Mario Bros Day: A Video Game Classic

25 May Mario Bros Day: A Video Game Classic

Mario Bros, created in 1981, became a popular game among children and teenagers in the 1980s, and to this day, it remains considered one of the most iconic and unmissable classics. Every year on March 10th, Mario Bros Day is celebrated in honor of the famous character Mario. For over a decade, fans had already been commemorating this day, and in 2016, Nintendo officially adopted it, giving it greater visibility and establishing it as a global celebration.

This date is a play on words in English with the character’s name. “Mar10” alludes to the month of March and the number 10, resembling the last two letters of Mario’s name. On this day, Nintendo holds special activities such as video game marathons, discounts, and exclusive promotions on its official store.

Created by Shigeru Miyamoto and developed by Nintendo, the charismatic protagonist Mario became the company’s icon and one of the most recognized figures in pop culture. Over the years, he starred in a vast collection of successful video games, reaching a total of 144 titles, including:
Super Mario Bros

• Super Mario 64
• Mario Party
• Super Mario Odyssey
• Super Mario Galaxy
• Super Mario Land
• Super Mario 3D World

In addition to adaptations for other consoles, Mario Bros was a pioneer in the development of virtual worlds, influencing the creation of open worlds and modern platforming games.

The Classic Game
Super Mario Bros is considered a video game classic because it laid the foundation for the platforming genre and defined many of the mechanics still used in the industry today. Since its launch in 1985 for the NES, the game revolutionized level design by introducing smooth side-scrolling, innovative power-ups, and in-game challenges that made it both engaging and difficult. In 2006, the Japanese government included the game in a list of the country’s 100 most representative artistic media.

From Nostalgia to the Big Screen
In 2023, directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic released The Super Mario Bros. Movie, bringing Nintendo’s iconic characters back to the big screen in a nostalgic-filled adventure. The story follows the two brothers, Mario and Luigi, who fall down a sewer and arrive in a magical underground world. There, they must face the evil Bowser to rescue Princess Peach, who has been forced to marry him.

The film pays tribute to the franchise with many references to characters and games like Mario Kart and Donkey Kong. Ultimately, the movie won over both new generations and long-time fans, becoming a box office phenomenon.