Happy National Mario Day! Let’s Celebrate Gaming’s Greatest Icon
Happy National Mario Day!
It’s March 10th, National Mario Day, aka Mar10 Day—a glorious time when Nintendo fans around the world gather to celebrate the mustachioed plumber who has been jumping on turtles, saving princesses, and dominating the gaming industry for over four decades.
Whether you grew up on the pixelated pipes of the NES or you’re speedrunning Odyssey in a fit of postmodern gaming mastery, today is all about Mario. So let’s take a power-up-fueled dive into the history, successes, and current celebrations of everyone’s favorite red-hatted hero.
The Birth of a Legend: How Mario Took Over the World
Before he was the face of Nintendo, Mario was just a plucky little dude in overalls making his debut in Donkey Kong (1981).
Back then, he was known as Jumpman—which, let’s be honest, sounds like a knockoff superhero that never quite made it past the brainstorming phase. But in 1985, Super Mario Bros. launched on the NES, and gaming as we know it changed forever.
Image Credit: Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo
With its tight controls, catchy music, and level design that practically burned itself into the brains of an entire generation, Super Mario Bros. wasn’t just a great game—it was a revolution.
And Nintendo knew they had struck gold.
Fast forward through the years, and we’ve seen Mario dominate every console, genre, and even some questionable spinoffs (yes, we’re looking at you, Mario is Missing! and Hotel Mario).
Mario’s Best-Selling Games: The Plumber’s Greatest Hits
Mario has been stomping the competition for decades, but which games have truly reigned supreme in terms of sales?
Here’s a look at the top-selling Mario titles that prove the franchise isn’t slowing down anytime soon:
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) – 61+ million copies
This juggernaut of a racer has been printed money for Nintendo since it dropped on the Switch. It’s also the perfect game to test friendships—because nothing says “I love you” like hitting your best friend with a blue shell at the finish line.
Super Mario Bros. (1985) – 58+ million copies
The OG platformer that started it all. Simple, addictive, and still one of the greatest games ever made.
Super Mario World (1990) – 26+ million copies
This SNES classic introduced Yoshi, and that alone solidified its legendary status. If you say you never abandoned Yoshi for a long jump, you’re lying.
Super Mario Odyssey (2017) – 27+ million copies
Mario’s grandest 3D adventure, where he possesses everything from Goombas to dinosaurs with his sentient hat. It’s as fun as it is deeply weird.
New Super Mario Bros. (2006) – 30+ million copies
The DS brought back 2D Mario, and the world collectively lost its mind.
Image Credit: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Nintendo
Honorable mentions go to Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Maker—all of which played a massive role in keeping Mario fresh for new generations.
Mario Day 2025: What’s Happening Right Now?
March 10th is more than just a cute calendar trick—it’s an all-out party for Mario fans worldwide. Here are some of the biggest events and deals happening today:
Nintendo’s eShop Discounts – If you’ve been waiting to grab some discounted Mario games like Odyssey, Mario Party Superstars, or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for cheaper, now’s the time! Nintendo is slashing prices (for once) on some of its biggest Mario titles.
Super Mario Movie Sequel Trailer Drop? – Rumors are swirling that Nintendo is dropping a teaser for the highly anticipated Super Mario Bros. Movie 2. Fingers crossed that Jack Black’s Bowser returns to serenade us once more.
Mario-Themed Events at Theme Parks – Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios in both Hollywood and Japan is going full send with exclusive merchandise, live performances, and in-park scavenger hunts.
Speedrun Extravaganzas – Twitch and YouTube are packed with speedrunners racing through popular Mario games like Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Odyssey faster than you can say “It’s-a me, Mario!”
McDonald’s Mario Happy Meals – Because capitalism never rests, McDonald’s has a history of rolling out limited-time Mario toys. Unsure if this will come back for 2025, but if they do – we’re certain that scalpers will hoard them all anyways.
The Legacy Lives On
Mario isn’t just a video game character—he’s a cultural icon. He’s been in over 200 games, starred in multiple TV shows, a blockbuster movie, and is basically the Mickey Mouse of gaming. From nostalgic NES purists to Switch newcomers, Mario has managed to stay relevant in a gaming landscape that constantly shifts and evolves.
And the best part?
He’s still got plenty of adventures left.
So whether you’re revisiting Super Mario World, raging at Mario Party, or just wearing a fake mustache in honor of the legend himself, take a moment to appreciate the plumber who made gaming what it is today.
Happy Mar10 Day! Now go forth and stomp some Goombas—for funsies, of course.
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