Mini-Mario
- This article is about theMini Toy based onMario in theMario vs. Donkey Kong series. For other uses, seeMini Mario (disambiguation).
| Mini-Mario | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Artwork fromMario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) | |||
| First appearance | Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004) | ||
| Latest appearance | Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) (2024) | ||
| Portrayed by | Charles Martinet (2004-2024) | ||
| Variant of | Mini | ||
| |||
- “Mini-Mario toy! It walks! It talks! It says, "Mama mia!" Each one comes in its owncrystal ball! Collect one, collect them all! Be the first one on your block to own the amazing new Mini-Mario toy! Hurry, before they're all sold out!”
- —Commercial voiceover,Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mini-Marios (formatted asMini Marios fromMario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis toMini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge) are energetic wind-up toys based onMario sold by theMario Toy Company. They first appear in the originalMario vs. Donkey Kong, and they have appeared in all of the other installments of theMario vs. Donkey Kong series. Mini-Marios are voiced byCharles Martinet in all games; they sound similar to Mario but higher-pitched similar toBaby Mario and with a robotic filter. The hands of Mini-Marios resemble, and are likely designed after, those ofLEGO minifigures.
History[edit]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong series[edit]
Mario vs. Donkey Kong[edit]
InMario vs. Donkey Kong andits remake, whenDonkey Kong is watching his television set, he sees a commercial for the toys, which persuades him to immediately buy some Mini-Marios. Mini-Marios are extremely popular, which means that by the time DK arrives at a toy store, the store is sold out.[1] Donkey Kong's impatience[1] makes him break into Mario Toy Company and steal all the Mini-Marios for himself.[1][2] He takes them directly off the production line, so the Mini-Marios are still within thecrystal balls they are sold in. Mario arrives to find Donkey Kong fleeing with a bag full of Mini-Marios. Mario chases Donkey Kong around various levels, trying to get the toys back. In the end, he retrieves all the toys and scolds Donkey Kong for his actions (in the remake, he does not scold him). When Donkey Kong cries (sulks in the remake) over the incident, however, Mario cheers him up by letting him have his own Mini-Mario that actually likes him.
In the second half of the first six levels of the main worlds, thegoal is topick up a Mini-Mario in a crystal ball. This action further opens the ball up and frees the toy. Donkey Kong is shown dropping a Mini-Mario in cutscenes where he escapes throughlocked doors, so it is implied that each of these Mini-Marios are ones Donkey Kong drops. The seventh level of the main worlds is a Mini-Mario level,[3] and in them Mario has to guide the Mini-Marios he rescued in the world's other levels to enter atoy box. Toy boxes are closed and unusable until the Mini-Marios collect the threeLetter Blocks, which Mario cannot collect himself. Mini-Marios follow behind Mario by tracking his horizontal position. They can only jump one block high, but theySpring Jump off anysprings they encounter. They cannot use any of Mario's advanced jumps or climbladders,[3] so the Mini-Marios are unable to tail him in many cases. However, Mini-Marios are one block tall in comparison to Mario's two block tall standard height so Mario can lead them through passages that he cannot enter. When a Mini-Mario is near the open toy box, it prioritizes entering the box over following Mario. If a Mini-Mario is offscreen, it stops and calls out to Mario until Mario gets close enough to bring the Mini-Mario on screen again. In such cases, the edge of the screen has an indicator for off-screen Mini-Marios. Mario can walk through Mini Marios and stand on their heads, but he cannot pick them up. If a Mini-Mario touches an enemy or hazard, it is defeated (while saying "Mamma mia!"). All of the remaining Mini-Marios will temporarily become invincible while a more panicky rendition of the Hammer theme plays. These levels are complete when Mario picks up the toy box while at least one Mini-Mario is inside. The number of Mini-Marios put into the toy box before the level ends is equal to Mario'sHP in the next level's fight against Donkey Kong. In the GBA version only, for every Mini-Mario successfully put into the toy box, 1000 points are rewarded, while the sixth Mini-Mario awards 5000 points.
