Every year on March 10th, Nintendo celebrates its most iconic character – Mario. But MAR10 Day 2026 stands out as it marks 40 years since Super Mario debuted, a franchise that defined Nintendo and helped shape the video game industry.

Nintendo’s celebration is bigger this year. Classic games return to Nintendo Switch Online, there are discounts on Mario titles, community events in Mario Kart, real-world meet-and-greets, and a new animated movie coming in April. There’s also some buzz about possible Mario Kart updates and talk about one major Mario game missing from the celebrations.

Today I’ll break down everything happening for MAR10 Day 2026 and explore why this celebration could kick off an even bigger year for Mario.

Celebrating 40 Years of Super Mario

It’s hard to picture gaming without Mario. He first appeared in Super Mario Bros. in 1985, and over the last forty years, he’s become one of the most recognizable characters in entertainment.

Mario has changed a lot across different Nintendo consoles. From the leap to 3D in Super Mario 64, to the creative worlds of Super Mario Galaxy, and the open exploration in Super Mario Odyssey, each era has brought something new to platforming games.

That long history is at the heart of this year’s MAR10 Day celebration. Nintendo is encouraging players to revisit Mario’s past adventures, rediscover classic games, and celebrate the character who has helped shape gaming for the past 40 years.

The best way to join in is to play Mario’s most memorable games again.

Classic Mario Games Arrive on Nintendo Switch Online

One of the biggest new features for MAR10 Day is coming to Nintendo Switch Online.

Nintendo has confirmed that three classic Mario titles will join the service on March 10. The most notable of these is Mario vs Donkey Kong from the Game Boy Advance. Originally released in 2004, the game blends classic platforming with puzzle-solving and helped kick off a long series of Mario vs Donkey Kong puzzle titles.

Nintendo is also bringing back two games from one of its most unusual consoles, the Virtual Boy. Both Mario Clash and Mario’s Tennis are joining the Virtual Boy library on Nintendo Switch Online.

The Virtual Boy may not have been a success in the 1990s, but Nintendo has slowly begun preserving its history by bringing those games to modern platforms. It’s a reminder that Mario’s legacy spans some of Nintendo’s most experimental moments.

For fans who love retro games, MAR10 Day is turning into a mini celebration of Mario’s history on Switch Online.

Mario Games Are On Sale

Nintendo is also making it easier for players to dive into some of Mario’s biggest adventures. On  March 14th, several Mario games are going on sale at select retailers and on the Nintendo eShop. Two of the biggest highlights are Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, both dropping to around $39.99.

Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is also being discounted during the sale window. This marks the first time a Nintendo-published Switch 2 game goes on sale, potentially encouraging more players to try the party game on the new console.

There are also digital deals on the My Nintendo Store and Nintendo eShop, with games like Mario vs Donkey Kong and Super Mario Maker 2 included in the discounts from March 10th to March 14th.

If there’s a Mario game you’ve been wanting to play, MAR10 Day is a great opportunity to pick it up.

Mario Kart Is Becoming Part of the Celebration

Mario Kart is a key part of this year’s festivities.

Nintendo is hosting the Mario Kart World My Nintendo Open Series, a set of weekly online races where players can compete and earn My Nintendo Platinum Points just by participating.

There will also be three weeks of in-game events in Mario Kart World, so the celebration extends beyond just one day. Nintendo encourages players to race online together throughout the festivities.

It’s a smart way to keep the community involved, and there could be even more Mario Kart news coming for MAR10 Day.

Let’s take a closer look at some surprising Mario Kart news.

While announcing the Mario Kart World Open Series, Nintendo posted a screenshot from the game showing the Battle Mode menu. But fans quickly noticed something interesting.

The Battle Mode icon in the screenshot looks different from the one in the current game. It features a Bob-omb, which isn’t part of any existing battle modes.

Right now, Mario Kart World only includes Balloon Battle and Coin Runners. But previous Mario Kart games offered much more variety. For example, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe featured five different battle modes, including the chaotic and fan-favourite Bob-omb Blast.

Bob-omb Blast replaces normal items with explosive Bob-ombs, turning matches into complete chaos. So when fans spotted the Bob-omb icon in Nintendo’s promotional image, speculation quickly spread that Bob-omb Blast might be returning in a future update.

Nintendo hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but if this is true, it could be one of the biggest updates Mario Kart World has had since launch.

The Road to the Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Another big part of MAR10 Day is the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which hits theaters on April 1.

The film continues Nintendo’s partnership with Illumination and will once again feature Mario and Luigi on a new adventure. This time, characters like Yoshi and Princess Rosalina are also expected to play a major role.

Rosalina’s appearance is especially exciting for longtime fans of the Super Mario Galaxy games, which many still consider some of the best Mario titles ever made.

To go along with the movie’s release, Nintendo is encouraging players to revisit Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, both of which are getting upgrades for Nintendo Switch 2.

It’s another example of how Mario has expanded far beyond games into film, theme parks, and global entertainment.

Real-World Celebrations and Mario Everywhere

Nintendo is also bringing MAR10 Day into the real world.

Fans visiting the Nintendo New York and San Francisco stores can meet Mario in person during special events. There will also be demo stations at select stores where players can try out Mario games during the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Nintendo is also holding a SUPER NINTENDO WORLD sweepstakes, giving fans a chance to win a theme park trip for four to Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Orlando. collaboration with Lunchables, where select packages include QR codes that give fans the chance to win a Nintendo Switch 2 system and digital games.

It might seem unusual, but it shows how much Mario’s influence has grown over the last forty years.

The One Missing Mario Game

Even with all these celebrations, one Mario game is noticeably missing from MAR10 Day.

Nintendo has already confirmed that Super Mario Sunshine will eventually arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 through the GameCube app on Nintendo Switch Online.

But the game still doesn’t have a release date, and it’s not included in the MAR10 Day lineup.

For many fans, Sunshine’s absence is hard to miss. It’s one of the most requested GameCube games, and its tropical setting and unique water mechanics made it a standout in the series. Nintendo is holding it back, suggesting it could appear at a bigger moment later this year, possibly in a future Nintendo Direct or as part of the wider Mario anniversary celebrations.

For now, it’s still one of the biggest mysteries of Mario’s 40th anniversary.

Mario’s Legacy Is Still Growing

Forty years after Super Mario first showed up on the NES, he’s still one of the most important figures in gaming.

MAR10 Day 2026 isn’t just about deals or sales. It’s a celebration of the games, memories, and adventures Mario has given players for generations.

And if this celebration is anything to go by, it seems like Nintendo is just getting started with Mario’s 40th anniversary. With MAR10 Day happening, make sure to subscribe to Power-Up Direct for more Nintendo news, features, and deep dives.

And let me know in the comments: what’s your favourite Mario game of all time?