We celebrate Mario Day on March 10 each year, because March 10, written as “Mar10”, looks like Mario’s name. The friendly mustached Mario character was initially released by Nintendo in 1985 — doesn’t that make you feel old? Since then, Mario has appeared in around 200 different games, and the Mario games have claimed the title of the best selling video game series in history, beating out popular competitors, like Pokemon.
When is Mario Day 2025?
Mario, his brother Luigi, Princess Peach, and all the other “Super Mario World” are celebrated on Mario Day on March 10.
History of Mario Day
Mario Day has been occurring on March 10 every year for the last decade, give or take. Though the exact origin year is unknown, fans have been celebrating before Nintendo officially embraced the holiday in 2016. When Nintendo officially embraced the holiday and started celebrating annually, they began promoting new and old games, offering special deals and discounts, and started hosting Mario-themed events, as well as promoting sales on some of their games.
Mario’s debut game was Donkey Kong, released by Nintendo in 1981. The design for the animated character was created by critically acclaimed Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, who also created Super Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, and Starfox. The Mario Bros video games were so successful, a movie adaptation of the game, titled “Mario Bros”, was released in 1993, but it was a flop, both commercially and with audiences. This was one of the first attempts to recreate a video game into a movie.
With each iteration, the Mario series has done its best to always focus on keeping it’s gameplay fun, yet challenging, making it addictive to people of all ages. The U.S. version of Super Mario Bros. 2 is also one of the earliest games to feature a playable female, Princess Peach, in its roster of 4 selectable characters. The Mario series of games and spin offs, are timeless with each game featuring new adventures to try or new challenges to beat, even encouraging players to play with a group of friends
Mario Day timeline
The first Mario game is released!
One of the most anticipated NES games , Super Mario Bros. 3, is released, becoming one of the highest grossing games of all time.
Super Mario Land is released on the Game Boy giving gamers a new Mario adventure on the go.
Mario's new arch-rival, Wario, is introduced in Super Mario Land 2 for the Game Boy.
Mario's jump into 3D finally comes when Super Mario 64 is released as a launch title for the Nintendo 64
Mario's new friend Cappy joins him on his most recent adventure across the globe.
Traditions
Mario Day is a big occasion in the gaming community. Many of us have grown up playing “Mario” games, and the franchise is still going strong and is enjoyed today by newer generations.
“Mario” games are the hot topic of the day — gaming streamers play old and new games, trying out the games that they haven’t played before, sharing easter eggs in the games with their audiences, and just reliving some good ol’ “Mario” memories.
Adults and children both participate in the day’s celebrations by playing “Mario” video games and going head-to-head against their friends or family. Mario also has a movie “Super Mario Bros,” (1993) which bombed at the box office, but is now enjoyed as a campy take on the franchise.
By The Numbers
1981 — the year Mario made his first appearance in a video game.
12 – the number of occupations Mario has had over the years.
5 – the number of Guinness World Records held by the “Mario” franchise.
40.24 million – the number of copies that the first “Super Mario Bros.” game sold.
255 – the number of games in the “Mario” franchise.
256-kilobit – the storage of the cartridge on which the game “Super Mario Bros. 2” is stored.
128 – the lives a player gets in the “Mario” game after using the popular infinite lives trick.
Mario Day FAQs
What day is Mario Day?
Mario Day comes around every year on March 10, since the simplified version Mar10 looks like it spells Mario.
What is Mario's last name?
In the past, Shigeru Miyamoto stated that Mario and Luigi have no last names. In 2015, during Japan’s 30th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. event, Miyamoto stated that Mario’s full name is “Mario Mario”. As for his brother Luigi, he’s “Luigi Mario”.
How do you celebrate Mario Day?
You can celebrate Mario Day by dusting off your favorite childhood Mario games and throwing a game night with all of your friends where everyone dresses up as their favorite Mario character. Make sure to share the fun on social media with the hashtag #MarioDay.
Mario Day Activities
Dress up as Mario or a Mario character
Choose between dressing up as Mario, Luigi, Goomba, Koopa Paratroopa, Wario, Princess Daisy, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, Toad, Bowser, Boo, Waluigi, Rosalina, Piranha Plant, or a Super Mushroom.
Host a Mario themed party
Throw a themed party, or bring your costumed self to a Mario costume party. It could be a fully themed room full of costumed guests, complete with Mario themed hors d’oeuvres, or just a couple friends playing Mario together at home. It also goes without saying, playing one of the Mario Party games would fit right in.
Indulge in some Mario games with friends or family
Whether you love racing in Mario Kart, getting your fight on with Super Smash Bros., or going old school with one of the NES Mario titles, there are options that people of all age ranges and tastes can enjoy.
5 FACTS ABOUT MARIO
More than 600 million copies sold
This makes it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time!
Mario was originally a carpenter
Since the original game backgrounds involve a lot of pipes, Mario was changed to be the chubby plumber hero we love today.
Bowser was originally an Ox
Miyamoto originally sketched Bowser as an ox, but animator Yōichi Kotabe misinterpreted it to be a giant turtle, which they both decided to continue animating.
Neighborhood dog turned villain
Random fact, but the chain chomper was inspired by a neighborhood dog Miyamoto feared in his youth.
Mario hits the stage
The Super Mario Bros theme song has been played live at many concerts, including: “PLAY! Chicago”, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the “Mario & Zelda Big Band Live”.
Why We Love Mario Day
There are so many options of Mario games to choose from.
With over 200 games, there’s a surplus of options to choose for any mood you’re in. You could choose from Puzzle games, Sports games, role-playing games, racing games, or party games, and still be immersed in the world of Mario.
The games could have lasting effects for people in real life
One study from the Max Planck Institute found that playing Super Mario 64 helped with spatial orientation, memory formation, strategic planning, and fine motor skills. The Mario games are not only fun, but beneficial for your brain, too! In moderation, of course.
Mario brings people together
Mario has been bringing people together since the 1980s. Mario Kart Tour (a simplified version of the Mario Kart game, as an app on smart phones) just recently added the Multiplayer addition, so you can race your friends, for free, right from your phone. What could be better than challenging your buddies to a virtual Mario Kart duel, from the comfort of your own home?
Mario Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 10 | Monday |
| 2026 | March 10 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | March 10 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | March 10 | Friday |
| 2029 | March 10 | Saturday |
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