In the plus worlds, aMini-Mario with a key is encountered instead. Mario has to reach it and lead it to a locked door in order to unlock it and complete the level. Unlike the main worlds, the plus worlds do not have Mini-Mario levels. Later invs. Donkey Kong Plus, Donkey Kong captures the last remaining Mini-Marios in the hands of his own robot mech, which Mario needs to damage with barrels to free the toys.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis[edit]
Mini Marios reappear inMario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. In the game, Mario bringsPauline as his special guest for the grand opening ofSuper Mini Mario World, an attraction park based on the Mini Marios. Donkey Kong sees Pauline and falls in love with her, attempting to give her aMini Donkey Kong toy out of affection. At the same time, Mario gives her a Mini Mario toy. When Pauline chooses Mario's Mini Mario over the Mini Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong becomes angry and kidnaps Pauline. The Mini Marios must traverse Super Mini Mario World in order to rescue Pauline.
In this game, Mini Marios replace Mario as the main playable characters, and can be controlled directly using the
stylus. The objective of each standard level in the game is to direct at least one Mini Mario to the exit to complete the level. This game also introducesGold Mini Marios. A single Gold Mini Mario appears in several levels in the game and is worth bonus points if it is the last Mini Mario to enter the exit.
Mini Marios can usehammers by touching them, causing them to wildly swing the hammers around for a short time, allowing them to destroy or temporarily stun any enemies in their paths. When a Mini Mario touches aFire Flower, it temporarily transforms intoFire Mini Mario and can shootfireballs at enemies to a similar effect.
Super Mini Mario World introduces other Mini toys, such asMini Toads,Mini Peaches, and the aforementioned Mini Donkey Kongs. However, these Minis can only be used in theConstruction Zone inSpecial Kit 1,Special Kit 2, andSpecial Kit 3 respectively.
On theGame Over screen, a Mini Mario can be heard mumbling about its dreams.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again![edit]
InMario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, the Minis play a similar role as in their previous appearance. Like inMario vs Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, the game is about guiding Mini Marios to a goal instead of Mario. In this game, however, the player cannot directly control the Mini Marios aside from starting them up; instead, the player must manipulatePink Blocks and other objects in each level, to ensure all of the Mini Marios safely reach the door.
The game introduces a type of Mini Mario with akey, known asKey Mini Mario. They appear on the Key level of each floor, with one Key Mini Mario per level. Unlike Gold Mini Marios, which go at the end of a chain to get bonus points, a Key Mini Mario must be the first Mini in a level to enter the locked door, in order to unlock the door with the key.
Mini Marios also appear in each boss fight against Donkey Kong, where they must be fired from a cannon, allowing them to either damage Donkey Kong directly or cause an object to damage him.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem![edit]
Mini Marios reappear inMario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!. They once again have to rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong, just like they did in the previous two games. Mini Toad, Mini Peach (known as Mini Princess in game), and Mini DK reappear alongside the Mini Marios, and a new toy,Mini Pauline, is introduced. Donkey Kong was too late to get in Mario's new park and get a free, new Mini Pauline toy, prompting him to kidnap her yet again.
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move[edit]
The Mini Marios once again appear inMario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move. They are the default playable toy in the main game and are available on display from the start in the Toy Collection. Mini Marios are also the only playable characters in theminigames.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars[edit]
Mini Marios appear again inMario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars, as well as their gold counterpart introduced inMario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. There is alsoa possessed Mini Mario at the start of certain levels, which the other minis must attack to make it free.
Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge[edit]
Mini Mario is one of the Mini Toys available inMini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge, accessible by scanning any amiibo depicting Mario (includingDr. Mario). Mini Mario's special ability isWall Jump, which allows it to jump off of any wall it walks up to.
