Shadow Mario
- This article is about the Shadow Mario from Super Mario Sunshine. For the similar entity found in Super Mario Galaxy named "Shadow Mario" in Japanese, see Cosmic Mario. For the Final Smash involving Shadow Mario, see Shadow Mario Paint.
- "?" redirects here. For the block, see ? Block. For other subjects with question marks as their names, see ???
| Shadow Mario | |
|---|---|
 Artwork from Super Mario Sunshine | |
| First appearance | Super Mario Sunshine (2002) |
| Latest appearance | Super Mario 3D All-Stars (2020) |
- “(Show that ball who's boss!)”
- —Shadow Mario, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (PAL release)
Shadow Mario (also known as ? in the Super Mario Sunshine instruction manual) is a doppelgänger of Mario and serves as the main antagonist of Super Mario Sunshine. He is almost identical to Mario, with the primary difference being that his body is a translucent blue, appearing to have a liquid consistency. Other traits that are unique to Shadow Mario include glowing red eyes when he is angry and a long, red tongue that he occasionally sticks out at Mario while taunting him. Shadow Mario wields the magic brush, an invention designed by Professor E. Gadd. With the brush, Shadow Mario can magically create large quantities of goop, which occasionally spawns lesser enemies. He used this power to vandalize all of Isle Delfino with varying amounts of graffiti, thereby making Mario the main suspect in the trial held thereafter. Later in the game, it is revealed that Shadow Mario is actually Bowser Jr., Bowser's son, masquerading as a Mario look-alike in order to steal Princess Peach and ruin Mario's reputation. It is unknown how Shadow Mario originally acquired the magic brush, though it is suggested that Professor E. Gadd gave it to him.[1] This is also supported in the Prima Games Guide for Super Mario Sunshine, which claims that E. Gadd gave the magic brush to Shadow Mario due to thinking that he was Mario.
History[edit]
Super Mario Sunshine[edit]
In the opening introduction of Super Mario Sunshine, Mario, Princess Peach and Toadsworth are seen traveling to the island resort of Isle Delfino via Peach's private airplane. During the welcome video, a silhouette resembling Mario appears in the background, first running to behind the Grand Pianta Statue followed by jumping out from behind it, now holding the magic brush. Princess Peach is the only one to notice this, as Mario and Toadsworth are more preoccupied with their thoughts about the island.
Once the plane comes to a screeching stop and everyone gets off to look at the goop on the airway, Peach notices the Shadow Mario figure once again. She tries to get Mario and Toadsworth's attention, but Shadow Mario has already disappeared. Once Mario takes care of the goop with his newly obtained FLUDD, he is thrown in jail and put on trial, being accused of Shadow Mario's crimes of vandalizing the island. A Pianta judge orders Mario not to leave the island until he cleans up all the goop. Once Mario cleans up Bianco Square, the Grand Pianta Statue appears with Shadow Mario on top of it. He jumps from the statue, grabs Princess Peach, and runs off with her. Upon being sprayed enough times, Shadow Mario drops the princess, and then heads back to Bianco Square, opening up the way to Bianco Hills.
Shadow Mario's next major role in the game is when he kidnaps Princess Peach again, taking her to Pinna Park. Once Mario catches up with him, Shadow Mario summons Mecha-Bowser, the boss of the current mission. Upon being defeated, he reveals his true identity as Bowser Jr., then takes off in a balloon to Corona Mountain with Princess Peach.
Shadow Mario appears in every seventh episode of every area and Mario must defeat him in order to collect the Shine Sprite he carries. Once all seven Shadow Mario episodes are completed, the entrance to Corona Mountain is opened, as well as Delfino Plaza becoming flooded. Shadow Mario appears in several other episodes as well, though with a minor role. Also, whenever Mario enters a secret level area for the first time, Shadow Mario appears and takes FLUDD away. FLUDD returns to Mario once the Shine Sprite at the end is collected. Shadow Mario also takes FLUDD away during the third episode of Pianta Village, The Goopy Inferno and can be recovered near the end of the episode mission. If Mario waits 10 seconds after defeating Shadow Mario without talking to him, Shadow Mario transforms into a blue orb and teleport further away from Mario before restarting the chase.
After episode 4 of Pinna Park is completed, Shadow Mario appears in Bianco Square carrying a Yoshi Egg. Defeating him unlocks Yoshi in several area episodes. Shadow Mario appears two more times afterward when enough Shine Sprites are collected. He carries a Turbo Nozzle the first time and a Rocket Nozzle the second time, and defeating him unlocks those nozzles for use in Delfino Plaza.
As found within the game files, Shadow Mario shares the same animations as Mario and Il Piantissimo, with some extra ones added to accommodate that the two (Piantissimo and Shadow Mario) are NPCs. He uses a cover version of the Underground Theme from Super Mario Bros. during his appearances. A similar arrangement is used for Cosmic Mario in Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel.
Shadow Mario's role in the different levels and their episodes are as follows, and episodes that involve chasing down Shadow Mario are highlighted in bold:
- Bianco Hills
- Road to the Big Windmill (Episode 1): Shadow Mario briefly appears in the level overview, though he is never actually encountered.
- The Hillside Cave Secret (Episode 3): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario enters the Hillside Cave for the first time.
- The Secret of the Dirty Lake (Episode 6): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario enters the Cliff Spring Cave for the first time.
- Shadow Mario on the Loose (Episode 7): Mario must chase Shadow Mario around the Windmill Village to get the Shine Sprite.
- Ricco Harbor
- The Secret of Ricco Tower (Episode 4): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario enters Ricco Tower for the first time.
- Shadow Mario Revisited (Episode 7): Mario must chase Shadow Mario over ships and steel girders to get the Shine Sprite.
- Gelato Beach
- Dune Bud Sand Castle Secret (Episode 1): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario enters the Sand Portal for the first time.
- It's Shadow Mario! After Him! (Episode 7): Mario has to chase Shadow Mario around the back area of Gelato Beach to get the Shine Sprite.
- Pinna Park
- Mecha-Bowser Appears! (Episode 1): Mario must chase Shadow Mario to a circular pool, where he attacks using Mecha-Bowser. After the battle he reveals his true identity, Bowser Jr.
- The Beach Cannon's Secret (Episode 2): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario enters the Beach Cannon for the first time.
- The Yoshi-Go-Round's Secret (Episode 6): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario rides the Yoshi-Go-Round for the first time.
- Shadow Mario in the Park (Episode 7): Mario must chase Shadow Mario throughout the park to get the Shine Sprite.
- Sirena Beach
- The Hotel Lobby's Secret (Episode 2): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario enters the golden Boo statue's mouth for the first time.
- The Secret of Casino Delfino (Episode 4): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario enters the secret Warp Pipe for the first time.
- Shadow Mario Checks In (Episode 7): Mario must chase Shadow Mario through the hotel while avoiding Boo imposters to get the Shine Sprite.
- Noki Bay
- The Shell's Secret (Episode 6): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario enters the shell for the first time.
- Hold It, Shadow Mario! (Episode 7): Mario must chase Shadow Mario around Noki Bay to get the Shine Sprite.
- Pianta Village
- The Goopy Inferno (Episode 3): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD before the level starts.
- Secret of the Village Underside (Episode 5): Shadow Mario arrives and takes FLUDD after Mario enters the flat, green mushroom for the first time.
- Shadow Mario Runs Wild (Episode 7): Mario must chase Shadow Mario around Pianta Village and avoid his Wind Spirits to get the Shine Sprite.
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour[edit]
| Toadstool Tour character | |
|---|---|
| Shadow Mario | |
| |
| Drive | 212 yards |
| Star Drive | 275 yards |
| Trajectory | Fade |
| Height | Low |
| Impact | 11 |
| Star Impact | 06 |
| Control | 07 |
| Spin | 07 |
Shadow Mario makes his first and only playable appearance in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour as an unlockable character. In the game, his maximum hit is 275 yards, and causes the ball to curve to the right when hit. He also has a low shot, meaning lie has a greater impact on the ball. His shot is like that of Luigi's, with power almost able to match Mario's. He mostly uses edited voice clips of Mario from Super Mario 64, with a lower pitch and slight damping filter. In the PAL version of the game, he speaks during his taunts instead of substituting said dialogue for full stops. In order to unlock Shadow Mario, the player must complete all of the Ring Attack holes. Bowser Jr. also appears as a separate playable character.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
The first time that Shadow Mario appears in the Super Smash Bros. series is as a collectible sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. His likeness also appears on a wanted poster in the Delfino Plaza stage. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, another collectible item of Shadow Mario appears, specifically a neutral, primary spirit, which can be summoned with a Vince, Eddy, and neutral-type core.
