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11Given its status as a LongRunner, the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' series was bound to get [[EnsembleDarkHorse more than a handful of popular characters.]]
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15[[folder:Main series characters]]
16* Bowser's original seven children, the Koopalings, were a well loved QuirkyMinibossSquad that appeared before being replaced by [[ReplacementScrappy Bowser Jr.]] Their surprise return in ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosWii'' made many nostalgic fans happy, even if some were [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks annoyed that they appeared in so many games after that]]. Among the seven, Roy, Ludwig, and Iggy are standout examples. Roy, for being portrayed as "the cool one" of the group, Ludwig, for his smug attitude, and CulturedBadass styled design, and Iggy for his LaughingMad personality as well as having some of the most creative boss battles in the series.
17* Waluigi started out as a character solely to mirror Mario and Wario's rivalry by giving Luigi an enemy, completely lacking a personality beyond being overconfident and narcissistic. Since then, Waluigi has steadily increased in popularity over the years, even earning himself several appearances in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series as an Assist Trophy. The biggest reason he's so popular is thanks to ''Webcomic/BrawlInTheFamily'', where the fans of the series were able to see Waluigi in a different (and crazier, and funnier) light. He also became more of a mischievous trickster with flairs of TragicVillain and ButtMonkey thrown in as more games came out to give him a better degree of characterization than just "rival to Luigi", got some awesome music and stages to his name (particularly Waluigi Pinball in ''VideoGame/MarioKartDS''), and was given [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments increasingly hilarious mannerisms and roles]] in the games he appeared in (even with a plot-important role in ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolutionMarioMix''). All of this combined with his early years as TheScrappy fading steadily into the realm of distant memory have earned him so much more positive reception in recent years that [[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2018/06/12/waluigi-was-robbed-and-humiliated-by-nintendo-and-his-fans-are-furious/?utm_term=.938b8bd31618 demand for him to be included as a playable fighter in]] ''Super Smash Bros''. or even given his own game to star in is prevalent [[MemeticMutation across the internet]].
18* Toadette. She initially was just a simple DistaffCounterpart made to partner with Toad in ''VideoGame/MarioKartDoubleDash'', and her appearances after would only be shifted to spin-offs and supporting roles. Despite that, she still managed to gain a sizeable fanbase with many people liking her [[{{Moe}} adorable design]] and [[NiceGirl pleasant personality]]. ''Nintendo'' seems to have notice this, as she would go on to appear in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'', her first appearance in a mainline game, and later be full on PromotedToPlayable in ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosUDeluxe'' and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBrosWonder'', much to everyone's delight.
19* Pauline has historically been a bit character in the ''Mario'' series, despite being important in a meta sense. She has, however, long sported a small but loyal fanbase who want her to appear in more games such as ''VideoGame/MarioKart''. Her reappearance in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' not only pleased many of her old fans, but earned her plenty of new ones thanks to her [[CharacterDevelopment newfound independent streak compared to her previous appearances]] and [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h1IHvzwUd6w# dazzling stage presence and singing voice,]] leading many to predict (and desire) for her to effectively become "the new Rosalina" by becoming a staple in the ''Mario'' spinoff titles or even staying a recurring character in the main series. So far, Pauline made her playable debut in ''[[VideoGame/MarioTennis Mario Tennis Aces]]'' as a post-release playable character, was added into the gacha of ''[[VideoGame/MarioKart Mario Kart Tour]]'' via a special event, was part of the base roster in ''[[VideoGame/MarioGolf Mario Golf: Super Rush]]'', and joined the cast of ''VideoGame/MarioKart8 Deluxe'' in the Booster Course Pass DLC.
20* Blue Toad managed to prove himself as this when ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosU Deluxe'' was announced. When the game showed that its default roster included Mario, Luigi, Yellow Toad, Toadette, and Nabbit, tons of people voiced their concern over what happened to the blue-capped retainer. Fortunately for them, he would later be shown to still be in the game, albeit under the same spot as Yellow Toad.
21* At least [[AmericansHateTingle in Japan]], Birdo (or [[DubNameChange Catherine]], as she's known in Japan) is a very beloved character, mainly due to her EvilDiva personality, AntiVillain nature of [[IJustWantToBeLoved wanting to be loved]], and effectively being the face of the [[AmericanKirbyIsHardcore American]] ''[[AmericanKirbyIsHardcore Mario]]'' [[AmericanKirbyIsHardcore fandom]] in Japan. Her popularity in Japan led to her becoming a BreakoutCharacter with major prevalence in ''Mario'' spin-offs, including being a boss in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' and ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga'', becoming a recurring character in ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' games post-''[[VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar Sticker Star]]'', and even being a major character in ''VideoGame/CaptainRainbow''.
