Let's-A-Go! Other '80s Video Game Characters That Should Join Mario In 'Wreck-It Ralph 2'
Proving that even your grandparents now know what video games are, Wreck-It Ralph was a happy surprise hit for Disney earlier this fall. Nabbing a healthy $202,184,813 box office take, the film not only got asses in seats, it also gave the studio its best-reviewed non-Pixar film in years and confirms the company's power as a producer of genre-based popular culture. Obviously, that makes a sequel as inevitable as death, taxes, and launch-day DLC.
So what's in store for Wreck it Ralph 2? A welcome injection of Italian plumbing skills. Wreck-It Ralph Director Rich Moore has confirmed that he wants to include Nintendo's Mario, longtime rescuer of the Mushroom Kingdom (and rumored paramour of its benevolent despot, Princess Peach) in the sequel. In fact, Moore told Moviehole, Nintendo signed off on an appearance by the iconic magical handyman in the first film, but the filmmakers weren't able to figure out how to make proper use of him. Next time around, Moore says, Mario is a given, come hell or Hiyoihoi.
“We’ll really come up with something good for Mario to do [in the next film]“, he said. “To be able to present him in the sequel, would be great."
I approve. Nothing encapsulates the '80s-era of arcade games like Super Mario Bros., and Mario's absence from Wreck-It Ralph felt like a missing arm, or at least a glitchy power-up box. Adding him to the sequel is better than getting a flying raccoon suit for Christmas.
A trip by Ralph to the Mushroom Kingdom practically writes itself: obviously, you get from there to, say, Grand Theft Auto-land*, by finding one of Super Mario Bros.' hidden warp zones.
But why stop there? There are a ton of untapped arcade-game characters left to exploit. Here are my top picks:
* Gauntlet: I'd love to see one of the characters (see above) from this classic hack-and-slash game show up, if only because Red Warrior will constantly complain that he "needs food badly."
* Dirk the Daring from Dragon's Lair: This would probably be difficult since Dragon's Lair was created by Don Bluth, and we all know he and Disney aren't really on speaking terms. But I'd like to imagine that these fences could be mended, even if Dirk would die via dungeon trap within three seconds of showing up.
* Billy and Jimmy Lee from Double Dragon:. Sure, we'd be forced to remember Scott Wolf's hilarious turn as Billy in the odious 1994 movie, but nothing would get a lovable, John C. Reilly-voiced misanthrope out of a jam like the combined power of twin bruisers, beating people into walls.
What would you like to see? Space Ace? The Dinosaurs from Primal Rage? The pixel from Pong? Let us know in comments.
* Enjoy an R-rating, Disney.
Ross Lincoln is a LA-based freelance writer from Oklahoma with an unhealthy obsession with comics, movies, video games, ancient history, Gore Vidal, and wine.
More on Wreck-It Ralph:
- 'Wreck-It Ralph': The 6 Best Video Game References -- Leeroy Jenkins Lives!
- 'Wreck-It Ralph' -- John C. Reilly Ponders His Video Game Character's Existential Questions
- WATCH: The New Wreck-It Ralph Trailer Is The Best Thing Ever
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Comments
Dirk the Daring was to make an appearance in the first film, but the licensing fell through. Not sure of the details. You can see a Dragon's Lair looking arcade cabinet in the arcade though.
I'm actually creating a documentary about Dragon's Lair if you're interested.
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I would love to see Pikachu (or some Pokemon) have something terribly important and life-threatening to say but not being able to speak during "on the clock time," being permitted during gameplay to only say "Pikachu" or make 8-bit cries.
I think pikachu should DEFINITELY be in it. Talking? even better. Didn't pikachu in the first ever pokemon movie say " wake upy" to Ash when Ash got statuefied by Mew two? So talking seems like an okay idea. What about N from the new pokemon black and white, and black and white 2 series? Wouldn't he be absolutely neat? But I'm getting off subject.
I'm raving about Shadow the hedgehog. I would die to see my favorite character have a real, big role in the film. Even female fans like myself have to admire the audacity of a hero/villian like shadow the hedgehog. I'm trying SO SO HARD to get the suggestion of Shadow the hedgehog and Pikachu to the movie creatures.
PLEASE help me out. I have limited access to the internet and I could use all the supporters I can get.
SHADOW AND PIKACHU FOR WRECK IT RALPH 2!!!!!
Fox McCloud (Starfox) and Link (legend of zelda) should have cameos or something to say too. That would make things a lot more interesting. if Moore is going to add Mario. Why not add the other most popular nentendo characters. I'm all out of ideas about story wise for these characters, but it was something i was thinking about.