Super Mario-kun[edit]
The Mini Marios make an appearance in aMario vs. Donkey Kong segment in volume 33 ofSuper Mario-kun. The story follows closely with the games with a few differences. For instance, while Donkey Kong is searching for Mini Marios in vain, a sales Toad offers a bootleg-like variant of Mini Mario, called Mimi Mario (ミミマリオ), to Donkey Kong, who he remarks as cute, but rejects. While Mario and Toad find Mario's company ransacked by Donkey Kong, Mario finds a remaining Mini Mario, who is damaged and malfunctions, frequently hitting Mario in the face. This Mini Mario, who talks, accompanies Mario and Toad and helps them defeat Donkey Kong. This Mini Mario is distinguished from other Mini Marios by its eyes, which resemble Mario's eyes.
In the segment, it has been shown that Donkey Kong controls the Mini Marios he has stolen using an embedded chip (which the Mini Mario that Mario has found removes). Additionally, the Mini Marios can combine and transform into weapons. One weapon shown is a gun that shoots Mini Mario heads while the other is a cannon that also shoots Mini Mario heads. At a last effort, Donkey Kong rides a mech to attack Mario, but the Mini Marios transform into a Mini Mario mech, which Mario uses to defeat Donkey Kong.
Super Smash Bros. series[edit]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
A Mini Mario appears inSuper Smash Bros. Brawl as asticker. When used on a fighter inThe Subspace Emissary, it boosts their shield's recharge rate by three points.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
A Mini Mario appears inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate in the form of an Advanced-class Neutral-type primaryspirit. It can only be obtained by purchasing it fromTimmy & Tommy's location inWorld of Light for 1,000 points at regular price. Once it reaches level 99, it can be enhanced into an Ace-class spirit which, when used, increases the duration of theHammer item in battles.
In its initial form, the spirit depicts one of the solo artworks of Mini Mario used forMario vs. Donkey Kong. In its enhanced form, the spirit depicts the toy'sMario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis solo artwork, where it wields two Hammers.
Profiles[edit]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit]
| Sticker Mini Mario | ||
 | ||
| Artwork from:Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis | ||
| Effects inThe Subspace Emissary: Shield Recovery +3 | ||
| Usable by: Anyone | ||
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]
| Spirit #126 Mini Mario | ||
 | Series/game | Mario vs. Donkey Kong Series |
| Type | Primary | |
| Slots | 3 | |
| Class | Advanced | |
| Strength / effect(s) | Neutral Can be enhanced to Mini Mario & Hammers at Lv. 99 | |
| How to obtain | Timmy and Tommy's |
| Spirit #127Mini Mario &Hammers | ||
 | Series/game | Mario vs. Donkey Kong Series |
| Type | Primary | |
| Slots | 3 | |
| Class | Ace | |
| Strength / effect(s) | Neutral Hammer Duration ↑ | |
| How to obtain | Enhanced from Mini Mario |
Gallery[edit]
- For this subject's image gallery, seeGallery:Mini-Mario.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ミニマリオ[?] Mini Mario | Mini Mario | |
| Chinese(Simplified) | 迷你马力欧[?] Mínǐ Mǎlì'ōu | Mini Mario | |
| Chinese(Traditional) | 小型瑪利歐[4] Xiǎoxíng Mǎlì'ōu | Small Mario | Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis |
| 玩偶瑪利歐[5] Wán'ǒu Mǎlì'ōu | Doll Mario | Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! | |
| 迷你瑪利歐[?] Mínǐ Mǎlì'ōu | Mini Mario | sinceSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate | |
| Dutch | Mini-Mario[?] | - | |
| French | Mini-Mario[6] | - | |
| German | Mini-Mario[7] | - | |
| Italian | Minimario[8] | Minimario | |
| Mini Mario[?] | - | ||
| Korean | 미니 마리오[?] Mini Mario | Mini Mario | |
| Portuguese(Brazilian) | Mini-Mario[9] Mini Mario[10] | - | |
| Portuguese(European) | Mini-Mario[11] | - | |
| Mini Mario[12] | |||
| Russian | Мини-игрушка Марио[?] Mini-igrushka Mario | Mini toy Mario | |
| Заводной Марио[?] Zavodnoy Mario | Wind-up Mario | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | |
| Spanish(Latin American) | Mini Mario[?] | - | |
| Spanish(European) | Mini Mario[13] | - | |
| Juguete de Mini-Mario[14] | Mini-Mario Toy | ||
| Minimario[?] | Minimario |
References[edit]
