March 10, also known as MAR10 Day, holds a special place in the hearts of Nintendo fans worldwide, celebrating the iconic Super Mario franchise. This date cleverly combines "MAR" for March and "10" for the tenth day, paying homage to the beloved mustached plumber.
The World's Most Famous Mustached Plumber Mario, a video game character created by Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo, first appeared in the 1981 game Donkey Kong as Jumpman, a carpenter rescuing Pauline from Donkey Kong's clutches. The success of this game propelled Mario to stardom, leading to the release of his own game, Super Mario Bros., in 1985 for the NES.
Phenomenal Success
Super Mario Bros. became one of the best-selling video games of all time, with over 40 million copies sold. The Super Mario franchise, boasting over 500 million units sold globally, remains one of the top-selling video game franchises.
Mario's influence extends beyond video games to movies, television, and various forms of media. He has inspired countless parodies and tributes, becoming an enduring symbol of innovation and entertainment in the gaming industry.
Mario's legacy spans generations, marking him as a gaming icon. He symbolizes innovation and entertainment, leaving an undeniable impact on the video game industry.
Chronology of Mario Games: A Journey Through the Ages
The Rise of a Legendary Hero
- 1981: Donkey Kong - Mario's debut as Jumpman, rescuing Pauline from Donkey Kong.
The 8-bit Era
- 1985: Super Mario Bros. - A revolutionary platformer that defined the genre and propelled Mario to global stardom.
- 1988: Super Mario Bros. 2 (The Lost Levels) - A challenging installment originally planned as the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros.
- 1988: Super Mario Bros. 3 - Mario's journey through eight worlds with new enemies and transformations.
- 1989: Super Mario Land - Mario's first portable adventure on the Game Boy.
The 16-bit Era
- 1990: Super Mario World - A colorful world introducing Yoshi and new power-ups.
- 1992: Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins - New portable adventures with Mario and loyal Yoshi.
The 3D Era
- 1996: Super Mario 64 - Mario's groundbreaking 3D adventure.
- 2000: Mario Party - A festive board game featuring Mario characters.
- 2002: Super Mario Sunshine - Mario's tropical island escapade to save Peach.
- 2006: New Super Mario Bros. - A 2D return with modern graphics.
The Handheld Console Era
- 2006: Super Mario Galaxy - A cosmic adventure across different galaxies.
- 2007: Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga - A unique RPG featuring Mario and Luigi.
- 2009: New Super Mario Bros. Wii - A cooperative 2D platformer.
- 2010: Super Mario Galaxy 2 - The sequel to Mario's galactic adventure.
The HD Era
- 2011: Super Mario 3D Land - A return to 3D platforming in a more accessible style.
- 2012: New Super Mario Bros. 2 - A new 2D game with new power-ups and Coin Rush mode.
- 2012: New Super Mario Bros. U - A 2D platformer playable by up to five players.
- 2013: Super Mario 3D World - A cooperative 3D platformer.
The Hybrid Era
- 2017: Super Mario Odyssey - An adventure across different kingdoms using Cappy's cap.
- 2019: Super Mario Maker 2 - A comprehensive level creation tool.
- 2020: Super Mario 3D All-Stars - A collection of remastered 3D games: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy.
- 2023: Super Mario Bros. Wonder - A new 2D platformer announced for 2023.
Origin and Evolution of MAR10 Day
The exact origin of MAR10 Day remains uncertain, with fans speculating its beginnings around 2015-2016. Quickly gaining popularity on social media, Nintendo officially recognized MAR10 Day in 2017, organizing special events and promotions on Mario games. Since then, fans worldwide celebrate this day with increasing enthusiasm each year.
MAR10 Day provides Mario enthusiasts an opportunity to come together and celebrate their passion for the franchise. Events like video game tournaments, costume parties, exhibitions, and creative workshops take place globally. Fans also share their Mario-related memories and creations on social media, showcasing artworks, cosplays, musical remixes, fan fiction, and other original content.
Mario's Impact on the Video Game Industry
The Super Mario franchise stands as one of the most popular and influential in video game history. Mario has left an indelible mark on gamers and played a crucial role in Nintendo's rise as a global leader in interactive entertainment. MAR10 Day serves as a tribute to this iconic character and the captivating universe he helped create, allowing fans to celebrate their passion and share memories with the global Nintendo community.
Save Big on Nintendo Games This Mario Day
To honor everyone's favorite plumber, fantastic deals are available on some of the best Mario games for the Nintendo Switch. Dive into the savings!
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Eclipse your enemies and save big! Walmart offers this popular title for $48 (save $12!), while Amazon lists it at $50.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Race against friends and family for less! Best Buy offers a massive $20 discount, bringing the price down to just $40. Prefer a physical copy? Walmart has it for $48. For the ultimate Mario Kart experience, Amazon offers the game bundled with the Booster Course Pack for a special price of $65 (save 24%!).
- Super Mario RPG: Add this RPG classic to your collection for only $45 at Walmart, a nice $15 discount to celebrate Mario Day.
- Super Mario 3D World & Bowser's Fury: Experience two exciting Mario adventures in one game! Both Amazon and Walmart offer a $10 discount, bringing the price down to $50.
- Super Mario Maker 2: Unleash your creativity and build your dream Mario levels for $45 at various retailers, thanks to a $15 Mario Day discount.
- Super Mario Party: Gather your friends, and let the party begin! Best Buy offers this game for only $52, a sweet $8 off the regular price.
- Mario Golf: Super Rush: Kick off Mario Day with this fun golf game! While the discount is only $2, bringing the price to $58, it's a great way to celebrate the event with friends.
- Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope: Team up with Mario and the Rabbids to save the galaxy at half price! Both Best Buy and Amazon have halved the price, offering the game for only $20.
- Luigi's Mansion 3: Mario isn't the only one in the spotlight! Help Luigi capture spooky ghosts at a reduced price. Amazon offers a 15% discount, bringing the price to $51. But the real deal is at Walmart, where you can get the game for only $40 (save $20!).
These offers won't last forever, so put on your overalls and get ready to seriously save on these fantastic Mario games!
Happy Mario Day
