How has Mario remained popular, when other Cartoon Videogame characters have failed or declined in popularity?

[Hedra42]

Dr.Henry_Killinger said:

Clyde32 said:

Dr.Henry_Killinger said:
Mario as a character has zero personality.
Go ahead, try to describe his character without referencing:
*his job, clothes, heritage/race
*the various settings of the games he's been in
*any of the other character's in the Mario Universe
*any other characters in general

Mario is happy. He knows when it is time to get to work, and he knows when it is time to relax. He isn't very perceptive, but he really loves his brother, even if there is some competition in there. 

How do you know he is happy?

Are you sure he loves his brother?

How do you know that Mario isn't just a pawn in Princess' Peach continued world domination.

HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY KNOW?!

And this, IMO, is a master stroke on Nintendo's part. They have deliberately made Mario a blank canvas, so he can have the widest appeal possible. His personality can be whatever we want it to be.