"Is Mario in 'Princess Peach Showtime'?" has been a burning question among Mario fans, lingering even before the game's release. Fear not, as Detective Game8 is on the case, ready to unravel the mystery and determine whether Mario makes an appearance in any capacity within the game.
SPOILER WARNING FOR PRINCESS PEACH: SHOWTIME!
Where is Mario in Princess Peach: Showtime!?
No, Mario is in Another Castle
A lot of Mario fans have been speculating whether the iconic red plumber would grace the stage or at least be referenced in "Princess Peach: Showtime!" Given his absence from all promotional materials and trailers, speculation ran wild. So this begs the question, is Mario indeed part of the cast in "Princess Peach: Showtime!?"
After finishing the game myself, I can definitively confirm that Mario does NOT appear in the game.
As the curtains draw to a close in "Princess Peach: Showtime!" Peach unveils her spectacular new transformation outfit, dubbed the "Radiant Outfit." With a dazzling blast reminiscent of the Kamehameha technique, she vanquishes the final boss Grape into oblivion. With the theatre restored to its former glory, Peach stands alongside her fellow castmates, bowing graciously as they bid farewell, mirroring the conclusion of a grand theatre performance.
The game concludes with a heartwarming moment captured in a picture: Princess Peach and her faithful ribbon companion, Stella, sharing a triumphant high-five.
Mario Related Easter Eggs
Despite the absence of Mario himself, fans may wonder if any subtle nods or Easter eggs to the iconic plumber are hidden within the game. To keep it straight and simple, there are none to be found. The closest hint of Mario's presence occurs at the beginning, where Peach is accompanied by her loyal Toad attendants.
Upon delving into the game and Mario Wiki, it appears that while Mario himself may be absent, there are indeed several nods and references to other Mario games sprinkled throughout Princess Peach: Showtime! For instance, the cookies baked by Patissiere Peach in the bakery stages are Yoshi's Cookies from its eponymous game.
Additionally, a voice clip of Toad from Yoshi's Cookie is repurposed in the opening cutscene.
Furthermore, the design of Peach's Castle is the same as in Super Mario Odyssey, offering a touch of continuity within the whimsical and wacky timeline of the Mario universe.
Why Wasn’t Mario Included in the Game?
While the absence of Mario in the game raises questions, it's worth noting that Princess Peach: Showtime! was developed by Good-Feel, not Nintendo directly. While Good-Feel has contributed to certain aspects of Mario games, such as battles in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team for the DS, they haven't been the primary developers for games starring Mario himself.
Instead, they've been entrusted by Nintendo to create titles featuring other characters from the Mario universe, such as Wario and Yoshi, as seen in the release of Yoshi's Crafted World, despite featuring Mario bosses, the red plumber himself was notably absent.
This could suggest that Nintendo may have strict guidelines regarding the use of their flagship character, potentially due to legal concerns or a desire to showcase the diverse cast of characters in the Mario franchise. Alternatively, it could reflect a mutual agreement between Good-Feel and Nintendo that these characters can hold their own without relying on Mario's presence.
Peach Is A Strong Independent Princess
While it would have been nice to see at least one Mario easter egg in the game, in my eyes, Mario doesn’t need to be part of Princess Peach: Showtime! It's important to recognize that Mario's presence isn't necessary for the game's success.
After all, this is Princess Peach's moment to shine, and shine she does. For the first time in 18 years, Peach takes center stage as the sole protagonist, breaking free from her traditional role as a damsel in distress or a secondary character. In this game, Peach undergoes significant character development, showcasing her resilience and bravery as she confronts challenges head-on.
Her transformations and her partnership with Stella add depth to her character, and it would be fantastic to see these elements explored further in future Mario titles. Ultimately, Princess Peach: Showtime! proves that Peach is more than capable of carrying a game on her own, and she deserves every moment in the spotlight she gets.
