“It’s-a me, forty years later!”
Reflecting on 2025 as the 40th Anniversary of Super Mario Bros.
This year, 2025, we mark a very special milestone: four decades since Super Mario Bros. first sprang to life in 1985. It’s hard to believe that a pixelated plumber jumping over Goombas and rescuing a princess has endured not only in pop culture, but in our hearts—and in our living rooms—for forty years. Yet here we are, still playing, still cheering “1-UP,” still chasing that flagpole.
Timeless fun: how the Mario games have endured
What is it about Mario that still feels so fresh, so playable, so right? Here are a few thoughts:
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Simplicity + polish – The original Super Mario Bros. was elegant in its design. Jumping, running, block-bopping, enemies with predictable patterns—but the level layouts, pacing, and hidden secrets all combined to make something endlessly replayable. That core gameplay philosophy has carried through to every new Mario game.
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Sense of wonder & discovery – Even now, revisiting those early levels, you can still delight in uncovering a warp pipe, a secret 1-up block, or figuring out a shortcut. The magic of discovery is baked in.
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Balancing nostalgia and innovation – Over the years, Nintendo has added new mechanics (power-ups, new character abilities, 3D movement, creative level design) while always respecting the roots. The result: Mario games that feel familiar and new simultaneously.
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Cross-generation appeal – Kids who played Super Mario Bros. in the 80s now share Nintendo Switches with their children or grandchildren. That bridging of generations gives Mario an enduring place in both retro and modern contexts.
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Memorable worlds & characters – The Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser’s castles, Yoshi, Luigi, Toad, Princess Peach, and all the quirky denizens give the series a personality and continuity that invite revisiting—not just for the mechanics, but for the world.
In short: yes, those old Mario levels are still fun. When you boot up Super Mario World or Super Mario Bros. 3 or even Super Mario Galaxy, the joy of exploration, the timing of jumps, the “aha” moments still land. That’s the proof that Nintendo built something more than a game—they built a lasting playground.
What Nintendo is doing to celebrate the 40th
Nintendo isn’t letting this anniversary pass quietly. They’ve rolled out a number of exciting celebrations and announcements tied to Mario’s 40th year:
(And yes, the official Mario site at mario.nintendo.com is the central hub for this celebration.)
Here are some highlights:
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Classic game re-releases – Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are coming to Switch on October 2, 2025, complete with enhanced UI, new storybook content, and a free 4K resolution update for Switch 2 owners.
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New titles & editions –
• Mario Tennis Fever is set for February 12, 2026, for the Switch 2 platform.
• A Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is in the works, with added content (e.g. Meetup in Bellabel Park) for spring 2026.
• Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, a brand-new side-scrolling adventure starring Yoshi inside the pages of a living encyclopedia, is coming in spring 2026.
• A Talking Flower (from Mario Bros. Wonder) will also see a physical form that occasionally speaks lines from the game. -
Nintendo Museum in Kyoto / special exhibits
• The Nintendo Museum is joining the fun with a limited-time 40th anniversary ticket design (valid through about September 2026) replacing the usual Mii design.
• From December 2025 through April 2026, the museum will also host special lighting displays, running nightly from 4 PM to closing, along with a Warp Pipe photo spot and the 40th anniversary logo installation.
• Beyond the museum, Nintendo is showcasing Mario—pixel art, illustrations, and nostalgic visuals—to trace Mario’s evolution. -
Film & media tie-ins
Nintendo unveiled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the sequel to the 2023 Mario film, set for global release on April 3, 2026. This new film draws inspiration from the Galaxy games while weaving in characters across Mario’s history. -
Special bundles / merch / celebrations
There will be merchandise, collectible items, amiibo, and hopefully regional events and popups around the world (watch the official site for local announcements). -
Community & nostalgia moments
Nintendo used the September 12, 2025 Direct to formally kick off the anniversary and rolled out Mario timeline retrospectives, celebration montages, and homage moments across social channels.
All of these events and launches mean that 2025–2026 isn’t just a time to look back fondly; it’s a moment to dive in again.
A personal note (and invitation)
When I boot up Super Mario Bros. or Super Mario World or Galaxy, I still feel that thrill of “just one more level, just one more try.” The power of nostalgia is real—but so is the simple fun of precision jumps and unexpected discoveries.
If you’re reading this and you haven’t played some of the older Mario titles in a while (or at all), now’s the perfect moment. Dust off your console/emulator, grab a friend, and jump into that warp pipe. Mario is waiting after all these years, ready to remind you why he became a legend.
And for those of you who love to celebrate in person or online: keep an eye on mario.nintendo.com, Nintendo’s official Social accounts, and local gaming shops. There will likely be anniversary popups, community events, special merch drops, and online challenges. Share your memories and your high scores—let’s make this 40th anniversary one to remember.
After all, forty years later, Mario still knows how to bring the fun. Let’s-a go! 🎉🍄