Super Mario News
December2014
Video Did You Know Gaming Explores Cancelled Mario Games and Concepts
Shame about the volleyball / wrestling hybrid from Next Level Games...
Nintendo goes through a lot of concepts and projects that don't, in the end, become a full game. While that's normal, it can be fascinating to learn about some of the games or ideas that never made it to our systems, with a recent example being that Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker...
Rumour Dubious Walmart Listing Suggests Supposed Paper Mario Title for Wii U
Sounds like guff to us
Walmart recently listed the generically title 'Paper Mario (RPG) (Wii U)' on its website before quickly removing it, but not quickly enough, as one clever buck managed to snag a screenshot of the accidental upload. There's no box art or any details about the game, aside from an astronomical price tag that we can only hope is...
November2014
Don't watch the Zelda video if you're squeamish
We all know that video games are pure fantasy, and that they should rarely be considered accurate representations of reality. Even so, it's fascinating to consider how popular franchises would fare if they were governed by the proper laws of the universe. If you've ever wondered what games would be...
Video Super Mario Bros. Invades TV's Dancing With The Stars
Sadie Robertson & Mark Ballas get caught in the Mushroom Kingdom
Update: If you particularly like the music medley in the video below, you can download it for free from Nintendo's website. Original Article: Irrespective of your stance on TV dance talent shows, you'll have to begrudgingly admit that what we're about to show you is pretty damn...
Gotta buy 'em all?
Though Nintendo of America doesn't like to advertise new 3DS HOME themes in its download update — unlike its European contemporary — there's good news for owners of the portable in the region. The four Super Smash Bros. and two new Pokémon themes are all available to pick up at $1.99 each, bringing the Western regions largely...
News New Super Mario Bros. Wii Hits 10 Million Sales Mark In The US
"That’s a lot of penguin suits!"
The legacy of the Wii continues, with Nintendo of America today announcing New Super Bros. Wii has sold ten million copies across the US since it was released in 2009. The announcement was delivered via the official Nintendo of America Twitter account, and celebrated the historic milestone with the following tweet...
Gallery Nintendo of America Releases Photo Evidence That Mario & Luigi Suck at American Football
Watch out Luigi!
Nintendo tries to convince us that a slightly overweight plumber is actually an athlete, releasing a variety of games in which Mario and friends play Tennis, Golf, Baseball, Soccer or even compete in the Olympics. That's all harmless fictional fun, of course, but if you unleash the Bros. into the real world to play sports, the truth...
News Good Smile's Mario Nendoroid Figurine Now Available for Pre-Order
Joining his brother
The good folks over at the Good Smile Company have opened pre-orders for their latest Nintendo themed Nendoroid Figure – Super Mario. The figure company has previously released the likes of Luigi, Toon Link, Pokémon Trainer Red and Isabel in Nendoroid form, and Mario is the latest to join the pack of Nintendo characters. The...
Video The Top 10 Mario Platformers, As Selected By You
You voted, and the winner is...
Way back in August, we asked you wonderful readers what your favourite Super Mario platform game was. You voted, and from those votes we came up with a Top 10 list, which we have immortalised in this video. If you ever played a Super Mario game, then you must be curious about what game is number one, right? Could it...
Video Check Out Mario And Luigi's Costume Cameos In Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Customise your Felyne with two iconic overalls
We already knew Animal Crossing, Zelda, Mario,
October2014
News Moscow Mural Replaces Crimea With Super Mario
Nintendo's icon spreads a positive message
Buildings are often used as giant canvasses to spread a message, and while this is mostly general advertising, it's not too uncommon to see a political statement splashed boldly onto a highly visible location. One 19th century residence in Moscow however proudly carries a depiction of Mario himself!...
News Yet More Mario 3DS HOME Themes Arrive in Japan, Smash Bros. Options on the Way
There's even one for the Cat Mario show
The range of 3DS HOME Themes is expanding rapidly, but it's in Japan where the most variety is available on a weekly basis. There's now yet another batch in Nintendo's homeland celebrating Mario games and the Mushroom Kingdom cast, while some Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS themes are on the way in early...
Video The Secret Star Fox And Mario Bros. Easter Eggs Of Bayonetta 2
Do A Barrel Roll and don a moustache
The Nintendo costumes added to the Wii U edition of Bayonetta and its sequel are simply awesome. Each one changes the game in very clever and unique ways. But this isn't all that these costumes do. If you can handle spoilers, then you can find out by watching the videos below — right now! [ [
Poll Nintendo Minute Debate - Is Super Mario World or Super Mario Bros. 3 More Influential?
Well, which one?
