1990, Dr. Mario
Funky fresh beats. Animated viruses. Strange kids lab coats high on pills. Here's a commercial that works on every level.

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1990, Super Mario Bros. 3
The Cult of Mario fully established, Nintendo carted its cereal-munching zealots to the American mid-west for this historical piece of advertising. Buy all three games, or face expulsion.

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1991, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Enter the Rudd. Yes, everyone's favorite forgettable actor of the 21st century got his start here, staring seriously a green screen for hours, while developing one hell of a neck-ache. We wouldn't see Paul Rudd again until 1995's Clueless. Wait, he was in Clueless?

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1991, Super Mario World
"I don't like it. Could it be a bit more in your face? A bit more gruff? A bit more catchy? A bit more repetitive? Hey, I've got an idea."

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1992, Super Mario Land 2
After falling under his influence in 2nd grade, I'm still blaming my mistakes on Wario.

Along with the previous Super Mario World spot, this ad marks a welcome shift in Nintendo commercial ideology, from child-starring dance pieces to adult-narrated gameplay footage.

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