10 Times Princess Peach Was A BADASS In Video Games
Emotions Save The Day
"Super Princess Peach" (2006) While this isn’t a ranked list, I’m mentioning the time Princess Peach got her own game first because the ideas of the game might be a liiiitle problematic. While Princess Zelda got stuck with the Philips-CDI failed partnership titles, Peach’s only solo game is a solid little platformer in which you use her over-the-top emotions to defeat enemies and rescue the Mario bros. Thing is I don’t see Mario defeating enemies with his tears… Luigi maybe. Though, to be fair the super-powered feelings are actually a result of a magic wand malfunction that affects the whole land known as “Vibe Island”. Peach is the only one who can control, and in turn weaponize her emotions, not underselling her accomplishments such as battling series biggies like King Boo, Kamek, Bowser, and others to save the day.
Olympian Effort
"Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games" Series (2007-19) Princess Peach Toadstool can beat Sonic The Hedgehog in a foot race.…I mean they all can in this game... but it's got to count for something! Whether she’s necessarily “human” or not, she’s proven to be superhuman. Capable of extreme athleticism, in all sports known to man, including those crazy party games that would KO even Icelandic professional strongman Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. I just think it’s respectable that she loves her desserts, and still crushes the sports circuit. And if you’re thinking this entry is bunk because all Mario characters are capable of similar feats, the princess does utilize unique special moves involving love-based magic, and there are few things as badass as killing them with kindness.
Espionage On Xnauts
"Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door" (2004) In this GameCube grown RPG, Princess Peach may be abducted, but she does the absolute MOST possible while on the inside! Tell me if this sounds like a damsel in distress: Infiltrating the enemy faction supercomputer, Hit Man style, by stealing a grunt’s uniform, after using chemistry to mix an invisibility potion, avoiding guards and acquiring top secret battleplans, once deceiving the head of the organization and sole member who orchestrated the kidnapping himself. All this, plus, she teaches an AI the meaning of love and how to dance. As far as I see it, that had to lock Peach away or she’d use her cunning to defeat the Xnauts before Mario even got there. Minor spoilers, she also shrugs off a bit of demonic possession.
Maximum Sass
"Mario Strikers" Series (2005-22) While being a kind and caring ruler is at the top of her agenda, Peach’s personality gets turned up to eleven when a soccer / football hits the ground. With an iconic double knee slide, and “talk to the hand” attitude, competitive Peach isn’t above mocking, gloating, and roasting her opponents with a little giggle to match. It’s totally hilarious to see her cut loose and play dirty like the rest of them. Watch out when she unleashes the power of a biblical angel to score a goal. You’re either with her or against her in this sport, and I’m down to don the pink shirt.
Ha-Cha!
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"Super Smash Bros." Series (1999-2018) Even in the platform fighter Smash Bros, Peach is a top-tier competitor! Since her first appearance in Melee, you'll find Peach in around the Top 10 brawlers of the ever shifting tier roster. That’s really, kind of crazy, being so consistently competitively viable after the cast has grown 60+ more members. Peach’s traditional moves include the hip bump, the frying pan smack, and the sacrifice of a toad's well-being! In Brawl's story mode she does get captured a few times, but to be fair it's not every day you expect to be shot with a gun that turns you into a toy. Plus after each capture, she gets back up and fights alongside her friends, befriending both Game & Watch, Fox, Snake, and Kirby (all fearsome beings in their own right).
Powered Up Princess
"Super Mario 3D World" (2013) It took a little while, but “3D World” included her as a fully playable character! Finally Peach gets to use the arsenal of Nintendo’s power-ups like fire flowers, and you know she looks awesome doing it! The story baked into this 2.5D platformer doesn't involve her capture of any sort. Rather, she jumps to helping the Mario gang save a bunch of fairies. How superb is it that you can solo this game as Peach, chucking fire, boomerangs, and cats claws at Bowser as a little payback.
Toadstool Techniques
"Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars" (1996) Peach continues to excel in RPG’s, and this time around she can join the party in combat by using her powerful spell-casting. She has moves that hit almost as hard as Mario once acquiring her frying pan. Additionally she can both heal and revive fellow party members. If Peach is alive, you can keep the battle going even if turns aren't in your favour! She is unfortunately the last to join your party as she is briefly kidnapped (and almost forced to marry a yucky-looking pirate dude). However, the script is flipped, because once she is saved, we get a touching story beat where she chooses to escape Mushroom Castle and go help the team (including rival Bowser) finish the final boss. She's a blast to have as a playable companion, and can carry you to victory when you need her.
Paper Parasol
"Super Paper Mario" (2007) Peach became a playable character yet again in this half platformer, half RPG after surviving multiple attempts at brainwashing from a powerful physic henchwoman. Despite others’ attempts to leave her behind, she powers through and the team is way better for it! The princess is the best character defensively as her parasol move protects from all damage. Therefore some of her feats involve facing Mimi (a robot spider demon girl) by herself! Then, pulling a hawkeye and risking her health to save the foe's life afterwards! What a hero!
She Floats Down Here
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"Super Mario Bros. 2" (1988) Flashback! In only the second Mario brothers game, unless you count the arcade pipes ones, or Donkey Kong… Peach is one of the best playable characters! Here she first gains access to the float ability, which becomes part of her in most following appearances. In a way she is the forefather of flying power ups in general such as the tanooki suit. While Toad is best for speedrunning, Peach is the most forgiving character and gives you saves or second chances at tricky platforming that would be your doom! In certain stages, entire groups of enemies can be avoided only with Peach. Even better, she is never kidnapped, and as it turns out the plot of the game is Mario having a bit of a mushroom trip dream. At least he thinks highly of her while he’s asleep!
Royal Havok
"Mario + Rabbids" Series. (2017-22) PEACH WITH A SHOTGUN! PEACH WITH A SHOTGUN. The game said it best, from damsel in distress, to defender in a dress! Peach brings the Boomshot into battle, yes, the same hallmark gun from Gears Of War. Oh and also, two more words: umbrella cannon. In battle, She can break through defenses with explosives, taking out groups of units at once, while healing the team and offering various protection skills to counter the enemies outright. I wouldn’t have expected it at first, but Princess Peach is the backbone of your team. In composition terms, the “Tank”. Described as "determined and fearless", rightfully so, Peach has the touch, and she’s got the power. Alrighty! That’s all from me. I’ve been “Chiptroid”, eagerly awaiting the Super Mario film. Is Anna-Toadstool-Joy the Princess Peach for you? Do we Stan? Let us know in the comments! And check out our other videos right here on MOJO PLAYZ! Game on!
