Mario Day – Why is it Celebrated?

By: Amelia Deming

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You probably did not have had a memorable childhood if Mario wasn’t a part of it. 

Every child remembers their favorite video game, Mario! The thrill and excitement that it brought within were unparalleled. The legacy of Mario continues in the form of Mario Day. Yes, you heard it right! 

Mario Day is celebrated on the 10th of March each year as a dedication to the beloved video game character of the ‘90s kids. 

Also written as Mar10 to make it look like Mario’s name, Mario Day pays homage to the friendly mustached character of our childhood who was set on a mission to save his princess. The game was initially released by Nintendo, in 1985. Since then, it has appeared in around 200 different games and has also claimed the title of the best-selling video game series in history, beating out some other popular contenders like Pokemon. 

Nintendo released the debut game of Mario in 1981. The design for the animated character was created by the renowned Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto who also created Super Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, and Starfox. 

When is Mario Day 2023? 

Mario Day 2023 falls on the same date – the 10th of March. Along with Mario, the day also celebrates his brother Luigi, Princess Peach, and all other Super Mario World. 

What is the History of Mario Day? 

Many parts of the world have been celebrating Mario Day on the 10th of March each year for a decade. Though the exact origin year remains unknown, the fans have been celebrating it before Nintendo officially embraced the holiday of this day in 2016. After the declared holiday by the maker, it began to be celebrated annually through promotions of old and new games, special deals and discounts, promotions of sales on some of their games, and hosting many Mario-themed events. 

The Mario Bros. video games became successful worldwide, with every kid calling them their favorite. Following it, a movie adaption of the game was also released in 1993. Titled Mario Bros. 1993, the movie didn’t do well and was declared a flop commercially, critically, and by the audience. 

With each iteration, the Mario series has performed the best to focus on keeping the gameplay full of fun and challenges. As a result, Mario is addictive not only to kids and teenagers but people of all ages. The United States version of this game is also one of the earliest games to feature a playable female, Princess Peach, in its roster of four selectable characters. There is a lot to the Mario series, including its games, spin-offs, timeless features, and new adventures, which call for fun, adventure, and team playing. 

There are Traditions to Mario Day

Believe it or not, the craze and popularity of Mario Day have leveled up into many exciting traditions and activities that fans around the world practice in full swing. 

  • Mario Day happens to be a big occasion in the gaming community. The fans of this video game play old and new games, trying out the games they haven’t played before. They also share Easter eggs in the game with their audiences and relive their good old Mario memories. 
  • Adults and children participate in the day’s celebration. They compete with their friends and families head to head. Some also dress up in Mario’s costume to amp up the celebrations. 

Fun Activities to Try to Celebrate Mario Day 

You can participate in the Mario Day celebration in the form of the following activities. We promise they will bring you immense fun. 

Dress Up as Mario or any Mario Character 

What is a better way to celebrate Mario than dressing up as the main character himself? You can buy yourself a Mario costume and add a mustache to your look and impersonate the hero of the video game. Alternatively, you can also dress up like other characters of the game like Luigi, Koopa Paratroopa, Goomba, Wario, Princess Daisy, Donkey Kong, Bowser Boo, Toad, Waluigi, Rosalina, Super Mushroom, or Piranha Plant. 

Host a Mario Themed Party 

Another interesting idea to celebrate Mario Day is to host a Mario-themed party. Bring your costumed self to this party. You can either plan a fully-themed room full of costumed guests with Mario or organize a Mario video game competition in your home. Mario games would fit right in. Do not forget to click pictures and caption them for your Gram. 

Set up Mario Game in Real 

If you want to go ahead with your Mario Day celebration and have a blast, play this game in real. Let there be Mario, Luigi, Princess, and other characters. Set on a journey to save the princess and win her heart. What next? Award the winner. 

Lesser-Known Interesting Facts About Mario 

  • Mario made his first appearance in the video game in 1981. It has created 12 occupations over the years. 
  • As of 2023, over 600 million copies of Mario have already been sold worldwide. This record makes it the best-selling video game franchise of all time. 
  • Do you know that Mario was originally a carpenter? Since the original game backgrounds include a lot of pipes, the character was eventually changed into the chubby plumber that we see and love today. 
  • Bowser was originally an ox. Miyamoto sketched him as an ox, but the animator Yoichi Kotabe misinterpreted the sketch and turned it into a giant turtle. 
  • The Super Mario Bros. theme song has been a part of many live concerts, including The Columbus Symphony Orchestra, PLAY! Chicago, and the Mario & Zelda Big Band Live. 
  • There are around 255 games in the Mario Franchise. 
  • The video game has also won five Guinness World Records. 
  • There are Mario games for people of all ages. Whether you love racing in Mario Kart, getting your battle on with Super Smash Bros, or going old school with the NES Mario titles, you can explore a range of games and enjoy your favorite. 

Why Do People Love Mario Day? 

Mario Day has become a rage among Video Game enthusiasts. Here are the reasons why people love to celebrate it. 

  • Mario has over 200 video game options – a surplus for anyone to choose from. Whether you are a fan of puzzle games, sports games, role-playing games, racing games, or more, you will be immersed in the world of Mario and have a great time. 
  • According to a study, playing Super Mario 64 helped with memory formation, spatial orientation, strategic planning, memory function, and fine motor skills. The game is not only fun but has benefits for the brain too. 
  • This video game has been bringing people together since the 1980s. Mario Kart Tour, a simplified version of this game, available as an app on smartphones added a Multiplayer addition. Thus, you can race your friends for free, and that too from your phone! 

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