When Nintendo started releasing Super Mario games in 1985, they probably didn't expect the plumber in red to become an icon of video game history. More than thirty years later, Mario remains the biggest franchise of the company. Some have even gone as far as to dub Mario the "Mickey Mouse of Video Games."
However, Mario's appearances have not been limited to his own video game series. The character has shown up in hundreds of spin-off titles, TV shows, and movies. Most notably, Mario has made appearances in many video games, some not even from Nintendo. These Mario cameos are some of the best, if not the most unexpected, of his appearances.
10 Assassin's Creed II — Ezio's Uncle Mario
The second installment in the Assassin's Creed franchise follows the adventures of Ezio Auditore da Firenze. As a young man, Ezio joins the Italian Brotherhood of Assassins after learning about his family's history of killing. The person who bestows this knowledge onto Ezio is none other than his uncle, Mario.
While it may seem like a stretch to flag this character as a Mario cameo, it's not for no reason. After rescuing Ezio, his mother, and his sister from mercenaries, Mario introduces himself to Ezio with the iconic plumber's catchphrase: "It's-a me, Mario!" This minor nod to the Mario franchise may be brief, but it's certainly enjoyable.
9 Pokemon Sun & Moon — Mario's Clothes
Throughout the Alola region in Pokemon Sun & Moon (as well as Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon), players can buy clothes and accessories to customize their characters in boutique shops. This brief Easter egg can be difficult to spot if players aren't looking hard enough. However, it'll bring a chuckle out of even casual Nintendo fans.
On the far right of several clothing stores in the Alola region, players can see Mario's infamous red shirt and blue overalls hanging on the wall. Unfortunately, these clothes are not available to purchase. However, it's a brief and subtle nod to a fellow Nintendo character that is exciting to spot.
8 Punch-Out!! — Mario Plays Referee
The Punch-Out series began on arcade systems, but became a more mainstream success after it was released on NES. In the games, player control Little Mac as he fights through a gauntlet of professional boxers. For fans of the NES game, it will be easy to spot Mario, who acts as referee during each match in the game.
Unfortunately, Mario does not return to his position in future installments of Punch-Out. However, fans who would like to see this cameo of their favorite red hat-wearing plumber can play the NES version of Punch-Out through Nintendo Switch Online. In fact, that's not even the best Mario cameo players can find through this service...
7 Kirby SuperStar — Mario Rooting For Kirby
Mario makes several cameo appearances in Kirby SuperStar, which originally released for SNES. In addition to appearing as a rare golden statue transformation for Kirby's Stone ability, Mario makes several appearances during mini-games and boss battles. However, he's not as involved in the conflict as he was with Punch-Out!!
In Kirby's boss battle with King Dedede, Mario and Luigi can be seen rooting for Kirby on the sidelines. This isn't the only time, as they can also be seen during the Megaton Punch Championship. Strangely, there's a Mario and Luigi on each side of the ring, which brings to mind many multiverse-related questions for the Kirby universe.
6 Majora's Mask — An Unobtainable Mask
Some previously mentioned Mario cameos are from child-oriented Nintendo games, while others appear in adult franchises. This cameo is the best of both worlds, as Mario makes appears in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. This game, released for N64, is notable for being the most disturbing of the iconic fantasy franchise.
Early on in the game, players will encounter the Happy Mask Salesman. This creepy peddler is in search of the cursed Majora's Mask, which has been stolen by Skull Kid, the game's main antagonist. On the Happy Mask Salesman's backpack, fans can easily spot a Mario mask. If only Skull Kid had stolen that one instead!
5 Tetris — A Well-Earned Ending
Tetris is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, despite its simplistic design. The puzzle game has been ported to many consoles, though perhaps most notably on the NES in 1989. In this version, Nintendo took advantage of having the popular puzzle game on their system by including many cameo appearances.
If players complete a Type-B game of Tetris with a high enough score, an ending screen will appear depicting Nintendo characters standing in front of Saint Basil's Cathedral. In addition to Mario, other characters who appear in this end screen include Pit from Kid Icarus, Samus from Metroid, Donkey Kong, and Princess Peach.
4 Pilotwings 64 — Mario On A Mountain
Pilotwings 64 released for Nintendo 64 as a launch title in Japan alongside Super Mario 64. In the game, players control a 3D flight simulator to freely explore detailed environments. As a nod to their fellow launch title, as well as Nintendo's most iconic mascot, Mario can be found in the game, in place of a certain historical figure.
On an island based on the United States, pilots can view landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore. However, Mario's face replaces George Washington's on the latter, while other Nintendo characters make cameos elsewhere. This cameo might take some elbow grease to find, but it's worth it
3 Minecraft — Mario As DLC
By this point, Minecraft has seen a release on almost all major consoles, including Nintendo's. In the Wii U, 3DS, and Nintendo Switch versions of the game, players are treated to free downloadable content in the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. Though it's a lot more than just a cameo, this pack goes above and beyond for Mario fans.
Included in this pack is not just skins, textures, and music from the Mario series. Players can also explore an entirely pre-built world inspired by the Mario games. From Delfino Plaza to Bowser's Castle, players practically get to explore a Mario-ified version of the popular sandbox game.
2 Kid Icarus Uprising — A Japan-Exclusive Cameo
Kid Icarus Uprising was developed by Super Smash Bros series creator Masahiro Sakurai. Naturally, the humorous game features many references and cameos from Nintendo characters. However, this particular moment can only be seen in the Japanese version of the game, as it was removed from worldwide versions.
In the tutorial, Pit and Palutena start up Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Pit selects Mario, while Palutena picks Kirby, though they forego the match in favor of continuing the tutorial. This nod to the game that debuted their new designs is cute, but in the American version, they reference it in dialogue, calling it "Super Bash Sisters."
1 Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes — A Mario Figurine
Mario and Solid Snake got to properly meet in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Before that, Mario only made one brief appearance in the Metal Gear Solid series. In the GameCube-exclusive Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, an Easter egg to the red plumber can be found in Dr. Emmerich's Laboratory.
A tiny statuette of Mario and Yoshi can be seen sitting on a computer in the lab. However, its function isn't just cosmetic. If Snake shoots Mario, the "1-up" sound will play and Snake will regain some health. If Snake shoots Yoshi, the dinosaur will simply say its name. Given the dark tone of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, this takes the cake as the most unexpected and best Mario cameo in any video game.