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24[[folder:RPG characters]]
25* Popple takes this status due to being an amusing IneffectualSympatheticVillain who keeps trying and failing to best the Mario Bros. People rejoiced when they discovered his return in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam'', and even though he TookALevelInJerkass, he's still well-liked in both appearances for the comedy factor alone.
26* ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' has Mr. L, despite clearly being a {{brainwashed}} Luigi. His [[AwesomeEgo cocky attitude]] and [[AwesomeBosses/VideoGames Brobot fights]] have made him pretty popular, not to mention the [[EvilIsCool admittedly cool]] EvilCostumeSwitch.
27* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'' gives us Geno, otherwise known by his true name, ♥♪!?. A Star Spirit who "serves a higher authority" possessing a wooden doll, Geno increases the doll's size to a human proportion, and brings all its weapons with him, along with some awesome magic. Throughout the game, his abilities range from "shooting a cannonball from his elbow" to "launching his fists at enemies" to "replacing his hands with guns and firing stars" to "morphing into a cannon and shooting a tiny sun". Fans have been begging for him to make another appearance ''any''where, but his only appearances so far have been a cameo in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga'' (which was removed from the remake) where he explains the rules for the Star 'Stache Smash minigame, and a Spirit cameo in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''. When his Mii Gunner costume was introduced in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'', his fans were ecstatic to see that through the sheer will of the fanbase, he was deemed relevant enough to be represented at all in such a blockbuster MassiveMultiplayerCrossover. In ''Ultimate'', the Mii Gunner costume initially had yet to see the light of day, even though Square Enix costumes appeared alongside the ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' Heroes, giving Geno supporters hope that in future DLC, he can finally make another playable appearance...only for the costume to ''actually'' be added alongside ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII's'' Sephiroth, to the dismay of his fanbase.
28* Lady Bow in ''VideoGame/PaperMario64'', despite being one of eight party members and not given any more story importance than the rest of the group, became the most popular for her [[LargeHam fun]] [[{{Troll}} personality]], CreepyAwesome vibe, and useful abilities in gameplay. It is most likely because of this popularity that whenever future ''Paper Mario'' games have done a CallBack to the first game, Bow is almost always the one representing the game. For example, she and Parakarry are the only party members from the first game to get TheCameo in ''The Thousand-Year Door'', and she is also the only party member to show up on merchandise in [[ThisLoserIsYou Francis]]'s room and on other posters in ''Super Paper Mario''. This is helped by her not having a clear {{Expy}} in ''The Thousand-Year Door'' (for example, Goombella is very similar to Goombario, Koops is similar to Kooper, etc). The closest she has is Vivian, who carries over her invisibility ability, but otherwise the characters have so little in common that most don't consider Vivian an actual replacement.
29* Also from ''VideoGame/PaperMario64'', out of all the bosses who guard a Star Spirit, The Koopa Bros. and Tubba Blubba seem to be the most popular of the bunch, mainly due to being some of the only bosses who actually make a reoccurring presence before their actual fights. The Koopa Bros. are especially popular due to being a major {{Franchise/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles}} shoutout, and the music associated with them and their boss fight, meanwhile Tubba Blubba gets points for being a sympathetic AntiVillain.
30* Vivian and Doopliss from ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' are this. The former for being an AntiVillain who [[TheWoobie is constantly mistreated by her sisters]], which [[MistreatmentInducedBetrayal she eventually has had enough of and makes her switch sides to fight alongside Mario]]. It also helps that she is really [[CuteWitch cute]] and arguably one of the best partners in the game. The latter is appreciated for being a villain who is both savvy and a walking, talking SugarWiki/{{Funny Moment|s}}. The two of them are often voted the most popular characters in the game and frequently get requested to return in future installments.
31** Vivian's popularity may also be partially explained by her being canonically transgender in the original Japanese version and most European translations. Since trans characters in video games aren't too common and Vivian's sisters straight up bully her by misgendering her in the Japanese version, a lot of LGBT players would really sympathize with her.
