While the red-and-white spotted mushroom is now synonymous with the Mario franchise, it wasn’t always the case. The specific mushroom that we now know and love was introduced relatively late in the series.
Super Mario’s most iconic power-up has to be the Super Mushroom. This red and white mushroom allows Mario to grow twice his size and gives him the extra strength to take on even the most formidable enemies.
But what many people don’t know is that Super Mario’s power-up was inspired by a fungi species called amanita muscaria (fly agaric) or, more commonly, magic mushrooms.
Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for their psychoactive properties. Some scholars believe that the Super Mario games are based on the ancient shamanic practices of ingesting mind-altering substances to enter otherworldly realms.
If you look closely at the Super Mushroom, you’ll notice that it shares many similarities with amanita muscaria. Both have red caps with white spots, giving users increased strength and size.
Of course, there are some critical differences between the two as well. Amanita muscaria is poisonous if consumed in large quantities, whereas the Super Mushroom is perfectly safe.
And while amanita muscaria can cause hallucinations, the Super Mushroom makes Mario grow larger. But even though the effects are different, it’s clear that magic mushrooms inspired the Super Mushroom.
Whether you believe that the Super Mario games are based on shamanic practices, there’s no denying that the Super Mushroom is one of the most iconic power-ups in all video gaming. And it all started with a humble fungus called amanita muscaria.
Other Reasons Behind the Choice of the Super Mushroom
There are other reasons Nintendo eventually settled on this mushroom as the signature power-up for Mario.
For one, the red-and-white spotted design is incredibly eye-catching and easy to recognize. This is important for a video game series that younger children often play.
Additionally, the mushroom’s shape makes it perfect for Mario to “grab” and hold onto when he’s using it as a power-up. This graphical element helps further to cement the mushroom’s place in the Mario franchise.
Finally, the sound effect that accompanies the mushroom’s transformation is also incredibly iconic and recognized by millions worldwide. That “popping” noise is now instantly recognizable as being associated with Mario.
Shigeru Miyamoto’s Confusing Statement About the Origin of the Super Mario Mushrooms
In a 2005 interview, Shigeru Miyamoto made some confusing statements about the origins of Super Mario’s mushrooms. He said they were inspired by “the fungi that grow on trees in the forest.” However, he also said they were based on “Japanese folk tales,” which feature mushrooms as magical objects. It’s not clear which of these stories Miyamoto was referring to.
It’s also worth noting that in the original Super Mario Bros., mushrooms were referred to as “power-ups.” This implies that they give you extra power or abilities, which doesn’t fit their description as simply “fungi.” It’s possible that Miyamoto’s statements were meant to be taken metaphorically and that the mushrooms in Super Mario Bros. are not based on real-life fungi.
In any case, Shigeru Miyamoto has a deep understanding of both mushrooms and folktales. This allows him to create unique and imaginative creatures like the Goombas, which are based on another type of mushroom called the Amanita muscaria. Whatever the true origins of Super Mario’s mushrooms, they continue to be one of the series’ most iconic and beloved element.
The Mario Franchise
The Mario franchise is a video game franchise created by Nintendo and starring the fictional character Mario. The series is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, with over 776 million units sold worldwide as of 2022.
The Mario games are typically platformers where the player controls Mario or other characters to progress through the levels. The games often feature obstacles and enemies that the player must overcome to reach the end of the level.
The first Mario game was released in 1981. Since then, there have been over 200 different Mario games released for various Nintendo consoles and handhelds. The franchise has spawned numerous spin-off games, books, comics, TV shows, and movies.
