Mario’s first appearance was in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, where he was originally named “Jumpman” and set out to rescue Pauline from the gorilla Donkey Kong
Origin and launch
Donkey Kong was released in 1981 as an arcade platform game designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, marking the debut of the character who would later become Mario.
Character and role
In Donkey Kong the player controls Jumpman, a carpenter who climbs platforms and avoids obstacles to rescue a woman known as Pauline from the titular ape, establishing the rescue‑style premise that defined the game’s action.
Impact and legacy
The arcade success of Donkey Kong launched the character’s career. Jumpman was later renamed Mario and evolved into Nintendo’s mascot and one of the most recognisable figures in video‑game history.
Cultural significance
Donkey Kong’s gameplay, character design and commercial popularity helped shape early platform games and demonstrated how a single arcade hit could create enduring characters and franchises that influenced the wider industry.
Takeaway
Mario’s origin as Jumpman in Donkey Kong (1981) shows how an early arcade title introduced a now‑iconic character and set the stage for decades of Nintendo storytelling and game design.