Super Mario News
October2016
Video Someone Has Solved Super Mario 64's Impossible Coin Mystery
Striking gold
You might think we know everything there is to know about Super Mario 64, but that's not the case. The game continues to give up its secrets, and the latest involves a coin which is impossible to collect. The N64 classic actually has a handful of coins that cannot be obtained by the player, but the one in question - found in the huge...
News You're Not Dreaming, Mario Pikachu Is Officially A Thing Now
There's Luigi Pikachu, too
Super Mario and Pikachu are two of the most recognisable characters on the planet, but you know what's better than both of these individuals? Mario Pikachu, that's what. No, you're not dreaming. All of these images are real. Mario Pikachu isn't a figment of your addled imagination, strained from hours of watching Nintendo...
Rumour NX's September Reveal Was Delayed Because Console's Mario Game "Wasn't Running Perfectly"
Mamma mia!
Today's the day we actually find out what NX is, but it's been a long wait. Not so long ago there were rumours that Nintendo was due to show off the console in September, but that month came and went without a sniff of a reveal. Eurogamer's Tom Phillips - the man who broke some significant NX news back in July - has taken to Twitter to...
Video Remember Super Mario Bros. 2 With a Look at the Japanese KC Mario Manga Series
The Lost Levels of Super Mario’s Adventures
Later this week, VIZ Media will be reissuing the "Super Mario Adventures" comics collected from Nintendo Power in the early '90s. It'll be exciting to have a complete collection without having to track down each issue. It wasn't the only Mario comic series out there, however. From 1989 to 1998,...
News Nintendo Selects Release Brings 999% Boost to Super Mario 3D World Sales in the UK
Wahoo!
We all know that Nintendo Selects releases are popular, as (mostly) first-party games get a healthy discount to boost their evergreen credentials. Last week brought six new Selects games to Europe, including two eShop Selects, and in one notable case the discount had the desired effect. The UK top 40 doesn't have many Nintendo games, but...
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...
Weirdness Gummy Super Mario Maker Looks Like More Trouble Than It's Worth
Hey, at least it's in 3D
Nintendo's games tend to attract some pretty off-beat merchandise, especially in Japan. We've already seen Splatoon sweeties but now there's a Super Mario Maker Gummy kit - and as you would expect, it allows you to craft your own chewy sweets in the comfort of your own home. As you can see from the video above, the process...
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...
Video Take a Look at Paper Mario: Color Splash in All its Polychromatic Splendour
Infinite coins and an upside down world
Paper Mario: Color Splash may already be available for a few lucky customers in North America, but that doesn't mean there's not plenty to indulge your senses in should you not fall into the aforementioned category. We've been playing through this and have been picking out some fun sections for videos. Below...
News Merchoid’s Official Nintendo Beanies Will Keep Your Bonce Warm This November
If you want to get ahead, get a hat
Merchandise retailer Merchoid has revealed its new range of official Nintendo beanie hats, due for launch this November. The series includes Yoshi, Goomba, Red Mushroom, Green Mushroom, Question Mark Block, Donkey Kong, Bullet Bill, Boo, Princess Peach, Fire Flower, Monty Mole (of Mario World / Kart fame), Shy...
Weirdness Fans Think They've Found Mario And Luigi's Father
Just who is "SR"?
They may be entirely fictional characters but it's fair to assume that in Super Mario canon, the famous Italian siblings must have a father - but Nintendo has never really acknowledged the fact. Or has it? Reddit user l33tredrocket appears to have found evidence that Mario and Luigi's papa does indeed exist in some form - the form...
Video Learn a Little More About Super Mario World
Did You Know Gaming digs up some neat information
It's likely that many reading these pages know an awful lot about Super Mario World; after all, it's one of the standout and iconic games of the 16-bit era, and is often in the conversation when considering the best Super Mario games. In any case, it's always interesting to learn a little more about...
News Mario Sports Superstars Is A Collection Of Five Games In One
Arrives Spring 2017
Mario sports titles have been a staple of Nintendo gaming since the days of the NES. From Mario Golf to Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games in more recent times, these titles are known to provide fun for the whole family. It appears the house of Mario is raising the bar for this specific genre in Spring 2017, with the...
August2016
News Hot Wheels Rolling Out Fresh Range Of Super Mario Toys
Move fast to get these
Hot Wheels and Nintendo have worked together in the past to create some cool Super Mario-themed cars, and the pair are teaming up once more for a fresh line of toys. Mario, Luigi, Toad, Bowser and Peach are all getting fresh cars, and they all look pretty neat, as you can see. They're exclusive to Walmart in North America...
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 Super Mario 64 DS Heading to the North American Wii U Virtual Console This Week
Wahoo!
As is now the norm, Nintendo has updated its official website with one of the games that's coming in the North American Download Update - this time around it's Super Mario 64 DS on the Wii U Virtual Console. Regular NL tipster Ryan Millar got in touch earlier today to highlight an ESRB rating for this title, and sure enough its game page now...
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...
News Luxury Watchmaker Romain Jerome Shows Off Super Mario Watch At Mitsukoshi's Annual Watch Fair
Time to move
Nihombashi Mitsukoshi's Annual Watch Fair offers a platform for the world's best timepiece makers to show off their most outlandish or eye-catching creations, and this year is no exception. Now in its 19th year, the fair started yesterday and is host to seriously impressive examples of watchmaking, but for Nintendo fans Romain Jerome's...
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 (Wii U)
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...
News Cat Mario Figurine Coming To UK This Month, Costs A Lot Of Gold Coins
That's authentic polystone resin, that is
If you've got a spare £150 to burn and you fancy having a statue of portly Italian dressed in a catsuit sitting on your mantelpiece, then head over to the Official Nintendo UK Store and lay down some cash on the Cat Mario figurine, which arrives later this month. Based on the cat transformation seen in...
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...
E3 2016 New Kind Of Mario Game Is Coming, Says Shigeru Miyamoto
"Maybe next E3 we'll be able to share something"
Shigeru Miyamoto has hinted that a "new kind" of Super Mario title is on its way, and could even be shown off at next year's E3. Speaking to IGN, the legendary designer said: We're always challenging ourselves to create something new, so hopefully you'll see a new kind of Mario in about a year or...
E3 2016 Nintendo Unveils Seven New Super Mario Series amiibo, Including Waluigi
Daisy! Boo! More!
Nintendo has unveiled seven new amiibo figures in the Super Mario series, arriving on 4th November in North America - that's the same date as Mario Party Star Rush on 3DS. Of the seven new figures four are new poses for Wario, Rosalina, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong (these are coming earlier in Europe on 7th October). New arrivals...
Review Mario Hoops 3 on 3 (Wii U eShop / DS)
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 Super Mario Movie Director Talks Hopper Headaches And Wanting DeVito But Getting Hoskins
"We really thought we’d end up walking"
While the Super Mario Bros. movie has gone down as something of a cult classic with Nintendo fans, its production was troubled, reviews were uniformly terrible and it bombed at the box office. Director Rocky Morton had to deal with a shifting script, difficult actors and a studio which kept interfering, and...
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...
News Obscure Mario Bros. Famicom Disk System Game Gets Translated Into English
It's Kaettekita Mario Bros!
The Famicom Disk System (FDS for short) and its diskettes might have not set Japan ablaze as Nintendo had hoped they would but the system still managed to get a decent library of games, and was also responsible for the debut of both the Metroid and Zelda franchises. One unique title was Kaettekita Mario Bros.
News It Wasn't Nintendo's Idea To Mix Minecraft And Super Mario Together
"They actually came to us with what their vision was"
Some might claim that it's too little, too late, but Minecraft is available on Wii U and is getting some pretty amazing exclusive content, too. The Super Mario skin pack recently went live and is free to download for anyone who owns the game already. It's also going to be bundled with the...
Video Five Super Mario Secrets in Minecraft: Wii U Edition
Blocky brilliance
As you're likely well aware by now, Minecraft: Wii U Edition has some rather neat and exclusive content - The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack is up for grabs as a free update. It features all sorts of skins and features, along with an Adventure to take on, and certainly helps the Wii U version to stand out. It's not a phoned-in effort...
Reminder The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack is Live Now in Minecraft: Wii U Edition
It's-a-free, wahoo!
When Minecraft: Wii U Edition was revealed in late 2015 there was a promise of unique Nintendo content, so it's rather pleasing that it's arrived as a free update rather than paid DLC - The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. Even better is the fact that it should be available right now, according to Nintendo, and owners of the game only...
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...
Video A Look at Five of the Worst Mario Boss Fights
Alex picks some rather unimpressive encounters
It's widely agreed that the Super Mario games - in their various forms - are among the very best in the industry. Yet some parts of them are somewhat 'meh', nevertheless, even if they are relatively brief sections among far better gaming moments. Our video man Alex Olney reckons boss fights can be a...
April2016
Video Feast Your Eyes on these Five Cancelled Super Mario Games
Obligatory CD-i appearance included
Mario's been around for donkey's years and has starred in so many games it's almost worrying. It's no surprise then that there were a few games surrounding the portly plumber that never made it to retail shelves, and thanks to the internet we can now display them for you for your amusement. Check out the video...
Video The Super Mario Bros. Speedrun World Record Has Been Broken Again
A whole 387 milliseconds faster than the last one
The world of speedrunning is one that is endlessly fascinating. People spend hours at a time practicing movements until they're pixel perfect, all in an effort to shave fragments of a second off of the currently standing best time. Super Mario Bros. is a popular game for speedrunners to challenge,...
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...
News You'll Be Able To Dress Up As Mario And Peach In The Next Story Of Seasons Game
Crossing over
Famitsu has just revealed that Nintendo costumes will be included in the forthcoming Story of Seasons: Good Friends of Three Villages. The sequel - which hits Japan on June 23rd - is confirmed to contain Mario and Peach, and the preview in Famitsu suggests that Luigi and Toad outfits may also be available. The previous Story of...
March2016
Video See the Super Mario e-Reader Levels You Never Played in Super Mario Advance 4
33 'new' levels of delight
Super Mario Advance 4 was a common enough game back in the day, but one area of this game was elusive to all but a handful of individuals who were of the importing nature. Now with the release of the game on the Wii U Virtual Console these exclusive levels are now available for all to play. Check out our video below where...
Random Here's Every Level In Super Mario 3 Played Simultaneously
Because why not?
One of the biggest selling points of Super Mario Bros. 3 when it originally launched was its sheer size; compared to other platformers of the period, this was a seriously epic experience with a multitude of stages to discover - many of which required multiple playthroughs to find. YouTuber Viktor Bohush has decided to show off the...
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?!). Nintendo has acknowledged this by producing a video on its YouTube channel, so have a watch and let us know if you were charmed by it like this writer was. How will you spend Mar10...
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 PBS Game/Show Aims to Break Down the Design Genius of Super Mario
Starting with its 'hidden language'
Most of us instinctively know when we're playing a game with fantastic design - it feels right and works to our instincts to teach us how to play. Unsurprisingly the Super Mario series is often cited as a key example of game design that's simple to understand but with complexity underneath the surface. It's held...
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...
Random Oslo's City Hall Is Playing The Super Mario Bros. Theme
The bells! The bells!
The Super Mario Bros. theme has become quite famous since its inception back in 1985 - hum it to pretty much any person on the face of the planet and there's a good chance that they'll recognise it. If you needed any more confirmation of its fame, then check out the video below. The building is Oslo City Hall in Norway, and as...
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...
Video This Japanese McDonald's Super Mario Happy Meal Commercial Is Too Adorable For Words
So just watch it instead
We're not going to talk too much about the following video - produced to promote the new range of Super Mario Happy Meal toys now available at Japanese branches of McDonald's - because the normally bountiful English language doesn't provide the words required to describe how utterly adorable it is. So instead, we advise...
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...
News Fresh Serving Of Super Mario Happy Meal Toys Coming To McDonald's In Japan
Get in my belly
Nintendo's strong relationship with one of the world's most famous fast food brands continues with the news that McDonald's in Japan is getting a fresh batch of Super Mario Happy Meal toys. Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Toad and Boo all feature in this new wave of plastic things, with GoNintendo reporting the following...
December2015
Random Here's Where All the Koopalings Got Their Names
Another mystery solved
The Koopalings are a colorful and varied cast of characters that add a nice layer of personality to the Super Mario series. The seven characters are all wacky in their own way and, oddly enough, they technically aren't Bowser's children. Nonetheless, they have nothing but mischief on their minds and they offer up some pretty...
