesses a +15 Attack value and a -50 Speed value. Because of this, he can KO opponents noticeably easier than Mario, courtesy of a larger variety of finishing moves. However, this comes at the cost of him being one of the slowest characters in the game, which gives him a very poor approach and recovery despite his Dr. Tornado's capability of of extending it.

In addition to retaining his moveset, albeit with some mechanic modifications, the custom versions of Dr. Mario's neutral, side, and up special moves are shared with Mario. However, the custom versions of Dr. Tornado are instead shared with Luigi, owing to Mario having F.L.U.D.D. as his down special move since Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Dr. Mario's Final Smash, Doctor Finale, is a variation of Mario's Mario Finale that is stronger and uses giant Megavitamins instead of giant, streaming Fireballs. Dr. Mario has also gained two new taunts, a new idle animation, a new entrance animation, and a new victory animation that replaces the victory animation he shared with Mario in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Template:Main-external Dr. Mario appears as an unlockable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Although he still functions as a stronger, yet slower clone of Mario, Dr. Mario has nevertheless been slightly de-cloned from his normal self in a few ways. His new back throw consists of him lifting the opponent overhead and then powerfully tossing them away, his idle pose and Super Sheet have updated animations, and his traction is slightly higher than Mario's. Like several other fighters, a number of Dr. Mario's standard attacks received nicknames: up smash is Ear, Nose, and Throat, neutral aerial is Dr. Kick, forward aerial is Dr. Punch, down aerial is CLEAR! (Bone Drill prior to version 2.0.0), and down throw is Hospital Bed.

Aside from these changes, Dr. Mario has received a number of noticeable improvements. His damage multiplier has increased from 1.12× to 1.175×, which further bolsters his already impressive overall damage output. Dr. Mario's new down aerial is a double foot stomp that is capable of meteor smashing, which was a notable advantage that Mario had over him ever since Super Smash Bros. Melee. His aforementioned back throw has higher knockback that, when coupled with his higher overall damage output, makes it one of the strongest back throws in the game.

Megavitamins are not only larger, but also gained a higher launching angle, increased hitlag, decreased ending lag, better hitbox placements and increased knockback. Altogether, these changes make them much more effective for camping and setting up combos at the comparatively minor cost of their ability to lock a downed opponent. Dr. Tornado gained a drastic increase to its damage output and knockback, which make it a viable finisher unlike in previous installments. In addition, it boasts improved utility, courtesy of its improved vertical recovery and its ability to grant damage-based armor during frames 5-9 when Dr. Mario uses it on the ground.

However, Dr. Mario's grounded and aerial mobility use a negative multiplier with an unspecified value: although his walking and running speeds are slightly faster, his jump is slightly lower and his already sluggish air speed is slightly slower. Aside from these issues, Dr. Mario's up tilt gained the same horizontal range reduction that Mario's acquired, and his grab game is hampered by Ultimate's near-universal lag increase for grabs.

As with several other returning characters, Dr. Mario's victory theme, which is the orchestral arrangement of the level clear theme from Super Mario Bros. (and is shared with Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Daisy), has been slightly shortened and sped up compared to the previous installments.

Classic Mode route

Dr. Mario's Classic Mode route involves him fighting red-, yellow-, and blue-colored variants of different characters, as a reference to the Viruses from the Dr. Mario series.

Colorful Treatment Plan
Round Opponent(s) Stage Song
1 Mr. Game & Watch ×3 Flat Zone X Chill (for 3DS / Wii U)
2 Kirby ×3 Green Greens Fever
3 Yoshi ×3 Yoshi's Island Chill (Brawl)
4 Wii Fit Trainer ×3 Wii Fit Studio Fever
5 R.O.B. ×3 Battlefield Chill (for 3DS / Wii U)
6 Wario (overalls) ×3 Luigi's Mansion Tetris: Type A
Final Master Hand, Crazy Hand (intensity 7.0 or higher) Final Destination Master Hand
Master Hand / Crazy Hand (intensity 7.0 or higher)

Other appearances

Dr. Mario in Super Mario Odyssey
Mario dressed as Dr. Mario, as seen in Super Mario Odyssey

Dr. Mario also makes a small appearance as one of the occupations listed in Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up on the "Medical Doctor/Nurse" career page. In WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, Dr. Mario appears in a microgame named after him based on the NES version of his game. A spoof of the original Dr. Mario game appears in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! called Dr. Wario, though it has no gameplay differences. Yet another microgame in WarioWare Gold stars Dr. Mario.

