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Nintendo fans have dubbed every March 10 as Mario Day (MAR10, get it?). To celebrate, Nintendo has partnered with “Stranger Things” actor Gaten Matarazzo for the video game holiday.
This year, the gaming company is hosting a “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” tournament that’s open to anyone with the game and a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online. Gamers can really test their driving and drifting skills against others from around the world.
“I talk a lot of talk with how good I am at Mario Kart,” shares Gaten Matarazzo with Variety. “And then I come across somebody else who’s much better and I usually don’t fare too well. So, I’m going to try my best (in the open tournament). And I think that’s probably going to be the best way one can celebrate Mario Day.”
Not a subscriber? You can join Nintendo Switch Online with a 12-month subscription for $19.99/Year, or go with a family membership with up to eight users for $34.99/Year.
Meanwhile, the 21-year-old got started with the game franchise by playing “Mario Kart on the Wii,” he explains. “It’s just so fun and was so unreal. And I played that too an unhealthy degree that kind of segued into me playing it on the Nintendo Switch — to an yet another unhealthy degree.”
And just because it’s Mario Day, it doesn’t mean you have to enter the online kart-racing tournament with Mario himself, or characters from the Mario universe — like Yoshi, Shy Guy or Dry Bones. In fact, you can join with other characters included in the game, such as Isabelle from “Animal Crossing,” Inkling Girl from “Splatoon” or Link from “The Legend of Zelda.”
“I always go with Link which is crazy. I feel like I should probably just stick with the title franchise, but for some reason, I always go for Link. (Maybe) because I’m a Zelda freak,” says Matarazzo. “And I think that’s what solidified my Nintendo love, but any chance when I’m playing ‘Smash Bros.,’ and I always play Link in ‘Mario Kart,’ as well. I don’t know why. It’s just something I love.”
Learn more about Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Open March 2024 Tournament here.
In the meantime, to celebrate everyone’s favorite Brooklyn plumber, retailers like — Amazon, Target, Walmart and Best Buy — slashed prices on select Mario games for Nintendo Switch. Right now, you can score up to 33% on hit titles (physical copies and digital downloads), like “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” “Mario Party Superstars,” “Mario Golf: Super Rush” and others.
Scroll down and shop the best Mario Day deals, below:
Nintendo
‘Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’
“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is the quintessential kart-racing game with more than 40 characters, nearly 50 courses, over 35 vehicles and thousands of combinations for hours upon hours of fun.
Nintendo
‘Mario Party Superstars’
Get the party started with “Mario Party Superstars” with more than 100 mini-games and challenges featuring Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi and others to play with friends and family.
Nintendo
‘Mario Golf: Super Rush’
This isn’t your average day on the golf course. “Mario Golf: Super Rush” is a high-octane and supercharged experience with enhanced speed golf options.
Nintendo
‘Mario Tennis Aces’
This isn’t just an ordinary tennis match. It’s a tennis battle. “Mario Tennis Aces” is the next level of tennis with missions, battles and boss fights.
Nintendo
‘Yoshi’s Crafted World’
In “Yoshi’s Crafted World,” you join Yoshi and friends in a quest to find and retrieve the gem-set stones from Kamek and Baby Bowser in an adorable adventure.
Nintendo
‘Luigi’s Mansion 3’
While traveling to a haunted hotel, Mario, Toad, and Princess Peach are captured by spooky poltergeist. Now Luigi must overcome his fears and save the day to rescue Mario in “Luigi’s Mansion 3.”
Nintendo
‘Super Mario Bros. Wonder’
Recently nominated for Game of the Year, “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” is a trippy, side-scrolling adventure through the Flower Kingdom.
Nintendo
‘Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury’
“Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury” is two advnetures for the price of one where Mario and friends pounce and climb through a colorful 3D before it shifts into dark and gloom to defeat a gargantuan and fiery Bowser.
Mario Day deals run until Sunday, Mar. 17 at Amazon, Target, Walmart and Best Buy. Watch a MAR10 Day video from Nintendo, below: