super mario eye color

Discover Mario's Eye Color: Unveiling Super Nintendo's Iconic Look

By Christopher TaylorApril 3, 2026

Ever since Super Mario first made his way into our hearts in 1985, fans have been captivated by Nitendo's iconic plumber. But one aspect that's vaguely remarked upon, yet distinctively Mario, is his vibrant mustached look, with a pair of large, expressive eyes. One question often surfacing in gaming forums is, "What is Super Mario's eye color?" Let's delve into this seemingly minuscule detail that contributes to the guy in red's vast appeal.

Super Mario's eye color has evolved over the years, subtly changing with each iteration of the game. But one thing remains constant - his eyes are always vivid and attention-grabbing, reflecting the joy and excitement of the games.

The Early Years: Brown Eyes

In the earlier games like Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3, Mario sported a pair of warm, dark brown eyes. This gave him a kind, almost flawlessly human look, which was quite a feat for an 8-bit character.

an image of a mario bros character with blue eyes

four black and white oval shapes on a white background, with the top one facing towards the camera

These early designs of Mario iterated on a simple, pixelated art style, yet managed to evoke a sense of familiarity with the player. The dark brown eyes were instrumental in achieving this effect.

Super Mario World: Introducing Blue Eyes

The transition to Super Mario World on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System brought about a significant change. Mario's eye color shifted to a bright, cartoony blue.

an image of mario and luigi's faces with different expressions on the same face

an image of mario bros face with blue eyes and a moustache on it

an image of mario bros head with blue eyes

This bold choice was likely a visual experiment to cater to theнул advanced graphics of the SNES. The bright blue eyes could draw the player's attention and also toned down the realism, making Mario feel more whimsical and adventurous, which fits perfectly with the game's mushroom-filled kingdom.

The N64 Days: Varied Eye Colors

As Mario transitioned to 3D environments, his eye colors took on even more diverse looks. From the vibrant green eyes in Super Mario 64, to the natural looking brown eyes he manifested in Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy, it was a colorful rollercoaster.

Each eye color shift complemented the game's unique environment and artwork style. Notably, in Paper Mario, Mario's eyes betrayed his surroundings, appearing sometimes as silhouette or matching the background, delving into the paper-pop-up aesthetic of the game.

a close up of a cartoon character with blue eyes and a moustache on his face

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the face of a man with blue eyes and a red cap on his head is smiling

an image of mario's face with blue eyes and a red cap on it

a red mushroom with white circles on it's face and black outline around the eyes

Alexandre Desplat's Musical Take

French composer Alexandre Desplat highlighted Mario's eyes in the orchestral theme he wrote for the 2012 London Olympics' closing ceremony. The piecing, heart-wrenching melody reflects Mario's emotional journey, with lyrics that mention his "big blue eyes," seeping into popular culture.

This isn't the first time Mario's eyes have been notationally celebrated. Koji Kondo's Super Mario Bros. theme, affectionately known as the "Ground Theme," opens with a melody that subtly mimics Mario's repeated blinking, or "eyeblinks," signifying the character's expressiveness.

Mario's eye colors have always reflected one of his core values: adaptability. Like the ever-changing Mushroom Kingdom, Mario shifts, grows, and learns, with eyes mirroring the numerous worlds he traverses. So, the next time you see the pint-sized plumber, take a moment to appreciate this tiny, yet integral aspect of his iconic design.