History TearJerker / SuperMarioBros

[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fludd_dies.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350: Yes, you were, F.L.U.D.D. ''(sniff) Yes, you were...'']]
[[index]]

What are some great colorful games about a mustachioed plumber going on adventures and stomping on turtles without its share of [[TearJerker sorrowful events]]?

** The kicker? Mario, being the HeroicMime he is, didn't even get a chance to say "Yes". On top of that, if you look closely, Mario appears to be ''crying'' right after F.L.U.D.D. dies.

* The credits sequence in ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''. Just...''everything'' about it.
** ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' had unused animations for Mario crying, presumably about Peach.
** ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' has two lost penguin chicks. The one that belongs to the mother penguin is far away, and the one that's closer isn't hers. If brought to her, the mom penguin says, "That's not my baby! Her parents must be worried sick!" There are no other penguins on the level that will take her, and the mom penguin doesn't offer to look after her. It's pretty sad and somewhat [[FridgeHorror dark]] if you think about it.

!!The Games

!!Characters
* It's hard not to feel bad for Luigi, the [[CowardlyLion cowardly]] ButtMonkey of the franchise. Not only does he get little to no respect from almost everyone (especially those not named Mario) despite his heroics, but several games make him go through a LOT of misfortune.
** His luck is worse in both the [=RPG=] series, as he's constantly treated as nothing more than a joke by both the Toads (the people he and Mario are ''risking their necks'' trying to save, mind you) and Bowser, who, up until ''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'', didn't see him as much a worthy opponent as Mario. That and constantly forgetting his name.
** Compounding it further is the psychological torture he endures throughout the ''Luigi's Mansion'' series. It's made clear that he '''''HATES''''' ghosts, and seeing even a friendly ghost is enough to startle him.
*** In the first ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'', if he's at low health and the player presses A to make him call out to Mario, he sounds VERY terrified, either fearfully saying Mario's name or ''shrieking it'' at the top of his lungs. Not helping is his humming being slower and more scared. [[TheWoobie Poor guy just wants to get his brother and leave...]]
* Rosalina's backstory from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy''. Her mother died from unknown reasons, but not before telling her daughter that she'll "watch over her as a star". According to the girl, she's now "sleeping under the tree in the hill".
** During said backstory, we see images of her interacting with her family while ON said tree in the hill, having a picnic with her mom, playing with her brother, and looking up at the stars with her dad. After the mother's death and Rosalina leaving Earth with Luma, the rest of the family probably mourned for years...
** Even worse, Rosalina only comes back to Earth once every 100 years, which means she completely outlived her whole family.
* It's also pretty difficult not to feel bad every time Princess Peach is kidnapped by either Bowser or some new villain. Even if she's used to it at this point, having this being done to you OVER AND OVER sure [[{{Understatement}} doesn't seem like fun]].
** In the [=RPG=]s, her luck is even worse, as the respective new villain of each [=RPG=] is willing to cross lines that even Bowser wouldn't be caught dead doing, including [[VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor using her as a vessel for]] DemonicPossession and [[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime having her beloved kingdom invaded and destroyed]].
* In a way, [[TheHero Mario]]'s life is this, at least in the platformers and [=RPG=]s. Sure, he's a whimsical, [[BloodKnight thrill-seeking]], [[NiceGuy happy-go-lucky]] kind of guy [[AllLovingHero who sees the good in everyone]]. But in the end, all the dude wants is to live in peace or have fun with his friends, only for Bowser or some other villain to ruin everything by trying to conquer or destroy the Mushroom Kingdom and everything and everyone Mario holds dear to.
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' makes Mario go through a ''big'' HumiliationConga, turning the plumber into a ButtMonkey rivaling Luigi. First, he gets curb-stomped by Bowser in the first 20 seconds of the intro scene, then fails to stop the Broodals from stealing wedding items from different kingdoms, suffers AmusingInjuries, and ''nearly dies'' multiple times. The worst part is the [[DownerEnding ending]], where he tries to propose marriage to Peach, something he likely planned for years... and it completely falls apart because of him getting into a petty squabble with Bowser and overall just being a childish, immature prick. It's almost no wonder Peach completely rejects him.

!![[Film/SuperMarioBros The Film]]
* The scene where Luigi and Daisy say goodbye. Especially when Mario has to pretty much drag him back through the portal.
-->'''Mario:''' ''(to Luigi)'' She's trying to tell you she can't leave here until she knows where she belongs. And if you loved her, you'd understand that.
* Early in the movie, Daisy's mother dies. Later on, it's implied Daisy finds and appraises her fossil at the dig site and doesn't even realize it.
* Lena stabbing poor Yoshi. Hard to say she didn't [[MoralEventHorizon cross the line]] there. Daisy is horrified when she sees what happened to him.
* When Mario and Luigi are [[ForcedToWatch forced to watch]] as Toad is de-evolved.
* Daisy learns that her mother died smuggling her to Brooklyn, while her father was de-evolved into a mushroomy goop that's still sentient. He gets turned back by the end, though.

* It's also pretty difficult not to feel bad every time Princess Peach is kidnapped by either Bowser or some new villain. Even if she's used to it at this point, having this being done to you OVER AND OVER sure [[Understatement doesn't seem like fun]].
** In the RPGs, her luck is even worse, as the respective new villain of each RPG is willing to cross lines that even Bowser wouldn't be caught dead doing, including destroying her beloved kingdom.
* In a way, [[TheHero Mario]]'s life is this, at least in the platformers and RPGs. Sure, he's a whimsical, [[BloodKnight thrill-seeking]], [[NiceGuy happy-go-lucky]] kind of guy [[AllLovingHero who sees the good in everyone]]. But in the end, all the dude wants is to live in peace or have fun with his friends, only for Bowser or some other villain to ruin everything by trying to conquer or destroy the Mushroom Kingdom and everything and everyone Mario holds dear to.
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' makes Mario go through a ''big'' HumiliationConga, turning the plumber into a Butt-Monkey rivaling Luigi. First, he gets curb-stomped by Bowser in the first 20 seconds of the intro scene, then fails to stop the Broodals from stealing wedding items from different kingdoms, suffers AmusingInjuries, and ''nearly dies'' multiple times. The worst part is the [[DownerEnding ending]], where he tries to propose marriage to Peach, something he likely planned for years... and it completely falls apart because of him getting into a petty squabble with Bowser and overall just being a childish, immature prick. It's almost no wonder Peach completely rejects him.

* The VideoGame/YoshisIsland [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__-uXb_TtYg credits theme]], specifically with the slow reprise of the Level Clear theme from the original ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' [[http://www.ocremix.org/remix/OCR00485/ This remix]] is also sad.

** The ending of the ''Yoshi's Island DS'' has the birth of Yoshi. ''Our'' Yoshi.

* It's hard not to feel bad for Luigi, the [[CowardlyLion cowardly]] {{ButtMonkey}} of the franchise. Not only does he get little to no respect from almost everyone (especially those not named Mario) despite his heroics, but several games make him go through a LOT of misfortune.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4M1f09NoOI&t=6m35s Toadette yells in shock and then falls on the ground and begins sobbing.]] A Yellow and Green Toad quickly run up to her and try to calm her down. However, Toadette doesn't take her loss very well, and quickly pushes both Toads out of the way and runs away crying.

** In ''Toadstool Tour'' Bowser Jr. starts throwing an ''epic'' temper tantrum, kicking his legs and screaming inconsolably. ''World Tour'' instead has him try to [[CameraAbuse attack the camera with his Magic Paintbrush]], only to fall on his hands and knees.
** The sound is also used in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' when he gets 4th or lower.
** Ella, a character that can be transferred from the GameBoy Advance Game "Mario Golf: Advance Tour" also has an animation in "Toadstool Tour". Her double bogey animation has her sob and fall to her knees before sniffling and circling the ground, saying, "Golf's hard..." under her breath. It's just ''heartbreaking'' to see a child cry over their misfortune.

[[caption-width-right:350: Even if it was a machine, [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman Mario still viewed him as a friend]]...]]

* It's hard not to feel bad for Luigi, the [[CowardlyLion cowardly]] [[ButtMonkey Butt-Monkey]] of the franchise. Not only does he get little to no respect from almost everyone (especially those not named Mario) despite his heroics, but several games make him go through a LOT of misfortune.

-->--'''Toad''', ''VideoGame/MarioParty'' 7

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo9S3-q-WUY/ The music]] during the ending of ''[[VideoGame/MarioParty Mario Party 3]]''.
* The ending of ''[[VideoGame/MarioParty Mario Party 5]]''. As the dreams are restored to normal, you can see the characters and the boards floating in a sea of lights in the night sky.

