So....apparently in the original Super Mario Bros. gaming manual. In the Object of the game section, the Mushroom people were turned into blocks and stones! The very stones you smash and punch to get coins....IN THE GAME!!! The section reads as follows:
"The quiet peace loving Mushroom people were turned into stones, bricks and even field horse-hair plants and the Mushroom Kingdom fell into ruin!"
It even goes on to suggest Mario isn't actually a hero!
"Mario, the hero of the story (maybe)...."
Well, that high score you have just got pretty dark now!
Source: http://legendsoflocalization.com/media/super-mario-bros/manuals/Super-Mario-Bros-Manual-US.pdf