Michael Davis
The Mario franchise has been criticised for its lack of sexual content, with Nintendo removing any notion of a character being transgender during the English localisation of their games. However, one item in the game, called the Toadstool's ??? in Princess Peach's room, was referred to as Peach's XXX in the Japanese version, suggesting that the item may be of a sexual nature. The Mario games are also known for their mushroom motif, which has been speculated to be inspired by the hallucinogenic mushroom Amanita muscaria, as well as the children's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which is often associated with drug use.
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What You'll Learn
- The Mario franchise's mushrooms resemble Amanita muscaria, a hallucinogenic mushroom
- The Super Mario games have an odd relationship with Alice in Wonderland, which is often associated with drugs
- Japanese culture has a friendlier attitude towards mushrooms than Western cultures
- The mushrooms may be a reference to the simple and interesting shape of the fungus
- The Mario games have shied away from any sexual content
The Mario franchise's mushrooms resemble Amanita muscaria, a hallucinogenic mushroom
The Mario franchise has been associated with mushrooms ever since "Super Mario Bros." on the NES. The mushrooms in the game are red with white spots, similar to the Amanita muscaria mushroom. Also known as the fly agaric or fly amanita, this fungus is native to the forests of the Northern Hemisphere and is recognisable by its bright red cap with distinctive white warts.
The mushrooms in the Mario games have various effects on the characters. In "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars", a basic mushroom recovers 30 HP for one party member, while a Mid Mushroom recovers 80 HP and has a green cap. The most powerful mushroom, the Max Mushroom, recovers all HP and has a yellow cap. In "Mario Party 2", mushrooms are Mario's favourite item, and they allow the player to roll the Dice Block. In "Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga", mushrooms are the basic item for healing, with their colouring reversed to white caps with red spots.
The mushrooms in the Mario games may have been inspired by Amanita muscaria, which has appeared in art and literature since the Renaissance and is often associated with fantasy and altered perception. The Super Mario mushrooms make Mario physically larger, which could be a reference to the hallucinogenic effects of Amanita muscaria. This idea is supported by the fact that the Super Mario games have been linked to "Alice in Wonderland", which is often believed to be about drugs.
However, there are other possible explanations for the inclusion of mushrooms in the Mario franchise. Some sources suggest that the simple shape of the mushroom made it a good fit for the first NES game, and the popularity of that game locked in the mushroom as a motif for the franchise. Additionally, Japanese culture has a more positive attitude towards mushrooms compared to Western cultures, which may have influenced the decision to include them in the games.
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The Super Mario games have an odd relationship with Alice in Wonderland, which is often associated with drugs
The Super Mario games have been said to have an odd relationship with Alice in Wonderland, a story often associated with drugs. This relationship is often denied by the game's creators, but there are some interesting parallels between the two works.
The most notable similarity is the use of mushrooms as a central theme. In Super Mario, the character grows when he consumes a red mushroom and shrinks when he consumes a purple mushroom. This is strikingly similar to the "Eat Me" and "Drink Me" cakes in Alice in Wonderland, which cause Alice to grow and shrink in size. The red and white spotted mushrooms in Super Mario also bear a resemblance to the Amanita muscaria mushroom, commonly known as fly agaric, which has been associated with distorted perceptions of size and relative placement, known as Alice in Wonderland syndrome. This syndrome causes individuals to experience altered perceptions of their body parts, such as their hands appearing unusually small or their feet appearing unnaturally far away.
The inclusion of mushroom-induced size changes in Super Mario has led some to speculate about the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. Amanita muscaria, the mushroom species resembling the Super Mushroom, is known for its psychoactive compounds, muscimol and ibotenic acid, which can cause hallucinations and altered states of consciousness. This connection to hallucinogens further fuels the speculation about the influence of drugs in both Super Mario and Alice in Wonderland.
Additionally, both works feature protagonists who find themselves in fantastical worlds, learning the rules of these new lands and navigating their challenges. The idea of a "rabbit hole" or tunnel as a gateway to another realm is present in both stories, with Mario travelling through warp pipes or portals to reach the Mushroom Kingdom, mirroring Alice's journey down the rabbit hole into Wonderland.
While the creators of Super Mario have denied direct inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, they have acknowledged the longstanding association between mushrooms and magical realms in folklore and literature. They attribute the inclusion of mushrooms in Super Mario to this broader cultural context rather than a specific reference to Alice in Wonderland.
The influence of Alice in Wonderland on Super Mario extends beyond just the mushrooms. Some have pointed out similarities in level design, character interactions, and transformations that echo the themes and ideas presented in Lewis Carroll's story. For example, the repeated cloud and hedge design in Super Mario Bros. reflects the mathematical puzzles found in Alice in Wonderland, and the jumping into paintings in Super Mario 64 resembles the through-the-looking-glass concept.
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Japanese culture has a friendlier attitude towards mushrooms than Western cultures
The Mario franchise's use of mushrooms may be linked to Japanese culture's friendlier attitude towards mushrooms compared to Western cultures. While Western culinary exposure to mushrooms is often limited to a few varieties, Japanese cuisine incorporates a wide range of mushrooms, including shiitake, maitake, bunashimeji, matsutake, enoki, hiratake, and eringi.