** In a way, [[TheHero Mario]]'s life is this, at least in the platformers and RPGs. Sure, he's a whimsical, [[BloodKnight thrill-seeking]], [[NiceGuy happy-go-lucky]] kind of guy [[AllLovingHero who sees the good in everyone]]. But in the end, all the dude wants is to live in peace or have fun with his friends, only for Bowser or some other villain to ruin everything by trying to conquer or destroy the Mushroom Kingdom and everything and everyone Mario holds dear to.
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' makes Mario go through a ''big'' HumiliationConga, turning the plumber into a Butt-Monkey rivaling Luigi. First, he gets curb-stomped by Bowser in the first 20 seconds of the intro scene, then fails to stop the Broodals from stealing wedding items from different kingdoms, suffers AmusingInjuries, and ''nearly dies'' multiple times. The worst part is the [[DownerEnding ending]], where he tries to propose marriage to Peach, something he likely planned for years... and it completely falls apart because of him getting into a petty squabble with Bowser and overall just being an [[Manchild childish, immature prick]]. It's almost no wonder Peach completely rejects him.

** His luck is worse in both the [=RPGs=], as he's constantly treated as nothing more than a joke by both the Toads (the people he and Mario are ''risking their necks'' trying to save, mind you) and Bowser, who, up until ''Mario & Luigi: Dream Team'', didn't see him as much a worthy opponent as Mario. That and constantly forgetting his name.

[[caption-width-right:350: "Mario...was I...of...assist...ance?"]]

* Luigi, the Cowardly Lion Butt-Monkey of the franchise, who gets little to no respect by almost everyone (especially those not named "Mario"), despite his heroics. Several games make him go through a LOT of misfortune.
** His luck is worse in both the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series, as he's constantly treated as nothing more than a joke by both the Toads (AKA the people he and Mario are risking their necks trying to save) and Bowser, who up until Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, didn't see him as much a worthy opponent as Mario. That and constantly forgetting his name.
** Compounding it further, is the psychological torture he endures throughout the Luigi's Mansion series. It's made clear that he HATES ghosts, and seeing even a friendly ghost is enough to startle him.
*** In the first ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'', if he's at low health and the player presses A to make him call out to Mario, he sounds VERY terrified, either saying Mario's name in a frightened or shrieking it at the top of his lungs. Not helping is his humming being slower and more scared. He just wants to get his brother and leave...
* Rosalina's backstory from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy''. Her mother died from unknown reasons, but not before telling her daughter that she'll "watch over her as a star". According to the girl, she's now "sleeping under the tree in the hill".
*

* Saving Princess Toadstool for the very first time in the original ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1''.

* The credits sequence in ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''.
* ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' had unused animations for Mario crying, presumably about Peach.
* ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' has two lost penguin chicks. The one that belongs to the mother penguin is far away, and the one that's closer isn't hers. If brought to her, the mom penguin says, "That's not my baby! Her parents must be worried sick!" There are no other penguins in the level that will take her, and the mom penguin doesn't offer to look after her. It's pretty sad and dark.

* In ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'' Fludd's DisneyDeath: "Mario...was I...of...assis...tance?"
** The kicker? Mario didn't even get a chance to say "Yes". On top of that, if you look closely, Mario appears to be ''crying'' right after FLUDD dies. Even if FLUDD was a machine, [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman Mario still viewed him as a friend]].
** If you aren't too wrapped up in the fight, you'll notice that FLUDD's dialog starts out normal, then gets increasingly broken. Considering a few things, like the fact that it doesn't look like he ever actually got hit during the fight, this implies either that he was steadily breaking throughout the entire game, or that Mario was handling him much rougher than he could take during the boss fight. And FLUDD was either too concerned with the task at hand (or at least helping Mario), or didn't know he was breaking until the last minute.

** [[FridgeLogic Fridge Tearjearker]] when you realize this was the EndOfAnAge for both 2D [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario games]] and 2D [[PlatformGame platformers]] ''in general'' for many years.
** The ending of ''VideoGame/YoshisStory''. Not so much the ending itself as the music, which ends on the tearjerkingest 13 notes ever. Or something akin to them, anyway. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaSg-4nZTbk Just listen for yourself.]]
** And the ending of the ''Yoshi's Island DS'' has the birth of Yoshi. ''Our'' Yoshi.