Dr. Mario in is also one of the several characters that compose Costume Mario in Super Mario Maker; players can unlock the Dr. Mario costume by using the appropriate amiibo or completing one of the several challenges, which randomly unlocks a costume character. When players use Dr. Mario, sound effects from the NES version of Dr. Mario play, and when +Control Pad up is pressed, Dr. Mario takes out a Megavitamin. One of Yoshi's designs in Yoshi's Woolly World is based on Dr. Mario. Players can scan a Dr. Mario amiibo to unlock the color scheme.

In the animated Super Mario World TV show episode "King Scoopa Koopa", Mario finishes off his healthy-eating request to a group of cave people with the line "Dr. Mario's orders!". Dr. Mario was given a similar reference in Paper Mario when the thankful Whale told Mario that he should be addressed by the title of "Dr. Mario" after Mario and his partners expelled the Fuzzipede from the Whale's body, thus ending his stomachache.

Dr. Mario also makes a short appearance in one strip of Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater. Here, he receives a patient, which turns out to be a Dry Bones, much to his annoyance.

In Nintendo Monopoly, Dr. Mario is seen on the "Receive for medical services $25" ? Block Card.

In Super Mario Odyssey, Dr. Mario appears as one of Mario's outfits. This is Dr. Mario's first appearance in a mainline Mario title.

Remakes and compilations

Dr. Mario has also appeared in the various remakes and compilations of several games. Dr. Mario Vs., which was made for Vs. matches of Dr. Mario, released for the Nintendo Vs. System. Tetris & Dr. Mario is a remake of the NES game, and, as implied in the title, also includes Tetris. Dr. Mario BS Version is a remake of the original game for the Satellaview that includes the graphics and sound from Tetris & Dr. Mario.

Classic NES Series: Dr. Mario is a direct port of the original Dr. Mario, it was one of the many NES games remade for the Classic NES Series on the Game Boy Advance. Also for the Game Boy Advance, Dr. Mario & Puzzle League featured Dr. Mario alongside an unrelated game, Puzzle League in a similar fashion to Tetris & Dr. Mario. Lastly, Nintendo Puzzle Collection includes Dr. Mario 64 as part of the collection of Nintendo puzzle games.

General information

Physical description

Dr. Mario is a fair-skinned man with brown hair and a dark-brown, ragged mustache, similar to his normal self. Dr. Mario also wears brown work shoes like his normal self, but he dons a doctor's regular form of attire: white pants, a white collared shirt, a red tie, and a white coat, as well as a stethoscope. Despite this, Dr. Mario's design has undergone several changes throughout his history.

In his first self-titled game, Dr. Mario lacks a tie, his shirt is a darker color, and his hair is distinctly lighter than Mario's. In Dr. Mario 64, Dr. Mario's hair is closer to Mario's in color (though still a lighter shade of brown), while he now wears his signature tie. From Dr. Mario Online Rx onwards, Dr. Mario's skin is fair akin to his normal counterpart's; his design remains the same in all future games.

Within the Super Smash Bros. series, Dr. Mario's appearance also evolves. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Dr. Mario has auburn hair, a brown headband, and a tanned complexion, reflecting his then-recent appearance in Dr. Mario 64, as well as Mario's appearance in Mario Kart 64. Dr. Mario's hair and clothing have more realistic details, while his pants' color is changed to black altogether. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Dr. Mario's hair is brown like Mario's, while his overall design is more vibrant and cartoonish; however, he retains his unique gray pants, which are slightly rolled up to his ankles while his head-band is colored gray. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, while his headband is recolored again brown. Dr. Mario gains a subdued color scheme, while his hair and clothing regain some simple detailing.

