How did Nintendo make Mario what it is today?

[Simulacrum]

LordTheNightKnight said:

Simulacrum said:
But how did Nintendo make it happen?Certainly there was maybe even better games than Mario, and from 80s to this day there certainly is better games than Mario series, but you see only Mario in tv (like Simpsons), and EVERYONE knows Mario.

Please, please tell me you've played the game at least.

Marios?Almost all of them, not N64 only I think.