We often like to share Nintendo Minute videos here on Nintendo Life, the series in which hosts Kit and Krysta play games and do various things to entertain big N fans. Their video this week tries something a little different, as the two hosts debate the following: Which game is more influential – Super Mario World or Super Mario...
Weirdness New Range of Irish Stamps Feature Mario, Sonic, and More
Enough to make you go green with envy?
In a decision that's sure to excite stamp collectors and gamers alike, the Irish Postal Service has recently issued a retro-themed collection of postage stamps that feature some of the most recognizable characters from gaming history. The 'Game Icons' series pays tribute to the industry's colourful past with...
Weirdness Super Mario 64 Has a New Level of Immersion in Oculus Rift
Motion controls for punching, anyone?
We've seen plenty of Oculus Rift mods over the past year that attempt to breath new life into retro Nintendo games. Some have been a tad peculiar, while examples such as Metroid Prime suited the virtual reality technology particularly well. Running a Super Mario 64 mod through the VR headset isn't new, but...
Video Another Neat 1-UP Trick Has Been Found in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Awesome skills
The NES-era Mario platformers are still much-loved to this day, and are still tested and experimented upon by eager gamers looking for glitches and tricks. Given the limitations of the 8-bit hardware these are bountiful and are still being found; they can be rather entertaining for those of us without the skills to find them...
September2014
Book Review Boss Fight Books - Super Mario Bros. 2
Subcon-text
For how unique it is compared to other games in the Mario line, it’s amazing how easily Super Mario Bros. 2 is taken at face value or glossed over entirely. Many fans are happy to share the fact that the game is actually a reskin of Japanese title Doki Doki Panic after the original Super Mario Bros. sequel was deemed too difficult and...
Video See the B Dasher Tear it Up in This Mario Kart 8 DLC Trailer
Be dashing
Nintendo has released a new trailer for Mario Kart 8, which shows the recently announced B Dasher in motion. The kart will be available in the Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 DLC pack this November. The classic racer made its first appearance in 2005 in Mario Kart DS, and soon enough you'll be able to use it yourself in glorious HD.
News Hyrule Warriors Producer Would Love to Work With Mario and Company
Cites Smash Bros. concept as a starting point
Hyrule Warriors is available now in Europe and is just days away in North America, bringing a blend of Dynasty Warriors gameplay with the Legend of Zelda franchise. It's a mix that serves as entertaining fare on the Wii U as we enter the busiest gaming season of the year. As indicated to us by Zelda...
News Super Mario World Speedrun Record Is Broken
Beating the game in under 10 minutes is an artform
Super Mario World is a big game — so big it put other 2D platformers to shame when it launched alongside the shiny new SNES back in the early '90s. However, while many of us will have happy memories of wasting countless hours finding all those levels and secret routes, speedrunner linkdeadx2 has...
Video These Mario Games Have More Secrets Than You May Think
And it's not even Easter
Continuing the series of discovering hidden Easter eggs in games, Did You Know Gaming has released the final part of its dissection of main series Mario games. It's always a joy to see hidden little details and secrets in video games, it shows just how much developers care about the creations that they make. Unsurprisingly,...
News Cancelled Mario Volleyball/Wrestling Wii Title Comes to Light
As strange as it sounds
The clever boffins over at Unseen 64 have managed to dig up some information on a cancelled Mario volleyball game that incorporated some of the elements of wrestling into the gameplay. Known as Super Mario Spikers, the game was set to be released on the Wii and was being developed by Next Level Games, who was responsible for...
Review Super Mario Ball (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Balls to the wall
It's no secret that Nintendo's iconic red-wearing plumber has had a number of vocations. From referee to painter to kart racer to hotelier, Mario's been through a lot and shows no sign of actually doing some plumbing. Keeping that in mind, let's take a look at a game where he becomes a pinball. Super Mario Ball's plot revolves...
News Missing Super Mario Philips CD-i Game Comes To Light
How Mario almost took America
When Nintendo ditched Sony at the altar and decided not to proceed with the SNES-based PlayStation console, it quickly inked a new deal with Dutch firm Philips. That agreement also fell through, but Nintendo sweetened the divorce by allowing Philips to create games based on its characters for its CD-i entertainment...
Video If You Love Mario Easter Eggs, This Series is for You
Covering Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario World, so far
One of the delights of retro Nintendo games is in discovering their secrets, little snippets of interesting features that can only be spotted with close attention. Hunting 'easter eggs' is a major part of retro gaming. A current series on the Did You Know Gaming channel is looking to reveal...
