Mario makers reflect on 35 years and the evolution of the franchise's most iconic jump

The team introduced "Super Mario Bros." to the world 35 years ago, the first installment in a video game franchise that has come to define the Nintendo brand. As Mickey Mouse is to Disney, Mario is to the Japanese game makers, starring in titles that have highlighted every generation of Nintendo consoles. In honor of the anniversary, The Post interviewed, by email, four of the principle figures in Mario's proud and enduring history: Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario, Zelda and Nintendo representative director; Tezuka, assistant director for the first game and producer for several others; Yoshiaki Koizumi, director of "Super Mario Sunshine" and "Super Mario Galaxy"; and Kenta Motokura, character design for "Sunshine" and director of "Super Mario 3-D World" and "Super Mario Odyssey."