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Who knew that a little Italian plumber with a voluminous mustache could make such an impact on the video gaming world? He seems an unlikely hero — and yet, Mario has become quite the cultural icon. His first appearance was way back in 1981 as a minor character in Donkey Kong. Mario’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, didn’t expect him to gain any sort of popularity and at first gave him the impersonal moniker “Jumpman.”
But as fate would have it, the U.S. Nintendo offices were late on their rent one month, and as they sat brainstorming a stronger name for Jumpman, they were interrupted by their displeased landlord demanding payment. His name was — you guessed it — Mario Segale. Inspiration can come from anywhere, right?
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These days Mario is an instantly recognizable character, and the Mario Bros. games are one of the top-selling gaming franchises in the history of … well, ever. Not to mention his presence on nearly every type of merchandise you can imagine. As of 2024, the worth of his franchise reached an estimated $55 billion. That’s a lot of revenue for a plumber!
As parents, we know that Mario hits the “sweet spot.” The games in the Mario Bros. franchise are kid-friendly, yet enjoyable for adults too, and they’re a fun way to bond without worrying about inappropriate content. Plus, not much rivals the satisfaction of lapping your kid in a game of Mario Kart … if you know, you know.
To celebrate this much-loved character, fans created Mario Day — on March 10th, appropriately, since Mar10 looks like “Mario.” And though it wasn’t created by Nintendo, the company (and the retailers who sell its products) wholeheartedly embraced the festivities starting in 2016, and have leaned into it by offering some amazing sales. Keep clicking for some of the best Mario Day deals on Nintendo Switch games and accessories that we’ve found so far.
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie – Mushroom Kingdom Castle Playset
Image Credit: Amazon/Super Mario Bros. Movie Run don’t walk to this limited-time Mario Day deal. The Mushroom Kingdom Castle Playset based on the recent movie is nearly 30 percent off on Amazon.
Mushroom Kingdom Castle Playset$22 $29.99 27% Off
on Amazon.com
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Little Buddy Super Mario All Star Collection Mario Stuffed Plush
Image Credit: Little Buddy Who can resist a plushie of everyone’s favorite plumber? At just 15 bucks, this one is more than 25 percent off for Mario Day.
Little Buddy Super Mario All Star Collection Mario Stuffed Plush$15 $19.99 25% Off
on Amazon.com
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Epoch Games Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape!
Image Credit: Epoch Games One of your favorite Super Mario Bros. games is now available in an IRL tabletop version. And (you guessed it!) it’s on sale for this festive day.
Epoch Games Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape!$19 $19.99 5% Off
on Amazon.com
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PowerA Enhanced Nintendo Switch Controller Wired
Image Credit: PowerA We love the look of this “Mario Vintage” controller from PowerA! It comes with a 10-foot cable and its intuitive button layout feels natural for those of us who may have grown up with … a slightly older model of gaming system. Wink wink!
PowerA Enhanced Nintendo Switch Controller Wired$21
on Amazon.com
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Super Mario St. Patty’s Lucky Charm Mushroom Graphic T-Shirt
Image Credit: Amazon Looking to kill two birds with one stone? You can celebrate Mario Day and St. Patrick’s Day (following closely behind!) with this lucky charm mushroom shirt that has just enough green to be pinch-proof while still being subtle enough to wear year-round. (And yes, it’s on sale.)
Super Mario St. Patty’s Lucky Charm Mushroom Graphic T-Shirt$20
on Amazon.com
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Luigi’s Mansion 3 – Nintendo Switch Digital Code
Image Credit: Nintendo This Mario Day deal is all about Luigi! After all, what would Mario be without his brother? Team up with the all-green “Gooigi” to help Luigi navigate through tricky obstacles in this haunted mansion! And with the digital code, you snag extra savings.
Luigi’s Mansion 3 – Nintendo Switch Digital Code$50
on Amazon.com
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LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course Set
Image Credit: LEGO Have a Mario fan who’s also a LEGO aficionado? We’re obsessed with this interactive buildable course. The Mario figure has color sensors and displays over 100 different reactions to movements. It has more than 26 thousand rave reviews and is currently 20 percent off. Say less!
LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course Set$57 $59.99 5% Off
on Amazon.com
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Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit — Nintendo Switch
Image Credit: Nintendo This version of Mario Kart lets you turn your own home into a track! You’ll see it in real time on your Nintendo Switch or TV screen as you compete with other racers and get power-ups that give you a speed boost. But watch out for those red turtle shells! (Psst … it’s on sale right now!)
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit$135 $142.94 6% Off
on Amazon.com
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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Image Credit: Nintendo Arguably the best version of the game, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is fun for up to four players. And its new Smart Steering feature makes staying on the track easier (so there are fewer meltdowns when you’re playing with little kids!).
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe$52
on Amazon.com
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Mario Party Superstars
And, of course, how could you not grab Mario Party Superstars for the little superstar(s) in your life when it’s marked way down for Mario Day?
Mario Party Superstars$51 $59.99 15% Off
on Amazon.com