If you're a fan of Nintendo, you’ve probably heard of Mario Day, celebrated every March 10. But have you ever wondered why this date was chosen or how the tradition started? The answer lies in a clever play on words—when you write "Mar10," it looks like "Mario". What started as a fun coincidence has turned into an annual celebration of one of gaming’s most beloved characters.
In this oneHOWTO article, we’ll explore the origin of Mario Day, its connection to Nintendo’s history, and the fun ways fans worldwide celebrate this iconic event.
Why March 10th is Mario day?
Mario Day is celebrated on March 10th, but not because of any anniversary related to the Mario franchise. The first Super Mario Bros. game was released on September 13, 1985, and Mario's first appearance in any game was in the summer of 1981.
The actual reason is much simpler and quite clever: when written as "Mar 10," the date resembles the name "MARIO." The characters "MAR" (abbreviation for March) followed by "10" visually look like "MARIO" when placed together (MAR10).
This wordplay is why fans around the world celebrate Mario Day on March 10th each year. It's a fun coincidence that turned into an unofficial holiday for fans of the iconic Nintendo character.
What is the history of Mario Day?
Believe it or not, this celebration actually predates other geek culture holidays like Star Wars Day (May 4th) and Geek Pride Day.
The holiday gained momentum through social media, with fans using the hashtag #Mar10 to share their favorite Mario memories and experiences across platforms. Interestingly, Nintendo itself didn't officially acknowledge the fan-created holiday until 2016, when the company finally joined the celebration with announcements on its social media accounts and special greeting cards on its website.
Mario wasn't always the star of his own franchise. He first appeared as a character in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, created by legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo. In this early appearance, Mario's objective was to jump over barrels and rescue Princess Pauline.
Mario's iconic mustache was actually born out of technical necessity due to the graphical limitations of 8-bit gaming hardware at the time. This distinctive feature became a signature element of the character's design.
How did Super Mario impact gaming?
Mario didn't just change video games, he transformed entertainment itself. When Super Mario Bros. launched in 1985, it rescued the video game industry from the infamous crash of 1983, proving that home gaming had a future.
The side-scrolling platformer mechanics that seem so fundamental today were revolutionary when Mario first introduced them. The precise controls, hidden secrets, and carefully designed levels created a template that countless games have followed since. Mario essentially wrote the rulebook for how characters should move and interact with their environments.
Beyond technical innovations, Mario established Nintendo as a powerhouse and helped gaming transition from arcades to living rooms. The character's cheerful personality and colorful world offered a welcoming alternative to the space shooters and abstract games that dominated earlier eras.
Even today, Mario games continue pushing boundaries. Super Mario 64 defined 3D movement in games, Galaxy reinvented platformer physics, and Odyssey showed how classic franchises can stay fresh decades later. Each major Mario release tends to influence design trends across the industry.
How to celebrate Mario Day
Want to join in on the Mario Day fun? Here's how people are celebrating on March 10th:
Dust off your Nintendo consoles and dive into some Mario games. Whether it's the original Super Mario Bros. or the latest releases, fans everywhere are spending the day with gaming's favorite plumber.
Some fans wear their Mario gear. Maybe a red cap or a t-shirt with his face on it. Nothing fancy, just a nod to the character.
If you've been eyeing some Mario games, now's the perfect time to grab them. Nintendo usually runs some pretty good deals for the occasion, so you can finally pick up that title you've been wanting.
Curious about who's collected more followers than Princess Peach has rescues? Jump over to our breakdown of today's biggest streaming sensations.
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