32* From the same game, Flavio. Initially, he was loved because of being haughty and arrogant, yet endearing, especially since [[UnpopularPopularCharacter nobody else in-game likes him]]. His popularity skyrocketed years after the game's release when it was discovered that, by using a few glitches to open up shortcuts to Keelhaul Key and Poshley Heights early, Flavio can be your guest in the party permanently, resulting in him showing up at particularly random times and places during cutscenes.
33* Goombella's been getting a fairly decent following in recent years for being a BadassAdorable [[BadassBookworm Bookworm]] who provides plenty of the game's [[Funny/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor gut-busters]] through her Tattles. It also helps that she has the [[GameBreaker Multibonk]] like Goombario before her, enabling her to dish out some serious punishment. She even got a cameo in ''Sticker Star's'' localization that wasn't there in the original, alongside Parakarry.
34* Mizzter Blizzard from ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar'' is this due to being a TragicMonster who also happens to be the only character in the game with a more noticeable characterization. To a lot of fans, he's one of the few redeemable things about the game.
35* The Massifs in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam'', with their LargeHam personalities, their generally badass attitudes, and their penchant for talking about BEEF.
36* ''VideoGame/PaperMarioColorSplash'' has the Shy Guy on the Sunset Express that can be talked to. By questioning his role as a member of Bowser's army he acts as a rare example of WhatMeasureIsAMook in the ''Mario'' series and a deconstruction of a PunchClockVillain. [[spoiler:His death should you end up fighting him later on in the game is also a tear jerker.]]
37* Birdo's appearance in ''Color Splash'' is also met with praise thanks to being both funny and featuring a reference to ''Doki Doki Panic''.
38* The Phantom (Tom Phan) in ''VideoGame/MarioPlusRabbidsKingdomBattle'', for his epic opera song mocking Mario and his franchise's cliches.
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42* ''VideoGame/YoshisIsland'' has Raphael the Raven, a boss character that proved popular enough with the fans that he reappeared in ''VideoGame/PaperMario64'' with a HeelFaceTurn despite becoming [[ATwinkleInTheSky a constellation]] in his original game. He also got his own trophy in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''.
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46* ''[=DK64=]'' gave us Chunky, who is liked more than his younger brother Kiddy from ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry3DixieKongsDoubleTrouble'' for having a [[CowardlyLion more]] [[RealMenWearPink developed]] [[GentleGiant personality.]]
47* Lanky is the most popular of the Kongs introduced in [=DK64=] due to his uniqueness, fun personality and the novelty of playing as a different type of ape.
48* Since then, though, the latest ''DK'' darkhorse seems to be Funky, who has been the fourth character in ''VideoGame/DKKingOfSwing'' and ''VideoGame/DKJungleClimber'', was unlockable alongside Diddy in ''VideoGame/MarioKartWii'', and got an entire mode dedicated to playing as him in the Switch rerelease of ''Tropical Freeze'', with its logo becoming a meme on par with "[[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne Featuring Dante from the]] ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne series]]".
49* Mad Jack, the Frantic Factory boss of ''[=DK64=]'', is well-remembered for his terrifying nature.
50* Among all the bosses in ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns'', Colonel Pluck is quite popular for many reasons, he's the only boss that briefly breaks from the Tiki's mind-control, he pilots a giant mech after every other boss was more supernatural in nature, and he's a chicken [[BewareTheSillyOnes putting up a good fight against the Kongs.]]
51* Bashmaster from ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze'' is quite popular for his [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic intense boss theme]] and [[NonStandardCharacterDesign looks a lot more realistic than most of the animals]], making him look even more menacing.
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54[[folder:Wario characters]]
55* 5-Volt was initially just a cameo in the Game Over screen of ''VideoGame/WarioWareTwisted'', but eventually made her way up to a supporting character, became the main obstacle of ''Game & Wario''[='s=] "Gamer" mode, and finally got her own stage to host in ''VideoGame/WarioWareGold'' (in addition to "Gamer" returning as an extra mode) alongside the likes of series mainstays such as Mona and Dr. Crygor. Not only is she liked due to her surprisingly creepy behavior in "Gamer", but also due to her depiction outside of that segment, as a [[AbsurdlyYouthfulMother pretty lady]] who's [[GamerChick just as much into Nintendo]] [[LikeFatherLikeSon as her son is]], if not more so.
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