“From Jumpman to Mario: Nintendo’s Bold Move to Rebrand an Iconic Character in Japan”
Nintendo has decided to change the name of an early Mario character in Japan. The character, originally known as “Jumpman,” will now be called “Mario” in Japan as well.
The change comes as Nintendo celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Mario franchise. The character made his debut in the game “Donkey Kong” in 1981, where he was known as Jumpman.
In Japan, however, the character was always referred to as “Mario” in promotional materials and other media, as the game was released under the title “Donkey Kong: Mario Bros.”
The decision to change the character’s name in Japan was made to unify the character’s name worldwide and reflect his iconic status as Mario.
The change will not affect the character’s name in any existing games, but will be reflected in future Mario titles and merchandise releases.
This move signifies the importance of consistency in branding and the need for businesses to adapt over time. By unifying the character’s name worldwide, Nintendo will be able to strengthen its branding and further cement the character’s status as an icon in the gaming industry.
Key takeaway: Consistency is key in branding, and businesses should be willing to adapt and evolve over time to further establish their brand identity.
