Spyke
BootLoop
sh.itjust.works

This exact question was answered by one of the Mario creators actually.

GAME INFORMER: Time and again, Bowser kidnaps Peach. Why do Mario and Peach still race go-karts and play tennis with him?

SHIGERU MIYAMOTO: If you're familiar with things like Popeye and some of the old comic characters, you would oftentimes see this cast of characters that takes on different roles depending on the comic or cartoon. They might be businessman in one [cartoon] or a pirate in another. Depending on the story that was being told, they would change roles. So, to a certain degree, I look at our characters in a similar way and feel that they can take on different roles in different games. It's more like they're one big family, or maybe a troupe of actors.

Not really a fun lore answer but it is the "real" answer.

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/mario-storytelling-as-theater

81
aaaareply
piefed.world

Super Mario Bros 3 for the NES opened with a curtain rising as if the whole thing was a theater production.

This theme has been hinted at for a long time

38
givesomefucksreply
lemmy.world

I always thought because the target demo was kids...

You're biggest villain/rival is still a kid in your class that goes to the same gym class as you.

16
Cocoreply
lemmy.blahaj.zone

I love the troupe of actors answer actually! Given that Mario 3 is set up like a stage play, as well as more recent entries like TTYD and the Peach title, there's a lot of evidence that this has been the case for a while.

I like Comedia Del Arte, but Mario. It works!

12
_NetNomadreply
fedia.io

this is especially appropriate considering Donkey Kong was almost a licensed Popeye game

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CerebralHawksreply
lemmy.dbzer0.com

I like this answer because it also implies that Princess Toadstool/Peach is/was never in any real danger, they're just acting in a play and you're playing the hero.

7
HobbitFoot
thelemmy.club

My head cannon is that these are actually international events. It isn't just that they are go karting, they are participating in an organized league.

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human
slrpnk.net

By the laws of 80s movies it was the only way to save the rec center.

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Red_October
piefed.world

Because inviting your rival to some recreational outing just to absolutely dunk on them and send them home in shame is more socially acceptable than violence.

4
Zagam
piefed.social

Because Mario recognizes a good time when he sees one and isn't a dick enough to not invite everyone because of a little personal beef.

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