Dr. Mario has eight selectable costumes in the Super Smash Bros. series, including his default appearance. Dr. Mario's first alternate costume consists of a green shirt, lime green tie, red coat, light gray gloves, and gray shoes, which is the attire worn by modern nurses. Dr. Mario's second alternate costume consists of a blue shirt and gray gloves, as well as a dark blue tie, which is the attire worn by modern doctors. Dr. Mario's third alternate costume consists of green gloves, shirt, tie, and coat, resembling what modern surgeons wear.

Dr. Mario's fourth alternate costume consists of fully black attire, save for the red tie, nicknamed the "Unlicensed Doctor". Dr. Mario's fifth costume consists of a yellow coat, green shirt, dark green tie, and gray gloves, borrowing some elements from his red costume. Dr. Mario's sixth alternate costume consists of a purple coat, maroon gloves, orange shirt, and red tie, having no specific inspiration. Lastly, Dr. Mario's seventh alternate costume consists of purple shoes, a pink coat, lavender shirt, and teal tie, with its overall color scheme being inspired by Nurse Toadstool's attire.

Speech

Like his normal self, as well as Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi, Dr. Mario is voiced by Charles Martinet. Text-based dialogue-wise, he speaks in Dr. Mario's instruction manual, as well as the Nintendo Comics System, Super Mario-Kun, and Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater.

List of appearances

Title Description Release Date System/Format
Dr. Mario Playable character 1990 NES
Game Boy
Nintendo Vs. System
Nintendo PlayChoice-10
The Doctor Is In... Over His Head Major character 1990 Nintendo Comics System
Süße Weihnachten Minor appearance 1991 Club Nintendo
Super Mario-Kun Minor appearance 1991 Manga
Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up Minor appearance 1991 MS-DOS
Dr. Mario (game watch)[6] Playable character 1992 Game watch
Tetris & Dr. Mario Playable character 1994 SNES
Dr. Mario BS Version Playable character 1997 Satellaview
Dr. Mario 64 Playable character 2001 Nintendo 64
Super Smash Bros. Melee Unlockable playable character 2001 Nintendo GameCube
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! Cameo in microgame 2003 Game Boy Advance
Classic NES Series: Dr. Mario Port of original game 2004 Game Boy Advance
Dr. Mario & Puzzle League Playable character 2005 Game Boy Advance
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Minor appearance; sticker 2008 Wii
Dr. Mario Online Rx Playable character 2008 Wii (WiiWare)
Dr. Mario Express Playable character 2008 Nintendo DSi (DSiWare)
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Unlockable playable character 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Unlockable playable character 2014 Wii U
Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure Playable character 2015 Nintendo 3DS
Yoshi's Woolly World Cameo as amiibo Yoshi design 2015 Wii U
Super Mario Maker Playable cameo as Costume Mario 2015 Wii U
Minecraft: Wii U Edition Playable skin in the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack 2016 Wii U
Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World Cameo as amiibo Yoshi design 2017 Nintendo 3DS
Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition Playable skin in the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack 2017 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Odyssey Playable cameo as an outfit 2017 Nintendo Switch
Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Playable skin in the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack 2018 New Nintendo 3DS
WarioWare Gold Cameo in microgame 2018 Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Unlockable playable character 2018 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Maker 2 Cameo as a Mii Maker Profile outfit 2019 Nintendo Switch
Dr. Mario World Playable character 2019 iOS/Android

Profiles and statistics

Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up

Picture Name In-game description
Dr. Mario and Nurse Princess Toadstool Medical Doctor/Nurse Dr. Mario and Nurse Princess Toadstool are using the X-Ray machine to find out what is wrong with their patient. "Aha! This patient's bones aren't connected," says Dr. Mario. "No wonder he looks so sick."

Medical doctors take charge of treating the sick to save lives and relieve suffering. Doctors know almost everything about the human body and specially trained in preventing and treating disease. Nurses help doctors in clinics, hospitals and doctor's offices. Some nurses have special training which allows them to examine patients and prescribe treatment.

