Super Mario is 30 years old today!

Last month it was Sonic the Hedgehogs's 20th birthday, and now it's Mario's turn - it's his 30th birthday today.

The first ever game featuring Mario was the first ever "Donkey Kong" arcade machine released this day in 1981. Originally Mario was called "Jumpman" in that game, but that was very quickly changed to the name he has been known by ever since.

Since 1981 there have been more than 200 Mario related video games, introducing other famous characters like Mario's brother Luigi, friends such as Yoshi, Toad and Princess Peach, and enemies such as Bowser, the Goombas and the Koopa Troopas. The Mario franchise is the best-selling video game franchise of all time. Happy 30th Birthday Mario!

Have some fun and celebrate this second amazing video gaming milestone in a month by visiting my MarioSonicGames.com site, where there are more than 60 Super Mario Flash online games for you to play for free!