Is Princess Peach Mario's Girlfriend? The Official Relationship Status
Official Answer: While Nintendo never uses the exact term "girlfriend," Princess Peach is unquestionably Mario's primary romantic interest throughout the entire franchise. Their relationship is consistently portrayed as special and potentially romantic across games, movies, and official Nintendo material.
Evidence of Their Romantic Relationship
Super Mario Odyssey (2017) - The Almost Kiss
In the game's ending sequence:
- Mario and Peach share an intimate moment on the airship
- They lean in for a kiss before being interrupted by Bowser
- Peach blushes intensely during the scene
- This remains the closest Nintendo has come to showing a kiss between them
Other Notable Romantic Moments
- Super Mario Bros. (1985): The entire premise involves Mario rescuing Peach from Bowser, establishing their dynamic
- Super Mario 64 (1996): Peach writes Mario a personal letter inviting him to her castle
- Super Mario RPG (1996): Contains several romantic implications and a famous "wedding" scene
- Paper Mario series: Features multiple romantic subtexts between the characters
- Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023): Strong romantic tension between Mario and Peach throughout
Nintendo's Official Stance
While Nintendo typically avoids explicit romantic declarations:
- Shigeru Miyamoto has referred to Peach as Mario's "love interest" in interviews
- Official Nintendo merchandise frequently pairs them romantically
- Game scripts consistently imply a special connection beyond friendship
- They're portrayed as a couple in nearly all non-game media (movies, comics, etc.)
Why Nintendo Keeps It Ambiguous
Nintendo maintains some plausible deniability for several reasons:
- Gameplay focus: Keeps attention on platforming rather than romance
- Family-friendly approach: Avoids complex relationship dynamics
- Character flexibility: Allows for different story interpretations
- Cultural differences: Japanese media often implies rather than states relationships
FAQ About Mario and Peach's Relationship
Are Mario and Peach married?
No. While some non-canon media (like comics) have explored this idea, they are not married in official Nintendo continuity. Their relationship status is best described as "romantically involved."
Has Peach ever kissed Mario?
No full kiss has ever been shown in official games. The closest is their almost-kiss in Super Mario Odyssey, which was interrupted for comedic effect.
Does Peach love Mario back?
Yes. While she never says "I love you" explicitly, her actions (writing him letters, blushing, choosing to spend time with him) consistently show affection. In the 2023 movie, she clearly develops romantic feelings for him.
Why does Peach keep getting kidnapped if she's Mario's girlfriend?
This is primarily a gameplay convention to drive the plot. Newer games (like Odyssey and the Mario RPGs) show Peach as more capable and their relationship as more mutual.
Conclusion
While Nintendo maintains their typical ambiguity about character relationships, the evidence overwhelmingly confirms that Princess Peach is Mario's girlfriend in everything but explicit labeling. From their almost-kiss in Odyssey to decades of romantic implications across games and media, their special connection is the closest thing to an official couple in the Mario universe.
Nintendo's approach keeps their relationship sweet, simple, and family-friendly - full of romantic tension but never overt physical affection. This allows the focus to remain on gameplay while still giving players the satisfaction of seeing Mario's heroic efforts rewarded with Peach's affection. Whether you consider them officially dating or in that ambiguous "more than friends" stage, one thing is certain: in the Mushroom Kingdom, no pairing is more iconic than Mario and Princess Peach.