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Melee trophies

Type Image Description
Classic Dr. Mario Immaculate in his medical garb, Dr. Mario destroys killer viruses with his amazing vitamin capsules. With his dedicated nurse, Princess Peach, at his side, Dr. Mario spends day and night in his laboratory working on new miracle cures. Somehow he's managed to keep up with all the new viruses that have arisen over the years.
Adventure Dr. Mario There's hardly any difference in the abilities of Mario and Dr. Mario, so choosing is largely a matter of taste. Dr. Mario is a tad slower due to his lack of exercise, but his Megavitamins pack a bit more punch than Mario's Fireballs. The capsules travel on a unique trajectory and make a distinct sound on impact.
All-Star Dr. Mario The differences between Dr. Mario and Mario are more pronounced in some areas than others, but basically they can be played in a similar fashion. While it may be hard to spot the contrasts, they do exist. For example, Dr. Mario's Super Sheet is longer and narrower than Mario's cape, and any opponents hit by Dr. Tornado will fly off in diverse directions.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl sticker

Name Image Artwork from Effect in The Subspace Emissary
Dr. Mario A sticker of Dr. Mario Nintendo Puzzle Collection [Head] - Attack +18
Usable by: Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, Bowser

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

Trophies
Name 3DS Image Wii U Image Appears in American English Description British English Description
Dr. Mario Trophy thumbnail image. Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Dr. Mario's trophy render from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U NES Dr. Mario (10/1990)
Wii Dr. Mario Online Rx (05/2008)
In the 1990 puzzle game Dr. Mario, Mario threw on a white coat and decided to take a shot at that whole "medicine" thing. In this game, he's a balanced fighter who can throw Megavitamin capsules and nimbly deflect blows with his Super Sheet. He's not quite as quick as normal Mario, but his attacks deal a bit more damage. In Dr. Mario, released in Europe in 1991, Mario threw on a white coat and decided to have a bash at the whole medicine thing. In this game, he's an all-rounder who can throw Megavitamin capsules and nimbly deflect blows with his Super Sheet. He's not quite as quick as normal Mario, but his attacks deal a bit more damage.
Dr. Mario (Alt.) Trophy thumbnail image. Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Dr. Mario's trophy render from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U NES Dr. Mario (10/1990)
Wii Dr. Mario Online Rx (05/2008)
Mario and Dr. Mario are only slightly different. Basically, Dr. Mario is stronger, but his MD slows his speed and lowers his jump. He also has a move Mario doesn't: Dr. Tornado, a down special that can trap opponents before launching them. You can move left and right while doing it and press the button repeatedly to rise into the air. Mario and Dr. Mario are only slightly different. Basically, Dr. Mario is stronger, but his heavy coat affects his speed and jumping. He also has a move Mario doesn't: Dr. Tornado, a down special that can trap opponents before launching them. You can move left and right while doing it and press the button repeatedly to rise into the air.
Doctor Finale N/A Doctor Finale's trophy render from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U N/A In Dr. Mario's Final Smash, he spreads his arms wide and then lets loose a pair of giant vitamin capsules that spiral through the air, taking out any pesky "viruses" in their path. The wide range makes it tough for foes to avoid, and opponents they strike will take multiple hits, and possibly even being pushed right off the screen!
Palutena's Guidance
  • Pit: I don't think that's a real doctor.
  • Palutena: I wouldn't be so sure. He delivers crushing blows, so he must be very knowledgeable about anatomy.
  • Viridi: He's a quack. I hear he treats viruses by randomly throwing medication at them. Doesn't seem very safe.
  • Pit: I'm so glad Skyworld doesn't have checkups.
  • Palutena: Dr. Mario is slower than the regular Mario, but he's also more powerful. Don't get sent to the emergency room! You don't know what kind of treatment you'll get.

