When it comes to video game mascots, Mario has had a better run than most, with a legacy spanning over 35 years and counting. From humble arcade beginnings withDonkey KongandMario Bros.to his breakout success withSuper Mario Bros.on the NES, Mario’s 35th anniversary was a major success, as many fans throughout the generations showered the plumber with praise and adoration. Several merchandise and games were released over the span of several months to commemorate Mario’s impact within the video game industry.
The celebrations were first announced by Nintendo in September 2020 during a specialDirect dedicated to Mario’s 35th anniversary. Included with the announcement ofSuper Mario 3D World’s expansion,Bowser’s Fury, several exclusive pieces of merchandise were also announced. TheSuper Mario BrosGame and Watch handheld device,Super Mario Bros 35,and theSuper Mario 3D All-Starscollection for the Switch were among the limited-run games that Nintendo announced during the Direct.
RELATED:Final Super Mario Bros. 35 World Count Challenge Happening Next Week
Since the original Direct, Nintendo has warned that the limited-run titles and merch would be removed at the end of March. Now, with a week away from March 31st, the date looms overMariofans with some declaring the date as the “death of Mario.” Since the original announcement of the deadline months ago, Nintendo has been subtly reminding its fans of the incoming date,despite resistance from some of its fans.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars, for example, includes remasters ofSuper Mario 64,Super Mario Galaxy, andSuper Mario Sunshineon the Switch, three games that had never received a port on the console prior to the announcement. Many fans show concerns that the removal of these games on March 31st equates to the “death” of the overall-wearing plumber, removing a piece of history and locking it in the Nintendo vault indefinitely. This sparked a trend among fans since the beginning of March, declaring"Mario dies" as the 31st draws near.
While the tweets are humorous and in jest, the end of Mario’s 35th anniversary has caused some confusion among Mario’sfans, wondering exactly which games and merchandise would be removed on March 31st. Nintendo has reassured thatSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s FuryandMario Kart Live: Home Circuitwould remain available among retailers, with several pushing thefinal restock of the Game and Watch andSuper Mario 3D All Starstitles.
Unrelated to the conclusion of the Mario 35th Anniversary event, another title that Nintendo is removing on the 31st isFire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light,the Switch port of the firstFire Emblemgame released on the NES. What makes this removal disappointing to Nintendo fans, especiallyFire Emblemfans, is that the game was never released outside of Japan officially. This makesFire Emblem: Shadow Dragonthe only time players can experience the original NES title officially, at least until Nintendo decides to release it again in some capacity.
Super Mario 3D All-Starsis available on the Switch until July 16, 2025.
