Mario first appeared in the classic Nintendo game, Donkey Kong, in 1981. Though in this game he was still named Jumpman. It wasn’t until 1982 when he reappeared in Donkey Kong Jr. that he finally became the classic character, “Mario”.

A very realistic Mario done by Ben Kaye at Ship Shape Tattoo in New Zealand.

Terrifyingly realistic version of Bowser done by Javier Antunez at Tattooed Theory.

Zombie Yoshi and King Boo done by Missi Robbe at Evolution Tattoo Reno.

Super Mario was indirectly influenced by Jackie Chan! The creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, has stated that Super Mario was largely inspired by a video game called “kung-fu”. The Japanese version of this game was based on a Jackie Chan movie called “Spartan X”.

Bowser done by Dave ‘Junior’ Nicholls.

Bright and colourful sleeve done by Jeanzito Hernandez.

Nintendo themed sleeve done by Robert Pup in Byington.

Super Mario characters include the brothers Mario and Luigi, the iconic villain, Bowser, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Boo, Donkey Kong, Yoshi, Bowser Jr, Wario, Waluigi, the Koopas, Goombas, and more.

a brilliant 8-bit sleeve done by Day May in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Luigi! Done by Kyle Williams at Grindhouse Tattoo Productions in the UK.

Wario! Done by Rodney Eckenberger at Stillhouse tattoo in South Bend and Ink Couture in N.Y.

The backstory for Super Mario is actually much darker than you might think! For those of you who haven’t read the instruction manual, here’s the gist of it. Bowser and his Koopa minions are actually black magic wielding wizards who turned the people of Mushroom Kingdom into bushes, blocks, and mushrooms. Yes, that means every time you use a mushroom or punch a block, you’re actually killing a citizen of Mushroom Kingdom.

A Neo traditional Mario done by Felipe Rodrigues in Brazil.

Adorable Mario and Peach done in a new school design. Done by Michela Bottin.

New school Mario and piranha plant done by Zedtattoo in China.

As a tattoo, all Super Mario characters are popular designs. Usually done in either neo traditional style, new school, blackwork, or 8-bit.

Blackwork version of Boo done by Kakao in Hongdae.

Classic mushroom done bu Mike Guinn.

Which Super Mario game is your favourite?