Mario
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mario across the outlets.
Latest coverage
New Lego Donkey Kong Set Is A Throwback To Before Mario Had A Name
Lego has unveiled a new 1,371-piece Donkey Kong arcade cabinet set, a nostalgic tribute to the 1981 arcade game that originally featured Mario as Jumpman. The set, priced at $200, includes buildable figures of Jumpman, Donkey Kong, and Lady, and a mechanism to circulate barrels. This release follows other Nintendo-themed Lego sets, including the Game Boy and various Pokemon kits.
Shigeru Miyamoto says Nintendo needs to be "strict" when creating new characters, and even questioned if it would "be better to just use Mario" during Splatoon's development
Shigeru Miyamoto stated that Nintendo needs to be more proactive in creating new characters but must also be strict in judging their global appeal. He admitted that during Splatoon's development, there were discussions about using Mario instead of creating new characters, but the Inklings eventually proved viable on their own. Miyamoto also noted that he leaves new character creation to the younger generation, citing Pikmin as his last original concept from 25 years ago.
"It's a massive failure": Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto slams short-term profit gains that have "burned through the talents of so many people"
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto criticized the focus on short-term profits and recouping investments in game development, stating it leads to a "massive failure" by burning through talent. He believes games that resonate most are created from fundamental ideas and unique concepts, rather than chasing market trends or immediate financial returns.
Nintendo interested in creating new characters, but wants to be careful about it
Nintendo is interested in creating new characters but will proceed with caution, ensuring they have global appeal. Shigeru Miyamoto stated that while the company needs to be more proactive, they must be strict in judging the potential success of new intellectual properties. He cited the development of Splatoon and the Inklings as an example of creating characters that stand on their own, distinct from established franchises like Mario.
New 2026 Nintendo ornaments revealed, buy them here
Hallmark has revealed five new Nintendo-themed ornaments for 2026, featuring characters and elements from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Mario, Mario Kart, and Pokemon. The ornaments, including a musical and light-up Link from Tears of the Kingdom, are set to release on July 20, 2026.
Luigi Replaces Mario Due To Immigration Issue
French metal band Gojira has announced that drummer Mario Duplantier will be temporarily replaced by Luigi Paraventi for upcoming shows due to an immigration issue preventing travel to the US. The band humorously referenced the gaming characters Mario and Luigi in their announcement.
Leaked Lego Donkey Kong set looks like it might continue a trend I'm loving so far
A leaked Lego set based on the arcade game Donkey Kong has surfaced, suggesting a playable model with rolling barrels and a movable Mario figure. The set, rumored to cost $200 and release in August, follows a trend of interactive Lego Nintendo collectibles, though some fans expressed disappointment it isn't a full arcade cabinet replica like the Pac-Man set.
Nintendo shares a message with its fans
Nintendo shared a message with fans thanking them for being voted the No. 1 "Game Developer I Like" in a Famitsu reader survey celebrating the magazine's 40th anniversary. The company expressed gratitude for the positive reception of Mario and The Legend of Zelda, highlighting its commitment to originality and creating unique entertainment experiences since the Famicom's release.
Fallout 76 developers discuss next-gen update and Super Mutant as a playable race
Fallout 76 developers discussed the game's upcoming next-gen update and the possibility of Super Mutants becoming a playable race. Production Director Bill Lacoste mentioned the technical challenges of updating libraries for PlayStation and Xbox platforms. While player Ghoul was considered, the team is exploring if a Super Mutant race could fill a gameplay niche.
Miyamoto wants to bring “new characters to the world” outside of games
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto expressed interest in developing new characters beyond Mario and The Legend of Zelda for media outside of traditional video games. The company is exploring opportunities for new intellectual property or existing characters in new forms of media.
Mario dev Takashi Tezuka not retiring from Nintendo, contrary to previous reports
Contrary to previous reports, Nintendo producer Takashi Tezuka will not be fully retiring from the company. While he is stepping down as an executive officer, he will continue his role as a production producer and remain involved in game development. Tezuka reflected on his 42-year career at Nintendo, highlighting the joy of creating new forms of play and working with new technologies.
Fans crown Mario as top video game mascot in Game Awards poll on X
The Game Awards conducted a poll on X asking fans to vote for the ultimate video game mascot, with Mario emerging as the winner. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario was crowned the top mascot based on fan responses.
Nintendo Expands Its 'My Mario' Range With New Apparel
Nintendo has expanded its 'My Mario' merchandise line in Japan with new apparel for children and adults. The collection includes dresses inspired by Princess Peach and Rosalina, t-shirts featuring various characters, and a reversible Bowser Jr. bib, with prices ranging from approximately $11 to $26.
PlayStation’s “Mascot” Dilemma
Sony has long struggled to establish a distinct mascot for its PlayStation platform, unlike Nintendo's Mario or Sega's iconic characters. This article discusses the ongoing challenge Sony faces in identifying a character that resonates with gamers and represents the brand.
Japanese gamers reveal their favourite games and the answers might surprise you
A survey by Japanese magazine Famitsu revealed that RPGs dominate the preferences of Japanese gamers, with series like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy being highly influential and desired. Nintendo was named the nation's favorite developer, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a top pick for recommendations and replaying. The survey highlights a significant difference in gaming tastes compared to Western markets, with a strong emphasis on adventure and anime-style games in Japan.
Japanese gamers vote on most influential game and series, favorite character, favorite developer, more
Famitsu magazine's 40th-anniversary survey of over 5,000 Japanese gamers revealed Nintendo as the favorite developer and Mario as the favorite character. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was highly recommended, while Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series dominated influence and sequel requests. Masahiro Sakurai was named favorite creator.
Nintendo Embracing Third Party Games is A Necessity in 2026
Nintendo's strategy of embracing third-party games is crucial for the success of the upcoming Switch 2, positioning it as a mainstream console rather than a niche alternative. This shift allows Nintendo to focus on quality over quantity for its first-party titles, while third-party developers are increasingly targeting the platform due to its strong engine support and large audience.
Nintendo Alarmo Adds Donkey Kong Bananza Theme
Nintendo has released a new Donkey Kong-themed update for its Alarmo sound clock application. This update adds multiple alarm sounds from the new Switch 2 title, Donkey Kong Bananza, including a theme based on the Emerald Rush DLC and a DK interface theme. This follows previous updates that added themes for Animal Crossing and Mario.
Random: This Zelda X Wallace & Gromit Parody Is The Mash Up We Didn't Know We Needed
A fan-made stop-motion parody titled 'The Hero of Cheese' mashes up the worlds of The Legend of Zelda and Aardman's Wallace & Gromit. Created in Blender, the short film features Link Wallace and Navi Gromit on a quest for cheese, incorporating numerous references to both franchises. The article also mentions a previous Mario and Creature Comforts crossover and an upcoming official Pokémon offering from Aardman.
Nintendo Crocs Are Here, And They Look Incredible
Nintendo has announced a new collaboration with Crocs, featuring five distinct designs inspired by the Super Mario universe. The collection includes character-themed clogs for Mario, Bowser, Princess Peach, and Yoshi, along with various Jibbitz charms. The new Mario Crocs will be available for purchase starting July 15th on the Crocs website, Nintendo Store, and select retailers worldwide, with prices ranging from $70 to $85 USD.
