50 influential fictional women in nerd history

Princess Peach

Let’s be honest, who didn’t actively play as Princess Peach when they played Mario Kart growing up exclusively because she was a princess who got to race cars? Yes, her backstory is one where Mario has to save her, but still, it was pretty awesome to have the option to play a video game as a girl.

For years, we had Mrs. Pac-Man who only came about after her husband’s game was popular, but when we got to play as Princess Peach in the different variations of the Mario games, we had a new experience instead of just a reskin. Unlike other characters in our favorite games, Peach has a pretty consistent character arc and continues to grow as the games progress.

That’s honestly very interesting and new for video games. Yes, we back tracked a bit and created games like Grand Theft Auto where most the girls are depicted as sexual beings, whereas Peach simply defends herself. Paper Mario is a perfect example of how Peach can go from sneaking around the Koopas but then continuing on being herself by baking a cake and helping Mario as best she can even while a prisoner.

She doesn’t change what makes her Princess Peach, and that’s what is important about her character. She could so easily change from game to game, but she stays true to the Peach we love.