Nintendo has published an official message thanking fans who took part in year-long events commemorating Mario’s 40th anniversary.
The company posted the message on its official website to mark the milestone tied to the original Super Mario Bros. release — first launched in Japan on September 13, 1985 — and to acknowledge celebrations that extended into 2026.
Background and context
Mario is Nintendo’s flagship character, created by Shigeru Miyamoto and first appearing in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong before headlining Super Mario Bros. on September 13, 1985.
Over four decades the franchise has been central to Nintendo’s hardware and software ecosystem, with flagship titles appearing on consoles from the NES to the Nintendo Switch.
Notable modern entries include Super Mario Odyssey, released on Nintendo Switch on October 27, 2017, which reinforced Mario’s role as a system-seller for Nintendo’s current platform.
What Nintendo said — rewritten
In its statement, Nintendo expressed gratitude to fans for participating in Mario’s 40th anniversary celebrations over the past year and into 2026.
The company highlighted a range of activities and releases tied to the franchise, including in-person exhibitions at the Nintendo Museum, special baseball-themed game content tied to all 12 professional baseball teams in Japan, and a theatrical movie release tied to the Mario franchise.
Nintendo closed the note by inviting fans to continue supporting the character and its future projects.
Why this matters
The message underscores how Nintendo leverages the Mario brand across media and platforms — from first-party games on the Nintendo Switch and promotions via Nintendo Direct to merchandising and theater releases.
Mario’s anniversary events illustrate Nintendo’s cross-platform strategy and the ongoing commercial and cultural importance of its IP.
Attribution
Nintendo’s message was shared via the company’s official site and publicly attributed in community reporting.
Thanks to user SonicGalaxy27 for the tip on this announcement.
This summary focuses on verified, public details about Nintendo’s communication and Mario’s historical context; it does not speculate about future releases or unconfirmed plans.
The company posted the message on its official website to mark the milestone tied to the original Super Mario Bros. release — first launched in Japan on September 13, 1985 — and to acknowledge celebrations that extended into 2026.
Background and context
Mario is Nintendo’s flagship character, created by Shigeru Miyamoto and first appearing in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong before headlining Super Mario Bros. on September 13, 1985.
Over four decades the franchise has been central to Nintendo’s hardware and software ecosystem, with flagship titles appearing on consoles from the NES to the Nintendo Switch.
Notable modern entries include Super Mario Odyssey, released on Nintendo Switch on October 27, 2017, which reinforced Mario’s role as a system-seller for Nintendo’s current platform.
What Nintendo said — rewritten
In its statement, Nintendo expressed gratitude to fans for participating in Mario’s 40th anniversary celebrations over the past year and into 2026.
The company highlighted a range of activities and releases tied to the franchise, including in-person exhibitions at the Nintendo Museum, special baseball-themed game content tied to all 12 professional baseball teams in Japan, and a theatrical movie release tied to the Mario franchise.
Nintendo closed the note by inviting fans to continue supporting the character and its future projects.
Why this matters
The message underscores how Nintendo leverages the Mario brand across media and platforms — from first-party games on the Nintendo Switch and promotions via Nintendo Direct to merchandising and theater releases.
Mario’s anniversary events illustrate Nintendo’s cross-platform strategy and the ongoing commercial and cultural importance of its IP.
Attribution
Nintendo’s message was shared via the company’s official site and publicly attributed in community reporting.
Thanks to user SonicGalaxy27 for the tip on this announcement.
This summary focuses on verified, public details about Nintendo’s communication and Mario’s historical context; it does not speculate about future releases or unconfirmed plans.
