Mario might just be the most instantly-recognizable and influential video game character ever created. While his platformer titles and iconic aesthetics have been plenty to keep Mario at the forefront of the entertainment medium, the continued innovation and inspirational pivots provided by Nintendo have shot the little plumber to legendary status. Thanks to his creator’s willingness to try new game genres, settings, and technologies, Mario can pop-up in just anything and seem like he’s built for the task at hand. This versatility created over the decades since he first appeared in 1981’s Donkey Kong has further spawned some fantastic mini-games, which became a staple in the mainline series.