So the reason why Mario should retire, is that M$ can't compete it. That was clear right from the beginning.
So, there were few claims, that doesn't follow logic, such as where the next generation of gaming remembers Mario. If Mario would "retire", it would be remembered just as the author described, since it would be used as a sidecharacter in a number of games afterwards.
Mickey Mouse is a Disney mascot, but in case the author didn't know, Mickey Mouse is still actively used. The reason why it's not anymore their "top character" in movies, is because Mickey Mouse didn't change as much as it should have when time passed, or wasn't changed enough. We've come a long way from Steamboat Willie, now that Mickey isn't anymore the top character, it's best remembered from Mickey Mouse Club, Hey, that's where Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake came into public for the first time. Talk about dignity...
The reason why Mario still is so iconic character is, that Mario is still used in so many different type of games and Mario have changed during the years. The moment it stops, its position as an icon ends.
Ei Kiinasti.
Eikä Japanisti.
Vaan pannaan jalalla koreasti.
Nintendo games sell only on Nintendo system.
