Game Theory: The Mario Timeline's SHOCKING Reveal

Summary

In this video, MatPat from Game Theory dives deep into the timeline of Mario games, challenging the often chaotic and confusing chronology Nintendo has presented. He explores the 'Baby Era,' where time travel and Mario’s adventures as a child are explored, and the 'Adult Era,' focusing on the brothers' shift from plumbers to iconic heroes. Along with his friends Drake and Kenny, MatPat uncovers hidden lore and references across the Mario franchise, even tying in the Donkey Kong series to reveal surprising connections. The video culminates in a mind-blowing theory about Mario's family tree, with a nod to the theory's humor and intricacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nintendo consistently resists the trend of cinematic, story-driven games, maintaining a more whimsical and simplistic approach to game narratives in the Mario franchise.
• 😀 The Mario timeline is surprisingly complex, with multiple games and time-travel elements that create an unexpectedly coherent story.
• 😀 The 'Baby Era' in the Mario timeline starts with 'Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island' and includes time-travel elements, with Baby Bowser interacting with future versions of himself.
• 😀 In 'Yoshi's Island DS,' Baby Bowser and Future Bowser don't react to time-travel in a way that suggests they've already encountered each other, indicating that time travel in the Mario universe is convoluted but internally consistent.
• 😀 The 'Adult Era' begins after Mario and Luigi leave their plumbing careers behind, highlighted in the 'Super Mario Bros.' series and continuing with the Koopa Kids in 'Super Mario Bros. 3.'
• 😀 'Super Mario 64' and its DS version introduce 'Luigi's Mansion' and foreshadow King Boo, placing 'Luigi's Mansion' directly after 'Super Mario 64' in the timeline.
• 😀 'Super Mario Sunshine' is positioned after 'Super Mario 64' because of a small reference to previous Mario games visible in the F.L.U.D.D. scanning sequence.
• 😀 'Super Mario RPG' is placed after 'Super Mario Sunshine' in the timeline and introduces Birdo, a key character in the Mario universe, also seen in subsequent 'Mario & Luigi' games.
• 😀 The Mario timeline also includes spin-off games such as 'Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga' and 'Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story,' which connect various plot points and characters throughout the franchise.
• 😀 A major revelation is that Mario from 'Donkey Kong' and Mario from 'Super Mario Bros.' are not the same person but rather father and son, further linking the Mario and Donkey Kong universes together.

Q & A

What is the main premise of the Mario timeline analysis in the video?

The video discusses the complex timeline of the Mario series, attempting to create a cohesive and logical order for the games, from the 'Baby Era' to the 'Adult Era,' while addressing time travel, spin-offs, and character relationships.

How does MatPat categorize the 'Baby Era' of Mario games?

The 'Baby Era' is categorized as a period where Mario and his allies are portrayed as babies, starting with 'Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island' and continuing through several other games where time travel and baby versions of characters appear.

Why does MatPat argue that Baby Bowser is not Bowser Jr.'s son?

MatPat argues that Baby Bowser is actually Bowser's past self, citing a line from 'Yoshi's Island DS' where Bowser calls Baby Bowser 'Past-me,' and how Baby Bowser and Future Bowser don't interact in the game, implying they've already met.

What key point does MatPat make about the Super Mario 64 DS retcon?

MatPat highlights that 'Super Mario 64 DS' introduces new characters and foreshadows 'Luigi's Mansion' events, while also helping to solidify the place of 'Super Mario 64' in the timeline.

Why is 'Super Mario RPG' important in the Mario timeline?

'Super Mario RPG' is placed in the timeline after 'Super Mario 64' and introduces key characters like Birdo, and it leads to the Mario & Luigi series. It also brings in recurring characters like Professor E. Gadd, linking it to 'Luigi's Mansion.'

What is the significance of the 'Super Mario Land' series in the timeline?

'Super Mario Land' introduces Princess Daisy and places Mario's affection with her, suggesting a shift in his love life from Princess Peach. This series is later followed by 'Super Mario Land 2,' where Wario steals Mario’s castle.

How does MatPat address the discrepancy of Mario being both a plumber and 'Jumpman' in the Donkey Kong games?

MatPat proposes that Mario, the plumber 'Super Mario,' and Jumpman, the carpenter in the Donkey Kong games, are not the same person but rather father and son, based on evidence from the 'Donkey Kong' manual that mentions Pauline as Mario's girlfriend.

What role does Rosalina play in the Mario timeline?

Rosalina is introduced in the 'Super Mario Galaxy' games, coming from the future. Her timeline includes time travel and the creation of new galaxies, leading to 'Super Mario Galaxy 2' and marking a significant shift in the Mario series.

Why does MatPat suggest that 'Super Mario Bros.' and 'Super Mario World' take place after the Mario brothers were plumbers?

MatPat refers to a Super Smash Bros. trophy description stating that Mario and Luigi were 'just humble plumbers' before becoming heroes in the Mushroom Kingdom, indicating that their plumber days happened before 'Super Mario Bros.' and 'Super Mario World.'

How does MatPat justify the timeline of the Donkey Kong series within the Mario timeline?

MatPat explains that Donkey Kong’s lineage is tied to Mario through the 'Jumpman' era, connecting Mario's original appearance as a carpenter with Cranky Kong's lifespan and the relationship between Mario and Donkey Kong, while showing how the two franchises intertwine over time.