Why can't Mario games have an art form of storytelling?

Focus on Gameplay Over Narrative

• Deliberate Design Philosophy: The Mario franchise was not intended to be a storytelling medium. Instead, it emphasizes gameplay mechanics and player experience. Shigeru Miyamoto, the series creator, has historically prioritized gameplay over narrative depth, viewing story as a potential distraction from the core gaming experience
• Character Archetypes: Characters like Princess Peach and Toad serve specific gameplay functions rather than being developed with rich backstories. For instance, Peach is primarily a "damsel in distress," a common trope that simplifies her role to facilitate gameplay rather than narrative complexity

Influence of Classic Media

• Cartoon Inspiration: The Mario series draws inspiration from classic cartoons like Tom and Jerry, which focus on humor and situational comedy rather than complex plots. This approach allows for flexibility in gameplay settings while maintaining a consistent character cast

Narrative as Context

• Contextual Storytelling: While some titles like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey incorporate more narrative elements, they still use story primarily to enhance immersion rather than to drive the game. The narratives are often light-hearted and serve as backdrops for the gameplay rather than intricate plots

Artistic Intent

• Art as Play: The series embraces a form of art that celebrates playfulness and creativity over traditional storytelling. This aligns with the view that video games can be artistic through their mechanics and player interactions rather than through narrative depth