User blog comment:Emeraldblade95/PG Proposal: Mario/@comment-2059440-20190925135829

I see Donkey Kong Jr as an example of a story written before the idea of Mario proper was even a thing and thus shouldn't be put against him - like how Superman has stories were writers have made him a deliberate jerk.. Superman was approved as pure good because those stories seem out of character for him.

same deal with Mario.. if Mario is played as a villain it comes off as "out of character".. so that's one that I say should be seen as simply "a story made before they even really had an idea of Mario as a character".

as for him being arrogant and selfish.. I don't see him as particularly selfish or arrogant, considering how many times he saves the universe he has a right to show-off every now and then and he never does it to be malicious.. I don't think he's confirmed as a sore loser.. the whole thing about him being selfish is largely guesswork to be honest as his personality is usually kind.. I'd say he's competitive.. which is different from outright arrogant.

Mario, as a general rule, is very kind and helpful to everyone he meets but he won't tolerate bullies - he doesn't, in my view, treat anyone badly.. if he seems competitive with Luigi remember that they are brothers.. it's just how siblings act.. ultimately Mario loves all his friends and family.. he's also on record as stating his rivalry with Sonic is a game rather than serious and thus Mario even considers Sonic a close friend now (this was during a rare event where folk "spoke" with Mario in an interview - I'd still say it counts as canon since Nintendo obviously approved him saying this).