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Dark Implications Of The 'Super Mario' Universe
The Mushroom Kingdom might seem like a great place to live at first. Everything is so colorful, there are dozens of interesting places to visit, and if there's ever any trouble, Mario will show up and put a stop to it. But if it sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. The Super Mario universe is far more sinister than it initially seems - and there could be some dark implications for the Super Mario video games.
It’s already been established that there are plenty of logical inconsistencies surrounding the Mushroom Kingdom, while numerous fan theories have shown there may well be some dark sides to Super Mario that you never imagined. A closer inspection reveals all the terrible implications of the Super Mario universe.
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The Bricks Are Literally Inhabitants Of The Mushroom Kingdom
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According to the instruction booklet for the very first Super Mario Bros. game, the bricks you smash along your adventure are actually citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom. They were cursed with the black magic of the Koopas who invaded the realm with Bowser. The booklet specifically states, “The quiet, peace-loving Mushroom People were turned into mere stones, bricks, and even field horse-hair plants, and the Mushroom Kingdom fell into ruin.”
This means that every time the plumbers break apart a brick in the game, they're actually killing the cursed citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Is this dark? - 2
The Inhabitants Have Known Nothing But War
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If the Super Mario series has taught us anything, it's that Bowser is not one to give up easily. His efforts to kidnap Princess Peach and take over the Mushroom Kingdom have left the realm in a seemingly never-ending state of war. In fact, Bowser has attempted to kidnap Peach more than 20 times.
He not only abducts the Mushroom Kingdom's leader, but also attacks buildings and imprisons the inhabitants - all while spreading his own troops throughout the area. This must leave the innocent citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom in a state of constant panic.
Is this dark? - 3
Mario And His Crew Mercilessly Destroy The Goombas
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Though some enemies within the Super Mario games actively attack Mario, the Goombas do not. They simply walk around, minding their own business. The only time they do inflict any damage is when you run into them, which could easily be forgiven as self-defense.
That doesn't stop Mario and his gang from mercilessly jumping on Goombas and destroying them without cause.
Is this dark? - 4
There Seems To Be A Caste System In Place
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Not only is the Mushroom Kingdom ruled by humans, but it also appears to operate within a racist class system. The Toads are the only species that appear to work in the capital city or in any job of importance. Meanwhile, the Goombas are left to live in the woods or fields away from city centers.
Basically, every species other than the Toads are used as servants or treated as an inconvenience.
Is this dark? - 5
There Are Countless Ghosts
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Boos are some of the main enemies in the Super Mario games. To put it frankly, they're ghosts. And the Mushroom Kingdom is filled with them. What makes Boos so unique is just how many of them exist.
One explanation for all the ghosts is that Goombas, the villainous brown mushrooms, turn into Boos when they die.
Is this dark? - 6
Practically Everything Is Alive
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It's difficult to find anything within the Mushroom Kingdom that does not at least appear to be living. Everything from hills to clouds to inanimate objects have eyes and other facial features that suggest they're actually alive.
This makes it incredibly hard to do anything in this world without somehow causing suffering to the multitude of life inhabiting it. It also makes doing everyday tasks difficult when objects have a will of their own.
Is this dark? - 7
The Mushroom Kingdom Does Nothing To Defend Itself
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Despite the constant attacks from Bowser and other sinister forces, the Mushroom Kingdom does next to nothing to defend itself. It doesn't have any real military force to protect it from attacks. Instead, Princess Peach’s castle has only a small army of toads to defend against invaders - all of which provide no real resistance against enemies.
Without the intervention of Mario, Luigi, and other heroes, the kingdom would fall to numerous attackers.
Is this dark? - 8
Humans Rule The Mushroom Kingdom, Despite Being Incredibly Rare
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The Mushroom Kingdom and many of its neighboring realms are ruled entirely by human royal families. But humans are incredibly rare in this universe. Other species like Toads, Koopas, and Goombas make up the majority of the population.
This has led some fans to question why a select group of humans, such as Princess Peach and Mario, rule the Mushroom Kingdom when they hardly represent those living in the realm.
Is this dark? - 9
Powerful Drugs And Weapons Are Everywhere
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The Mushroom Kingdom's landscape is littered with power-ups and special costumes. Mushrooms make you huge or tiny, fire flowers give you the ability to summon fireballs, and stars grant invincibility. These powerful drugs give those who consume them enormous powers, including super-strength and other special abilities.
These objects are available in large quantities and in barely concealed locations, making it easy for anyone to grab them.
Is this dark? - 10
Mario And Luigi Are Foreign Powers Imposing Their Will
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Mario and his brother Luigi are Italian-American plumbers. They currently reside in the Mushroom Kingdom and continually interfere in its affairs. The brothers may ostensibly work for Princess Peach, but they seem to do whatever they want.
They are potentially dangerous individuals from a foreign land using their power to impose their will on the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Is this dark? - 11
The Economy Would Be Ruined By All The Coins
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It's been established in various Super Mario games that the Mushroom Kingdom has a fairly standard economy in which people exchange coins for goods and services. Oddly, the currency can be found strewn all over the kingdom. This poses a number of problems.
The almost infinite supply of coins in the realm should severely devalue the currency to a point where the economy would crash.
Is this dark? - 12
Bowser Still Gets Invited To All Sorts Of Events
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Just to further reinforce the notion that the Mushroom Kingdom is asking to be invaded, the realm's arch-nemesis is invited to every major activity and occasion. Whenever Mario, Princess Peach, and the rest of the gang organize a party or sporting event, Bowser is always invited to tag along. Mario even goes go-karting with the villain.
These get-togethers would not happen in any other civilized world.
Is this dark?
