- Categories:
- Arts & Entertainment
- Tags:
- ActivitiesFunTechnology
- Where:
- World
- Date change rule:
- Every March 10
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍄
Mario Day powers up every March 10, a date cleverly chosen because ‘Mar10’ resembles Mario’s name. This friendly, mustached character, first released by Nintendo in 1985, has since starred in around 200 games. Join fans in playing your favorite titles, sharing fan art, and diving into the rich history of the best-selling video game series.
Want to sponsor Mario Day? Learn how
Expected Mario Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that Mario Day brings exciting deals across major retailers. Look for discounts on Nintendo Switch consoles, Mario games, and merchandise at stores like GameStop, Target, and Walmart. Nintendo itself often announces special events or digital sales on the eShop. Keep an eye out for collaborations with brands like LEGO for special Mario-themed sets. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 10 approaches.
Platform Guide for Mario Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #MarioDay. Share your favorite Mario game moments, cosplay, or creative fan art videos.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MarioDay. Post photos of your Mario collection, themed snacks, or visits to Super Nintendo World.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #MarioDay. Join the real-time conversation about new game announcements, movie news, or classic Mario memories.
Mario Day Hero
Shigeru Miyamoto
History of Mario Day
Mario Day has been occurring on March 10 every year for the last decade, give or take. Though the exact origin year is unknown, fans have been celebrating before Nintendo officially embraced the holiday in 2016. When Nintendo officially embraced the holiday and started celebrating annually, they began promoting new and old games, offering special deals and discounts, and started hosting Mario-themed events, as well as promoting sales on some of their games.
Mario’s debut game was Donkey Kong, released by Nintendo in 1981. The design for the animated character was created by critically acclaimed Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, who also created Super Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, and Starfox. The Mario Bros video games were so successful, a movie adaptation of the game, titled “Mario Bros”, was released in 1993, but it was a flop, both commercially and with audiences. This was one of the first attempts to recreate a video game into a movie.
With each iteration, the Mario series has done its best to always focus on keeping it’s gameplay fun, yet challenging, making it addictive to people of all ages. The U.S. version of Super Mario Bros. 2 is also one of the earliest games to feature a playable female, Princess Peach, in its roster of 4 selectable characters. The Mario series of games and spin offs, are timeless with each game featuring new adventures to try or new challenges to beat, even encouraging players to play with a group of friends
Mario Day timeline
The first Mario game is released!
One of the most anticipated NES games , Super Mario Bros. 3, is released, becoming one of the highest grossing games of all time.
Super Mario Land is released on the Game Boy giving gamers a new Mario adventure on the go.
Mario's new arch-rival, Wario, is introduced in Super Mario Land 2 for the Game Boy.
Mario's jump into 3D finally comes when Super Mario 64 is released as a launch title for the Nintendo 64
Mario's new friend Cappy joins him on his most recent adventure across the globe.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Mario Day
Local businesses can jump into the fun of Mario Day by offering themed promotions. Arcades and game stores can host Mario Kart tournaments or Super Smash Bros. competitions with prizes. Restaurants could create Mario-themed menu items, like ‘Super Mushroom’ pizzas or ‘Fire Flower’ spicy dishes. Retailers can set up displays featuring Mario merchandise, offer discounts on gaming accessories, or even run a ‘Find the Hidden Star’ scavenger hunt in-store.
Traditions
Mario Day is a big occasion in the gaming community. Many of us have grown up playing “Mario” games, and the franchise is still going strong and is enjoyed today by newer generations.
“Mario” games are the hot topic of the day — gaming streamers play old and new games, trying out the games that they haven’t played before, sharing easter eggs in the games with their audiences, and just reliving some good ol’ “Mario” memories.
Adults and children both participate in the day’s celebrations by playing “Mario” video games and going head-to-head against their friends or family. Mario also has a movie “Super Mario Bros,” (1993) which bombed at the box office, but is now enjoyed as a campy take on the franchise.
By The Numbers
1981 — the year Mario made his first appearance in a video game.
12 – the number of occupations Mario has had over the years.
5 – the number of Guinness World Records held by the “Mario” franchise.
40.24 million – the number of copies that the first “Super Mario Bros.” game sold.
255 – the number of games in the “Mario” franchise.
256-kilobit – the storage of the cartridge on which the game “Super Mario Bros. 2” is stored.
128 – the lives a player gets in the “Mario” game after using the popular infinite lives trick.
Mario Day FAQs
When is Mario Day?
In 2027, Mario Day is observed on Wednesday, March 10, bringing another opportunity to honor the beloved plumber. Get ready to power up your gaming sessions and share your passion for the Mushroom Kingdom.
How many Mario games are there?
The Mario franchise boasts an impressive catalog of over 200 games, making it one of the most prolific in gaming history. From platformers to sports and RPGs, there’s a Mario game for nearly every genre and player.
How popular is Mario worldwide?
The Super Mario franchise holds the title of the best-selling video game series in history, with hundreds of millions of copies sold. Beyond games, Mario’s popularity extends to movies, merchandise, and theme park attractions, solidifying his global cultural impact.
Why is March 10 Mario Day?
The choice of March 10 for Mario Day stems from the visual similarity between ‘Mar10’ and the name ‘Mario.’ This playful association, championed by fans, has made the date a global celebration of the beloved Nintendo character and his universe.
Mario Day Activities
Dress up as Mario or a Mario character
Choose between dressing up as Mario, Luigi, Goomba, Koopa Paratroopa, Wario, Princess Daisy, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, Toad, Bowser, Boo, Waluigi, Rosalina, Piranha Plant, or a Super Mushroom.
Host a Mario themed party
Throw a themed party, or bring your costumed self to a Mario costume party. It could be a fully themed room full of costumed guests, complete with Mario themed hors d’oeuvres, or just a couple friends playing Mario together at home. It also goes without saying, playing one of the Mario Party games would fit right in.
Indulge in some Mario games with friends or family
Whether you love racing in Mario Kart, getting your fight on with Super Smash Bros., or going old school with one of the NES Mario titles, there are options that people of all age ranges and tastes can enjoy.
5 FACTS ABOUT MARIO
More than 600 million copies sold
This makes it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time!
Mario was originally a carpenter
Since the original game backgrounds involve a lot of pipes, Mario was changed to be the chubby plumber hero we love today.
Bowser was originally an Ox
Miyamoto originally sketched Bowser as an ox, but animator Yōichi Kotabe misinterpreted it to be a giant turtle, which they both decided to continue animating.
Neighborhood dog turned villain
Random fact, but the chain chomper was inspired by a neighborhood dog Miyamoto feared in his youth.
Mario hits the stage
The Super Mario Bros theme song has been played live at many concerts, including: “PLAY! Chicago”, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the “Mario & Zelda Big Band Live”.
Why We Love Mario Day
There are so many options of Mario games to choose from.
With over 200 games, there’s a surplus of options to choose for any mood you’re in. You could choose from Puzzle games, Sports games, role-playing games, racing games, or party games, and still be immersed in the world of Mario.
The games could have lasting effects for people in real life
One study from the Max Planck Institute found that playing Super Mario 64 helped with spatial orientation, memory formation, strategic planning, and fine motor skills. The Mario games are not only fun, but beneficial for your brain, too! In moderation, of course.
Mario brings people together
Mario has been bringing people together since the 1980s. Mario Kart Tour (a simplified version of the Mario Kart game, as an app on smart phones) just recently added the Multiplayer addition, so you can race your friends, for free, right from your phone. What could be better than challenging your buddies to a virtual Mario Kart duel, from the comfort of your own home?
Social Media Tips for Mario Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands