Lario

Lario is a supporting character who first debuted in Pizza Tower before starring in his own set of spinoff games taking place in the Mario Universe. 
==Appearance==
Lario is a short, plump gnome of unknown ethnicity that bears a heavy resemblance to the character Gustavo from the game Pizza Tower, however he is a distinct separate character and his own entity. He wears a red gnome hat and vest along with brown shirt and pants + shoes, and sports a brown mustache.
==History==
Lario was born sometime in the 1990s in Real Life Ireland, however many years later he discovered that he was actually genetically related to the Mario Brothers. He did not make himself known to them until the Star Destroyer Crisis where he came in to save the day along with Brick the Rat to save Mario, Luigi, Alfonso, and Pikachu from the Dark Hole's power. The brothers were initially shocked to learn of his existence, but soon welcomed him with open arms into the family. Nowadays he spends his time in Gnome Forest although never hesitates to come to assistance when there's danger afoot.
Later games show Lario to actually be very rich, perhaps even richer than Wario, as he is seen driving a Lamborghini in Mario Kart: Omniversal Races. However, he is also shown to be rather fearful of the future, wondering if he will live to fight another day constantly. It is also shown in his appearance in Team Fortress 2 Operation: Reconstruction that he is not a fan of the Scout and may be ex-flings with the Demoman.
Lario is shown to be exceptionally close to his friend Brick the Rat, a giant sentient rat who he rides on during adventures. The two have an inseparable bond, and it is even implied through dialogue that Lario is the Godfather to two of Brick's kids. Brick is fiercely loyal to Lario, defending him to the bitter end even when it seems bleak. It is shown through backstory cutscenes that Lario found Brick as a young infant rat, and raised him into the big creature he is today.
Despite his short stature, Lario proves time and time again to be a brave and resourceful hero, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He may not be as famous as his cousins Mario and Luigi, but he has certainly earned a place in the hearts of Mario fans everywhere.
==Game Appearances==
===Pizza Tower===
Lario made his debut appearance as a cameo role in the 2023 indie game Pizza Tower, appearing in the title card for the stage Gnome Forest. However, he does not appear in the actual stage itself, which lead many to mistakenly believe that the character in the title card was actually Gustavo, who also makes his playable debut in Gnome Forest. It is likely that he loaned Brick the Rat to Gustavo in order to help him navigate the level, hence his cameo.
===Super Mario: Star Dreams===
Lario's first true appearance is in Super Mario: Star Dreams during the climax. Right before the final level, Lario steps in to help Mario, Luigi, Alfonso, and Pikachu reach the Dark Elder's flying fortress, by riding on Brick the Rat in his balloon form. After this, he can be interacted with in the Peach's Castle hub area, where he divulges more info about himself and his past.
===Sonic Adventure 3===
Lario can be found in a secret room inside the Crisis Canyon level, accessible only as Sonic. It features memorabilia from his various games in Lario's Adventures, and his dialogue seems to imply a friendly relationship with Sonic. Upon leaving the area, the player is rewarded with maximum lives and his room is permanently closed off unless one creates a new save file.
===Brick the Rat's Picross Adventure!===
Lario features heavily in Brick the Rat's Picross Adventure! as an assistant character, managing the in-game shop and hosting the DLC Battle Royale mode.
===Team Fortress 2 Operation: Reconstruction===
Lario is featured as a bonus character that can be found on Mauxum Station Ruins in a hidden alcove. He has unique sets of dialogue for every Mercenary. His messages seem to imply that, at least in the TF2verse, Lario has nigh-omniscience, as he is highly aware of the fact that Team Fortress 2 is a game. He also shows particular distaste for the Scout, calling him a "traitor", and mentions a history of dates with the Demoman. He also considers the Heavy a "noteworthy adversary". During the Smissmas events, Larios' gnome cap is replaced with a Santa one, and he gains a beard in addition to his mustache.
===Mario Kart: Omniversal Races===
Lario appears as a playable character in Mario Kart: Omniversal Races, driving a Lamborghini-like vehicle. He is a heavyweight character and his signature item is the Rat Kick, which launches a rat-shaped projectile that knocks over other racers.
===Super Smash Bros. Ultimate===
Lario appears as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. When summoned, he charges forward with a spin punch that hits opponents multiple times. He also has a chance to knock opponents off the stage.
===Legend of Zelda: The Gnome's Key===
In this Legend of Zelda spin-off game, Lario appears as a helpful gnome who assists Link in his journey to find the Gnome's Key. Lario gives Link hints and tips on how to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.
===Animal Crossing:Woodland Wonders===
A Lario themed outfit is available at the Able Sisters as part of a Nintendo Crossover Collaboration. Players can also participate in a special event where they help Lario and other Nintendo characters decorate their homes.
===Call of Duty: Age of Extinction===
Lario makes a surprise appearance in Call of Duty: Age of Extinction, where a soldier during the story mode can be seen playing Lario's Adventures on a mock-gameboy.
===Assassin's Creed: Religious Pilgrimage===
Lario is a hidden easter egg in Assassin's Creed: Religious Pilgrimage in the Egypt level. Players can find a gnome statue of Lario in a secret location in the game, along with a note that hints at a potential Lario-themed DLC.
===The Sims 6=== 
One of the possible default names for a character of the gnome species is Lario.
===Zelda: Echoes of Darkness===
Lario makes a special cameo appearance as a mysterious gnome sage who assists Link in his quest to thwart a new threat from the Shadow Realm. Found in a hidden glade within the Lost Woods, Lario provides Link with valuable advice and a unique item called the Gnome's Amulet, which grants temporary invincibility when used in battle.
=== Metroid: Death in Red ===
The player as Samus can discover Lario and Brick the Rat trapped in a stasis pod within an ancient ruin midway through the game. There is also an additional pod containing Federico, implying the Chozo cloned him at some point after his unfortunate death. 
=== Donkey Kong's Banana Brawl Mania ===
Lario and Brick the Rat make a playful cameo appearance as part of an optional side quest. Deep within the lush and vibrant Jungle Kingdom, Donkey Kong encounters Lario, who is trying to perfect a new recipe for Gnome Pizza using exotic jungle ingredients. Lario asks Donkey Kong to help him gather rare fruits and vegetables scattered throughout the levels. In return, Lario rewards Donkey Kong with special power-ups and bonus bananas.
== Lario's Adventures Franchise==
Lario stars in his own series of games called Lario's Adventures that mark his first playable appearance in an official title. His playstyle is heavily reminiscent of Gustavo and Brick's gameplay, but in a 3D environment. He can double jump, wall bounce, rat kick, dash, and spin punch through most enemies and can take an infinite amount of damage. The antagonist of the Lario's Adventures saga varies from game to game, but his primary rival is most commonly the Floating Wega Head who stalks him throughout the games.
=== Lario's Adventures ===
In Lario's Adventures, Lario sets out on a mission to find his long-lost cousin Federico who was kidnapped by Bowser's minions. Along the way, he faces many obstacles and battles against various enemies, but ultimately succeeds in rescuing his cousin and saving the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser's tyranny.
===Lario's Adventures 2: Quest for the Golden Pizza ===
In Lario's Adventures 2: Quest for the Golden Pizza, Lario teams up with several other characters from the Mario Universe including Yoshi, Toad, and Peach to find the legendary Golden Pizza for his old acquaintance Peppino Spaghetti. The game features a unique cooking mechanic where the players must collect ingredients and cook pizzas for Peppino to progress through the levels. It is also notable for being one of the few games in the Lario franchise to reference his original roots in Pizza Tower.
===Lario's Adventures 3: Return to Gnome Forest===
In the game Lario's Adventures 3: Return to Gnome Forest, Lario returns to the Gnome Forest to reunite with his friends and family. It is revealed that Lario has a secret love interest, a shy and reclusive gnome named Lily who lives deep in the titular Gnome Forest. Despite his charming personality, Lario is hesitant to make a move on Lily, fearing rejection and the potential loss of their close friendship. 
It is also in this entry that Lario finally meets his long time infamous rival, the Floating Wega Head. Birthed through one of Professor E.Gadd's inventions gone awry, the Floating Wega Head instantly takes to causing mischief in Gnome Forest, which Lario then has to clean up. After defeating Floating Wega Head as the final boss, Lario gains the courage to confess his feelings to Lily, and the two become a couple.
===Lario's Adventures 4: Island Adventure===
In Lario's Adventures 4: Island Adventure, Lario takes a well-deserved vacation on a tropical island, but soon finds himself embroiled in a battle against the evil King Crab, who has taken over the island and enslaved its inhabitants. Lario teams up with a group of rebellious islanders and sets out to overthrow the King Crab and liberate the island. It is also discovered in this entry that Brick has also gotten himself a girlfriend, named Morta.
=== Lario's Adventures 5: Lario's Mansion===
In Lario's Mansion, Lario inherits a massive mansion from Federico (whose voice actor sadly passed away due to cancer during the development of Lario's Adventures 4, explaining his absence), but soon discovers that the mansion is haunted by ghosts led by the ghostly apparition of the King Crab. With the help of his trusty friend Brick as well as Luigi, Lario must explore the mansion and uncover its dark secrets while fending off the ghostly inhabitants. Along the way, he also encounters other members of the Mario universe such as Yoshi and Toad, who aid him in his quest.
During the Climactic final battle, it is revealed that the ghost of King Crab is actually the Floating Wega Head in disguise, wanting revenge against Lario for his defeat back in Gnome Forest. Lario defeats him once again, and he and Lily move into their new home together.
===Lario's Adventures 6: Rise of Lega===
For the first time ever, Floating Wega Head debuts as a playable character in a Lario game. Another one of E.Gadd's inventions accidentally clones Floating Wega Head, creating the even more sinister Floating Lega Head. He is thus forced to team up with Lario and Brick to save the world from utter destruction.
===Lario's Adventures 7: The Final Frontier===
In his latest game appearance, Lario obtains a ghostly spectre named "Gnome Chompski" that he can control and have help in combat. Gnome Chompski allows him to manipulate time and space to his advantage. Using his newfound powers, Lario embarks on a quest to stop an evil organization from taking over the Mushroom Kingdom. Along the way, he meets various new characters who offer their assistance in his mission. With his Stand by his side, Lario faces off against powerful foes and overcomes challenging obstacles to save his world from destruction.
===Lario's Adventures 8: Cosmic Chaos===
In Lario's Adventures 8: Cosmic Chaos, Lario and Brick the Rat are summoned by Rosalina to help restore order to the cosmos. A powerful entity known as the Celestial Wraith has disrupted the balance of the universe, causing havoc across multiple galaxies. Lario, with his newly upgraded rat-powered spaceship, must travel through various planets, each with unique challenges and puzzles. He gains the ability to manipulate gravity and time within special zones, adding a new layer of strategy to the gameplay. Alongside familiar faces like Mario, Luigi, Alfonso, and Pikachu, Lario meets new cosmic allies who aid him in his quest to defeat the Celestial Wraith and restore peace to the universe.
===Lario's Adventures 9: Clash of Kingdoms===
In Lario's Adventures 9: Clash of Kingdoms, Lario and Brick find themselves in the midst of a great war between the Gnome Kingdom and the sinister Dark Gnome Kingdom, led by the mysterious and malevolent Dark Gnome King. The Dark King has stolen the ancient Crown of Unity, a powerful artifact that maintains peace between the kingdoms. Lario must gather a team of heroes from both realms, including the Floating Wega Head and Demetrius Koopa, to retrieve the crown and thwart the Dark Gnome King's plans. This game introduces a new tactical combat system, where players strategically deploy their allies and utilize their unique abilities to overcome enemy forces. As the story unfolds, Lario discovers hidden truths about the history of the kingdoms and his own lineage as a gnome.
===Lario's Adventures 10: The Lost Realms===
In Lario's Adventures 10: The Lost Realms, Lario stumbles upon a hidden portal in the depths of Gnome Forest that leads to the Lost Realms, a series of forgotten dimensions filled with ancient secrets and powerful artifacts. These realms are protected by the enigmatic Guardian Spirits, who challenge Lario to prove his worthiness. Alongside his ever-loyal companion Brick and his beloved Lily, Lario embarks on a quest to uncover the mysteries of the Lost Realms, facing off against formidable foes and solving intricate puzzles. The game introduces new mechanics such as realm-shifting and elemental powers that Lario can harness to navigate the diverse landscapes and defeat the ancient evils lurking within. As he progresses, Lario uncovers a dark conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of reality itself.
==Reception== 
Lario has received positive reception from fans of the Mario universe, with many praising his unique design and humorous personality. His appearances in other games outside of the Mario universe have also been well-received, with fans excited to see him make cameo appearances and interact with characters from different franchises.
However, some fans have criticized Lario for being too similar to other characters in the Mario universe, such as Gustavo and Wario. Others have also questioned his sudden appearance in the Mario universe and his genetic relation to the Mario brothers, as it was not established in previous games or media.
Despite these criticisms, Lario has remained a beloved character among fans of the Mario universe and continues to make appearances in various spinoff games.
==Gallery==
File:Lario1.png|Lario in Lario's Adventures.
File:Lario4.png|Lario in Lario's Adventures 4.
File:Lario5.png|Lario in Lario's Adventures 5.
File:Lario6.png|Lario in Lario's Adventures 6 fighting the Floating Lega Head with the Floating Wega Head.
File:Lario_tf2.png|Lario in Team Fortress 2 Operation: Reconstruction.
==Trivia==
*Lario's name is a play on the word "Mario", with the "L" being added to create a gnome-like sound.
*Lario's appearance in Sonic Adventure 3 was a result of a collaboration between the developers of Sonic Team and the creators of Lario's Adventures.
*Lario's favorite food is pizza, a nod to his first appearance in Pizza Tower.
*In Lario's Adventures 3: Return to Gnome Forest, it is revealed that Lario has a fear of heights.
*Lario has been referenced in other indie games such as "Gnome Gaiden" and "Lario's Tower Defense".
*Lario's Adventures 7 is a reference to Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.
*The concept for Lario was created by the YouTuber and game designer FroggestSpirit and later incorporated into Pizza Tower by McPig.
*Lario's weapon of choice, the Giant Rat, is actually a reference to a
Category:Mario (series)
Category:Mario Characters
Category:Males
Category:Mario Family
Category:Fan Characters
Category:Plumbers
Category:Heroes