Do we like Mario?
A character from Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Our score: 9 out of 10. Yes, easily. He's brave and kind, he never says no to a rescue, and he has barely any flaws. You'd back him, and you'd probably borrow his fire flower.
Mario first appeared as the jumping hero of the arcade game Donkey Kong in 1981. He was first known as Jumpman, then renamed Mario. He became Nintendo's mascot and the star of the Super Mario series. He is an Italian plumber with a cap, overalls and a big moustache. His younger twin brother is Luigi.
In his best-known adventures, Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach or threatens the Mushroom Kingdom, and Mario sets off to put things right. He has no real superpowers. He uses jumping, power-ups like mushrooms and fire flowers, and plain stubbornness. He does the job without complaint, then goes back to a cake or a kart race.
Our score is high because Mario is a reliable do-gooder, and that's most of what he is. He is polite, brave and cheerful, and he doesn't boast. He is also loyal, and helps his brother, Toad and Yoshi without being asked. He loses a point because he never really changes. He is also a bit too ready to hop on anyone's head, and the odd Bowser-free day would be good for him.