Geno, whose real name is the unpronounceable ♡♪!?, first appeared in the 1996 classic Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. As a star spirit inhabiting a wooden doll, he became an instant icon for his unique design and powerful Geno Whirl attack. For decades, the Geno meme was defined by his absence from modern gaming, fueling a massive 'Geno for Smash' grassroots campaign that became a staple of internet gaming culture. With the 2023 remake of Super Mario RPG, the meme has evolved to celebrate his HD return while continuing the legacy of being Nintendo’s most enduring cult-classic hero.