Character of the Week #47

[The Passion of the Mario]

Stanley



First Appearance: Donkey Kong 3 (Arcade, 1983)
Latest Appearance: WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase (WiiWare, 2010)

A pest exterminator by trade, Stanley is one of Nintendo's more obscure heroes, having appeared in just one distinct game (though this seems to have made him a fan favorite among Nintendo's hardcore supporters). With Mario nowhere to be seen in Donkey Kong 3, Stanley assumes the protagonist's role, and attempts to chase a mischievous Donkey Kong from a bug-infested greenhouse. When Donkey Kong 3 was adapted into a Game & Watch title, Stanley reprised his role. He has yet to reappear in any meaningful capacity, but he has made frequent cameo appearances throughout the Game & Watch Gallery series and the WarioWare series, and he appears in Trophy and Sticker form in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl respectively.

Stanley actually appeared alongside Mario and friends in a Donkey Kong episode of the 1980s Saturday Supercade cartoon show. Check it out, even if it's only for its camp comedy value. (Plus, you get to see Pauline in a maid's uniform, so there's that.)

Part 1

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Part 2

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[Valigarmander]

How long do you bet it will take Nintendo's sweeping revival of older characters and franchises before they give Stanley a role in a new game?