Kotaku: Mario

The Super Mario Marathon For Child's Play

Mike Fahey — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:30:00 MDT

Brian Brinegar, Dan May, and John Groth are three former college roommates who plan on spending the next fifty-five hours playing through seven different Mario games in their entirety. That's Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, and 3, Super Mario World, Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. Three gamers, seven games, fifty-five hours, all for the sake of the children. The trio is broadcasting their Super Mario Marathon live all weekend via UStreamTV, kicking off at 3PM Eastern and going until all the games are completed or they go crazy and turn on each other.

I spent some time last night chatting with the guys, who have a lovely recliner and a friendly dog. I warn you...don't expect them to be good at this. These aren't speed runs. Just a group of friends showing you a good time for a good cause.

Hit up the link below to visit the main page for the marathon, check out the FAQ, chat with the crew, and make a donation to Child's Play in the name of three men who may not survive the weekend.

The Super Mario Marathon [Official Page]

Mario, Wario Games Headline Nintendo's Summer Line-Up - Rhythm Tengoku MIA

StephenTotilo — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:00:00 MDT

Nintendo of America took June off. Today we've learned they're taking July off too. But in August the publisher will once again release new Wii and DS games from sea to shining sea.

Announced today are:

8/25 - Mario Super Sluggers - Mario and friends playing baseball via the Wii (developed by Namco Bandai)
9/8 - Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir — A DS edition of the popular PC hidden picture series from Big Fish Games
9/29 - Wario Land: Shake It! — A side-scroller for the Wii (Developed by I-don't-know-who)
9/29 - Kirby Super Star Ultra — A DS remake of the 1996 SNES platformer, with touch-based mini-games added

Someone please console me that the DS sequel to Rhythm Tengoku, a rhythm game made by the makers of WarioWare, that's set for summer release in Japan, was not announced as part of this line-up.

Also note, Nintendo owners, that the baseball game is from Namco Bandai, one of these games is a remake and another is possibly being made by Big Fish. It certainly appears that Nintendo's internal teams, whose most recent work was May's Wii Fit, should be on deck for a lot of games in the fall.

Full press release after the jump

Nintendo’s Wario, Kirby Bring the Fun; Sleuths Get a New Mystery Case Files Game
New Experiences on the Way for Wii and Nintendo DS

REDMOND, Wash.—(BUSINESS WIRE)— While the game world awaits the E3 Media & Business Summit in Los Angeles next month, Nintendo isn’t waiting to announce new titles for its mushrooming libraries for the Wii™ console and Nintendo DS™. Classic Nintendo characters like bad-boy Wario™ and pink powerhouse Kirby® will star in their own platform games. A new Mystery Case Files™ game brings the best-selling Big Fish Games franchise to Nintendo DS for the first time. These games join the recently announced Mario™ Super Sluggers baseball game for the Wii console.

“Nintendo’s game libraries continue to grow at a rapid pace,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Wario stars in a great new platformer, Kirby enthusiasts get an updated version of a fan favorite, there’s a new mystery for Mystery Case Files aficionados and baseball gets a few new Mario-style twists.”

Wario Land™: Shake It!, a classic side-scroller for the Wii console launching Sept. 29, stars Wario, the smelly, bad-mannered alter ego of Mario™. With the Wii Remote™ controller turned sideways like an old-school controller, veterans and newcomers alike can run, jump and smash their way through hectic side-scrolling stages. Players shake the Wii Remote to help Wario take down his enemies, empty bags of treasure or cause earthquakes. Best of all, there are numerous stages each offering multiple missions to keep players coming back again and again to unlock everything, collect more coins or just improve their best times.

Kirby Super Star™ Ultra for Nintendo DS, launching Sept. 29, re-imagines one of the most beloved Kirby games of all time. Kirby Super Star Ultra features new graphics and fully rendered animated cut scenes. With so many adventures waiting to be unlocked, there will never be a dull moment as Kirby runs, floats, copies enemies and uses Helpers to fight King Dedede and Meta Knight. New modes like Revenge of the King and Meta Knight Ultra await, along with classics like The Great Cave Offensive and Milky Way Wishes. On top of the main modes, there are also three new touch-screen-controlled mini-games that can be played with up to three friends via DS Download Play. Not only that, but players can go on Kirby adventures with a friend via local wireless as well.