Brian is spot on about Pikachu tho. that sounds hilarious!
okay heres some new suggestions for main characters in Wreck-it Ralph 2. Besides Mario, we should add Link, Fox, Megaman, Samus, Captain Falcon, Pikachu, Kirby, and Sonic the hedgehog. they all team up with Ralph, Venellope, Felix, and sergeant Calhoun somehow to stop a new evil threat that will destroy video gaming activity forever. new cameos should be added evolving other familiar characters from the main characters' games i listed. Tell me if that sounds good to any of you here? Again, just ideas. 🙂
WRECK IT RALPH 2 IT WILL BE AWESOME,EPIC,PERFECT & AMAZING IF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG & MILES TAILS PROWER WILL BE IN IT, IF MARIO IT GONNA BE IN IT WHY NOT SONIC & TAILS, ONLY SONIC DID IN WRECK IT RALPH HE WAS MOVING IN THE POSTER IN THE GAME STADIUM I MEAN WHY GET JASON GRIFING IN THE MOVIE HE DINT TALK WRECK IT RALPH 2 SHOULD HAVE SONIC AGAIN & TAILS IF RALPH IS TO MARIO WORLD IT WILL BE NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT SONIC & TAILS BEACAUSE THEY WERE IN THE GAME MARIO & SONIC OLIMPICS GAMES & THEY MAKE A SEQUEL & THEN 2012 IT WILL BE NOT THE SAME WITHOUT SONIC & PUNT TAILS IN IT PLEASE DIRECTO
Actually, you make a good point. Sonic and Tails should definitely be in Wreck-it Ralph 2. Tails did not become bonded to Sonic until Sonic 2 genesis. Wreck-it Ralph 2 makes a more fitting title for Sonic and Tails to have a big role with Mario and the Ralph gang. Why not also punt in Luigi? it only makes sense.
YES!!!! Sonic would be perfect to play a big time role!!! And Mario I suppose, I'm not really a fan of Mario; it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I mean a princess who loves a plumber, and speaking of princess, one who is successfully kidnapped by a giant turtle all the time. And did anyone notice that mario is the same size as Sonic?
Anyway If you haven't already read the blog, I'm suggesting Shadow the hedgehog. EVERYONE'S FORGOTTEN HIM!!!! HOW COULD YOU?! I've been a fan of him since his debute in Sonic Advance 2. Especially when game cube came out with his own game, Shadow the Hedgehog. He has a great personality, he's tough, drives cool cars, has awesome weapons.
PLEASE!!! Some one make my dream a reality. Help me get Shadow a HUDGE role in Wreck it Ralph 2.
I mean, they could use with a team member that's a kick-butt G.U.N. (Guardian unit of nations) Agent.
Mario, Sonic and Shadow for Wreck it Ralph 2.
ignore my first two comments. they are old.
I just want one character from EarthBound. A Mr. Saturn cameo would make me happy as a kid on Christmas. Of course, that would probably never happen.
I look forward to seeing this sequel. If i could put in my two cents i would like to see some nintendo vs sega then both sonic and morio would play imortant roles. I also would like to see some DK . Maybe make a coment about how he used to be a bad guy. Its only an idea i doubt it would happen whatever the writer does is fine by me im excited that they are making another wreck it ralph. 🙂
Yes, that nintendo and sega collaboration is actually a good idea. and a good excuse to use the most popular sega character, Sonic the Hedgehog. and the most respected nintendo character, Mario. and good to use some of the well known nintendo and sega characters as cameos. (DK and streets of rage for example).
Personally I'd like to see Ralph duking it out with someone, anyone really, in the game Rampage. Watch the buildings crumble left and right.
I'd love to see Link make an appearance too, but since Legend of Zelda games are console only, I doubt that'll happen.
One of the other things I'd personally like to see explored in the sequel is the implications that multiple copies of the same game, and thus the same character, has in-universe. Such as Litwack getting a retro replacement for Turbo Time. Amiable Turbo vs Oh-My-God-How-Did-He-Survive Viral Turbo-Bug anyone? Or perhaps another Ralph somehow ends up in the arcade. One who has zero qualms about wrecking whatever, or whoever, catches his eye. A despotic princess Vanellope vs our lovable glitchy president? The sky's the limit on this one.
i would honestly love love love mario in there but they need to put in a appearance of peach. also, sonic and tails would be perfect fit in a new wreck it ralph. I think that the other characters that should appear are yoshi, luigi, link and pikachu. I would also love to see and epic mario vs. bowser fight that would make my year.
Mario makes sense because of his origins in arcade games before the platformer games. So do the other characters mentioned in this article. But the comments seem to be confused about what's appropriate nostaglia for Wreck-it-Ralph. I don't think Pikachu/Pokemon would be appropriate at all.
Mike Tyson would be the greatest get for Wreck it Ralph 2. PUNCHOUT!!!
Luigi deserves a BIG role.
He has a lot in common with Ralph. You can count his important gaming roles on one hand and Luigi's Mansion is the only one of them with him as the star that really catched on. He's always in the shadow of his brother Mario. Not to mention that one of his few charastic traits is being the loser brother of the duo.
Wario could also be cool as he's a bad guy that actually became a hero (well sort of).
SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG!!!! We honestly can't forget about the coolest character ever. Shadow should have a major role in the film; with Jason Griffith doing the voice of course. Shadow seems the most fitting, I think. He has alot in common with Ralph; both of them were villians but just like Ralph, Shadow decided to make a name for himself as one of the good guys. Personally, I think they can't make a second movie without including him. He's AMAZING!!! He could team up with Ralph, using his signature gun as a weapon (the Halo people had weapons, why not Shadow?) Any way, a Big role not just appearing on a sign or something lame like that. I would literally do any Irish jig (And i'm not Irish) if they put him in there. It'd be like a christmas present everytime I watch the movie. Also, they should think of adding Link, Pikachu, (Spyro the dragon anyone?) and N from the pokemon series black and white though I personally know they'll probably never add someone as new as N.
SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! Wreck it Ralph 2 would be my most favorite movie ever if you did. ( None of my favorite characters were included in the first movie anyway.)
I AGREE WITH AVID ELF, SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG WOULD DO BRILLIANTLY IN THE MOVIE. HE, AS SHE SAID, IS EXTREMELY KICK-ASS. (forgive me if my language is not appropriate 4 this site.) WHAT DOES THE OTHER BLOGERS THINK?
I NOTICED NOT MANY PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO CURRENT IDEAS AND I'M CURIOUS IF WE ARE THE ONLY TWO WHO THINK SHADOW WOULD BE DAMN RIGHT AWESOME IN THIS FILM.
ALSO I WOULDN'T MIND SEEING LINK IN THE MOVIE EITHER; GIVEN THE FACT THAT RUMOR CLAIMS PRINCESS ZELDA HAS APPEARED IN THE FIRST MOVIE, I STILL HAVEN'T SEEN IT.
I do hope this is basically the suitable place to ask this sort of subject. I have a couple things that I absolutely need restored in the house. I am hunting for a company which has a lots of knowledge such as mending water lines, and even electrical tasks and carpenter's. Since my husband and my federal taxes money just now arrived I am able to finally have this stuff resolved. At this time just about all I want is to hire a trusted jack of all trades. I discovered this company called Fix It Unlimited. They have two addresses, Fix It Unlimited of Phoenix, 2942 N 24th St #114, Phoenix, AZ 85016, (602) 714-8724 and Fix It Unlimited of Glendale, AZ, 10960 N 67th Ave #62, Glendale, AZ 85304, (623) 455-5635. Has anybody come across these folks? Any type of expertise would be welcomed.
Oh, you just posted! That's funny, I was just checking to see if anyone had yet replied to my comments. It looks like no one has. 🙁
Thank you for agreeing with me Game Fame; I was starting to think that no one even read this site; or at the least didn't think my request was important enough to respond to.
But I shouldn't really worry, it's only been two days after all. Yet if anyone is reading this who has a comment to add like Game Fame, PLEASE POST.
I do like having people to share my ideas with.
Oh and Game Fame, are you a boy? I don't mean any offense but you sound like a teen boy to me. I'd like to chat if you want, sounds like we have a few ideas in common.
YEAH, I'M 17 AND A GUY. J.S. IN MY TITLE IS ACTUALLY MY NAME, JARED S.
I'M SORRY TO LEAVE YA BUT I'M SWITCHING TO A SITE WITH NEW VIEWERS, SEEMS I GOT HERE LATE. I'LL TRY TO WIN SOME FANS TO OUR SIDE. HOPE I RUN INTO YA AGAIN.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG IDEA. I'M WITH YA THE WHOLE WAY.
Thanks Game Fame; It looks like I'm gonna need all the luck I can get.
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I like to see Wario & King Dedede as the allies of Ralph on the adventure in their major role!
I really Want Ralph and his Gang(Vanillepe, Felix, Felixs Wife, Mario and Sonic) some how Go to the world of Pokemon and try to Stop Dr.Eggman, Bowser, Ganondorf and others. And they meet pokemon trainer RED (known as ASH KETCHUM) helps As well before the bad team Destroies Pokemon land and every other game included. And The Gang RAPLH and Friends go to Green hill zone to help Sonic stop Eggman but Eggman escapes and goes to Pokemon land
That's unlikely. Remember, the villains are just acting with the script, and well, a few may be malicious, but definitially not Bowser and Eggman, both of whom appeared in the villain support group
Ralph and the gang ( Felix,, vanellepe, MICKEY MOUSE) split up to help Link stop Ganondorf, Sonic stop Eggman, MARIO stop Bowser. But all of them escape from their own game and Go into Pokèmon Land (Any Region) And Link, Sonic, Tails the Fox, MARIO, Luigi Join Ralph , Felix and vanellepe and Find POKEMON TRAINER RED or ASH KETCHUM trying to Beat GIOVANNI (Team Rocket Leader) and MAX ( Team Magma leader) and Team Aqua Leader and Team Galactic and Team Plasma because they Try to take over the pokemon world. But GIOVANNI Team Aqua etc Join Bowser etc. to take over the WHOLE GAME WORLD . And ASH KETCHUM taggs along with Ralph etc. Plz add Pokemon, Link and SONIC GETS A BIGGER PART OF THE MOVIE PLEASE!! ????????
Sorry . Don't read the first one I wrote cause its not good the second one has more What should happen in Wreck it RALPH 2 again Sorry
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