Nintendo and City Dads Group Host Super Mario Maker Workshop at Los Angeles Public Library

Nintendo’s commitment to promoting inclusive, family-oriented gaming experiences was on full display during a collaborative event held on January 27, 2017.

Partnering with City Dads Group and the Los Angeles Public Library, Nintendo organized an interactive level-design workshop centered on Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS.

This immersive program—built on Nintendo’s “Build, Play, Share” philosophy—aimed to empower families to create and enjoy their own custom courses while encouraging meaningful parent-child engagement. City Dads Group, a nationwide network dedicated to helping fathers engage with their children in creative, supportive ways, found an ideal partner in Nintendo.

The Japanese gaming giant’s longstanding reputation for family-friendly content, particularly with franchises like Super Mario, made this partnership a natural match.

The workshop provided a unique, hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of game design, allowing attendees to collaborate with both their children and Nintendo’s expert team. During the event, participants learned to craft virtual courses using the accessible and intuitive tools of Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo’s game-design professionals were present to provide guidance and share best practices, ensuring a rewarding experience for seasoned players and newcomers alike.

The collaborative atmosphere not only fostered creativity but also highlighted the digital-age potential for families to bond over interactive entertainment. Doug Bowser, then Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, commented, “With the current emphasis on STEM education for children across the country, our collaboration with City Dads Group and the Los Angeles Public Library provided an outstanding platform to showcase Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS’s level-design features.

This event introduced families to a contemporary playtime activity they can enjoy together.” Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS, released worldwide in December 2016, builds on the success of its Wii U predecessor by offering creative tools that allow players to design, play, and share their own Super Mario levels.

The game’s approachable interface and extensive community features continue to make it a staple on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

By integrating hands-on digital creativity with family interaction, the event underscored Nintendo’s dedication to fostering positive gaming experiences and community partnerships.

Participants left not only with new skills in level design but also with memorable moments of collaboration—a testament to the enduring appeal of the Super Mario franchise and Nintendo’s ongoing support for educational and family-centered initiatives.

Nintendo 3DS Nintendo Mario 3DS Super Mario Xbox Series X|S Los Angeles Super Mario Maker Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS