Mario Day
March 10, 2027
About Mario Day
Mario Day, also known as MAR10 Day, is celebrated annually on 10 March because the abbreviated date — MAR10 — resembles the name of Nintendo’s iconic plumber. Recognised worldwide by gamers, the day honours the Super Mario franchise, one of the most successful video game series in history, with over 893 million units sold globally.
What is Mario Day?
Mario Day is an annual celebration of all things Super Mario, the flagship franchise of Nintendo. The day is marked by gamers, retailers, and Nintendo itself through game launches, sales, special events, and community celebrations. What began as an informal observation by fans who spotted the visual similarity between “MAR10” and “MARIO” has grown into one of the biggest dates on the gaming calendar, attracting millions of participants worldwide.
When is Mario Day?
Mario Day falls on Wednesday, 10 March 2027. The date is fixed each year on 10 March, chosen because the abbreviated date format — MAR10 — spells out a near-perfect approximation of “MARIO” when written in capital letters.
The Story Behind Mario Day
The concept of Mario Day originated as an informal, fan-led celebration on social media. Gaming enthusiasts noticed that writing the date “March 10” in a compressed format created a visual pun on the character’s name. While the exact year the tradition began is uncertain, fans were celebrating MAR10 Day online well before Nintendo officially acknowledged it.
In 2016, Nintendo formally embraced the holiday, launching dedicated promotions, game discounts, and social media campaigns to mark the occasion. This corporate endorsement transformed Mario Day from a niche fan celebration into a major annual event for the gaming industry. Since then, retailers worldwide have offered discounts on Nintendo hardware and software, and Nintendo has used the day to make major announcements and release new content.
The character himself has a much longer history. Mario first appeared in 1981 in the arcade game Donkey Kong, created by legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Originally called “Jumpman,” the character was later renamed Mario, reportedly after Mario Segale, the landlord of Nintendo of America’s warehouse. The character went on to star in Super Mario Bros. in 1985, which became one of the best-selling video games of all time and established the platformer genre as a cornerstone of gaming. If you enjoy celebrating pop culture moments, you might also appreciate Star Wars Day on 4 May, another fan-created holiday that became a global phenomenon.
How to Celebrate Mario Day
Whether you are a lifelong Nintendo fan or a casual gamer, there are plenty of ways to celebrate MAR10 Day.
- Play your favourite Mario game — Dust off your Nintendo console and revisit a classic. From Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario Odyssey, there are dozens of titles to choose from across every Nintendo generation.
- Take advantage of sales — Nintendo and major retailers typically offer significant discounts on Mario games, consoles, and merchandise on MAR10 Day. Check the Nintendo eShop for digital deals.
- Host a Mario Kart tournament — Gather your friends for a competitive Mario Kart session. With 159 million units sold across the series, it remains one of the most popular multiplayer franchises in gaming.
- Watch the Super Mario Bros. Movie — The 2023 animated film featuring Chris Pratt as Mario grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, making it an ideal watch for the occasion.
- Dress up as a Mario character — Grab a red cap and a pair of dungarees for a simple Mario costume, or go all out as Luigi, Princess Peach, or Bowser.
- Bake Mario-themed treats — Create mushroom cupcakes, star-shaped biscuits, or a Super Mario cake to share with friends and family.
- Explore Mario’s history — Read about Shigeru Miyamoto’s design philosophy, the evolution of Mario across 40+ years, and the franchise’s record-breaking impact on gaming culture.
Fun Facts About Mario Day
- The Mario franchise has sold over 893 million units worldwide, making it the best-selling video game franchise of all time.
- The franchise has grossed an estimated $60 billion globally across games, merchandise, films, and licensing.
- Mario’s original name was “Jumpman” when he appeared as the protagonist of the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game.
- Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario’s creator, also designed The Legend of Zelda and Star Fox, two other legendary Nintendo franchises.
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) earned over $1.3 billion at the global box office, becoming the highest-grossing film based on a video game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mario Day?
Mario Day (MAR10 Day) is an annual celebration of Nintendo’s Super Mario franchise, held on 10 March because the abbreviated date resembles the character’s name.
When is Mario Day in 2027?
Mario Day falls on Wednesday, 10 March 2027.
Why is it called MAR10 Day?
When the date “March 10” is abbreviated as MAR10, the letters and numbers form a visual approximation of the name “MARIO,” particularly when written in capital letters.
Spread the Word
Share your Mario Day celebrations with the world using #MarioDay and #MAR10Day2027 on social media. Whether you are speedrunning a classic or hosting a Mario Kart marathon, every post helps keep the celebration going.
Related Awareness Days
- Star Wars Day — Celebrated on 4 May (“May the Fourth”), this fan-created holiday honours the Star Wars franchise with screenings, cosplay, and community events.
- 404 Day — A quirky tech-themed celebration on 4 April that plays on the famous HTTP 404 error code, popular among internet culture enthusiasts.
- International Talk Like a Pirate Day — Held on 19 September, this lighthearted day celebrates all things pirate-themed and is a favourite among pop culture fans.
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