Mario
News, coverage and analysis tracking Mario across the outlets.
Nintendo shares a message with its fansNintendo 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 raceFallout 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 gamesNintendo'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 reportsContrary 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 XThe 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 ApparelNintendo 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” DilemmaSony 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 youA 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, moreFamitsu 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 2026Nintendo'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 ThemeNintendo 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 NeededA 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 IncredibleNintendo 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.
SEGA brought its Sonic mascot to Nintendo after it went third-party, was greeted by the Mario mascot and a hugFormer SEGA executive Mike Fischer recounted the company's transition to third-party development after the Dreamcast's failure. He described a symbolic moment where Nintendo's Mario mascot greeted SEGA's Sonic the Hedgehog with a hug, signifying a new era of cooperation between the former rivals. This marked the beginning of a strong relationship, leading to titles like the Mario & Sonic series.
Pokemon series has now sold over 515 million software units worldwideThe Pokemon Company announced that the Pokemon franchise has sold over 515 million software units worldwide. This figure represents an increase of 26 million units sold in the past year. The article also references previous sales milestones for Pokemon Red/Blue, Pokemon X/Y, and compares the franchise's success to the Mario series.- Memorial Day MultiplexThis article presents the first 13 minutes of gameplay for 007 First Light and a trailer for Echoes of the Unread. It also features a video exploring the hypothetical scenario of Mario being able to phase through walls.
Shigeru Miyamoto said he’s really looking forward to the next Mario gameLegendary developer Shigeru Miyamoto expressed excitement for the next Mario game, anticipating how the team will leverage the more powerful Nintendo Switch 2. He feels that Super Mario Odyssey has fully utilized the capabilities of the current Nintendo Switch system.
What would be your go-to gaming soundtrack to recommend to a non-gamer?This article discusses which video game soundtracks would be best recommended to non-gamers, exploring tracks from games like Final Fantasy 10 and L.A. Noire. The author shares personal experiences and asks readers for their own recommendations to introduce people to the world of video game music.- Sunday MultiplexThis article rounds up recent videos from content creators, featuring segments on Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred, Mario's interaction with question blocks, and a Mortal Kombat-themed lawyer sketch. The content highlights various popular gaming franchises and creators.
'PS5 Is Just a Plastic Box if It Doesn't Have Content': Sony Explains Its 'Third-Party Focused' EcosystemSony executive Christian Svensson emphasizes that the PlayStation 5 is primarily a "third-party focused" platform, stating that content is king and third-party games are the lion's share. He explains that while first-party titles set the bar, Sony has a responsibility to foster growth across the entire industry by supporting new voices and ambitious projects. Svensson also teased upcoming programs designed to benefit third-party developers.