Every March 10th, Nintendo turns a date on the calendar into a full-blown celebration. If you squint at MAR10, you’ll see it. That clever little spelling has turned into one of the biggest annual events for Mario fans, with deep discounts on games, surprise announcements, and all kinds of community fun. But if you’re not paying attention, the best stuff flies by fast.
Mario Day has grown well beyond a novelty hashtag. Nintendo now treats it as a major moment, rolling out deals on Switch titles, promoting new releases, and even running sweepstakes for experiences like SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™. For fans and families, it’s become a real holiday worth planning around.
This guide covers everything you need to know for Mario Day 2026. You’ll find the best anticipated game deals and bundles, potential new title announcements, and a bunch of creative ways to celebrate at home, from themed snacks to crafts and gaming marathons. Consider this your one-stop prep sheet so you don’t miss a thing.
Unlocking the Best of Mario Day 2026: Deals and Games
Anticipated Game Discounts and Bundles
March 10, 2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic time to grab Mario games at steep discounts. Previous MAR10 Day celebrations have featured deals slashing prices by up to 67% off. That’s huge savings.
Smart shoppers should start watching retailers early. Amazon, Best Buy, and the Nintendo eShop typically compete for your attention with flash sales and doorbusters. Last year’s patterns suggest we’ll see major titles like Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury getting significant price cuts. Some games that usually retail for $59.99 could drop below $20 during these special 24-hour promotions.
Special edition console bundles are another highlight worth your time. Nintendo has a history of releasing limited-time bundles that package a Nintendo Switch console with popular Mario titles and exclusive accessories. These bundles often feature special red and blue Joy-Con controllers or Mario-themed carrying cases. They sell out fast. Really fast. Setting up alerts from major retailers weeks in advance can give you the edge when these limited quantities drop.
Potential New Game Releases and Featured Titles
Nintendo strategically uses MAR10 Day as a platform to spotlight both beloved classics and fresh releases in the Mario franchise. The company has transformed this date into a marketing event that rivals Black Friday for Nintendo fans. Expect trailers, gameplay reveals, and possibly shadow drops of new content.
Keep your eyes peeled for surprise announcements. Nintendo Direct presentations around early March have historically unveiled DLC expansions, remastered classics, or even brand-new titles. The 2026 celebration might bring news about the next Mario Kart installment or innovative spin-offs that expand the Mushroom Kingdom universe. Nintendo promotes these events across all their channels, making it easy for fans to stay in the loop.
Nintendo Switch Online Membership Offers
Don’t overlook the subscription deals. MAR10 Day regularly includes special pricing on Nintendo Switch Online memberships, including both individual and family plans. The standard membership gives you access to classic NES and SNES games, many featuring Mario himself in starring roles.
The Expansion Pack tier, which unlocks Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis libraries, often sees promotional pricing too. This higher-tier subscription lets you play iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and Paper Mario. Watch for bundle deals that combine membership discounts with game purchases for maximum value.
Immersive Experiences and Sweepstakes
Nintendo loves making MAR10 Day special with exclusive opportunities you won’t find any other time of year. The company typically announces sweepstakes where lucky winners can score trips to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios. Imagine exploring the interactive theme park areas, collecting digital coins with your Power-Up Band, and racing through Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge in real life.
It’s an absolute dream for any fan.
Keep your eyes on Nintendo’s official channels as March approaches. Entry requirements are usually pretty simple, like sharing Mario-themed content or participating in special gaming challenges. Some sweepstakes let you earn multiple entries by engaging with different Nintendo platforms or completing specific in-game objectives.
Community challenges add another layer of fun to the celebration. Nintendo often creates special events where players worldwide team up to reach collective goals. Maybe you’ll need to collect a certain number of coins across all players, or complete specific levels in Mario games. When the community hits these milestones, everyone gets rewards like exclusive digital items, profile icons, or even My Nintendo Platinum Points you can redeem for cool merchandise.
Fun Activities and Crafts for All Ages
Playing Mario games is the obvious way to celebrate, but there’s so much more you can do. Host a Mario marathon where friends take turns playing different titles from the franchise. Set up tournament brackets for Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros. The competitive energy gets everyone hyped.
Crafts bring out creativity in kids and adults alike. Make paper chain power-ups to hang around your house. Red and white construction paper becomes Fire Flowers, yellow stars with googly eyes transform into Power Stars. Creative activities like designing custom question blocks from cardboard boxes add homemade charm to your celebration.
DIY costume contests never get old. Throw on red overalls and a fake mustache for instant Mario vibes. Princess Peach, Luigi, Yoshi, even Bowser costumes work great for group photos. Kids especially love dressing up as their favorite characters while playing the games.
Create a Mario scavenger hunt around your home or yard. Hide gold coin chocolates, mushroom stickers, and small toy figures. Write clues referencing different Mario games to make it challenging for older kids and adults.
Delicious Mario-Themed Food Ideas
Food makes every celebration better. Mario Party Pizza is exactly what it sounds like. Top your pizza with pepperoni arranged like question blocks, or use different colored bell peppers to create mushroom shapes.
Green olives and red peppers work perfectly for creating simple Mario face designs.
Star Power Sugar Cookies let you bring those iconic invincibility stars to life. Cut sugar cookie dough into star shapes, bake until golden, then decorate with yellow icing and edible glitter. Kids love helping with the decorating part.
Mario-themed treats extend beyond cookies and pizza. Make “1-Up Mushroom” cupcakes with green frosting and white fondant spots. Rice Krispies treats shaped into question blocks and painted with yellow food coloring look professional with minimal effort. Red fruit punch becomes “Fire Flower Fuel” with the right label, while blue sports drinks transform into “Ice Flower Freeze.” Even simple fruit kabobs arranged with strawberries, pineapple chunks, and green grapes mimic the colorful aesthetic of Mushroom Kingdom power-ups.
