For years, Princess Peach was cast as the helpless royal in pink, perpetually waiting to be rescued. But fans who’ve been paying attention know better. Peach isn’t just royalty — she’s a powerhouse with a golden crown and a rebellious streak hiding under that parasol. From surprising cameos to savage moves on the battlefield, here are 10 things you didn’t know about Nintendo’s most iconic princess.
1. She wasn’t always called Peach
In early Western releases, she went by Princess Toadstool. It wasn’t until Super Mario 64 (1996) that Nintendo finally unified her name globally as “Peach.” But in Japan? She’s always been Peach — as in sweet, sunny, and ready to drop a fireball.
2. She was a fighter before it was fashionable
Forget what you’ve heard about “damsels.” Peach was already serving beatdowns in Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), where she could hover midair — a huge gameplay advantage. Long before Zelda or Daisy got feisty, Peach was floating over enemies with grace and fury.
3. She owns the best side-eye in gaming
In games like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros., Peach’s victory poses and taunts are pure diva. She might be holding a frying pan, but her passive-aggressive expressions could knock out Bowser without a punch. She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s gonna slap that smug look off your face.
4. Her powers are wildly underrated
Peach isn’t just a reskinned Mario. Her powers are often mystical. In Super Princess Peach, she uses emotion-based powers — joy, rage, gloom — as weapons. That’s right: Nintendo gave her magical PMS powers. And she uses them to save Mario. Yes, you read that correctly.
5. She once kissed a monkey
In Donkey Kong for Game Boy, she sends Donkey Kong Jr. flying with a kiss. It’s brief and bizarre — and likely the weirdest cross-species affection in Nintendo history. Let’s just say Peach has range.
6. Peach has a twisted relationship with Bowser
Yes, he kidnaps her. Constantly. But have you noticed how nonchalant she is about it? In Mario Party and Mario Kart, she and Bowser act more like frenemies than mortal enemies. In Super Paper Mario, she even marries him — albeit under mind control. Still, fans have questions.
7. Her voice has changed more than Mario’s
Over the years, Peach has had several voice actresses — from the high-pitched sweetness of Leslie Swan to the iconic “Hi!” of Samantha Kelly. But in the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie, she’s voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy, bringing brains, bravery, and a bit more bite to the role.
8. She starred in a game where Mario needed rescuing
Super Princess Peach (2005) flipped the script: Mario and Luigi were captured, and Peach had to rescue them. She used a magical umbrella, emotional powers, and — let’s be honest — a healthy dose of feminine rage. Feminist icon? The conversation is open.
9. She’s a style queen with combat skills
That pink gown may look fragile, but it hides weapons: turnips, frying pans, golf clubs, and even hearts that explode. In Super Smash Bros., Peach is consistently ranked mid- to high-tier. She may glide like a fairy, but she punches like a wrecking ball.
10. There’s more than one Peach
In Super Mario Odyssey, she appears in multiple kingdoms wearing culturally specific outfits — saris, desert garb, and explorer gear. Each version of Peach shows a different layer of her personality. She’s not just a dress — she’s a thousand looks, a hundred moods, and always one step ahead of Bowser.
Peach has come a long way since the pixelated princess of 1985. She’s no longer just the girl in another castle — she is the castle. Whether she’s slapping fools in Smash or ruling the Mushroom Kingdom with quiet confidence, Princess Peach is here to remind us that power can come in pink. And underestimating her? Big mistake, sweetie.
