Movies

TV’s First Live-Action Video Game Show Wasn’t What You’d Expect

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In 1989, the first television series inspired by a video game was released, and it was based on the incredibly famous “Super Mario Bros.” game, but with an unexpected change. Although movies adapted from video games have had some appeal, it took the entertainment industry a while to recognize the potential of live-action video game shows.

Currently, we find ourselves in an era of exceptional video game adaptations, as series such as Fallout and The Last of Us have captivated not only devoted fans but also broad audiences. Upcoming adaptations like God of War hint that this trend of high-budget productions is far from over. However, the first live-action TV adaptation of a video game had a distinctly different aesthetic and feel.

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Included Live-Action Segments

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Was Actually About Plumbing

Each episode of the Super Mario Bros. Super Show! incorporated both animated and live-action segments, with “Captain” Lou Albano portraying Mario and various special guests taking on roles as either real-life individuals or Super Mario characters. This series developed its unique backstory, and it remains one of the top-notch cartoons derived from Nintendo characters.

In contrast to the majority of Super Mario Bros. franchise games that revolved around exciting missions and quests, The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! was remarkably distinct. This television series took a comedic turn, focusing on the characters’ jobs as plumbers, which played a significant role in the storyline. Typically, each episode began with live-action scenes where Mario and Luigi balanced their daily work as plumbers, with Mario occasionally reading from his Plumber’s Log.

Typically, episodes of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! started with Mario and Luigi engaged in their plumbing jobs. However, these brothers would soon be transported to the Mushroom Kingdom, a place well-known to fans of Super Mario games. This quirky touch distinguished the show from other TV series based on video games, demonstrating a level of creativity that was remarkably forward-thinking for its era.

It Took Decades For Live-Action Video Game Adaptations To Be Taken Seriously

Video Game Adaptations Have Come A Long Way Since The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, live-action video game adaptations made significant strides, with the Lara Croft film being one of the most successful examples. However, these adaptations were often met with skepticism. The success of Game of Thrones demonstrated the potential for high-budget TV series based on intellectual properties, ushering in a new era of television where shows like Fallout could thrive.

Despite the impressive live-action video game adaptations that have emerged over the past few years, animation remains a powerful platform for bringing video games to life. For instance, the latest animated movie of “Super Mario Bros” has garnered a massive budget, and series like “Arcane”, “Castlevania”, and “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” have all proven to be hits.

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2025-07-07 00:29

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