* The ending of ''[[VideoGame/MarioParty Mario Party 5]]'' as dreams are restored to normal and you see the characters and the boards floating in a sea of lights in the night sky.
* As one commenter put it, [[WithLyrics after hearing]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqu48rHrWXM&feature=related this]] "I'll ''never'' skip [[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1 World 2-2]] anymore".
* Perry's flashback-dreams in ''VideoGame/SuperPrincessPeach''. Especially the final one.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqYg7SxU2yE Some of the character reactions to getting a bogey or a double bogey in the Mario Golf series]] are sometimes very depressing to watch. Especially in ''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour'' and ''Mario Golf: World Tour''. To wit:

** In ''Toadstool Tour'', Luigi gets shocked and admittedly starts crying before [[SelfDeprecation calling himself a loser]]. ''World Tour'' has him break down in a flat-out CornerOfWoe (with Boos ambushing him if he gets a double bogey or worse).

** When she gets a double bogey in ''Toadstool Tour'', Birdo gets so distraught and cries. It's even more upsetting in ''World Tour'', where she spits out balls at the camera until one of them hits her in the face, causing her to flip onto the ground and cry, clearly heartbroken.

** While he responds [[GracefulLoser somewhat decently]] from getting a bogey in ''Toadstool Tour'', when he gets a double bogey, Bowser absolutely ''breaks down'', letting out a roar of emotional agony as he kneels down, before pounding the ground in rage. In ''World Tour'', after punching the camera out in a SugarWiki/{{Funny Moment|s}}, he starts to walk away; and then just falls over, weakened and exhausted.
** In ''Toadstool Tour'' Bowser Jr. starts throwing an ''epic'' temper tantrum, kicking his legs and screaming inconsolably. The sound is also used in Mario Kart Double Dash when he gets 4th or lower. ''World Tour'' instead has him try to [[CameraAbuse attack the camera with his Magic Paintbrush]], only to fall on his hands and knees.
** Ella, a character that can be transferred from the GameBoy Advance Game "Mario Golf: Advance Tour" also has an animation in "Toadstool Tour". Her double bogey animation as her sob and fall to her knees before sniffling and circling the ground, talking under her breath, "Golf's Hard...". It's heartbreaking to see a child cry over their misfortune.

-->'''Mario:''' ''(to Luigi)'' She's trying to tell you, she can't leave here until she knows where she belongs. And if you loved her, you'd understand that.

* Daisy learns that her mother died smuggling her to Brooklyn, while her father was de-evolved into a mushroomy goop which is still sentient. He gets turned back by the end.

* Luigi, the Cowardly Lion Butt-Monkey of the franchise, who gets little to no respect by almost everyone not named Mario, Daisy, or Peach, despite his heroics. Several games make him go through a LOT of misfortune.
** His luck is worse in both the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series, as he's constantly treated as nothing more than a joke by both the Toads (AKA the people he and Mario are trying their most damn to save) and Bowser, who up until Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, didn't see him as much a worthy opponent as Mario. That and constantly forgetting his name.

* This Tear Jerker has more to do with the final issue of ''Magazine/NintendoPower'', but it also concerns Mario. Remember the cover of the [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a7/Nintendo_Power.jpg first issue]]? Readers of this magazine for the past 25 years will likely shed a nostalgic tear or two as the [[http://www.gonintendo.com/content/uploads/images/2012_11/62XJ6.jpg final issue's cover]] [[BookEnds pays homage]] [[CallBack to the first]].

* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'''s credits, which not only has the music but also scenes of people you've met throughout your journey getting their wishes finally granted. And just when you think it's over, the main ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' theme starts playing on a music box.

* TearJerker/MarioKart

* The credits sequence in ''VideoGame/MarioKart64''. There's just ''something'' about the music and the panoramic views of the tracks that makes the tear ducts flow...
** Ditto to ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''.

** His luck is worse in both the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series, as he's constantly treated as nothing more than a joke by both the Toads (AKA the people he and Mario are trying their most damn to save) and Bowser, who up until Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, didn't see him as much a worthy opponent as Mario.

* The background music (a slowed-down remix of the "Good Egg Galaxy" level music from the first ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' game) that plays on the World 1 map from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy2''.

* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros2'' turning out to be AllJustADream, particularly with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnbNNqf9UaQ the music]]. Most likely, Mario and company had great times kicking the butts of Wart and his forces together, but those adventures never actually happened and only Mario will remember them.

** In ''Toadstool Tour'' Bowser Jr. starts throwing an ''epic'' temper tantrum, kicking his legs and screaming inconsolably. The sound is also used in Mario Kart Double Dash when he gets 4th or lower. ''World Tour'' instead has him try to [[CameraAbuse attack the camera with his Magic Paintbrush]], only to fall on his hands and knees.

* Lena stabbing poor Yoshi. Hard to say she didn't [[MoralEventHorizon cross the line]] there. Even Daisy felt sorry for him.