Nintendo Character Profile | Yoshi

Yoshi
Author of 100 Ways to Use Your Tongue!

Profile by Adam Riley [ jesusraz :: Senior Editor ]

Introduction
He is green, he is cute and he is undoubtedly a dinosaur...or is he? Let me just ask you, have you seen images of any dinosaurs that look even remotely like Yoshi? No, I thought not. But hey, remember that this likeable character is not actually one of Shigeru Miyamoto's creations, but in fact the brainchild of a graphic designer that worked on the Super Nintendo's Super Mario World. Whatever his origins, Yoshi has quickly become a favourite of many Nintendo fans, appearing in many different forms and even managing to push his way into the leading role on several occassions, most notably in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island on the SNES and Yoshi's Story on the N64. Some believe that women especially love him because of his tongue-related talents...but those reports are currently unfounded!

Statistics

Age: Being a dinosaur you would expect Yoshi to be so old that he should be fossilised, but that is not the case. He was actually brought into the world back in 1991. Now that is what I call impressive genetic modification!

Species: Dinosaur and all-round annoying/cute (delete as applicable) creature.

Location: Yoshi's Island, hanging around with the many other Yoshis, all of varying colours.

Birth: Yoshis give birth to other Yoshis by eating special items and then excreting them as eggs that proceed to hatch into baby Yoshis, which grow quickly upon swallowing certain pieces of fruit. Hmm...nice!

Facial Features: Green, big eyes, huge nose and a wry smile. Wry? Yes, wry. Yoshi is no fool, despite what people believe. Oh, and we surely cannot forget that lengthy tongue, obviously...

Clothing: Naked, basically. As with many Nintendo characters Yoshi loves to run around in the bare, apart from the saddle he dons so Mario can jump on his back and ride him whenever he wants (*ahem*). A strange Nintendo trend indeed...

Concept
Originally a simple mode of transport for Mario, 'Yoshi' is now used as a term for the entire Nintendo cute dinosaur species, with the Green Yoshi being the centre-piece of the bunch. There are many other coloured Yoshis, like the black one, blue, yellow and red ones. But the original and first green Yoshi will always hold a special place in many people's hearts.

Appearances
Other than Kirby and a few of the Pokémon, Yoshi has to be the most adorable Nintendo character currently in existence. When he flicks that tongue of his out and makes those strange little noises, and when he does the same whilst jumping and floating slowly back down to the ground, you cannot help but just want to cuddle him...erm, perhaps I meant to say 'shoot him' there. My mistake!

Here is a, by no means definitive, list of his gaming highlights:

• Super Mario World (SNES)
• SMW2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)
• Mario Kart series (SNES, N64, GBA, GC)
• Mario Party series (N64, GC)
• Mario & Yoshi (GBC, SNES)
• Mario is Missing & Education series (SNES)
• Mario Tennis (N64, GBC, GC, GBA)
• Yoshi's Cookie / Nintendo Puzzle Collection (NES, SNES, GB, GC, GBA)
• Yoshi's Safari (SNES)
• Tetris Attack (SNES, GBC)
• Super Mario RPG franchise (SNES, N64, GBA, GC)
• Super Mario 64 (N64)
• Game & Watch (GBC, GBA)
• Smash Brothers series (N64, GC)
• Super Mario Sunshine (GC)
• Link's Awakening (GB, GBC)

Don't Mention...
Link's Awakening, since Yoshi was only there in the form of a silly little doll that was part of a trading sequence. Apparently the loveable dinosaur was mightily displeased when he found out that was the extent of his cameo appearance! Other than that, stay far away from topic of the 'Edutainment' titles...*shudders*

In closing...
What more can be said? He is green, can float in the air whilst carrying a fat Italian plumber and is the perfect host for a puzzle game. He never loses his temper, is more faithful than a dog and has a tongue so long and flexible that it could easily keep a woman happy for a very long time! He is Yoshi and he will continue to go from strength to strength as the years go by. Watch this bright star shine...