Princess Peach is the forever-damsel players save in a large majority of Mario games. The initial premise of countless titles in the franchise involve rescuing Peach from the clutches of the evil Bowser.
However, if relations between the princess and her doughty plumber rescuer are examined more closely, gamers will see that all is not sunshine and roses. Mario is not the hero many make him out to be. As a matter of fact, there have been many moments when he treated Princess Peach worse than the villain. Read on if you want to check out the times Mario behaved more abominably than Bowser toward Princess Peach.
10 Did Not Listen To Her Warnings About Shadow Mario
One of the worst things that friends (or couples) can do to each other is refusing to listen when the other talks. In Super Mario Sunshine, when Princess Peach and Mario are trying to vacation together, Peach catches sight of a strange doppelganger. She attempts to warn Mario about this, but he takes no heed of her words. As a result, he gets blamed for things that Shadow Mario did and Peach gets caught in the crossfire. Maybe next time Mario should just listen to what Peach has to say.
9 Stole Coins From Her Kingdom
It’s not entirely clear how the Mushroom Kingdom’s economy works. However, it seems logical to assume that Mario yoinking every coin that crosses his path is not doing it any good. While playing any Mario game, what player hasn’t attempted to collect as many coins as possible? Little did they know that, as Mario, they were robbing Princess Peach’s kingdom of its wealth. Mario, apparently, as a high price for rescuing Peach from certain doom.
8 Tried Proposing To Her Immediately After Saving Her
There is a time and a place to propose to your one true love. Right after she’s been through a harrowing experience against her will is not one of them. After spending who knows how long as Bowser’s captive, Princess Peach is assaulted with proposals from both Bowser and Mario at the end of Super Mario Odyssey.
Luckily, she tells them both off and leaves to have a vacation. After being a forced bride on a nightmare voyage, she deserved some time off.
7 Never Invited Her On An Adventure
Half the time that Princess Peach gets kidnapped by Bowser or his minions, it’s when Mario was off doing stuff while she was left behind. And even if she’s not immediately in danger, Mario frequently goes on fun adventures with Luigi or a Toad while Princess Peach is stuck twiddling her thumbs. Bowser might be a dastardly villain, but at least he gets Peach to accompany him on his travels, albeit unwillingly. Maybe in the future, Mario will want to spend more time with Peach than he’s done before.
6 Made Her His Caddy
NES Open Tournament Golf is a diverting game that features Mario and his friends putting balls into holes. However, it also showcases Mario’s casual dismissal of Peach’s agency. Instead of having Peach play a friendly game alongside Mario, she is forced to play the role of Mario’s caddie. Though admittedly, this egregious sin should not solely be laid at the feet of Mario. Game developers at the time are more responsible for shunting Peach to the sidelines.
5 Wandered And Explored Before Helping Her Out
This particular complaint is partially the fault of gamers everywhere. While playing a satisfyingly entertaining Mario game, it is not uncommon to spend time exploring an area and having fun. However, if players are having Mario spend time jumping rope 100 times in New Donk City or searching for extra Stars in Bob-Omb Battlefield, that means Princess Peach has to bide her time before getting rescued. No blame, this is something everyone has done. But it’s a sorry way to treat your lady friend.
4 Did Not React In A Timely Fashion To Save Her
Infuriatingly, Princess Peach is often captured right in front of her friends. In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, she’s kidnapped on her very birthday, in her own castle with all of her well-wishers around her. It’s at this point that Mario’s slow reaction time feels almost criminal.
He, Luigi, and the Toads basically stood and stared as Bowser’s cohorts tossed Peach into a cake and then carried her off. Given how quickly Mario can move when under player control, it feels like he intentionally let Peach get taken.
3 Never Loaned Her A Power Item
When Princess Peach features in a game as a support character instead of a simple damsel in distress, she often helps Mario out by tossing helpful items his way. Why couldn’t Mario ever return the favor? Just imagine how easily Peach could have escaped Bowser if Mario had managed to send a power-up her way. Plus, if you think about it, Mario often finds these items scattered across the Mushroom Kingdom. He’s essentially stealing them from Princess Peach.
2 Hit Her With A Bullet Bill
Super Mario Adventures was a fun comic book series for fans of the Nintendo characters to enjoy. In Issue 36, Princess Peach pulls off a daring escape from her captors using a cape. She probably would have landed safely, if Mario hadn’t “accidentally” sent a Bullet Bill headed straight her way. Thanks to Mario’s interference, Princess Peach is knocked out.
1 Demolished Large Swaths Of Her Kingdom
Even Bowser hasn’t caused the widespread destruction of the Mushroom Kingdom like Mario has. If there’s a block standing innocently in Mario’s way, this violent plumber is going to destroy it. The infrastructure of Princess Peach’s domain must be a wreck by now. Gamers can only hope that Mario learns to channel less destructive tendencies in the future.
NEXT: The 5 Hardest Mario Games (& The 5 Easiest)
