Summary

Mario and his crewhave been with us for decades, hopping through pipes, saving princesses, and occasionally racing go-karts just for fun. We’ve spent so much time in their world that they almost feel like old friends. But there’s one thing we rarely stop to consider: what exactly inspired these characters in the first place?

Sure, we all know Mario is supposedly based on a plumber—but would he actually survive a day unclogging real-world toilets? And what about the others? In this list, we’ll dive into the real-life inspirations behind each iconic character and rate how closely they resemble their supposed source. Let’s-a go!

30%

20%

40%

Yoshi might be everyone’s favorite dino-buddy, but scientifically speaking, he’s about as accurate as a T-Rex wearing flip-flops. Sure, he’s got the basic lizard blueprint—four limbs, a tail, and scaly skin—but then it gets weird. He wears shoes, has a saddle like a medieval pony, and catches enemies with a chameleon-style tongue.

Real dinosaurs didn’t come with built-in horse tack or snack-launching tongues. Also, transforming food into throwable eggs? Definitely not in the fossil record. His bright colors and bouncy shape scream “Saturday morning cartoon” more than “prehistoric predator.” If Jurassic Park had featured Yoshis, it would’ve been a lot less scary—and way more huggable.

60%

10%

55%

41.6%

Luigi, Mario’s tall, skinny brother, rocks the classic ’80s Italian-American plumber look with his blue overalls, white gloves, and famous mustache. He definitely nails the workwear vibe, but his lanky build doesn’t quite match the typical burly plumber image. His green outfit is a bit unusual for the trade, too. While Luigi spends plenty of time crawling through pipes, his scaredy-cat antics in Luigi’s Mansion hardly scream “confident professional.”

In fact, compared to Mario’s adventurous and brave style, Luigi comes off as the plumber who’s a bit more nervous and less competent—the kind who gets the job done but shakes in his boots while doing it. So, when it comes to being a “real” plumber, Luigi falls a bit short compared to his brother.

In later games, Luigi takes on the role of a ghost hunter, but, like Mario, he originally comes from a plumber background, and his appearance reflects this.

70%

46.6%

Mario’s overalls, red cap, and gloves might scream “blue-collar hero,” but let’s be honest—this guy wouldn’t know a pipe wrench from a banana. Sure, he dives into pipes, but instead of fixing leaks, he uses them like magic tunnels. He’s never carried a toolbox, and despite spending decades in grimy sewers, he’s somehow always spotless.

Real plumbers end the day sweaty and covered in grime—Mario ends his dayriding a dinosaur. Safety gear? None. Career loyalty? Questionable. He was a plumber once,then became a doctor, a racecar driver, and even an astronaut. Mario looks the part, but if your sink bursts, call literally anyone else.

95%

15%

80%

%63

Toad is what happens when a mushroom puts on pants and decides to be helpful. His big red-and-white “hat”? That’s no fashion choice—it’s clearly inspired by the Amanita muscaria, a famously poisonous yet oddly adorable mushroom straight out of a fairy tale. With his short stature, round head, and cheery vibes, Toad basically screams “walking fungus.”

He doesn’t fight much, doesn’t flee—just kind of exists, like a mushroom politely offering life advice. He pops up in random places, hands out goodies, and vanishes again—kind of like a power-up with legs. And just like mushrooms secretly form huge underground networks, Toads apparently have entire cities. Nature’s weird, and so is Toad—in the best way possible.

33.3%

75%

90%

86.6%

87.5%

50%

57.5%

65%

Bowser, Mario’s arch-enemy, is a wild turtle-dragon hybrid who’s more “smash and burn” than “crawl and nap.” His spiky shell mimics a real turtle’s shell, but it’s weaponized for chaos, not just defense. Those massive horns and toothy grin? Pure dragon swagger, like something from a knight’s worst nightmare.

Real turtles don’t have teeth, and they definitely don’t spit fire like Bowser’s BBQ breath. His obsession with kidnapping Peach and trashing kingdoms screams dragon hoarding treasure, not a turtle chilling in a pond. Tough as a turtle, fierce as a dragon, Bowser’s a scaly bully who blends both intoone epic bad guy.

Donkey Kong may be a tie-wearing icon, but beneath that corporate-casual drip is a pretty solid take on an actual gorilla. He’s big, muscular, and dramatic—just like a real silverback. That chest-pounding? Straight from the gorilla playbook. His posture even shifts between upright struts and knuckle-walking, just like the real deal.

Sure, gorillas don’t usually hurl barrels or crush buildings with a fist bump, but they are insanely strong. His wide nose, dark fur, and massive jaw echo real primate traits, but then there’s the necktie… which no wild gorilla has ever worn (not even in the rainforest boardroom). Still, he’s basically King Kong’s cartoon nephew—with better branding.

Wario is basically the cartoon villain version of a greedy capitalist—imagine a hefty, grumpy tycoon who never quite got the memo about manners. He’s sloppy, loud, and obsessed with money, often copying Mario’s “M” by flipping it upside down to make his own “W,” because why be original when you can just outdo your rival?

Wario’s idea of success is hoarding gold and cheating his way to the top, showing zero care for anyone but himself. While real-world moguls might wear suits, Wario prefers his stained overalls—a perfect look for someone who’s ethically bankrupt but proudly so. He’s the ultimate “me first” type, hoarding wealth and never sharing a dime.

85%

%78

Waluigi, Mario’s lanky, snarky rival, is the ultimate “annoying pro competitor” straight out of a sports movie’s villain playbook. His beanpole frame and gangly legs poke fun at those smug, long-limbed athletes who seem unfairly advantaged. That pointy mustache and sharp nose? They scream “I’m here to ruin your day!”

His purple-and-black getup, complete with a cheeky upside-down “L” logo, shouts “I’m Luigi’s evil twin, deal with it!” In games, he’s all about cheating, taunting, and bending rules like a shady tennis pro. Jealous of Mario and Luigi’s fame, Waluigi’s the guy who’d trip you in a race and laugh about it. What a jerk!

%80

Koopa Troopas, Bowser’s loyal turtle grunts, are Mario’s go-to squishable foes, straight out of a nature doc with a cartoon twist. Their hard shells—green or red, just like real turtles’ earthy or vibrant armor—scream protection, letting them tuck in tight when Mario comes swinging. They plod along slowly, mirroring real turtles’ chill, methodical vibe.

When hit, they retreat into their shells, sliding like smooth, rounded turtle tanks—physics that checks out! Their beaky, cartoonish faces echo real turtles’ snappy mouths, though way more goofy. Mostly harmless, these waddling wannabes are easy to stomp, but in groups, they’re a shelled nuisance that trips you up!

%85

Despite being a video game character, Princess Peach hits many of the same notes as both historical and modern royalty—minus the boring diplomacy. With her pastel pink gowns, royal posture, and gentle smile, she looks like someone who stepped straight out of a Disney fairytale or an 18th-century oil painting.

Sure, real-world royals wear simpler outfits these days, but Peach clearly missed that memo—and the concept of self-defense. She’s constantly kidnapped, making her less of a ruler and more of a recurring side quest. Still, she radiates elegance, kindness, and that classic “please save me again” energy that old fairytales love to romanticize.