TOAD
Toad (Kinopio in Japanese) is a iconic character and species from Nintendo's Super Mario franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto. Serving as a loyal attendant to Princess Peach and a key retainer of the Mushroom Kingdom, Toad has evolved from a helpful non-playable guide into a fast, strong, and adventurous playable hero across video games, television, and film.
Cronologia
Biografia
Toad is a cheerful, humble, and energetic resident of the Mushroom Kingdom who primarily serves as Princess Peach's dedicated attendant. Instantly recognizable by his blue vest, brown shoes, white pants, and red-spotted mushroom cap, Toad possesses a wide smile and a childlike enthusiasm.
Although he can be excitable, impatient, and prone to frantic panic during crises, he regularly overcomes his self-acknowledged fears to bravely assist Mario and his allies. Throughout the Super Mario series, Toad fulfills a wide range of roles.
He works as an item vendor, hint-giver, and loyal guide, often providing Mario with crucial power-ups needed to navigate Bowser's traps. In titles such as Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario 3D World, and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Toad steps up as a primary playable protagonist who actively fights to save the realm. In The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), Toad's persona receives an adventurous overhaul. Portrayed as a boisterous, fearless, and fiercely loyal royal guard, he eagerly volunteers to protect Princess Peach and tags along with Mario as his self-proclaimed best friend.
Storia
Toad was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and introduced in the 1985 Nintendo Entertainment System classic Super Mario Bros. as one of the Mushroom Retainers imprisoned in Bowser's castles. His famous line, 'Thank you Mario!
But our princess is in another castle!', established the character and species in gaming history. Toad's distinct identity expanded significantly in 1988's Super Mario Bros.
2, where he became a selectable main hero alongside Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. His heroic standalone status was cemented in 1994 when he starred as the main protagonist of Wario's Woods on NES and SNES, taking down Wario by manipulating falling blocks and monsters.
I PEZZI DI TOAD
Evoluzione
Toad's design has evolved subtly while keeping his core silhouette recognizable. Hardware constraints on the NES caused color variations—such as blue mushroom spots in Super Mario Bros. 2—which were later retconned to his standard red-spotted cap in Super Mario All-Stars, though blue-spotted Toads re-appeared in titles like Super Mario 3D World as an homage. Starting in Mario Party 4, Toad's classic blue vest received a gold lining trim.
A long-standing fan debate over whether his mushroom bulb is a cap or his actual head was resolved by Super Mario Odyssey producer Yoshiaki Koizumi and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, confirming the mushroom cap is part of his head. Toad's voice and portrayal have also shifted across media eras. Early audio featured deep tones in Wario's Woods and high squeaks in Mario Kart 64, eventually establishing his signature raspy voice performed by Jen Taylor and later Samantha Kelly. While early games presented him as an easily frightened non-playable character, modern titles and The Super Mario Bros. Movie depict Toad as an energetic, brave, and humorous hero.
Da Collezione
Toad is a core fixture in Super Mario merchandise collections. Highlights in merchandise history include the Mini Toad toys featured in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, which showcase his distinct reversed-color cap when in Fire Mini Toad form.
Collectors also seek out merchandise depicting Toad in specialized power-up outfits, such as his Tanooki Toad form sporting a red scarf from Super Mario 3D Land, as well as his board-specific costume variants originating from the Mario Party series.
In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Toad reveals that he suffers from a fear of heights.