Feature The Nintendo 64 Controller and the Rise of 3D Gaming
The three-handled situation
The Nintendo 64 controller is one that has fallen out of favour with some gamers – its outdated control stick and limited number of buttons leaves it and its parent system in a state of being old but without necessarily being seen by the general public as 'retro'. You could easily say the same for Sony's original...
News Super Mario Bros. Movie UK Blu-Ray Release to Offer Brand New Documentary
"This Ain’t No Video Game"
Yesterday we posted that everyone’s favourite plumber's live action big screen adventure Super Mario Bros gets its long-awaited UK Blu-ray release in November. With an all-star cast, including the legendary Bob Hoskins alongside John Leguizamo and Dennis Hopper, not only does this madcap caper get the high-def...
News The Super Mario Bros. Movie Is Coming To Blu-ray In The UK This November
It's probably not what Bob would have wanted
The 1993 movie adaptation of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. series may have received scathing reviews and failed to set the box office alight, but it's still fondly remembered by a great many people, and has recently seen a resurgence in popularity due to the tragic passing of its star, Bob Hoskins. UK...
August2014
News Interchangeable Dashboard Themes Are Coming To Your Nintendo 3DS
Theme me up, Scotty
Nintendo has revealed that dashboard themes are coming to its 3DS range of consoles. This information was showcased during today's Japanese Nintendo Direct, with The Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds and Super Mario Bros. themes shown off very briefly. These will be distributed via the eShop. The ability to change themes...
News Wii U Shooter Splatoon Almost Starred Mario As The Main Character
"There were heated debates over who the main player character should be"
Splatoon was one of the big surprises of Nintendo's E3 showing this year, and looks set to offer an exciting new take on the tried-and-tested squad-based shooter template. It's also refreshing in that it's an entirely new IP — although according to Shigeru Miyamoto, it very...
News The Mario Opera Graces YouTube for the First Time
Watch the first act right now
Jonathan Mann is the mind behind taking Shigeru Miyamoto's iconic red plumber and putting his story into the form of an opera. Mann's script and score were originally performed over four days back in 2005, and the production was not performed again until 2013, when a final farewell performance was held and recorded...
Poll Which Is The Best Super Mario Platformer?
2D or 3D, old or new, you decide...
Not too long ago we asked you to vote for the best Legend of Zelda game; plenty of you participated. You made the impossible decision, as it's never an easy pick with so many world class games on the list; in the end the iconic and memorable The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time seized the crown. We r
Weirdness Check Out this LEGO Bob-Omb Battlefield Reconstruction
In more than 64 bits
Everybody likes to celebrate their passion in different ways, and one intrepid gamer has recreated the entirety of Bob-Omb Battlefield from Super Mario 64 entirely from LEGO bricks. The detail is phenomenal, the enormous Chain-Chomp taking centre place, and King Bob-Omb in his rightful place perched atop the hill. Goombas,...
Video Vancouver Elementary School Breathes New Life into Super Mario RPG Soundtrack
If we don't beware, who will?
Many of you who grew up with an SNES controller clutched between your fingers will have fond memories of the bizarre experimentation that was Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Little did people at the time know that it would be the first in a huge number of RPGs following the antics of the world's most...
Weirdness Mario, Luigi, and Sonic Are Advertising A Chinese Mobile Phone Network
Honest truth, guv
There's something just a little bit wrong in China Mobile's advertising, pictured above. Apparently Mario, Luigi and Sonic have all been conscripted into the firm's latest promotion. Nintendo hasn't exactly made a habit of freely giving out its characters for other companies to use, being so protective as to initiate YouTube...
Video Mario Battles Through Real Life Tokyo to Get to Super Smash Bros. Event
A smashing fan made trailer
We've seen some awesome fan made Nintendo videos in the past, and this certainly ranks as one of the best. YouTuber Dean Wright has faithfully created a trailer of everyone's favourite portly plumber dashing through the streets of real life Tokyo in order to get to a Super Smash Bros. event on time. Not only is Mario's...
July2014
News Dig Your Claws Into The Cat Mario Show On Your 3DS Or Wii U
Child-friendly video now available for free via your Nintendo console
Nintendo of Europe has launched The Cat Mario Show, a new episodic video feature on the 3DS and Wii U eShops aimed at educating and entertaining younger players. The show originally aired in Japan under the title Nyan Nyan Neko Mario Time, and has been dubbed into English...
News Takashi Tezuka: Mario Maker Won't Move Quite Like the Original Mario Bros.
And a 3DS version isn't out of the question
We know that Mario Maker will allow players to craft levels that look akin to the original Super Mario Bros. (among other titles), but will those levels have the same feel of momentum that the NES had? In speaking with Jeremy Parish over at
Video Learn How to Pull Off the Newly Discovered Cloud Glitch in Super Mario World
Lakitu won't be happy about this
As if we needed more evidence of the complexities that run beneath many of our favorite games, a code digger by the name of Masterjun3 has unearthed a glitch in Super Mario World that provides the player a Lakitu cloud in the game's item box. The stunt is executable in the Yoshi's Island 2 stage with just a Yoshi, a...
Video DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jeremy Ellis and The Roots Perform an Awesome Super Mario Bros. Remix
Which DJ wins?
With the recent Independence Day celebrations in the US, there were plenty of events and concerts taking place around the country. One of these was the 2014 Philly Jam, and for those watching there was a bit of a retro Mario treat to enjoy. In the clip below DJ Jazzy Jeff — who most may know as Will Smith's buddy and musical...
June2014
News This Rather Neat "Mario White Edition" 3DS XL Will Run North American Games
A sort-of Western release
In the past we've shared some lovely 3DS hardware designs that are often rare and limited to release in Japan or other out-of-reach territories — some of the best examples are the iQue 3DS XL models released in China, too. It seems that the red and white Mario model from that iQue range will be an option for North...
News Mario Marathon 7 Streaming Live Right Now on Twitch
It's that time of year again
The 7th annual Mario Marathon started broadcasting live just a matter of hours ago, so go check it out. The fan-run event is a charity drive supporting Child's Play with a pretty fun set of rules: the group has a set of financial goals to be unlocked, each of which is linked to an in-game objective the players must...
News Boy Battling Terminal Cancer Gets To Control A Life-Sized Game Of Super Mario Bros.
A heart-warming tale
A 10 year-old Canadian boy named Patrick has terminal brain cancer and is confined to a wheelchair, but thanks to The Children's Wish Foundation of Saskatchewan he got to realise one of his dreams: to control a life-sized version of the Super Mario Bros. video game. 50 volunteers — including the cast of Odyssey Productions, a...
Video Toy Pizza Take a Look at Tamashii Nations' New Super Mario Action Figure
"The very best Mario action figure ever"
The toy & collectible fanatics at Toy Pizza take a look at the newest Super Mario action figure in today's episode, created from a partnership between Japanese collectible brand Tamashii Nations and Bandai. Evidently they like it, heralding it as "the very best Mario action figure ever" a mere seven...
News 2DS Hardware Bundle With New Super Mario Bros. 2 Coming on 4th July
It's all about the coins, remember
In its recent financial results, Nintendo confirmed that over two million 2DS systems had been sold since its launch in October 2013, a solid return considering its arguably limited demographic. The company remains keen to promote the system, particularly to young gamers, and has now announced a new bundle set for...
May2014
News Ubisoft Data Places Mario as the Second Highest Selling Franchise Since 2005
Games with guns won
While Ubisoft's recent financial reports and briefing aren't exactly packed with delightful news for Nintendo gamers, there is some positivity to be found. It's all from a table designed to show off the success of the company's biggest brands, which demonstrates some impressive sales for Nintendo. A table covering 2005 to 2013...
News These Super Mario McDonald's Happy Meal Toys in Malaysia Are All Kinds of Awesome
Penguin Mario! Boomerang Mario! Peach!
Not so long ago there was a Super Mario range of McDonald's Happy Meal toys in the UK; restaurants near Nintendo Life HQ reported increased sales to late 20s / early 30s bearded men, some of whom had no children in tow to justify their visit. We even did an unboxing. The same wave of enthusiasm for cheap food...
Weirdness Gaze in Wonder at Junkboy's 16-Bit "Demake" Art
Don't you want Super Smash Bros. on SNES?
Retro-inspired "demakes" of popular modern games are all the rage these days, but don't you want to put some on your walls? Swedish graphic designer Junkboy has created a wide array of gorgeous 16-bit demake art, much of which is available for purchase online. You can check out his Tumblr page for the full...
Weirdness Super Mario Bros. 3 Can Be Beaten in Under Three Minutes
Amazing scenes
Speedruns remain a popular part of gaming culture, ranging from current day titles to treasured retro classics. Super Mario Bros. 3 naturally gets the treatment plenty of times, but two intrepid speed runners have now found a glitch that allows it to be beaten in under three minutes. Lord Tom and Tompa are the duo that have worked on...
April2014
News Super Mario Bros. Movie Actor Bob Hoskins Passes Away Aged 71
Famed British actor succumbs to pneumonia
British actor Bob Hoskins has died from pneumonia aged 71. Following a successful career which spanned six decades, he retired from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Hoskins was arguably one of the most recognisable faces in modern cinema, having worked with directors such as...
News Nintendo To Market Mario Kart 8 Through The End Of The Year
Year of the Mario Kart
Nintendo UK has announced that the company's marketing campaign for Mario Kart 8 will run throughout the remainder of this year. A social media programme is already underway, which is designed to evoke old-school Mario Kart nostalgia; this will lead up to TV and online marketing campaigns that will launch when the game is...
News Mario Golf: World Tour UK Pre-Order Bonus Lets You Don A Mario Cap
Moustache grown seperately
2014 seems to be flying by. Just where is the time going? Winter is already a distant memory for some and — even though Animal Crossing tells us we’re currently in spring — summer is right around the corner. Thankfully, along with it, comes a line-up of new games such as Kirby Triple Deluxe, Mario Kart 8 and the 3DS...
Video The Awesome Super Smash Wars Trilogy Has Almost Finished
Return of the Hero
We've made no secret of the fact that we're fans of James Farr's work, having shared a number of his animated videos over the past year. His work to date has included some excellent Ghostbusters / Nintendo mashups, and his latest project has been to blend the big N's universe with the original Star Wars Trilogy. Before now we've...
Weirdness Realistic Mario Probably Wouldn't Have Been As Successful As Super Mario
Head + block = ouch
In case the size-altering mushrooms and cartoon-like environments didn't make it obvious enough, Super Mario Bros. takes place in a world of fantasy. However, it's always fun to consider what Nintendo's most famous franchise could have been like if the company had decided to adopt a more realistic approach. In this segment from...
News Super Mario 3D World Double Disc Soundtrack Arrives on Club Nintendo
Europe and Australia included for now
Last year we shared the news that Club Nintendo in Japan received an awesome Super Mario 3D World 2-CD soundtrack; we were envious as the Wii U title has a number of outstanding 'Big Band' tracks that still stick in the mind. The exciting news for gamers in Europe and Australia, who savoured the music while...
News Tinie Tempah Shows the Love for Mario and Highlights Retro Inspiration for His Music
"Those games are adventures of the highest order"
Mario's the man, right? We sure think so / hope so, and the mascot is still Nintendo's most famous and bankable character, with the brilliant Super Mario 3D World recently achieving strong attach-rate sales on the Wii U and Mario Kart 8 exciting fans and carrying the fight to increase the system's...
News Nintendo Is Working On The Next Mario Game, But Can't Reveal If It's Coming To 3DS Or Wii U
"There’s still a lot more room for discovery and invention"
Nintendo producer Yoshiaki Koizumi has revealed that work has already begun on the next Super Mario game, but he is unable to give any information about which console it is coming to. Speaking to EDGE in a feature about the making of Super Mario 3D World, Koizumi refused to be drawn on...
Video This Is Why You Should Never Allow Mario To House Sit
Never leave the plumber in charge
Ever wondered what happens if you leave your house and forget to turn off your Wii U? Well ponder no longer, as filmmaker John Huffnagle has created this short movie to show the kind of destruction that Shigeru Miyamoto's most famous creation can unleash when he's left unattended. The video is seriously impressive...
March2014
Weirdness First Zelda, Now Mario And Luigi Make A Cameo In inFAMOUS: Second Son
Someone at Sucker Punch must really love Nintendo
Last week, we reported on the news that a Master Sword was spotted in Sony's PS4 exclusive inFAMOUS: Second Son. Today, we can tell you that another Nintendo reference has been spotted in the game — this time relating to those famous plumbing siblings, Mario and Luigi. It's a real "blink and...
News Super Mario Bros. 3 Is Warping To North American Virtual Consoles On April 17th
Nintendo of America confirms GBA Virtual Console lineup, too
It's been a long time coming, but Super Mario Bros. 3 finally has a release date for the North American Wii U and 3DS Virtual Console services. Nintendo of America has confirmed that the classic NES game will launch on April 17th, priced at $4.99. Regarded by many Mario fans as one of the...
Video Watch Us Hungrily Unbox The McDonald's Super Mario Happy Meal
It's the unboxing you've all been waiting for
This week sees the launch of a new range of Super Mario Happy Meal toys at McDonald's in the UK, and as you might expect, we were first in line to pick some up this morning. Below you'll see Tom and Damien pick apart two of these eagerly-awaited cardboard boxes of culinary joy. It's riveting stuff, and...
Weirdness This Super Mario 64 Fan Remake is Fairly Impressive
It's HD Mario, which was a novelty once!