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...
Video Catch Up on Some Glitches, Trivia and Easter Eggs for Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda
Some may even surprise you
As another weekend draws to a close it can be nice to catch up with some retro classics and fascinating facts. With Super Mario having its 30th Anniversary this year and The Legend of Zelda due to hit the same landmark in 2016, they seem like good topics. Once again the Did You Know Gaming? YouTube channel has been...
Random The Super Mario Bros. Ground Theme Has Actual Lyrics
You don't have to just hum it anymore!
Super Mario Bros. was a trailblazer for video games in numerous ways, one of which was the iconic soundtrack that backed the whole game. Particularly, the original "World 1-1" theme has passed on into legend at this point; arguably one of the most recognizable tunes in gaming and one that has been remixed...
November2015
Review Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. (3DS)
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:...
Random Check Out the Most Expensive Super Mario Watch in the World
It only costs as much as a new car
As some of you watch connoisseurs may be aware, Romain Jerome is a fine watch manufacturer that develops wristwatches for rich people. After all, nothing says "I make way more money than you," like a handmade watch crafted from crocodile skin, parts of the original Apollo 11 space shuttle, ISS spacesuit fibres, and...
Video We Gawk at the Contents of Nintendo UK's Super Mario Box
Unboxing a box
A little while ago we pointed out that Nintendo UK's official store is offering a Limited Edition Super Mario Box as part of the mascot's 30th Anniversary celebrations. It's only in the UK and costs £29.99, but is it worth it? Well, probably not if you already own the classic colour Super Mario 30th Anniversary amiibo, but if you...
News Nintendo's Latest Hanafuda Deck Is Perhaps Its Most Eye-Catching Yet
If only we knew how to play
As we all know, Nintendo started out making playing cards - Hanafuda cards, to be precise - and although the company's focus has changed over the years, it has maintained a link with its past by producing special Hanafuda packs. The latest set is possibly the most visually alluring yet, and uses classic Super Mario...
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 Nintendo of Japan Has Just Published a 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Complete Encyclopedia
255 pages of gaming history
As many of you are likely aware, we're currently approaching the end of the year that has marked the 30th anniversary of the Super Mario series. It's hard to believe that this iconic game franchise has only been around for 30 years when you look at the impact it's had on the game industry and the world as a whole, but...
Video Speedrunner Sets New World Record for Super Mario Bros.
Clocking in milliseconds quicker than the previous record
The competitive speedrunning scene makes you look at games you thought you were familiar with in a whole different light. It can be remarkable to see the kinds of exploits and techniques that certain people have discovered and employed in order to shave just a few more milliseconds off of...
News Yukio Sawada's Super Mario-Kun Is Coming To Super Mario Maker
In Japan, at least
Super Mario-Kun is a manga series which has been appearing in the pages of CoroCoro Comic since 1991. Created by Yukio Sawada, the series is coming to Super Mario Maker in the form of a special costume. In addition to allowing his own unique take on the character to appear in the game, Sawada will also be designing his own level,...
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 Mattel's Mario-Themed Hot Wheels Racers Are Hitting North American Stores in October
Vroom vroom
Earlier this year we shared the news that Nintendo's efforts to step up its IP licensing had brought about a deal with old favourites Hot Wheels, with six cars planned for an October release. As you can see below four are branded for the Super Mario 30th Anniversary, and another two are simply dedicated to gaming classics without that...
News Celebrate Super Mario World's 25th With These Stylish Prints
Available in poster or postcard form
Super Mario World launched alongside the Super Famicom on November 21st 1990, which makes this year the game's 25th birthday. Arguably one of the greatest video games ever made, this iconic platformer certainly deserves a bit of birthday celebration, and with that in mind Arkotype's Dan Clarke has created some...
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...
Review Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (Wii U eShop / DS)
A toy story
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis is the Nintendo DS sequel to the original GBA classic and a new recruit to the ever-growing Wii U Virtual Console library. Rather than being more of the same platforming puzzle action, Nintendo chose to focus this entire game around what is but a small percentage of the previous game - the...
News How A 165-Foot Super Mario Mural Helped Heal The Upset Created By Russian Military Propaganda
Reaching for the stars
Super Mario celebrates his 30th birthday this year and over those three decades the character has become recognisable to people from all over the world. Such is Mario's fame that when a group of Russian artists known as ArtFacade was commissioned to paint murals across damaged walls exposed by the removal of advertising...
September2015
Review Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Prophesizing the amiiboom
Mario vs. Donkey Kong is interesting in that it's the only game in the Mario vs DK franchise (to date) that actually allows the player to control Mario; indeed this was originally planned to be a sequel to 1994's Donkey Kong on Game Boy, so arguably those two have more in common than the other games in the series. Mario vs...
News Nintendo UK Store Serves Up Incentives for Ordering Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash
A ball and a plush doubles partner
It feels like Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash has been cruising under the radar, even as real-life tennis has lately grabbed even more attention than it tends to. The Nintendo UK Store, however, is starting to hype up the 20 November release of the game in Europe with a couple fine items for those who pre-order through...
News Decade-Old Japanese Shigeru Miyamoto Interview Shows How Super Mario Bros. Helped Save the NES
Miyamoto-san also shared his love of Bluegrass music
In the past month a lot of focus has been on the 30th Anniversary for Super Mario, a major landmark joined by the release of Super Mario Maker on Wii U. There have been plenty of interviews and events, but it can be interesting to look back at previous anniversaries to see what was different or,...
News Plight Of Syrian Refugees Highlighted Via The Medium Of Super Mario
"I used Super Mario because it's famous all over the world"
If you've been following world news lately then you should be keenly aware of the perilous situation currently unfolding in Syria, where thousands upon thousands of people are attempting to flee violence and persecution. This has triggered a flood of refugees leaving the war-torn country...
Feature Nintendo Life's Top 10 Super Mario Platformers
You voted, here are your winners
Not so long ago we asked you to vote for your favourite Super Mario platformer in order to celebrate today's (13th September) 30th Anniversary for the franchise. Following Nintendo's policies around the anniversary we left out spin-offs, including titles with 'Super Mario' in the title that were vehicles for new...
Reminder It's Super Mario's 30th Anniversary
Celebrate in your own way
It's only natural that many treated the launch day for Super Mario Maker as a 30th Anniversary celebration for the franchise. It's worth remembering, though, that 13th September 1985 is the day that Super Mario Bros. was released on the Famicom in Japan, as a result beginning its journey to changing the games industry...
Mario History Mario Kart 8 - 2014
Taking racing to a new level
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day (apart from when we miss a day), each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. Despite its ups and downs the Wii U has delivered a relatively small but distinguished library of excellent...
Mario History Super Mario 3D World - 2013
A new generation of hybrid (no it's not a car)
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day (apart from when we miss a day), each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. We have a fond story we like to recall about Super Mario 3D World in Nintendo Life HQ. It was E3...
Mario History New Super Mario Bros. 2 & U - 2012
So. Much. Mario.
In this series of articles we'll write about one or more Mario games per day (apart from when we miss a day), each representing a different year as part of our Super Mario 30th Anniversary celebrations. We're now well into the current generation with this series (which ends soon, we promise). 2012 was also a weird year for 2D Mario...
Video Watch Charles Martinet Unleash His Creative Side In Super Mario Maker
The voice of Mario challenges Nintendo Life
As you'll know if you've already checked out yesterday's video interview, we got to sit down with the one and only Charles Martinet this week to talk about Mario's latest outing, Super Mario Maker. As well as answering various questions about his career and what he loves about voicing one of the world's...
News Nintendo UK Store Offering Limited Edition Super Mario Box Packed With Goodies
Box fresh
Nintendo UK's online store is marking the 30th birthday of Super Mario by offering a limited edition box packed with merchandise. The Super Mario Box contains a Mario Classic Colours amiibo, 8-Bit Mario Soft Toy, Mario "Breaking Bricks since 1985" T-Shirt and a Mario Hat. It's available for pre-order at £29.99 and ships on October 9th...
News Super Mario Maker Patch Speeds Up Tool Delivery
9-day unlock period significantly shortened
Nintendo's decision to release level design tools in Super Mario Maker over a slow, 9-day drip was apparently to guide newcomers up a learning curve. The reaction, however, has largely been negative, with many people seemingly more than eager to try pulling sick rodeo flips off that curve on Day One. It...
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