Mario and Luigi have been the beating heart of Nintendo for decades. From the early arcade days to sprawling 3D adventures on modern hardware, the brothers have appeared in numerous forms. Plumbers, kart racers, party hosts, and even Olympic athletes. But despite this varied and extensive history, Mario and Luigi appear strangely timeless, leaving the question of how old they are supposed to be. I’ve often wondered this, especially considering the existence of Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, two characters who further confuse the conversation.
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And I’m not alone. This curiosity has led to many debates among fans. Nintendo further fuels this with its coyness and contradictory statements, leaving no definitive canon age to Mario and Luigi. But this hasn’t stopped fans from wondering and speculating.
How Old the Mario Brothers Are in Nintendo Games
Nintendo has never given an official indication of how old the Mario Bros. are, whether this is in the mainline games or one of the many spin-off games. The pair exists in a sort of ageless state, designed to be recognizable across generations. Their age does appear to be consistent with that of grown men, seasoned and experienced in various aspects.
One exception I have is Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. The pair first appeared in Yoshi’s Island, but have gone on to appear in other games as well. From the Mario Kart series to different sports titles, the infant brothers leave me and other fans confused. Nintendo has not confirmed or denied whether Mario and Luigi are separate from the baby versions, or if this is them in the past.
However, the baby forms have appeared alongside the adult forms. But to make the matter more confusing, Mario Tennis Fever specifically shows Mario and Luigi get turned into babies. Nintendo’s unwillingness to lock in an answer to this question is odd considering how various games in the Legend of Zelda series show Link’s age, or at least his point in life, deliberately.
The “25 Years Old” Confusion
However, despite the lack of in-game confirmation, one fan theory has persisted above all others. This theory suggests that Mario and Luigi are 25 years old and originates from an interview with Nintendo’s legendary Shigeru Miyamoto. His statement that Mario was “born” 25 years earlier seemed at face value to be a confirmation of the pair’s age, and fans ran with it, concluding the debate over.
But the reality is much different. Miyamoto’s comment wasn’t about the brothers’ actual age, but when the series was first created. In 2010, Super Mario Bros., the first game starring Mario, was released. So in fact, this comment wasn’t finally answering the question, but a cheeky way to celebrate Mario’s anniversary. Still, the quote stuck, and even now, fans believe that Mario is 25 years old.
Why Mario & Luigi Stay Ageless
In all honesty, it doesn’t matter what age Mario and Luigi are. The pair isn’t meant to be tied to numbers, as Nintendo treats its series differently from other developers. It views its flagship characters as timeless icons, able to adapt to any setting or era without worrying about continuity. Even appearing as Baby Mario and adult Mario in the same game proves to be no issue.
By remaining ambiguous and avoiding explicit ages, Mario and Luigi remain accessible to all ages. Kids don’t feel as if they are playing someone older due to the nature of the games and their designs. Likewise, adults can enjoy a lighthearted adventure without feeling disconnected. To me, Mario and Luigi are the spirit of fun and adventure, regardless of their age.
We’ll likely never get an answer to how old Mario and Luigi are, and I’m okay with that. I don’t need to know if they are 25, 35, or any other age; I just want to play a fun game. The story has never been important in the Mario series, so it bothers me less than not knowing Link or Samus’ age. These games feature a more narrative-heavy storytelling, whereas Mario and Luigi just want to run, jump, and have a good time.
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