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March 10 marks National Mario Day, a celebration of the beloved, overall-wearing video game character who has been around for over 40 years.
Though Mario Day started in 2016, the Mario character was first introduced in the Donkey Kong arcade game in 1981. Video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto created Mario after he was unable to secure licensing rights to use Popeye. The character was originally called Jumpman before the name change, but according to other reports, he was also named “Ossan” (a Japenese word for “middle-aged guy”).
The Mario known and loved by millions today was named after Mario Segale, a Seattle real-estate developer who rented a warehouse to Nintendo back in the ’80s.
Mario became the star of his own video game when Super Mario Bros. was released in 1985. The success of Super Mario Bros. expanded Mario’s reach into other kinds of gaming genres, such as puzzle games like Dr. Mario and role-playing games like Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi.
Since his debut, Mario has appeared in more than 200 video games. Outside of the gaming realm, Mario has evolved into an animated cultural icon, with Mario-inspired clothing, shoes, books, bags, towels, LEGOs, bedding, dolls, phone cases, jewelry, Halloween costumers and other merchandise for fans to buy.
He’s also in movies. Mario first made it to the silver screen in the 1993 comedy Super Mario Bros. Last year’s Super Mario Bros. Movie became one of the highest-grossing movies of 2023 raking in a whopping $1.63 billion at the box office. The Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel will be released in April 3, 2026, Nintendo announced on Sunday (March 10).
Now that you’re all caught up on Mario, it’s time to shop! See below for roundup of Nintendo Switch video games to buy in celebration of Mario Day.
Hit the road! Race your friends or go up against them in a “revised battle mode” for new and returning battle courses with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. According to the manufacturer, courses included in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass appear in the online course selection for worldwide and regional races.
Join Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Rabbid Peach, Rabbid Luigi in Play Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope and build your “dream team” of three heroes from an “eclectic roster.”
Super Mario 3D All-Stars allows you to play three classic games from Mario’s 3D adventures.
For the less experienced and pros, New Super Mario Bros. U. Deluxe lets you transform into Mario, Luigi and friends in single-player or multiplayer mode. Click here to purchase digital version.
With more than 144 million copies sold Mario Kart Live is an obvious fan favorite. As many as four players can race on Mario Kart: Live Home Circus edition.
Super Mario Kart 3 is rumored to be released on Nintendo Switch sometime this year. While you wait, pick up a copy of Super Mario Maker 2.
Golf as Mario, Peach, Yoshi and more; face off against Mushroom Kingdom classmates and level up your character in Mario Golf: Super Rush.
A colorful adventure! Pick your player to run, jump and dash around courses in Super Mario 3D World + Bowsers Fury.
Time to get the party started! Mario Party Superstars features character-specific dice blocks with dozens of exciting mini-games.
Go for the gold! Skateboard, surf and race your way to the top in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games.