- ^abc2004.Mario vs. Donkey Kong Europe instruction booklet.Nintendo of Europe (British English). Page 4. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^"Donkey Kong has stolen all the Mini-Mario toys from the factory, and it’s up to Mario to get them back!" – 2024.[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)|] product page].Nintendo of America (American English). Retrieved 27 July 2025. (Archived March 8, 2025, 09:31:13 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ab2004.Mario vs. Donkey Kong Europe instruction booklet.Nintendo of Europe (British English). Page 14. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^Nintendo DS 遊戯軟體.Nintendo Taiwan (Traditional Chinese). Archived January 9, 2013, 03:46:23 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Nintendo DS 遊戯軟體.Nintendo Taiwan (Traditional Chinese). Archived January 7, 2013, 23:57:56 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Mario vs. Donkey Kong European instruction booklet (PDF).Nintendo of Europe (French). Page 57. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Mario vs. Donkey Kong European instruction booklet (PDF).Nintendo of Europe (German). Page 37. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Mario vs. Donkey Kong European instruction booklet (PDF).Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 117. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^April 9, 2024.Donkey Kong capturou os Mini-Marios! Você pode recuperá-los?.Nintendo (Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Mario vs. Donkey Kong™ para Nintendo Switch - Site Oficial da Nintendo para Brasil.Nintendo (Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Mario vs. Donkey Kong | Jogos para a Nintendo Switch | Jogos | Nintendo.Nintendo Portugal (European Portuguese). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Mario vs. Donkey Kong | Game Boy Advance | Jogos | Nintendo.Nintendo Portugal (European Portuguese). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^Mario vs. Donkey Kong European instruction booklet (PDF).Nintendo of Europe (European Spanish). Page 97. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^OfficialMario vs. Donkey Kong website.Guías Nintendo (European Spanish). Retrieved June 25, 2024.
[Edit] Minis |
|---|
| Mini toys |
| Gold Mini Mario •Mini Bowser •Mini Bowser Jr. •Mini Diddy Kong •Mini Donkey Kong •Mini Luigi •Mini-Mario •Mini Pauline •Mini Peach •Mini Rosalina •Mini Spek •Mini Toad •Mini Yoshi |
| Alternate forms |
| Cursed Mini Mario •Key Mini Mario •Fire Mini Mario |
| Related subjects |
| Mario Toy Company •Crystal Ball •Toy box •Capsule |
[Edit] Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characters | Donkey Kong •Mario •Pauline •Toads | |
| Minis | Cursed Mini Mario •Gold Mini Mario •Mini Donkey Kong •Mini Luigi •Mini Mario •Mini Pauline •Mini Peach •Mini Toad | |
| Enemies | Donkey Kong's robots (Cannon Kong ·Capture Kong ·Circus Kong) •Fire Piranha Plant •Piranha Plant •Pokey •Shy Guy •Thwomp | |
| Worlds | Rolling Hills •Jumpy Jungle •Runaway Warehouse •Crumbling Cavern •Dashing Desert •Twilight Valley •Orbiting Observatory •Bonus Levels (Bonus 1 ·Bonus 2 ·Bonus 3) | |
| Objects | Items | Coin (large) •Hammers •M Coin •Pickup |
| Resource items | Blue Lift •Movable Pipe •Pink Block •Purple Conveyor •Red Girder •Spring | |
| Fixed objects | Cannon •Color Switch •Conveyor Belt •Girder •Goal Door •Ladder •Magnet Ground •Rock •Spikes •Warp Pipe | |
| Further info | Gallery •Multimedia •Nintendo eShop - Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars Level Creation •Official online levels •Slide • Staff (Nintendo 3DS version ·Wii U version) •Stamps •Workshop Store | |
- Minis
- Mario Toy Company
- Allies
- Playable characters
- Goals
- Cannon Kaos
- Mario lookalikes
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong characters
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! characters
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! characters
- Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move characters
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars characters
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis characters
- Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge characters
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl stickers
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirits
