Fans have long held the belief that Super Mario Bros. 3, one of the most beloved entries in the franchise, was all just a stage performance.
Mario didn't actually save the princess. It was a play. A show.
Anybody who has ever played the game would probably agree. The game's title screen begins with curtains being lifted and pieces of the game world falling into place. Look closely and you'll see shadows behind various objects in the environments, as if they are cardboard cutouts. Later in the game, players encounter platforms that, rather than magically floating as in previous Mario games, appear to be hanging from the ceiling.
It always made sense, but it was unclear if the game's play-like aesthetic had some greater meaning or was just for show. Now, it seems fans finally have confirmation: Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto says that the game was indeed a performance.
The answer comes from NintendoUK's Twitter account, which had Miyamoto address a number of Mario "myths." When asked if Super Mario Bros. 3 was "all just a performance?" Miyamoto responded with a simple yet definitive nod of "Yes."
There are so many myths about Mario … Mr Miyamoto reveals the truth. #SuperMario30 https://t.co/OsjfUzSW6D
— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) September 10, 2015
Just like that, a fan theory becomes fan fact. Now, if only Miyamoto would address some of the absurdly complicated Super Mario timelines. Then, we would truly be getting somewhere.
For more Mario goodness, be sure to check out all the fan creations coming out of Nintendo's soon-to-be-released Super Mario Maker on the Wii U. The game is in stores Sept. 11 and even comes with a full-color idea book to help you get started on your own Mario creations. You can also take a stroll down memory lane for Mario's 30th anniversary by taking a look at some of the Italian plumber's strangest jobs and worst games.
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