In addition to their culinary uses, mushrooms hold cultural and spiritual significance in Japan. The Ainu people of Hokkaido, for example, have traditionally consumed the Amanita muscaria mushroom, also known as "fly agaric," in their spiritual ceremonies. They believe that these mushrooms are sacred objects that serve as agents of transformation, facilitating connections with spiritual entities and their ancestors. The matsutake mushroom is also considered a spiritual symbol in Japanese folklore, representing the short-lived beauty and temporary nature of autumn.
The unique cultural and spiritual perspectives surrounding mushrooms in Japan may have influenced the prominent role of mushrooms in the Super Mario franchise. The red-capped, white-spotted mushrooms in the games resemble the Amanita muscaria variety, which has appeared in art and literature since the Renaissance and is associated with altered perception and fantasy. While the franchise's creator, Miyamoto, cited "Alice in Wonderland" as an inspiration, the choice of mushrooms as a motif may also reflect Japan's cultural comfort with and fascination for these fungi.
Furthermore, the inclusion of mushrooms in the Super Mario games may have been influenced by practical considerations. Mushrooms are simple yet interesting shapes that worked well for the first NES game, and the franchise's popularity solidified their continued inclusion. The use of mushrooms may also have been influenced by their association with magic and fantasy in Japanese folklore and art, contributing to the games' magical and fantastical themes.
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The mushrooms may be a reference to the simple and interesting shape of the fungus
The Mario franchise is well-known for its inclusion of mushrooms, which first appeared in "Super Mario Bros." on the NES. While some have speculated that the mushrooms have sexual connotations, there is little to no evidence to support this claim. In fact, the creators of the game have provided alternative explanations for the prominent role of mushrooms in the games.
One reason for the inclusion of mushrooms may be their simple and interesting shape. The mushroom is an easily recognizable fungus, with a distinct cap, stem, and spots. This simplicity may have been especially useful for the first NES game, as it allowed for clear and straightforward designs. Additionally, the shape of the mushroom may have contributed to its functionality within the game. The mushroom's cap and stem structure provided a natural way to incorporate faces, as was required for Super Mario objects at the time.
The unique shape of the mushroom also holds cultural significance, particularly in Japanese culture. Mushrooms, specifically the Amanita muscaria or fly agaric, have been featured in art, literature, and media for centuries. This particular type of mushroom, with its bright red cap and white spots, has become iconic and is often associated with fantasy and magical elements. Its inclusion in the Mario franchise may be a nod to its long history in folklore and popular culture.
Furthermore, the shape and design of the mushrooms in the Mario games may have been influenced by the desired gameplay mechanics. The creators of the game wanted Mario to have the ability to grow and shrink, and the idea of a magic mushroom that could facilitate these transformations was a creative solution. The mushroom's shape and size also made it suitable for growth in a forest setting, which aligned with the game's theme.
While the mushrooms in the Mario franchise have sparked various interpretations and theories, the focus on their shape and design holds significant weight. The combination of their visual appeal, cultural significance, and functionality within the game world provides a compelling argument for their inclusion, moving away from any sexual connotations.
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The Mario games have shied away from any sexual content
The Mario games have steered clear of any sexual content. However, there are some instances where sexual connotations have been hinted at. In the game Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, a mushroom is used to recover a character's health. These mushrooms come in different colours, with the most powerful one being a yellow-capped mushroom. The mushrooms in the game bear a striking resemblance to Amanita muscaria, a species of mushroom that has been associated with hallucinogenic effects and altered perception. This mushroom has been featured in art and literature since the Renaissance and is often depicted in fairy tales and children's media, including the Super Mario games.
While the mushrooms in the Super Mario games are primarily used as power-ups and healing items, there has been speculation about their possible sexual connotations. In one instance, a secret item called the "Toadstool's ???" is found in Princess Peach's room. This item was referred to as "Peach's XXX" in the Japanese version, implying a possible sexual connotation. Additionally, the mushrooms' resemblance to Amanita muscaria has led some to speculate about their potential connection to hallucinogenic experiences or altered states of consciousness.
Despite these hints, the Mario games have generally avoided explicit sexual content. In fact, Nintendo has been known to enforce strict content guidelines, which has resulted in the removal of any characters or storylines that could be perceived as sexually suggestive. This strict approach to content has sometimes led to criticism, as it has resulted in the removal of characters that represent diverse identities, such as characters who are transgender. Nintendo's decision to avoid sexual content in the Mario games may be influenced by the desire to maintain a family-friendly image and appeal to a wide audience.
The use of mushrooms as a power-up mechanism in the games may have been influenced by various factors, including the simplicity and recognizability of the mushroom shape, as well as cultural attitudes towards mushrooms. Miyamoto, the creator of the Mario franchise, has cited fantasy works such as Alice in Wonderland as an influence, although he later clarified that he was using it as an example of mushrooms being connected to fantasy rather than a direct inspiration. The specific design of the mushrooms in the Super Mario games, with their red caps and white spots, may have been influenced by the appearance of Amanita muscaria mushrooms, adding to the fantastical and whimsical nature of the games.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Mario games have completely avoided any sexual content.
Mushrooms act as power-ups in the Mario games, allowing Mario to grow in size. They also appear as items in the Mario Party series and can be used to roll the Dice Block.
According to Miyamoto, mushrooms were chosen as a motif for a magical fantasy land. He mentioned Alice in Wonderland, which features distorted perceptions of size and has often been associated with drugs. The red and white Amanita muscaria mushroom, in particular, has appeared in art and literature since the Renaissance and is commonly associated with fairy tales and children's media. Additionally, Japanese culture generally has a more positive attitude towards mushrooms than Western cultures.
