Character: Mario
First Appearance: Donkey Kong (1981)
Further Appearances:
Donkey Kong Junior
Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Land
Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Super Mario World
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario 64
Super Mario Sunshine
New Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Smash
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Mario Party 1
Mario Party 2
Mario Party 3
Mario Party 4
Mario Party 5
Mario Party 6
Mario Party 7
Mario Party 8
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Silver Stars
Super Mario Strikers
Super Mario Strikers Charged
Mario Superstars Baseball
Mario Paint
Paper Mario
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Super Paper Mario
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time
Mario Golf
Mario Tennis
Mario Power Tennis
and many, many more

History:
Mario is one of the most well known video game characters, and is best known as the mascot of the game company Nintendo. Mario has appeared in numerous games over the years, so many in fact that I couldn't get them all into this one bio. Created originally by Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario first appeared in Donkey Kong in 1981 along with Donkey Kong and Paulina, the princess that would later be replaced by Peach. He was designed the way he is becuase of the limitations placed on pixel animation. His hat was to get rid of any hair animation required during jumping and the mustache was easier to draw than a mouth. In most of his recent games, his green brother Luigi has also made many appearances. Mario's rival in the games are most often Bowser, the king of the koopas, who often attempts to kidnap the princess Peach. Over the years, though, Mario has encountered many other villains such as Wart, Cackletta, and Donkey Kong.

Description:
Mario is an short, Italian plumber with an easily recognizable red cap with the letter "M" pasted on the front. He also wears a red shirt with blue overalls, brown shoes, and the classic white gloves. His brother, Luigi, has a similar look with green replacing the red. Mario lives in the mushroom kingdom, ruled by Princess Peach, with his brother.