This exact question was answered by one of the Mario creators actually.
GAME INFORMER: Time and again, Bowser kidnaps Peach. Why do Mario and Peach still race go-karts and play tennis with him?
SHIGERU MIYAMOTO: If you’re familiar with things like Popeye and some of the old comic characters, you would oftentimes see this cast of characters that takes on different roles depending on the comic or cartoon. They might be businessman in one [cartoon] or a pirate in another. Depending on the story that was being told, they would change roles. So, to a certain degree, I look at our characters in a similar way and feel that they can take on different roles in different games. It’s more like they’re one big family, or maybe a troupe of actors.
Not really a fun lore answer but it is the “real” answer.
I love the troupe of actors answer actually! Given that Mario 3 is set up like a stage play, as well as more recent entries like TTYD and the Peach title, there’s a lot of evidence that this has been the case for a while.
This exact question was answered by one of the Mario creators actually.
Not really a fun lore answer but it is the “real” answer.
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/mario-storytelling-as-theater
I see it a lot like Oggy and the Cockroaches kind of world.
Super Mario Bros 3 for the NES opened with a curtain rising as if the whole thing was a theater production.
This theme has been hinted at for a long time
this is especially appropriate considering Donkey Kong was almost a licensed Popeye game
I always thought because the target demo was kids…
You’re biggest villain/rival is still a kid in your class that goes to the same gym class as you.
I love the troupe of actors answer actually! Given that Mario 3 is set up like a stage play, as well as more recent entries like TTYD and the Peach title, there’s a lot of evidence that this has been the case for a while.
I like Comedia Del Arte, but Mario. It works!