If you count Yoshi, Wario (of course those two are), DK and DK (well, depends on how you think of 'em), there are eight Mario characters. Not grouping franchises or multi-characters, Pokémon is the dominant franchise this time with Pikachu, Squirtle, Ivysaur, Charizard, Jigglypuff and Lucario: Six, as opposed to four characters bearing the Mushroom. Even then, Mario is behind Zelda, with five... but who doesn't consider Yoshi and Wario Mario characters?