Fans just can't get enough of retro Nintendo games, often recording themselves on speed-runs or producing animations, short films and music albums dedicated to various classics of years gone by. Some go a step further and decide to do their own remakes of the classics, no doubt hoping that their humble...
News Club Nintendo Adds Some Awesome Premium Mario Playing Cards in Europe
Deal us in
While some aspects of Nintendo are universal regardless of territory, the Club Nintendo promotions and catalogues do vary depending on where you live. That can be for better or worse, but can also be the source of some friendly rivalry between fans around the globe. While the coins system and monthly download treats in North America are...
News Super Mario McDonald's Happy Meals Hit the Flagpole in the UK on 19th March
Pictures, so many pictures!
Not long ago we shared the surprisingly glorious news that Super Mario McDonald's Happy Meals were coming to the UK, a clever piece of marketing due to the ongoing popularity of the ever-present big M. The big N and M have now provided further information and, most importantly, images of the collectible toys. There'll be...
Weirdness Engineer Uses Four Monitors to Display Whole Super Mario Bros. Levels
It's a me, Mario!
It's always fun when people use their skills to display a beloved video game character in an interesting way. Twitter user Morikuma_Works, who works as an engineer in Japan, has done just that with his four computer monitor display of Super Mario Bros. World 1-1. He also posted a picture of World 1-2, warp zone and all. Quite...
News Super Mario 3D World Picks Up SXSW 2014 Best Multiplayer Game Award
Quite right, too
Super Mario 3D World has done rather well for itself, shifting a respectable number of copies, earning critical acclaim and picking up a host of award nominations and wins. We now have another to add to the list, with the delightful platformer picking up the Best Multiplayer Game award at the SXSW event this past weekend. Nintendo...
Weirdness These iPhone Mock-Ups Suggest That Mario On Mobile Might Be A Bad Idea
Place your tongue firmly in your cheek before reading
Industry experts and jumpy investors are screaming at Nintendo to make games for smartphones right now, but company president Satoru Iwata is adamant that the future of the firm lies in dedicated gaming hardware, rather than diluted, cash-grab experiences on the likes of iOS and Android.
News Valve's Gabe Newell Thinks Super Mario 64 Is Just Swell
Esteemed developer lists it as his favourite non-Valve game
Gabe Newell is arguably one of the most important people in the games industry right now. He's the co-founder and managing director of Valve Corporation, a company which has created some amazing titles and is behind Steam — a popular digital distribution platform which many predict will...
News Special Mario Kart 8 Event Racing Towards SXSW on 7th March
Nintendo of America and Pennzoil strike a deal
Has there ever been a series that so perfectly captures the mayhem of racing games like everyone’s favourite plumber and his red shell collection? The short answer is arguably no, and this May will see Nintendo’s front man return to the track in Mario Kart 8. All new racers, all new tracks, all new...
February2014
News Pre-orders for Mario Kart Ride-on Available at Toys 'R Us in the United States
Comes with a 100,000-mile or 1-Blue Shell warranty
Remember that sweet-looking Mario Kart ride-on we reported was coming to the UK later this year? Turns out Toys 'R Us customers in the United States can already put money down on the same set of wheels. Pre-orders for the Super Mario Kart Ride-on are currently open at the Toys 'R Us website. The 6V...
Weirdness Listen To The Super Mario Theme On A 3,000 Year Old Chinese Instrument
A bit trickier to play than a warp whistle, probably
Doodoo doo do dooo do, dah! - It's the Super Mario theme! Known across the globe and endlessly catchy, this tune has been played on every instrument under the sun, as well a few renditions that should barely count. Hearing a cover version is certainly nothing new, but allow us to present one just...
News Super Mario Bros. Stop Motion Pixel Art Kickstarter Campaign Hops Over Its Target
Funding goal passed with weeks of funding remaining
Nintendo's titles, particularly of the retro variety, inspire many fan projects in the form of music albums and, of course, videos. One example we highlighted in the past was an impressive stop motion video featuring the original Donkey Kong, which was remarkably produced with beads. That was the...
Weirdness Super Mario Bros. Record For Lowest Score is Beaten
A 500 point play-through done without tool assistance
Normally while playing a game, the goal for most people is to see how many points they can rack up; more often than not they aim for the most points possible. There are, however, a select few who flip that idea on its head and shoot for the lowest score possible. Going out of their way to avoid...
News Mario Kart Ride-on Racing into the UK Later this Year
"Billy, why'd you peel all the bananas?"
Let's admit it: some things just feel wasted on the young. With Nintendo stating its desire to increase its IP licensing, those of us who are adults can at least get away with buying the new plushies and figures and such that will come of this. But a licensed replica of Mario's very own Mario Kart as a...
