Mario FAQ
Frequently asked questions

General questions

How can I play Mario games on my computer?
Many fans have made their own Mario games using programs such as Klik & Play and The Games Factory. Due to copyright reasons, we don't have these types of games available for download.

Can you send me a ROM of...?
No.

Can you send me an MP3 of...?
No.

Where can I find...?
For ROMs and MP3s, you're on your own. For Mario games and merchandise, try Nintendo's Online Store and/or eBay. If you still can't find the game you want, check your local GameStop for used (and new) video games. If you still can't find what you want, we can't help you, sorry.

Where can I buy/see the Mario cartoons?
Since 2002, a few DVD collections have been released. Search Amazon.com for "super mario dvd" and you'll come up with all of them. Finding older, unopened VHS collections is highly unlikely. You could try the links in the previous answer for finding used copies.

Is that crazy video of Super Mario Bros. 3 legit?
First of all, there are a number of Mario "super play" videos in which the player either: 1) beats the game really fast, or 2) plays through the entire game, showing off many glitches without ever losing a life. The players use emulators to slow down the game and reload save states to re-record until it is perfect. Check out TASVideos.org for more information and tons of amazing tool-assisted videos.

How much is my Mario collectible worth?
Honestly, we have no idea. We suggest searching eBay to see what people are bidding for similar items.

In what games does Mario appear in?
Check out The Games section for a fairly complete list of starring roles and cameos for Mario and friends.

Have you heard this MP3 that has an orchestra playing Mario songs?!
Yes. For more info, check the soundtracks page. There were five "Orchestral Game Concert" CDs released in Japan, as well as a "Super Smash Bros. Melee Orchestral Concert" CD.

How did Mario get his name?
As the story goes, Mario was named after Mario Segale, the owner of the Nintendo warehouse. According to the Super Mario Bros. movie, Mario and Luigi's last name is Mario (they are called the Mario brothers, after all).

What is Wario's relation to Mario?
According to the comics in Nintendo Power, Mario used to bully Wario when they were children.

Why do Mario games never seem to follow a set continuity?
Shigeru Miyamoto has stated that he doesn't want Mario to get tied down in any complex plots or backstories that could limit Mario's roles in new games.

Who is Shigeru Miyamoto, and what does he do exactly?
Mr. Miyamoto created Mario. Most games credit him as the producer and/or supervisor.

Game-specific questions

More:

How do I beat...?
Before mailing in gameplay questions, please check the guides to see if your question has already been answered. We also have a Game Help forum on our message board.

Why was Super Mario Bros. 2 so different from the other games?
Basically, Nintendo took a Japanese game called Doki Doki Panic and replaced the heroes with Mario characters. For more info, check out the SMB2 / DDP comparison page and the SMB2 Madness special.

What is the "Minus World?"
The Minus World is an infinitely looping water level in Super Mario Bros. that can be accessed with a certain jumping procedure at the end of World 1-2. Our SMB bugs page has a full explanation of how to access the Minus World.

How do I find Luigi in Super Mario 64?
Luigi is not in Super Mario 64. Luigi does appear as a playable character in Super Mario 64 DS, however.

Why does my SMB ROM start me in World 0-1?
It's an emulator issue that happens when the emulated memory is not properly cleared. Try another emulator. To reproduce this effect on a real NES (or emulator), enter Game Genie code YSAOPE + YEAOZA.

TMK-related questions

Can I use one of your files, etc. on my site?
You are not allowed to copy our text verbatim. If you wish to use a file we created, ask us first, and please credit us via a link to http://www.themushroomkingdom.net. If you can't upload the file to your own server, please, please do not hotlink without permission.

Need help with anything?
Currently, we have no openings. However, you can contribute as much as you want. You will get credit for your effort, as you may have noticed "Toasty64" or "Dave Adams" credits peppered throughout TMK. If we need another staff member (i.e. people who we let edit and upload files), we'll ask around. In other words, don't call us, we'll call you. ;)

Can I send you...?
Feel free to send us anything we don't have on TMK. If it's an extremely large file, please ask before sending.

Can I link to your site?
Sure. Please point the link to themushroomkingdom.net. If you want to use an image for the link, we have a banner and buttons here.

Will you link to my site?
Please e-mail us with your site's name and URL. We can't promise anything.

Want to affiliate with my site?
Please e-mail us with your site's URL. Unlike some websites, we're not trying to get as many affiliates as possible, so your site has to really impress us.

When will the stuff I sent in be posted on TMK?
Whenever we get around to it. We don't sit at home working on TMK all day, though Deezer wishes he could.

How often do you update?
We try for at least once every few weeks, but of course it's not possible to meet that goal every time. Often, small corrections/updates to pages are not mentioned on the front page. There is a "last modified" date on the bottom of every page (generated automatically upon uploading) so you can always see the last time a certain page was edited.

What do you use to make TMK?
Deezer uses Notepad++ for HTML. All animated GIFs made by Deezer were created with GIF Contruction Set and/or Animation Shop. Paint Shop Pro was used for every other original image.

Are your downloads free?
Yes.

How do I download your files?
Right-click a link to the file you want to download to your computer and choose the 'Save As...' or 'Save Link As...' option.

Can I mirror your site?
No.

Why Mario?
For the full story about how TMK came to be, check out the Birthday '98 special.