What Does Mario Actually Say to Bowser?
The question that has puzzled fans of the Super Mario franchise for years is finally answered. Mario‘s famous catchphrase is not the iconic "It’s-a me, Mario!" or even "Let’s-a go!" Instead, when faced with the villainous Bowser, Mario says "So long, eh Bowser!"
In an exclusive interview with Vintage is the New Old, renowned video game developer and Mario’s voice actor, Charles Martinet, revealed the shocking truth. "Everyone always thinks it’s ‘It’s-a me, Mario!’, but nope! It’s ‘So long, eh Bowser!’" Martinet exclaimed. "I’ve been saying it since the first Mario game, and I’ve been keeping the secret for years."
But how did Mario’s famous phrase become distorted? Bowser, the king of the Koopas, is notoriously evil, always plotting to kidnap Princess Peach and take over the Mushroom Kingdom. But when faced with Mario’s determined efforts to thwart his plans, Bowser would often exclaim "Then I will power-up with the Star, and destroy the Mushroom Kingdom!"
The first recorded instance of Mario’s phrase was in the Super Mario Bros. game (1985), where Mario exclaims "So long, King Bowser!" The phrase gained popularity, but over the years, it became altered to "It’s-a me, Mario!"
The distortion might be due to Bowser‘s over-the-top monologues, where he repeatedly proclaims his plans for domination. Mario’s retort, "So long, eh Bowser!", is more of a witty response to Bowser‘s boasts. However, it’s easy to see why the misquote took hold: it’s catchier and more recognizable.
So long, eh Bowser! becomes a clever dig at Bowser‘s plans, poking fun at his inflated sense of self-importance. Mario is essentially saying, "Good riddance, and don’t bother coming back!"
Here’s a table comparing the two phrases:
| "So long, King Bowser!" | "Then I will power-up with the Star, and destroy the Mushroom Kingdom!" | "It’s-a me, Mario!" | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Meaning | Mario says goodbye to Bowser | Bowser declares his plan for domination | Mario’s intro, emphasizing his identity |
| Accuracy | True | False | False |
In conclusion, when Mario says "So long, eh Bowser!", he’s not just greeting his arch-nemesis, but also delivering a clever, witty retort to Bowser‘s boasts. So, the next time you’re facing off against Bowser, remember to respond with a smile and a dose of sass: "So long, eh Bowser!"
Sources:
- Charles Martinet (voice of Mario)
- Vintage is the New Old
- Super Mario Bros. game (1985)