Dr. Mario World

Dr. Mario

Image Abilities Attack Speed Defense
Animated image of Dr. Mario from Dr. Mario World
  • Stage mode: "Clears rows (1) in lowest position."
  • Versus mode: "Clears rows (1/2/2/2/2) in lowest position."
Template:DRMWAttack Template:DRMWSpeed An attack bomb representing a doctor's attack from Dr. Mario World
30%
An attack bomb representing a doctor's attack from Dr. Mario World
25%
An attack bomb representing a doctor's attack from Dr. Mario World
20%
An attack bomb representing a doctor's attack from Dr. Mario World
15%
Stage Mode Versus Mode
Level Speed Description Speed
1 58 Clears rows (1) in lowest position. 72
2 54 Clears rows (2) in lowest position. 72
3 50 Clears rows (2) in lowest position. Fills skill meter faster (low). 50
4 46 Clears rows (2) in lowest position. Fills skill meter faster (medium).
5 42 Clears rows (2) in lowest position. Fills skill meter faster (high). 30

8-Bit Dr. Mario

Image Abilities Attack Speed Defense
Animated image of 8-Bit Dr. Mario from Dr. Mario World. Note: This character is a 2D plane that uses animated textures.
  • Stage mode: "Immediately eliminates special viruses (3)."
  • Versus mode: "Prevents opponent from controlling half-capsules (duration in seconds: 4/6/8/10/14)."
Template:DRMWAttack Template:DRMWSpeed An attack bomb representing a doctor's attack from Dr. Mario World
45%
An attack bomb representing a doctor's attack from Dr. Mario World
40%
An attack bomb representing a doctor's attack from Dr. Mario World
10%
An attack bomb representing a doctor's attack from Dr. Mario World
50%
Stage Mode Versus Mode
Level Speed Description Speed
1 Prevents opponent from controlling half-capsules (duration in seconds: 4). 81
2 Prevents opponent from controlling half-capsules (duration in seconds: 6). Fills skill meter faster (low). 60
3 Prevents opponent from controlling half-capsules (duration in seconds: 8). Fills skill meter faster (medium).
4 Prevents opponent from controlling half-capsules (duration in seconds: 10). Fills skill meter faster (high).
5 Prevents opponent from controlling half-capsules (duration in seconds: 14). Fills skill meter faster (high).

amiibo

  • In the 1990 Dr. Mario game, Mario threw on a white coat and decided to take a shot at that whole "medicine" thing. Dr. Mario destroys killer viruses with his amazing vitamin capsules and spends day and night in his laboratory working on new miracle cures. Somehow he's managed to keep up with all the new viruses that have arisen over the years.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Dr. Mario.

Name in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ドクターマリオ[?]
Dokutā Mario
Doctor Mario
Chinese 瑪利歐醫生 (Traditional)
马力欧医生 (Simplified)
Mǎlì'ōu Yīshēng
[?]
Doctor Mario
Dutch Dokter Mario[?] Doctor Mario
German Doktor Mario[?] Doctor Mario
Italian Dottor Mario[?] Doctor Mario
Korean 닥터 마리오[?]
Dakteo Mario
Doctor Mario
Portuguese Doutor Mario[?] Doctor Mario
Russian Доктор Марио[?]
Doktor Mario
Doctor Mario
Spanish Doctor Mario[?] -

Trivia

  • In an interview about the Super Mario series for the then-upcoming 30th anniversary, Shigeru Miyamoto implied that "Dr. Mario" was not a licensed doctor.[7] Despite this, in the background of the title screen of Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure, a degree can be seen on the wall.

References

  1. ^ "I'm Mario. How's it going? Over the last few years, I've been involved in some pretty wild adventures. Now, believe it or not, I work in the virus research lab at the Mushroom Kingdom Hospital." Dr. Mario instruction manual for NES, page 3.
  2. ^ "One of the experiments has gone out of control. The viruses are spreading quickly!" Dr. Mario instruction manual for NES, page 3.
  3. ^ "I have just developed a new vitamin that should be able to take care of it. I sure hope this stuff works!" Dr. Mario instruction manual for NES, page 3.
  4. ^ The Definitive Unused Fighters List in Smash – Source Translations
  5. ^ a b News Flash! Super Smash Bros.: Dr. Mario – Source Gaming
  6. ^ The Dr. Mario Watch. Game Watch Guys. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  7. ^ https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/09/24/miyamoto-tezuka-interview.aspx