Mario - News
April2018
News Mario's Stretchy Face In Mario 64 Started Out As An Experiment With Ping Pong Balls
Meet the man behind THAT face
Eurogamer recently conducted an interview with Giles Goddard, one of the few foreign programmers who worked at Nintendo HQ in Kyoto in the 1990s, the man who also happened to create the famous interactive face that introduced the world to Super Mario 64. You know, that major turning point in gaming history. Goddard,...
News The Creator Of Seaman Worked On A DS Title Called Mario Motors
He also provided the inspiration for StreetPass
Yutaka "Yoot" Saito is one of Japan's most unique game designers, having creating titles such as Seaman and Odama. Over the years he has enjoyed a close relationship with Nintendo, and was on very friendly terms with the late Satoru Iwata. Speaking at Reboot Develop 2018, Saito revealed...
Feature The 26 Best Nintendo Game Boy Games Of All Time
Limited to four colours per cartridge
Every system has its gems, but the original Game Boy was something else. Despite some weak hardware compared to its rivals at the time, it managed to dominate the handheld market and last for years longer than it arguably had any right to, largely thanks to a certain yellow electric mouse. So today we're going...
March2018
Video Don't Cry Over these Top Ten Worst Mario Games
Not every game can be a winner
With over 100 games under his proverbial belt, it'd be foolish to assume that every title Mario's appeared in is an absolute winner. Edutainment title for DOS, dodgy licensed CD-based games, it's madness to think there couldn't possibly be ten Mario games worth shoving in a list to mock and lose hope over. That's why...
Video Try to Remember these Top Ten Forgotten Mario Characters
Can't do Mushbert-er than these
Mario's had a lot of friends. So many in fact that you'd be pushed to remember every single one of them, and even then there's probably one or two you've just never even heard of. That's why we've teamed up with the excellent rabbidluigi so that we can collate the very finest of these Mario relics to put in front of...
News Nintendo Is Here To Remind You Mario Is Still A Plumber (In Case You Forgot)
To plumb, or not to plumb
Considering he spends most of his time leaping off skyscrapers, beating Bowser up for the umpteenth time and collecting his 999th Power Moon in Super Mario Odyssey, you wouldn't be the first person to forget Mario still has a day job. Yes, he's still a plumber. It's now official again, with Nintendo updating his bio on the...
Video See The Real-Life Mario Players Recording Super Mario Odyssey's 'Jump Up, Super Star'
Jump up, don't be scared
Whether it's a behind the scenes sneak peek or a director's commentary, there's nothing quite like learning how the sausages are made. Especially so when you're talking about a bona fide banger in the form of 'Jump Up, Super Star' the big band hit that plays as you finish up in Super Mario Odyssey's New Donk City. So here's...
February2018
Guide The Secrets to Making Millions in Luigi's Balloon World
It prints money!
Luigi's Balloon World is a very welcome addition to Super Mario Odyssey, and has helped bring us back to the game after our painful yet brief time away from it. It's also a very effective way to make an absolute killing in coins, as long as you know what you're doing. That's why we've shone a light on the secrets of the mini game...
Guide Mario's Very Own Encylopedia Will Leap Onto Book Shelves This October
But no Super Mario Odyssey...
Having scored a hat trick with its Zelda-themed reference books (Hyrule Historia, the Zelda Encyclopedia and Arts & Artifacts), Dark Horse Publishing is pinning its hopes on another Nintendo icon with a new guide on all things Mario-related. The Super Mario Encyclopedia will cover 30 years of the plumber's...
Video 9 Mario Games We Wish had Never Existed
Pesky plumber
Mario's been in countless fantastic games over the years, but to say our favourite portly plumber has a spotless record is an outright lie. Usually at the hands of another studio, Mario's been the figurehead of some truly awful video games over the years. That doesn't mean they can't be enjoyed for what they are, of course, but...
Soapbox The Super Mario Movie Might Not Be All That Great
“The perfect mix of terrible”
Mario had a film before, and it wasn't exactly stellar, and so when the news was confirmed this morning that Nintendo is partnering up with the studio responsible for such products as Minions and The Secret Life Of Pets, it was hard for me to contain my scepticism and frustration. I can't personally see how a film...
January2018
Video West Ham United Fans Welcome New Player João Mario With Open 8-Bit Arms
The Portuguese playmaker gets a really unusual tribute
When a Premier League side signs a new player - especially one as capped and experienced as Portuguese midfielder João Mario - fans often find unusual ways to welcome the new footballing talent. And when that player happens to share a name with a certain mustachioed plumber, well you can...
Video This Make-A-Wish Mario-Themed Playground Will Brighten Up Your Day
You might shed a tear or two as well
Okay, you might need a tissue for this one. The Make-A-Wish Northeastern California and Northern Nevada - a regional wing of the US-based charity that provides unique and memorable experiences for children with life-threatening conditions - was able to grant the wish of one brave, local boy who asked: "I wish to...
Soapbox Is Super Mario Odyssey the Best Mario Game Ever?
Number 7 will surprise you
If the general reaction is anything to go by, Super Mario Odyssey is one seriously lovely game, and we're not sure we know anyone we trust who would dispute that. But is it the best Mario game ever? It's a controversial issue as everyone's favourite red plumber already has some of the finest games ever created under his...
News GoldenEye 007 With Mario Characters Is The Crossover We Never Knew We Wanted
It's-a-me, a-Bond!
Official development for Nintendo 64 may have ended over 15 years ago, but that hasn't stopped the impassioned modding community from keeping its library of memorable 64-bit hits alive with new updates and improvements. Rare's influential shooter, GoldenEye 007, remains a huge fan favourite, so of course one talented user has...
News Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Started Out As A Paper-Based Prototype
And the original pitch to Nintendo was completed in less than a month
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle continues to astound us with its depth and seemingly effortless splicing of Mario, some imbalanced French rabbits and turn-based strategy, but did you know the the very first prototype was paper-based and involved dice, rulers and action figures? In...
News The Race To Get Mario Naked Heats Up In New Super Mario Odyssey Speedrun Record
Naked ambition
Super Mario Odyssey has become the toast of the speedrun community, but not every time-minded player has the game's final credits in mind. Some are all about a bit of skin - Mario's skin, that is. Turns out being the fastest player to unlock his rather fetching red shorts (which require you to reach the game's third world, the Sand...
Soapbox Let 2018 Be The Year The Third-Party Exclusive Takes Over On Nintendo Switch
Just without the soulless cash-ins we saw in the Wii era
Soapbox features enable our individual writers to voice their own opinions on hot topics, opinions that may not necessarily be the voice of the site. In this piece, editor Dom explores the gap in Nintendo's software library and how a the need to develop third-party exclusives will only make...
News New Story DLC Is Coming To Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle This June
Well, in Japan, at least
While Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle proved an unexpected fusion hit here in the West in 2017, the mashup of iconic plumber and Ubisoft mascots has yet to make its debut in Japan and the rest of Asia. With a release date tentatively set for 2018, one eagle eyed site has noticed the game may be getting some extra DLC in the...
December2017
Soapbox A Super Mario Odyssey Sequel or DLC is All But Guaranteed
Come on, we're all thinking it
Super Mario Odyssey is a hit, no one can deny that. Universal critical acclaim, a huge amount of social media presence thanks to the photo feature, and yet it feels like Nintendo has only scratched the surface of what could be done with this game's mechanics. In my view, a sequel or DLC is pretty much a given, and I...
November2017
Video Gawk At these Incredible Jumping Feats in Super Mario Odyssey
Now we've all had time to play around with Super Mario Odyssey's moveset, we thought it was about time we gathered some of the ludicrous things you lovely people have been doing with it. Using the hashtag #MarioMegaJump on Twitter we've been inundated by you all with exceptional feats of Mario marvellousness, and it's all been distilled into the...
Community We Need Your Very Best Speedrun-Style Jumps from Super Mario Odyssey
Get featured in an upcoming compilation
To say Super Mario Odyssey gives you freedom of movement is quite the understatement, as no doubt anyone who's played the game can attest. We love them so much that we're looking to you for the absolute best jumps possible, be they high, long, or just extremely complex and satisfying. We'll be featuring the...
Anniversary It's Been 10 Years Since Super Mario Galaxy Landed On The Wii
But do you prefer it to Super Mario Odyssey?
Time flies when you're having fun, and we're certainly having a lot of fun with the recently released Super Mario Odyssey on Switch. Of course, it is unlikely that we would have had the delights of Odyssey without the groundwork laid out before in Super Mario Galaxy which - funnily enough -...
Video Adorable Super Mario Odyssey Easter Egg Plays Catchy Tunes Like a Music Box
Globetrotting
It's no secret that we absolutely love Super Mario Odyssey, and one of the things we love most is just how many teeny-tiny details can be found throughout, whatever their form. One of these is what could be classified as an easter egg that occurs when you jump repeatedly on the Odyssey's globe. Doing so will play a music box version...
October2017
Video 11 Reviews for Super Mario Odyssey that Are So Bad They're Good
Freshly shipped from Salt Pile Island
As with many major releases that boast almost universal critical acclaim, Super Mario Odyssey has been prone to attack online from gamers who by all accounts quite possibly haven't even played it. This isn't even the first example on the Switch either, earlier in the year we found another 11 such reviews for The...
Video Watch Jimmy Fallon Play Super Mario Odyssey On The Nintendo Switch
This man really loves Mario
It’s been well publicised how the current host of The Tonight Show is a big fan of Nintendo. Every year E3 rolls around, Jimmy Fallon often gets Reggie and his crew on so he can try out the latest Nintendo systems and games. We have also heard stories in the past about how he missed out on a chance to date the...
Video We Unbox The Super Mario Odyssey Switch Bundle With A Little Help From Cappy
You can win some amiibo signed by a special guest, too!
If there's one thing Mario's known for, it's jumping. If there's one thing Mario's dress sense is known for, it's red. That's no doubt the logic Nintendo had when creating the special Super Mario Odyssey Nintendo Switch bundle, and Nintendo UK was even kind enough to send one over to us so we...
News Miyamoto on Bringing Back the “Old” Style of Mario, Exploring New Art Styles
"We’re at almost like a turning point"
With Super Mario Odyssey due to come out in just a matter of hours, fans are quite eager to see what Nintendo’s modern interpretation of the old 3D Mario formula will look like. The 2D Mario games, on the other hand, are a bit of a mystery. It seems like Nintendo is done with the divisive “New”...
Video Here's the Full 'Just Mario' Song in Just Dance 2018
Do the Mario!
Some observant readers will have seen, in our recent 'Out Today' post, that we were both amused and baffled by the 'Just Mario' song that's found in Just Dance 2018. Ubisoft's trailer for the routine certainly caught our eye, in any case. If you want to know just how Mario dances when trying to impress Princess Peach, Nint
September2017
Review Arcade Archives Mario Bros.
Sibling rivalry
While we Switch owners continue to cross our arms and stamp our feet as we wait impatiently for the merest sniff of news regarding a Virtual Console service, it’s worth noting that Nintendo has given the nod for something that could be of greater importance to those with a keen interest in the company’s past. Hamster...
Video Gawk at All 25 of the Super Mario Odyssey Outfits Revealed So Far
More than a stitch to wear
Super Mario Odyssey gives you the option of dressing up Mario in a number of outfits, as no doubt you know. Some are brand new, and some call back to previous titles in which Mario has appeared, but all of them look extremely snazzy. We've compiled all 25 of the currently revealed outfits in the handy-dandy video above,...
Video Hands On in Super Mario Odyssey's Shiny New Kingdoms
Super Meat Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is one hotly anticipated game, there's no denying it, and now we can finally share with you some seriously saucy gameplay. We've got a triplicate of videos for you to enjoy, ranging from grabbing Power Moons to hunting down bosses and gliding effortlessly through the air with the help of a charming new NPC...
Review It's All Business As We Play Monopoly Gamer
Monopoly meets Mario Party
A few months ago Hasbro and Nintendo announced a brand-new board game: Monopoly Gamer. After a first glance of the packaging we instantly thought it’d be yet another skinned Monopoly board. However, after watching a video of how the game works it's easy to be sold on the idea. Monopoly Gamer isn’t just a Super...
Video Super Mario Odyssey Seems to Have at Least 600 Power Moons to Collect
More than 64, Sunshine, Galaxy, & Galaxy 2 combined
We always knew Super Mario Odyssey was going to be a big game, what with its numerous kingdoms and all that good stuff, but until the most recent Nintendo Direct we didn't know just how big. At one point during the presentation it could be seen that one of the many worlds you'll get to...
Weirdness People Just Can't Stop Talking About Mario's Nipples
Mascot's bare chest overshadows Mario Odyssey
Nintendo showed off some incredible footage from Super Mario Odyssey during yesterday's Direct broadcast, but the quality of the game isn't what has people talking today. Instead, the internet simply cannot get enough of Mario's nips. During the footage, a shirtless Mario was shown dashing through a...
News Scan amiibo In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga And Stamp Some Sheets
Grab a Goomba
We're rather looking forward to Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, due on 3DS on 6th October, as it's another chance to play a much-loved game. This remake of the Game Boy Advance classic is shaping up to be yet another great game for Nintendo's veteran handheld. While the game was first revealed at E3, we got...
Random Apparently Mario Moved On From Being a Plumber "A Long Time Ago"
Now he guns down Rabbids instead
A bit like the time when Nintendo told us that Yoshi is not a dinosaur, only to be disproved by its own resources, the company is happy to play fast and loose with 'lore' around its more light-hearted characters. Why not, too, as there are bigger things to worry about. Still, in a fun / random occurrence, an updated...
August2017
Video Opening a Box of Mysteries from Ubisoft
Mystery & Rabbids
It's common knowledge that Ubisoft are the ones behind the ever-intriguing Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle on the Switch, so goodness only knows what could be inside a suspiciously blank box from their UK headquarters. Obviously we know, as we had to open it to record the video, but we wanted to keep it as much as a surprise...
July2017
Video Check Out this Tiny Yet Intriguing Donkey Kong Easter Egg in Super Mario Odyssey
Odyssey, odyssey!
Super Mario Odyssey is no doubt going to be absolutely rife with easter eggs, that's part and parcel for a mainline Mario game, but one particularly observant Reddit user by the name of seanmacproductions has discovered one in the game's supposed theme Jump Up, Super Star!, sung by series veteran Pauline. A short series of...
Deals Be Quick And Grab The New Metroid And Super Mario Odyssey amiibo
Don't let the scalpers get them all
During E3 this year we got to see a lot more of Super Mario Odyssey and Metroid: Samus Returns for 3DS was revealed too. While these games both look absolutely amazing to play, there are also a range of amiibo which will look great on your shelf and offer functionality within the games, too.
June2017
News Monopoly Gamer Brings a Mario Spin to the Classic Board Game
Boss fights, coins, and Power Packs
Earlier today we reported on an apparent World Premiere of a new Hasbro / Nintendo game being hosted by TheJWittz later today. Well, it won't be the Premiere any more, as a press release has rolled out and Kotaku has posted details on the game for us all - it's Monopoly Gamer, with a Mario theme. Though it is...
News Super Mario Odyssey Features 2D Wall-Merging Gameplay, Like A Zelda We Could Mention
A Mario between worlds?
It's been revealed that Super Mario Odyssey will be released on 27th October in Nintendo's E3 presentation today and we got to see a lot more of the game, including the Cappy the hat's ability to possess other characters. One newly revealed gameplay mechanic which caught our eye was the ability for Mario to merge into a...
News Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Unveiled by Ubisoft at E3 2017
Exploration, turn-based strategy at the core of the experience
It's been the worst-kept secret in quite some time, but Ubisoft finally formally lifted the lid on Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle during its E3 press conference. The previous extensive leaks were, as expected, on the money - Ubisoft has no doubt been hunting moles for a number of weeks...
News Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Listing Pops Up on Walmart Ahead of E3 Press Conference
Well of course...
If Ubisoft has any self awareness. a prospective reveal of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle will be accompanied by self-deprecating remarks around the company's inability to keep secrets. With the Ubisoft Press Conference around the corner a listing has popped up on Walmart for a 'Day 1 Edition'. You can see a screengrab below, with...
Video Learn About the Rabbids & Mario Crossover That Didn't Make it to Wii
Ubisoft has been keen for a while
Ubisoft is a successful company, and like all money-spinning corporations is always looking out for potential opportunities to produce hit games. There are irrepressible rumours / leaks of Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle for Nintendo Switch, so it's only natural to wonder about past attempts to bring the franchises...
May2017
News A Lost Super Mario Anime Has Been Found and Shown Off in Japan
Super Mario: The Lost Lessons
With the popularity of the Super Mario series you'd think that, with all of the licensing Nintendo has done over 30+ years, some items will have gone missing. One of these was a short educational film in Japan called “Super Mario’s Traffic Safety”, also known as “Super Mario no Koutsuu Anzen” in Japanese...
News Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Has Been Rated in Brazil
What a mystery this is
Perhaps one of the worst kept secrets in the industry right now is the existence of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, an upcoming crossover RPG which has been known in one way or another for months now. After a recent leak which showed off a bunch of official artwork for the game, its existence is in little doubt, though...
Rumour Artwork for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Posted Online
The horror
It's one of the oldest rumours around upcoming Nintendo Switch games, and now it seems some art is doing the rounds. We're referring to a game reportedly called Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, a title that to we're led to believe is real and set for this year. The following fuzzy image was initially doing the rounds. For those that...
April2017
Rumour Super Mario/Rabbids Crossover Still in Works for Nintendo Switch
Expected for an E3 announcement?
Remember before the Switch launched and there were rumours of Ubisoft releasing a Mario/Rabbids crossover for the system? Well its surfaced again from known Nintendo leaker Emily Rogers, who has given more details on the supposed 2017 game. In her latest blog post, she responds to a reader question about the...
Video Let's See How Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch Compares to the Wii U Original
360 progressive difference
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may not be a wholly new game, or really that much different from its original Wii U version at all, but nevertheless we were promised a solid 1080p 60fps experience from this souped-up version of Mario Kart 8, so we've pitted the two releases side-by-side in the video above. Naturally YouTube does an...
News Florida Officials Ban Inflatable Mario And Maybe Even Freedom of Speech
Will the lawsuit turn out to be full of hot air?
You'd have thought a innocent 9-foot inflatable Mario wouldn't offend anyone, but city officials in Orange Park, Florida have taken umbrage with the one that Scott Fisher, owner of Gone Broke Gaming erected outside his business to help increase the store's visibility and bring in more customers. The...
January2017
Soapbox The Switch Presentation Was Good, but Not Perfect
Generally good though
So by now we're assuming you've all seen the absolutely monstrous amount of Switch info we the public have been privy to, but it's just not complete without having someone's face tell you their own opinions about what happened. If that sounds like your sort of thing for whatever reason, make sure you check out the video above...
Video These Five Titles Would Be Perfect on the Switch
S'which ones do you want?
Everyone's got a games wish list for the Nintendo Switch, and this video boffin is no exception. Make sure you check out the video just up there so see just a few of what series should be coming to the Switch. If you're appropriately inclined, we'd also love to hear what you've got to say on the matter in the comments...
Video Let's See These McDonald's Happy Meal Mario Toys in Action
Featuring you-know-who
Once again McDonald's and Nintendo have joined forces in the UK to bring Super Mario to the fast food giant's range of boxed meals for children. So we saddled up our green dinosaurs and rode over to our local establishment to see these things for ourselves. Make sure you check out the video above, which is sort of the whole...
December2016
Video Watch Us Compare Super Mario Run's "Battery Saving" Graphics Options
Who ordered the choppy framerate?
Burrowed away in the options menu of Super Mario Run you can find a pair of options that claim they can save you battery power by lowering the graphical performance that the game attempts to pump out. Casual players may not notice an enormous difference at first but for any frame rate-savvy individual out there the...
November2016
Book Review Super Mario Adventures
A wonderfully bizarre tour of the Mushroom Kingdom
He's undoubtedly one of the most recognisable faces ever to grace the box art of a video game, but aside from his blue-collar occupation and a dislike for turtles, fans in the early '90s didn't know a whole lot about Super Mario himself. Beyond the pixels onscreen and information found buried within...
October2016
Random This Charming Advert for the Boo amiibo Shows That Mario's Emails Must Be Nonsensical
Take off the gloves Mario, you nutter
Fashionably late to the party as ever, Mario Party: Star Rush doesn't arrive in North America until 4th November, and with it will come the new entries in the Super Mario amiibo range. One of the most anticipated is the glow-in-the-dark Boo, which ideally would have been out this week in time for a certain...
September2016
Random Mario Is Younger Than His Mighty Moustache Suggests
Miyamoto says he's in his mid 20s
Here's a fun fact for a Friday morning. Mario is apparently in his mid 20s, more precisely just "24 or 25" years old according to none other than Shigeru Miyamoto in a newly unearthed Japanese interview from 2005. According to the interview, although Mario has evolved in lots of ways over the years since his...
News Sonic Developers Discuss How Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Came About
Two worlds colliding
The rivalry between Sega and Nintendo back in the day was the stuff of legends; there arguably has never been a more heated competition between two game companies since. After Nintendo's near monopoly on video games in the NES days, Sega's Genesis console represented a tectonic shift and proved that there was room for other...
August2016
Feature A Close Look at New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World
Taking a unique Mario game for a spin
Think you've played every Mario game out there? There may be just one that's off your radar and you may have missed, but now you can take a look at it in detail. New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World was a special arcade collaboration between Nintendo and Capcom from back in 2011. With a name like New Super Mario...
Video These Five Mario Games Were Never Really Mario Games
A Link to the Farce
Companies will often use a mascot to sell a mostly unrelated product, whether it be a tin of SpaghettiOs or otherwise, it's an expected move by big brands. Video games are no exception to the rule, and more times than we'd like we've been tantalised by the Mario name only for the portly plumber of Nintendo fame to not be the...
News Puns and Timing Pinpointed As Reasons for a Pokémon Absence in Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony
Mario won his place in the spotlight
Just recently Mario starred alongside iconic parts of Japanese culture (including Pac-Man, Doraemon and more) in a flashy presentation video at the Rio 2016 Olympics closing ceremony. It was part of the handover to Tokyo, which is hosting the 2020 games, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emerged from a pipe...
Talking Point Mario's Cameo in Rio Showcases Nintendo's Enduring Brand Power
A much needed reminder of the big N's ongoing popularity
Sports fans have no doubt spent decent chunks of the past two weeks tuning into various events from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. For many observers sports like Synchronised Diving, Handball and Taekwondo are only particularly interesting once every four years, as dedicated athletes have their...
News Mario Makes an Appearance in the Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony
Mario & Shinzo Abe at the Olympic Games
This weekend, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games came to their conclusion, marking the end of another successful year for the international sporting event. Though the Winter Olympics will be taking place in South Korea next, the 2020 Summer Olympics will be taking place in Japan. To acknowledge this, the closing...
Video These Top Five Secret Mario Levels Were Worth Searching For
Is it-a me, Mario you're looking for?
The Super Mario series like so many others is brimming with secrets, some of them interesting, some of them not so much, but we're sure few would argue the best secrets take the form of complete levels for you to play. That's why we've thrown together what may well be the top five secret levels from the entire...
Video Exploring The Funky Inspiration for the Super Mario Bros. Underground Theme
Time to dig out a record from 1979
The music in Super Mario Bros. is just about as iconic as it gets in gaming, with gamers of various ages and types familiar with the soundtrack. The underground theme is one of the most well-known, with a funky bass beat kicking it off. Our buddies from The Centre for Computing History in Cambridge (England)...
July2016
Random Speedrunner Sets New World Record For Blindfolded Run of Super Mario World
Of course that's a thing
Speedrunning is an impressive feat in and of itself. Gamers spend countless hours of their lives memorizing games' structure and design to the point that they understand nearly every bump, crack, and crevice, all in order to beat the game as fast as humanly possible. Very few are capable of competing with the very best in...
News SGDQ Speedrunner's 3DS Dies During Live Run of New Super Mario Bros 2.
"That is really not good... um… huh...."
Many of you have no doubt been tuning in to the Summer Games Done Quick event, a weeklong twitch stream featuring some of the fastest gamers in the world as they blast through popular games. All proceeds from the event are donated to a chosen cause -- Doctors Without Borders, this year -- and the runs are...
June2016
Review Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Taking home the bronze
Although carnivale looms neon bright on the horizon, the party may already be winding down for Sonic and Mario. From snowy peaks to sandy shores, these former rivals are back for another collection of sporting mini-games in celebration of the Rio 2016 Olympics, and while they won't have to deal with the political turmoil or...
Nintendo Life Weekly Zelda Wins E3 2016, Pokémon GO! Plus Accessory Price Revealed, and More
A breath of fresh air
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was just one of the standouts of this E3, and we can't blame you for not catching everything that happened. As always, we've crammed a whole week's worth of gubbins into a single video so you can catch up nice and easily. This week we naturally round up the cream of E3, but due to format...
Going for a slam dunk
From his first venture into Karting through to competing in the Olympics, Mario has been spending plenty of time taking part in activities other than Princess saving. In 2007 (European release) Mario and his mates tried their hands at shooting a few hoops on Nintendo DS in Mario Slam Basketball (aka Mario Hoops 3-on-3 in the...
News This Freshly Translated Interview Sheds New Light on the Development of Super Mario Land 2
Bring back the Magic Carrot!
The Super Mario Land games on the GameBoy were always something of black sheep among the rest if the Super Mario canon. The games experimented with different themes and felt very weird for lack of a better word, but nonetheless were solid games within their own right. While the first game was a decidedly simple affair,...
May2016
Random Football Fans Recreate Some Wario Magic
Well, Wario playing like Mario...
Nintendo may be in the process of attempting to up its game in order to keep its characters and franchises at the forefront of the public's consciousness, but its iconic mascots and classic games are never far away in popular culture. From extravagant half time shows at American Football matches to cosplay at every...
Random We Take the Plunge with these Super Mario Swimming Shorts
Hard-wear review
Mario's been plastered over near enough everything in his time, and now the moustachioed mushroom menace can add swimming shorts to that ever-growing list. We decided it was worth slipping a pair on ourselves and taking to a marginally anticlimactic English waterfront to see how they fare. You can catch all the Baywatch-style...
Anniversary New Super Mario Bros. is Now a Decade Old
Forever 'New' thanks to clever (or not) branding
When you put 'New' in the name of something, it's inevitable that around a decade later someone will smarmily say "it's not new any more", and you just have to accept that putting an adjective like that in a name isn't a long term solution. Yet, when New Super Mario Bros. was released on DS it was...
Random Get Ready For The Summer With Nintendo-Themed Swimming Shorts
So hawt
Yes, it's a bit of a slow news day! So what better time to take a look at this range of newly launched, officially licensed swimming shorts from Merchoid? The three sets of Mario swimming shorts feature characters from the game, with one of them having a funky NES Remix style, while the Zelda swimming shorts feature the Hylian Crest and...
April2016
Parent Trap Mario & Sonic At The Rio 2016 Olympic Games Scores With Download Play
Andy Robertson builds up a sweat on the 3DS
For families it is often the games you least expect to be a big hit that get played more than any other. While I liked the look of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games I wasn't expecting it to turn into my family's go-to game this month. There are a few factors here that make it a great fit for...
March2016
Random Runner Injects Flappy Bird Code into Super Mario World
An interesting work of sacrilege
The ability to practically program code into Super Mario World through the use of glitches opens up all sorts of possibilities, some definitely more bizarre than others. Just look toward speedrunner and tinkerer Sethbling, who managed to turn Mario into a Flappy Bird clone. Sethbling injected the code using...
News Nintendo Seeks a Trademark for Mario Coin Sound
Going for gold
It's one of gaming's most iconic sounds, immediately recognisable to millions around the world. When Mario picks up a coin or bashes one out of a block there's a classic two-note jingle. You know the one. It's used very widely, but not just by Nintendo. It appears in pop culture in videos, podcasts and music, including our own...
Soapbox It's too Early to Judge Paper Mario: Color Splash
Is there a colour for disappointment?
Paper Mario: Color Splash has been grossly panned by many disappointed fans, and considering how mixed the response was to its predecessor Sticker Star, it's understandable that any hallmarks of that game would illicit this response. Nevertheless, this video maker feels it's far too early to be passing such...
Feature Nintendo Life's Favourite Mario Spin-Offs
The mascot's about more than platforming
This past week brought us Mario Day, or 'Mar10 Day' as Nintendo of America promotes it. Goofy campaign it may be, but it's nevertheless an excuse to celebrate the mascot and his many, many games. Having already extensively covered the series for its 30th Anniversary and having considered our favourites out...
Poll Which Is The Best Mario Spin-Off Series or Game?
There are so many...
Nintendo of America is keen for today to be 'Mar10 Day', a charming little spin on date conventions which doesn't have the same ring to it elsewhere - it's 10Mar day in the UK, for example, which isn't anywhere near as catchy. With a cute video to celebrate and some social media shenanigans afoot, it is at least an opportunity...
Video Today Is Officially Mar10 Day
Mario goes marching on
Today is Nintendo's equivalent to Star Wars' May 4th, in that March 10th marks the official day for its mascot, dubbed "Mar10 Day" (get it?
Video Take a Tour of Super Mario Maker's Key Update and All its New Features
The pun train keeps rolling
Super Mario Maker version 1.6 has arrived on all our Wii U systems, and what a delightful update it is. We decided it was so lovely that it was worth showcasing everything that's new this time around and what better way to do it than an unscripted video where the host stumbles over his words every nine seconds? Check out...
News Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Gets a Summer Release Date for Wii U
Nintendo shows off Sevens rugby, too
Mario and Sonic used to be arch enemies, but now they settle their differences in sporting competitions. Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is the next in this sports-crossover series, and will be hitting the Wii U on 24th June, following the closer arrival of the 3DS version. Footage showed off two...
February2016
Video Learning How Mario Teaches Us the Basics
PBS Game/Show continues its series
Last week we shared the first episode of a neat mini-series from the PBS Game/Show YouTube channel, which aims to break down and explain the secrets to the great design in Super Mario games. Episode 1 looked at 'hidden language', while episode two looks at the manga-inspired structure in these games. Those that...
Video Check Out This Amazing Blindfolded Completion of Super Mario Bros.
Three months of practice, cleared in less than 15 minutes
We've seen some hugely impressive speedruns and game clearance feats in recent times, whether it's beating games with unconventional controllers, clearing multiple games at once or setting record times. Blindfolded runs are also fantastic to watch, and Japanese YouTuber...
January2016
News Did You Know Gaming Explores Mario & Religion
As you might expect, it gets a bit out there
Did You Know Gaming has provided us with insight into a wide variety of topics throughout the Nintendo universe. Did we ever expect them to be juxtaposing Super Paper Mario with artistic depictions of ancient demons? No, but we suppose there's a first time for everything. This latest installment of the...
Video Watch as New Super Mario Bros. Wii Gets Pitted Side-by-Side with its Wii U Successor
HD-licious
New Super Mario Bros. Wii has joined its younger sibling New Super Mario Bros. U on the Wii U eShop in Europe. Many people jump to compare the two and believe them to be achingly similar, so in order to put this to the test once and for all we've put both games side-by-side in the video below. We chose to showcase levels that bore a...
Live Enjoy Nearly 12 Hours of Classic Mario and Legend of Zelda Gaming from Awesome Games Done Quick
Super Mario Bros.! Ocarina of Time! Super Mario Galaxy! More!
We're coming towards the end of Awesome Games Done Quick, which is a shame, but it's gearing up for a wonderful finale. The final 24 hours feature plenty of goodies, a number of which are Nintendo classics. This time around we have nearly 12 hours of classic Mario and Zelda gaming; this...
Live Jump Into the Donkey Kong and 2D Mario Block of Awesome Games Done Quick
Wahoo!
Awesome Games Done Quick is picking up momentum, with all of its participants, attendees and viewers now well into a solid week of gaming. We're been hosting some blocks from the broadcast that feature familiar and fondly regarded games on Nintendo hardware, just in case you're not on top of the schedule. This time around we have the Donkey...
December2015
News New Super Mario Bros. Wii Looks Set to Hit Europe on 7th January
Wahoo!
Though the Wii U Virtual Console is missing a few obvious platforms and release - ahem, GameCube - it has brought some goodies. One of the welcome additions has been Wii downloads; a number of excellent games have arrived, including some that are relatively hard to find or expensive in physical form. It's certainly had its successes in terms...
Talking Point Each Super Mario Maker Update Promises Much for the Future of the Franchise
Flying levels, helmets being vital to gameplay - the game has changed
The latest major Super Mario Maker update is live, being the second of its kind (outside of minor Mystery Costume additions) at the time of writing. The first notable update was, in some ways, focused on fixing perceived shortcomings of the launch code - it included stacked...
Nintendo Life Weekly The Last Smash Bros. DLC Fighters, Super Mario Galaxy on Wii U eShop and More
Week & feeble
The final Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct caused a stir amongst the fans, but just in case you're not as hot on these things as you'd like we've once more produced a compendium of the biggest news of the past week coupled with all the releases and reviews you'd expect from Nintendo Life Weekly. This week we look at the last Smash...
Video Check Out the Super Mario Bros. 3 Port That Never Was
What could've been...
For those of you that have been playing video games for several decades, you probably remember the glory days of id Software. Beginning its work on the PC, the studio is arguably responsible for the modern shooter genre, with games such as Quake, Wolfenstein, and Doom all being products to emerge from the studio. While shooters...
November2015
Review Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros.
This Mario mashup is a real jam
Though it came as a bit of a surprise, quietly tucked away into Nintendo's Digital Event during E3 earlier this year, fans of RPG silliness have been anticipating the crossover of a lifetime since the announcement of AlphaDream's latest adventure. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. (known simply as Mario & Luigi:...
Video Take a Look at This Super Mario Mod for Sonic Generations
Looks surprisingly polished
For those of you that aren't part of the PC gaming world, you may not be too familiar with mods. Basically free, fan-created DLC, mods can put an interesting spin and add significant value to the base game that they're made for. It's gotten to the extent that certain mods have become more popular than the game they've...
October2015
News Dry Bowser and Bowser Jr. will be in Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash
Now we just have to wait for Pink Gold Peach...
It's hard to believe that in just a few short weeks, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash will be gracing the consoles of Wii U owners in the West. It'll certainly be interesting to see how this one performs both critically and commercially, as many see it as a consolation prize that's trying to fill the gap...
News Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Launches on 4th December in Europe
Two worlds collide
Mario has had an interesting journey in the RPG genre. After an initial start in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the SNES, Mario went on to star in the Paper Mario franchise, which was something of a spiritual successor. Then, a little before the release of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, the Mario & Luigi...
News Takashi Tezuka on Mario's Success and His Hopes for the Future of the Character
"I think it all started with how the gameplay resonated with players."
It's no exaggeration to say that Super Mario has become a pop culture icon. The red-hatted plumber has appeared in dozens, if not hundreds, of games and has arguably become the unofficial face of gaming itself. If nothing else, he's been the star of the best-selling video game...
Mario - Features
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