If you explain how to got to one of the places in the living world,(there are 2 worlds,living and dead) than yes.Just say something like his ship crashed in Mushroom Kingdom(or any area,you make up what happend)
as long as it gives him a reason to explore this world.Finding his crew could be a good example.So in short,yes.
And then they split into two
one good,one evil.That is how Bearfrog and Tanas were formed.And Xtal was became BearFrog''s enemy.GrimSack raised BF in his sick way and the legend continues...