Review NES Open Tournament Golf (Wii U eShop / NES)
Par for the course
If there's one specific niche of which there is no longer any shortage, it's sports titles featuring Mario. The iconic plumber's unlikely prowess at just about any athletic challenge is now extensively and frequently documented, with the likes of Mario Tennis and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games gracing home consoles on a...
Weirdness This Mario Golf Bag Could Help You Hit the Links in Style
Hole in one
Mario Golf: World Tour arrives on 2nd May in North America and Europe, ending a fairly long wait for the latest entry in the popular series. With Mii integration, customisation and online tournaments and communities on the way, it's looking like a promising prospect for a below par — in a good way — score. Nintendo's clearly keen to...
News As The Maker Of Flappy Bird Withdraws His Creation, Nintendo Denies Any Legal Complaint
Japanese firm has no issue with the game's visuals
Unless you've been living down an especially deep well for the past week or so, you'll have heard of the name Flappy Bird. The smartphone title has attracted an astonishing amount of interest both from within and outside the games industry, and its creator Dong Nguyen apparently made $50,000 USD a...
News These Mario Figures Are All Kinds of Awesome
He has that 'cheeky chappy' grin
We do like collectibles here at Nintendo Life, and figurines can be a nice way to decorate our homes with our favourite heroes. While Link is no stranger to gorgeous figurines, Mario's presence is often in the form of plushies, so it's pleasing to find some figures that, while lacking the complexity of Figma...
News Super Mario Hopping Into McDonald's Happy Meals in the UK
And hopefully elsewhere
When considering some challenges facing Nintendo in the current market, it's common for fans to bemoan what they consider to be undercooked or uninspiring advertising and marketing. To take the undercooked description one step further, there is some positive news for those in the UK that feel the Nintendo brand needs more...
January2014
Review Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (Wii U eShop / NES)
Super Masochist Bros.
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels is the famously difficult, Japan-only sequel to the titular plumber's breakout NES hit, expanding on the original formula with deviously challenging level design and obstacles. Western audiences were instead given the comparatively easy 'Super Mario USA' (a re-skinned translation of Nintendo's...
Review Mario Bros. (3DS eShop / NES)
Subpar Mario
Mario and Luigi’s adventures have been nothing short of fantastical over the years, to the point where you could be forgiven for questioning their occupations as plumbers. But despite the brothers’ incredibly varied employment history as doctors, sportsmen and racing drivers — in which they’ve rarely called upon their supposed...
Preview Japanese Gamers Get Their Free Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Download
Can't grumble at free, right?
European gamers have to wait a few weeks longer yet, but lucky Japanese 3DS owners should have already received their free download codes for this fondly-remembered port of a gaming legend. First impressions of Super Mario Deluxe aren't, however, particularly good – the VS. game mode and print options simply don’t...
News Mario's Iconic Hat Is Now Available From Club Nintendo Australia
Don't go plumbing without it
After a surprising end to 2013, Club Nintendo Australia has kicked off the New Year with a bang, adding Mario's famous hat to the local catalogue. As the description on the catalogue states: This is a true-to-life replica of the iconic red hat worn by Mario. Keep it as a collector item, and display it with pride...
Review Super Mario Bros. 3 (Wii U eShop / NES)
A truly super Mario game
Super Mario Bros. 3’s recent arrival on the Wii U eShop seemed like a conspicuously low-key affair compared to the considerable hype that surrounded its hugely anticipated original release back the early nineties. However, that doesn't mean that the lack of booming fanfare should be interpreted as a cause for concern; over...
December2013
News Eurogamer's Game of the Year is a Nintendo Winner
A purrfect result?
Later today we'll publish the results of our staff votes for Game of the Year, in a whole host of categories, with the Reader votes to be counted and shared tomorrow for the Community Awards. We're fascinated to see which games come out as winners in various categories, but while we collate votes we thought we'd share the overall...
Feature 12 Days of Christmas - Super Mario 3D World Captures Hearts
A perfect Christmas Day game
Over the past two weeks we've covered eleven games, trends or events from the year that we feel represent some of the best of Nintendo in 2013; we'll have a lot more 2013 reminiscences and Game of The Year awards in the coming week, too. Yet it seemed appropriate to end this series on potentially the biggest high for...
News Nintendo Network 3DS Promotion to Offer Free Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Download in Europe
Wahoo!
Today's European Nintendo Direct broadcast certainly showed a festive spirit, with Nintendo of Europe President Satoru Shibata outlining a "Nintendo Network Promotion" to encourage 3DS owners in the region to either create an ID or link their Wii U equivalent. Nintendo Network IDs were added with the major 3DS system update on 10th December,...
