Do you recognize this fresh-faced, super-famous video game character?
When you stop and think about it, a lot of famous video game characters are defined by one or two memorable features or accessories. Have Street Fighter’s Ryu change out of his karate gi and headband and into a pair of cargo pants and a hoodie, and he could blend into a crowd of customers at Uniqlo pretty easily. Likewise, a lot of gamers wouldn’t be able to pick Laura Croft out of a lineup if not for her hot pants and pair of gigantic pistols.
So let’s try a little quiz. Can you recognize this smooth-faced gaming icon?
If you can’t instantly recall seeing the character below in a video game, that’s understandable, as he’s never appeared in one in this particular guise. The image has been reworked from the developer’s original design by Japanese Twitter user nakano_chico .
Still, that red shirt isn’t a red herring, as that is a Nintendo character. Let’s see what he looks like when he’s in his work uniform instead of his street clothes.
OK. Well, judging from the overalls, we can conclude he’s got some sort of blue-collar job. Snappy as he looks in his work duds, though, that cowlick isn’t going to leave a good impression on customers. Better give him a hat.
Ahhh, now he’s starting to look familiar. But there’s still something missing. Hmm…what if we confiscated this young man’s razor for a couple of days?
▼ It’s a him, Mario!
So what did Japanese Internet users have to say about this clean-shaven version of video gaming’s most enduring superstar?
“He looks so youthful and clean.”
“Wait, you mean he’s not bald?”
“This just taught me all over again that the mustache is really a part of his body.”
“Without it, he just looks like Super Hitoshi.”
“Or like Takahashi Meijin/Master Higgins from the Adventure Island games.”
“I think he looks like a Polish high school student.”
“How did this ordinary schmoe become one of Japan’s most famous fictional characters?”
We’ve got to agree that Nintendo’s mascot just looks more dependable with a mustache. But is this the only facial hair option for Mario? What would he look like with a full beard, Abe Lincoln beard, goatee, or a soul patch? We put our finest RocketNews24 fashion consultants to the task of creating this simulation.
▼ Far left: 1890s. Far right: 1990s
Not bad, but we have to admit: Nintendo got it just right the first time.
Source: Livedoor News
Top image: Twitter/nakano_chico via Livedoor (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert images: Twitter/nakano_chico via Livedoor, Wikipedia/Thomas01989 , Wikipedia/Thomas01989 (edited by RocketNews24)
