I've been thinking about what could have been if we got a Super Mario animated series in 1993, right after the release of Super Mario Kart. Imagine a series called "Super Mario All Stars", where King Koopa (Bowser) and Wart from Super Mario Bros. 2 join forces, and Mario has to form a dream team (his "All Stars") to stop them.
Here's what I'm envisioning:
The Premise:
After years of facing individual defeats, Bowser and Wart decide to unite their evil armies—Koopa Troopas, Goombas, Shy Guys, Birdo, you name it! They create an even greater threat, looking to conquer both the Mushroom Kingdom and the dream-like land of Subcon. To face them, Mario recruits his All Stars: Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and Yoshi. And there’s a twist—Wario makes his first animated appearance, and he’s not exactly on anyone’s side...
But here’s the kicker: The show would also bring in the karts from Super Mario Kart! 🚗💨
Kart Battles Integrated Into the Story:
The karts aren’t just for racing—they’re fully equipped for battle. The heroes use them to get around and take on Bowser & Wart's forces, adding a fast-paced dynamic to the show.
Each character's kart has unique abilities:
Mario: Balanced with classic power-ups like Fire Flowers.
Luigi: Higher jumps and a “Poltergust Power” whirlwind attack.
Peach: Protective heart shields and “Star Dust” traps.
Toad: Quick kart with a “Mega Turnip Launcher.”
Yoshi: Egg cannons and the ability to grab items with his tongue.
Wario: Equipped with a “Greed Magnet” to steal power-ups—he’s playing by his own rules!
The villains also get karts:
Bowser has a monstrous, fire-breathing tank-like kart.
Wart drives an amphibious nightmare that shoots sleep bubbles.
The Koopalings each have their own themed karts and serve as mini-bosses throughout the show.
Episode Highlights:
"Kart Clash in Koopa Canyon": The heroes navigate a canyon fortress in their karts, avoiding traps and battling minions.
"Rainbow Road Rumble": An intense race on the iconic Rainbow Road, where power-ups and rivalries are put to the test.
"Battle for the Throne": A chaotic three-way battle between Bowser, Wart, and Wario—each wanting to come out on top.
"Final Lap Showdown": The two-part finale features an all-out kart assault on a massive mechanical fortress as Bowser and Wart make one last attempt to seize power.
The Tone & Style:
The show would maintain that fun, adventurous spirit of the classic Mario cartoons with plenty of slapstick humor and one-liners, but with more action thanks to the kart sequences. Imagine colorful, Super Mario World-era animation, orchestrated versions of iconic Mario music, and a blend of platforming action with racing elements.
The karts also let the heroes travel across a wide range of landscapes—forests, icy slopes, ghost houses, deserts—all while bringing Super Mario Kart-style chaos and fun. Power-ups like Koopa Shells, Banana Peels, and Stars all play a part in these battles, adding that extra layer of strategy and nostalgia.
Wario’s Role:
Midway through the series, Wario makes his debut! He’s a wildcard character, initially pretending to help Mario and the team but quickly showing that he has his own plans. He’s a classic antihero—sometimes helpful, but always motivated by greed and his rivalry with Mario. It’s a perfect setup for his later appearances in games like Super Mario Land 2.
Legacy:
I think this could've been an amazing way to build on the success of Super Mario Kart while tying together characters and settings from Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, 3, and Super Mario World. Plus, it would’ve given us Wario’s first major animated storyline—something that would be iconic in retrospect!
So, what do you think? Would you have watched a Super Mario All Stars animated series featuring kart battles and the union of Bowser and Wart? Who else would you have liked to see in this show? 🚗🍄