Shadow Mario's only physical role in the Super Smash Bros. series is in Bowser Jr.'s Final Smash, Shadow Mario Paint, appearing in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which sees him transform into Shadow Mario and use his magic brush to paint a giant orange X of graffiti that covers the entire screen and damages any opponents that come into contact with it. As the Koopalings are Bowser Jr.'s alternate costumes, they are able to transform into Shadow Mario as well. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Shadow Mario is active for a shorter period of time.
Other appearances[edit]
Shadow Mario's name is shown on one of the scoreboards in Mario Golf: Advance Tour.
List of appearances[edit]
| Title | Description | Release Date | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Sunshine | Recurring enemy | 2002 | Nintendo GameCube |
| Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour | Unlockable playable character | 2003 | Nintendo GameCube |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Cameo as a sticker | 2008 | Wii |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | Cameo in Final Smash | 2014 | Nintendo 3DS |
| Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | Cameo in Final Smash and as a trophy | 2014 | Wii U |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Cameo in Final Smash and as a spirit | 2018 | Nintendo Switch |
| Super Mario 3D All-Stars | Recurring enemy | 2020 | Nintendo Switch |
Profiles and statistics[edit]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
| Sticker Shadow Mario | ||
| ||
| Artwork from: Super Mario Sunshine | ||
| Effects in The Subspace Emissary: Flinch Resistance +70 | ||
| Usable by: Anyone | ||
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
| Spirit #70 Shadow Mario | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
Series/game | Super Mario Series |
| Type | Primary | |
| Slots | 3 | |
| Class | Ace | |
| Strength / effect(s) | Neutral | |
| How to obtain | Summoned with a Vince, Eddy, and neutral-type core; Spirit Board | |
| Spirit battle | Opponent(s) | Bowser Jr. |
| Conditions |
Rule: Sudden Final Smash
| |
| Stage | Delfino Plaza (Ω) | |
| Song | Delfino Plaza |
Gallery[edit]
Shadow Mario kidnaps Princess Peach.
Wallpaper of Shadow Mario swinging his magic brush in the air
Shadow Mario's signature M Graffiti
The M Graffiti in the opening sequence
In-game M Graffiti signature from the opening sequence
A close-up of Shadow Mario in Pinna Park
Bowser Jr. wearing his "Mario mask" and holding his magic brush
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Media[edit]
 Shadow Mario - Music from the Shadow Mario levels | File info 0:30 |
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ニセマリオ[?] Nise Mario |
Fake Mario; similar to Mario Clone | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 冒牌马力欧[?] Màopái Mǎlìōu |
Fake Mario | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 冒牌瑪利歐[2] Màopái Mǎlìōu |
Fake Mario | |
| Dutch | Schaduw-Mario[?] | Shadow Mario | |
| French | Antimario[?] | From the prefix "anti-" (opposite to) and Mario | |
| German | Mario Morgana[?] | Mario Morgana; Derived from Fata Morgana, a mirage involving water. Fits into the other names of Italian origin in the game. | |
| Italian | Mario Ombra[?] | Shadow Mario | |
| Korean | 가짜마리오[3] Gajja Mario |
Fake Mario | |
| Portuguese | Mario Sombra[?] | Shadow Mario | |
| Russian | Марио-тень[?] Mario-Ten' |
Shadow Mario | |
| Spanish | Mario Oscuro[?] | Dark Mario |
Trivia[edit]
- Prior to Shadow Mario's debut, Metal Mario had an alternate color scheme where he can be selected into blue in Mario Golf for Nintendo 64.
References[edit]
- ^ "This...is my magic brush. When I draw with this, all my wishes come true! A strange old man in a white coat gave it to me..." – Bowser Jr.. Super Mario Sunshine.
- ^ 大亂鬥部落格 | 任天堂明星大亂鬥 特別版 | 任天堂. Super Smash Blog (Traditional Chinese). Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ 슈퍼 스매시 블로그 | 슈퍼 스매시브라더스 얼티밋 | 닌텐도. Super Smash Blog (Korean). Retrieved December 26, 2022.
| Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characters | Default | Mario • Luigi • Princess Peach • Princess Daisy • Yoshi • Koopa Troopa • Donkey Kong • Diddy Kong • Wario • Waluigi • Birdo • Bowser |
| Unlockable | Bowser Jr. • Boo • Shadow Mario • Petey Piranha | |
| Transfer | Neil • Ella | |
| Courses | Lakitu Valley • Cheep Cheep Falls • Shifting Sands • Blooper Bay • Peach's Castle Grounds • Bowser Badlands • Congo Canopy | |
| Miscellaneous | Best Badge • Gallery • List of golfing terms • Power Shot • Staff | |
