"Princess Peach," also known as "
Princess Toadstool" is the
princess of the
Mushroom Kingdom and
Mario's off-and-on love interest in
Nintendo's
Super Mario Brothers series of video games.
So why does she have two names? The answer is part cultural difference and part translation error. In Japan the princess has always been known as Princess Peach, but when Super Mario Brothers left the country Nintendo renamed her "Princess Toadstool" for the American and European audiences in order to keep the mushroom theme of the game consistent.
Nintendo kept the "Toadstool" name for years until, in the 1993 Super NES release Yoshi's Safari, she was identified as "Princess Peach" in the American and European versions. Was this change deliberate or an accident? Nintendo has never clarified, but the "Peach" name has been used purposely worldwide in new games ever since 1996's Super Mario 64 and the "Toadstool" title has been retired. Meanwhile, fans have combined the two names and consider the princess's full name to be "Peach Toadstool."
Although she first rose to fame as a classic "damsel in distress," Princess Peach is capable of much more than simply being captured by Bowser. She's an avid golfer, a tennis ace, a go-kart driving pro, apparently possesses some nursing skills, practices self-defense, and is quite the formidable playable character. Oh yes, and she's also the soverign ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom. Over the years she's been linked romantically with Mario and she's also friends with Princess Daisy of Sarasaland. Never underestimate the power of a princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, especially one who can float when she jumps. Her voice is portrayed by Nintendo staffer Leslie Swan.
Captive Appearances
Playable Appearances
References:
http://www.classicgaming.com/tmk/