What it’s all about
Mario Day lands on March 10 for one delightfully simple reason: written out as MAR10, the date looks like “Mario.” Nintendo leaned into the coincidence and made it official, and now March 10 is a low-key holiday for anyone who ever stomped a Goomba or chased a star. There is no ceremony to it, no obligation, just a shared wink among people who grew up with (or are still growing up with) the world’s most famous plumber.
It is worth a moment because Mario is one of those rare things that spans generations. A grandparent, a parent, and a kid can all sit on the same couch and understand exactly what is happening on screen. That is not nothing in a hobby that often splinters everyone into separate headphones.
A little history
Mario first appeared in 1981 as “Jumpman,” the player character in the arcade game Donkey Kong, before getting his name and his own series. He started as a carpenter, became a plumber, and has since been a doctor, a kart racer, a tennis pro, and a painter. The core appeal has barely changed: run to the right, jump on things, grab the flag.
The genius of Mario is that a five-year-old and a speedrunner can both love the exact same jump.
That staying power is why a joke about a calendar spelling turned into an annual celebration. It rewards nostalgia without demanding it.
How to make the most of it
You do not need to buy anything to enjoy March 10. If you already own a Switch, a 3DS, or even an old console in a closet, dust off whatever Mario game you have and play a few levels. If you want company, co-op titles like Super Mario Bros. Wonder or Super Mario 3D World are built for exactly this kind of casual, everyone-welcome session.
If you are the competitive type, pick a single classic level and speedrun it. World 1-1 of the original Super Mario Bros. is the canonical choice, and shaving seconds off your own time is weirdly satisfying. If you are more of a builder, Super Mario Maker 2 lets you design and share a level in an afternoon.
Celebrating with kids? Combine screen time with something tactile. Make mushroom-shaped snacks, draw your favorite characters, or set up a simple obstacle course where jumping over pillows earns “coins.” The point is to treat the day as permission to be playful.
Why bother
Holidays like this one are a reminder that fun does not have to be productive to be valuable. March 10 gives you a small, guilt-free reason to sit down and play, alone or with people you like. Set aside 30 minutes, pick a game, and let yourself enjoy something you loved as a kid. That is the whole assignment, and it is a good one.
How to celebrate
- 1Host a couch co-op night
Pull up Super Mario Bros. Wonder or Super Mario 3D World and grab a second controller so a friend, kid, or roommate can jump in. Co-op games get chaotic fast, so pick shorter levels and swap who leads. It is easily the best low-effort way to turn one person's hobby into a shared evening.
- 2Speedrun a classic level
Load up the original Super Mario Bros. World 1-1 and time yourself with your phone stopwatch. Learn the classic tricks: run the whole way with the B button held, and take the warp pipe if you want the short route. Try to beat your own time three runs in a row and you will feel exactly why speedrunning is addictive.
- 3Build your own level
If you have Super Mario Maker 2, spend 20 minutes making a single tight level instead of a sprawling one. Focus on one mechanic, like a bouncing shell or a moving platform, and playtest it until you can clear it cleanly. Upload it and send the code to a friend for instant feedback.
- 4Cook a themed snack
Lean into the theme with mushroom-shaped treats: press round crackers with pepperoni caps, or cut strawberries and marshmallows into red-and-white toadstools. For a warm option, make stuffed mushroom caps in the oven. It is a fun, hands-on activity if you are celebrating with kids.