Mario Day

Mario Day History

Mario Day celebrates the protagonist of the popular video game series, Mario. The occasion, epitomizing nostalgia for many fans, recognizes not just the iconic Italian plumber but also the broader impact of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and subsequent franchise on the American gaming culture.

The holiday takes its name from the clever play on the calendar date; “MAR10” or March 10th, when stylized, appears similar to the character’s name, Mario. The observance does not have roots in any known historic or traditional events but has been adopted by video game enthusiasts and promulgated by the Nintendo Company, the creators of the character. Emerging from the primordial gaming culture, Mario Day adopted an annual cadence in 2016 with major gaming communities and Nintendo joining in the celebration.

On Mario Day, practitioners engage in various activities such as holding Mario-themed events, participating in online gaming marathons, wearing Mario-themed clothing, or simply reminiscing on the games that defined a generation. The Internet is flooded with tributes in the form of fan art, memes, and forum discussions. Retailers, too, jump on the bandwagon, offering discounts on Mario-themed merchandise. This joyous festivity takes place every year on March 10th.

Top 8 Facts for Mario Day in 2026

• In anticipation of Mario Day 2026, the following facts highlight the major events and releases surrounding the upcoming observance:
  
  The most significant event following the holiday is the theatrical release of a new animated film from Nintendo and Illumination, currently scheduled to debut in the United States and other markets on April 3, 2026.
• Universal Studios Japan will launch a special 5th-anniversary celebration for Super Nintendo World on March 18, 2026, featuring an exclusive lineup of "invincible" themed decorations and new collaboration merchandise.
• Collectors are closely monitoring reports of a major 18+ LEGO Super Mario set, identified by set number 72050, which is rumored to be a large-scale display model launching in the spring of 2026.
• Much of the focus for the upcoming holiday centers on the recently launched successor to the Nintendo Switch, with significant interest in the enhanced version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder and its new Meetup in Bellabel Park content.
• Fans are expecting further reveals for the LEGO Mario Kart line, specifically a set featuring Luigi and the Mach 8 vehicle, which is anticipated to expand the interactive brick-building theme.
• The official Mar10 Day broadcast from Nintendo often serves as the primary platform for announcing surprise additions to the Game Boy and Nintendo 64 libraries available through the Nintendo Switch Online service.
• Producers of the upcoming film have confirmed that the directing duo from The Super Mario Bros. Movie has returned to "broaden the world" of the Mushroom Kingdom with a story that may feature the long-awaited debut of Yoshi.
• Promotional events for the holiday typically include substantial discounts on major titles such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario Odyssey across the eShop and various retail partners.

In the News and Trending for Mario Day

Top things to do for Mario Day

• Browse the official Mario Nintendo site to explore all things Mario.
• Play Mario games. You can play classics like Super Mario Bros. or more recent additions like Paper Mario: The Origami King.
• Watch the 1993 Super Mario Bros movie. It is the first feature length live-action film based on a video game.