During the development of Mario Kart World, the creative team faced a profound question that sparked considerable discussion: Does Mario actually eat mushrooms? This inquiry delves into the mechanics of the Super Mario universe and challenges the traditional understanding of how power-ups function. More specifically, do Super Mushrooms need to be consumed or merely touched for Mario and Luigi to gain their super abilities?
While the answer might seem straightforward to many fans, even seasoned Nintendo veteran Shintaro Jikumaru found himself questioning the established lore. To address this burning question, Jikumaru, along with Kosuke Yabuki, the producer of Mario Kart World, sought the insights of Takashi Tezuka, a long-time Nintendo executive. Tezuka, known for his role as assistant director on the original Super Mario Bros., has overseen numerous Mario titles, making him the perfect authority on the subject.
The inquiry into whether Mario consumes mushrooms arose from Jikumaru's creative idea to incorporate food items, particularly hamburgers, into the new open-world setting of Mario Kart. This concept led the developers to consider the mechanics of food consumption within the game. Yabuki explained, “We thought, why don’t we have a drive-thru system where characters eat while driving, and eating makes them change outfits or transform into a different character?” While the idea may seem ludicrous, it highlights the need for clarity regarding the rules governing the Super Mario universe.
In a recent Ask the Developer interview with Nintendo, Jikumaru and Yabuki revisited their inquiry. Yabuki recounted, “The question came up: ‘Does Mario, in fact, eat mushrooms?’” To which Jikumaru added, “So in the midst of development, we went up to Tezuka-san and asked him to confirm, ‘Is Mario actually eating those mushrooms?’” Tezuka’s response was clear: “Yeah, he is.” This revelation aligns with the portrayal of Mario in various games, such as the Mario & Luigi series, where the brothers are depicted consuming power-ups to unlock their abilities.
While many fans have long accepted the idea that Mario eats mushrooms, there remains some inconsistency across the franchise. For instance, in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario is not shown eating a Super Mushroom during races; instead, it appears as though the mushroom is injected directly into his kart, reminiscent of a NOS boost. Such discrepancies lead to further questions regarding which power-ups Mario consumes and which he merely touches.
The world of Super Mario is filled with intriguing mysteries. For example, how does Mario consume a Mega Mushroom, which is significantly larger than he is? Are Golden Mushrooms and Drill Mushrooms actually metallic? This raises the question of whether Mario can digest metal, especially considering he can transform into a metal form. Furthermore, does Mario eat acorns that transform him into Flying Squirrel Mario? And what about the royal crown and propeller hat found on a Golden Dash Mushroom and a Propeller Mushroom, respectively—are they edible?
Questions also arise regarding other power-ups. Is a Boo Mushroom simply a visual representation of a Boo, or does it contain a ghost? If it’s a ghost, does that imply that Mario has a collection of spirits in his digestive system? What about the effects of licking a P-Block? How does one feel after consuming a fuzzy Bee Mushroom? These questions highlight the whimsical, yet complex, nature of the Super Mario universe.
As the creators of Mario Kart World continue to explore the rich lore of the Mario franchise, fans are left with many unanswered questions. Should an opportunity arise for an interview with Takashi Tezuka, it’s clear that countless fans would have a plethora of curious inquiries ready to go, hoping to unravel the delicious mysteries of Mario’s world.