News Super Mario Bros. 3 Arrives on Wii U and 3DS Virtual Console on 26th December in Europe
Includes a launch week discount
It's been in demand since Nintendo teased it earlier in the year, and it's almost here. Super Mario Bros. 3 with arrive on the Virtual Console for both Wii U and 3DS on 26th December; it was announced in the European Nintendo Direct by Satoru Shibata, though unfortunately had no mention in the North America equivalent...
News Super Mario 3D World Drops Down UK Charts in Second Week
Link Between Worlds is top Nintendo game in 19th place
Last week brought the PS4 to Europe, which made life rather difficult for Super Mario 3D World on its UK charts début. While it had been hoped that the staying power of the franchise may see it enjoy a strong second week in the UK market, today's all-format charts haven't produced the desired...
Weirdness This Real-Life Version Of Mario Kart Looks Extreme
Blue shells seem thankfully absent
Australia is the place to go if it's raw thrills you're after. Even just putting on a shoe is a potentially heart-racing experience as you wonder what kind of multi-legged monster is waiting within. Bungee-jumping and surfing may be getting a bit stale for some adrenaline junkies though, so what better way to liven...
News Digital Foundry Heaps Praise on Super Mario 3D World
"It [Nintendo] clearly understands what it takes to produce a classic"
Super Mario 3D World has been critically acclaimed, may become a commercial success story in the coming weeks, months and years, and has already played a role in switching up perceptions around what the Wii U can offer gamers. We're yet to see how substantial that impact will be...
Weirdness This Chinese School Has an Enormous Mario Mural on its Building
The lessons probably aren't as awesome
We often see examples of Nintendo culture and its brands appearing in fairly unlikely places and forms, and this is another example that undoubtedly qualifies. It's an enormous New Super Mario Bros. — it suits the later series in terms of design — mural on the side of a Chinese school building; as you'll be...
News Luigi Actor Danny Wells Takes The Great Warp Pipe To The Sky, Aged 72
Death of Mario Bros. Super Show star brings a somber end to Year of Luigi
Those of you old enough to recall The Super Mario Bros. Super Show will no doubt be saddened to hear that Danny Wells, who played Luigi, has passed away at the age of 72. The actor — whose real name was Jack Westelman — passed away last Thursday. He starred in the Mario...
News Super Mario 3D World Struggles Against PS4 Titles in UK Charts
Yes, even Knack
We're huge fans of Super Mario 3D World here at Nintendo Life, giving it a 10 in our review and generally sharing the view that it's a worthy entry into the 3D Mario canon, unique and up there with the best. Those were opinions shared by various outlets, too. Sadly, the positive press and marketing hasn't led to an impressive launch...
November2013
News Nintendo Recreates Super Mario 3D World Through Shadow Hand Puppetry
Shadow Play
Super Mario 3D World has finally arrived in Europe, with the outstanding 3D platformer gracing retail shelves today. After its North American release last week this is a culmination of a heavy marketing campaign, helped along by the fact it's a terrific game, to try and make it and the Wii U the must-have combination this Holiday season...
Weirdness Model Chrissy Teigen Celebrates a Mushroom Kingdom Birthday
Bowser's name reportedly not found on the list
Singer-songwriter John Legend has got to be feeling pretty good right now. Marrying a model is one thing, but marrying a model who later decides to celebrate her 28th birthday with a Super Mario twist is something very special indeed. After tying the knot in September this year, the newly-weds moved on...
News Check Out This Stained Glass Art With A Nintendo Twist
Heart (container) of glass
Let's be honest - when looking for festive gifts this year, an elaborate piece of stained glass artwork to hang in your cathedral / average-sized home might not be the first thing that springs to mind. However, the gallery of Rick Daniels' work showcased on his Etsy site may be just enough to tempt you. A self-taught...
News Super Mario 3D World Underwhelms on Japanese Chart Début
Wii U hardware sales increase by just 5,000 units
Last week we reported on the continuing dominance of the 3DS XL in Japan, and the hope that the launch of Super Mario 3D World would provide a notable boost to the Wii U hardware sales; unfortunately, that hasn't quite been the case. To start with software, Media Create's charts show that Mario's...
Weirdness Mario Takes On Link In This Live-Action Smash Bros. Tribute
Nintendo's biggest characters square off
Smash Bros. may have given fans the tools to answer the age-old question of who would win if Mario had to fight Link, but for some, that's not enough. Stunt team Emc Monkeys — famed for its live-action replications of popular video games — has decided to settle the argument once and for all with its...
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