Dear Reader:
Officially-licensed Donkey Kong coloring book from 1982 depicts Mario as a balding man
The 1982 officially licensed Donkey Kong Coloring and Activity Book depicts Pauline as being a popular singer and performing on a stage, 35 years before this characterization is used in Super Mario Odyssey. pic.twitter.com/DmLB2J9UjG
— Supper Mario Broth (@MarioBrothBlog) July 18, 2019
Back when Nintendo was just finding their way with character designs and merchandise, there were all sorts of crazy things going on. Nintendo seemed to approve anything and everything, which lead to some really unique styles for characters. Case in point, the image above of Mario sitting in a crowd while he watches Pauline sing.
I don't know what's more shocking about this whole setup. Seeing Mario as a balding man certainly doesn't sit right with me, but somehow the coloring book gang managed to nail Pauline's singing gig years before Super Mario Odyssey came out!