I found this large claw machine Mario doll at an op shop today. I now understand why Mario wears a hat. I’m aware that the original pixel Mario had a hat because it was easier than animating his hair. And that he still had hair in Super Mario 64 in those sections where he loses his hat, though he was weaker without it, thus the need for it. But why does he continue to wear it in other games like Mario Tennis and Mario Golf? To cover his receding hairline. I guess he hasn’t aged well in the past 25 years. Surely he should be at least 50 by now.