Mystery Case Files™: MillionHeir™, launching Sept. 8, uses the unique Nintendo DS interface to expand upon the seek-and-solve game play of the popular series from Big Fish Games. Players seek out cleverly hidden items in a multitude of painted scenes. Players progress through an interactive detective story investigating a cast of characters and uncovering new evidence to find the rightful heir to a million-dollar fortune. This new portable installment is available only for Nintendo DS. With interactive logic puzzles that use both the touch-screen interface and built-in microphone and include the first ever multiplayer mode for a Mystery Case Files game, Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir presents a new generation of seek-and-solve games for casual gamers and franchise fans.

Mario™ Super Sluggers, launching Aug. 25 for the Wii console, stars the ever-lovable Mario and his crew of friends. It builds on the social-gaming fun and movements people learned in Wii Sports™ and turns them into a full-fledged baseball game that can be played by every member of the household. Players make a throwing motion with the Wii Remote controller to pitch the baseball and make a swinging motion to swing at the pitch. The game boasts more than 30 playable Nintendo characters and all the madness of a Mario sports game. Just like Mario Kart® Wii, it bridges the gap between experienced players and those new to the Wii console, with fun challenges and beautiful graphics.

Miyamoto's Secret To Quality Control: Less Sega, More Mario

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:30:41 MDT

With console warring between Nintendo and Sega a thing of the past, Sega now relegated to a software only existence — robot girlfriends and indoor astronomy gizmos not included — you'd think that those Genesis era wounds would have healed. Perhaps without meaning to, famed Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto may have split them open again.

When asked about maintaining quality control at Nintendo, Miyamoto says the key is in avoiding Sega-style design. He tells Wired, "I'm always instructing my game designers on the history of the characters and worlds we've created. Often we're in development and I'll say, 'Oh, this looks like a Sega game. We need to make it look more like Mario.'" Ouch.

In Miyamoto's defense, he may have been talking about Sega's last decade or so of existence. And that's totally fair.

15th Anniversary: Revenge of the Wii [Wired via NeoGAF]

Mario Super Sluggers Intro

Mike Fahey — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:00:00 MDT

The intro to Mario Super Sluggers for the Nintendo Wii holds no real surprises to anyone who has played any of the other Mario-themed sports games Nintendo has been cranking forever. Mario and friends take a magical boat to Baseball Island, where they are forced to play baseball until they drop from exhaustion in order to entertain a crowd filled with Mario enemies past.

Baseball is all well and good, but I'd rather see Mario and friends take on new sports, rather than revisit ones the've already covered. Why not Mario All-Star American Football, or better yet, Mario Boxing. Who wouldn't pay $50 to punch Waluigi right in the face?

Mario Breaks From Princess Saving To Shill Some Hockey

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:40:05 MDT

2K Sports made kind of a big deal about the impending release of NHL 2K9 being "the first and only officially licensed NHL and NHLPA video game for Wii" but we didn't know how serious the Take-Two label was. They got Mario—yes, that Mario—to help drum up enthusiasm for video game hockey, waggle-style at last night's 2008 NHL Awards in Toronto. Normally, our eyes glaze over when someone brings up hockey video games that were released after NHL 94 for the Genesis, but when Mario foregos pimping his own sports ventures, we're forced to sit up and listen. Or at least write a smarmy post!

Make Your Nerdy House A Nerdy Home With Mario, Donkey Kong Decals

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:40:22 MDT

Maker of high quality wall decals Blik has partnered with Nintendo to bring adhesive fun into the lives of kids, adult adolescents and good ol' regular adolescents everywhere with a new trio of officially licensed decorative stickers. Want to make your home office have a Donkey Kong inspired backdrop? You can! Blik is also offering premium decal sets based on Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario Bros., transforming your den or bedroom into a magical Mushroom Kingdom wonderland—while pissing off your wife!

At $75, they aren't on the cheap side, but as I always say, you can't skimp on quality when it comes to wall stickers based on classic Nintendo characters. If you're looking for something less pricey, perhaps the Blik Space Invaders decals (only $45!) will scratch that video game sticker itch.

Nintendo Wall Graphics [blik]

Nintendo's Favourite Drunken Mexican

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:30:00 MDT

Hahaha! Mario's not Italian, you suckers. He just moonlights for Nintendo, does the odd bit of product promotion here and there. Helps put the kids through college. No, for the other six days of the week, he's no plumber. He's a drunk, Mexican restaurant mascot by the name of Pancho Bigotes! Or Pancho Whiskers, if you will. I don't know about you, but Super Paper Pancho Bigotes would only be the most awesome game ever, Nintendo. Ever. You hear me?

[via Go Nintendo]

Ladies And Gentlemen, Master Chief As Balloons

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:00:03 MDT

We'll admit to not following advancements in balloon animal technology, so we were understandably blown away to see this nearly life-sized Master Chief inflatable construction—clearly not an animal. This is the stuff of dreams and nightmares, the work of a balloonsmith known as Balloon Guy, a master of the latex folding arts. Based out of Provo, Utah, Balloon Guy says he'll make almost anything "as long as it's family friendly." He's also in possession of a rather dapper vest!

Balloon Guy has an equally impressive/horrific Mario on display, but some of these things are not for the queasy. Regardless of what potential nightmares await, we've yet to see such an impressive display of video game characters constructed from balloons, like, ever.

Balloon Guy Entertainment [The Official Site - thanks, Ty!]

Mario Tries Some New Ways of Dying

Owen Good — Sun, 18 May 2008 12:00:00 MDT

Boy I don't know about you, but when I shuffle off this mortal coil, I hope that I leap into the air waving my arms, and then plunge out of view as a merry oh-shit tune plays. With my loving family around my deathbed of course.

Mario's been dying that way for years, so, here's a video in which he tries on some new demises in search of a better good death. They missed Defender, where he explodes in a fireworks burst and burns white-hot thermite particles through anything on the screen. That would be funny. Certainly funnier than what happened between Luigi and the Koopas.

Deaths That Just Don't Work for Mario [YouTube]

They Listened: Buy Bee, Boo Mario Plushies

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:30:00 MDT

This was a gimme for Nintendo. After all, Bee Mario was the most adorable thing that fat plumber's done in years, so capitalising on the love-in by releasing a soft, cuddly replica was a no-brainer. It'll be available in July, for around $25. If your collectible tastes for the game run to the more supernatural end of the spectrum, a Boo Mario will be available as well. Same time, same price.

Super Mario Galaxy Plush Doll: Bee Mario [Play-Asia, via Go Nintendo]

Mysterious Tag Virtuoso Creates Mario Homage

Leigh Alexander — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:20:00 MDT

Parents' groups might be convinced that we "learn" how to steal cars and kill whores from GTA. But if San Andreas has taught us anything, it's that graffiti is a dark and serious business.

"GreatFox" normally disdains the tagger's vandal's stain on our city streets, but couldn't resist snapping a pic when he saw this. Thug life, Mario, reppin' the Mushroom Kingdom. (Thanks, dude!)

Super Mario Really Is A Plumber (And Heating Specialist)

Mark Wilson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:40:00 MDT

Crack open a pint of ice cream and grab the tissues. We have some very bad news. Super Mario, you know, that guy who has saved the world/Princess on multiple occasions while facing ridiculous odds? He's a plumber in Europe. Yeah, and that's the picture is his van. His van! Sure, Superior Bathrooms by SuperMario "takes bathroom projects to new heights," but it sinks our hearts to new lows.

The last time we were this disappointed, we woke up to find hair in all our weird places. And every day since then things have just gotten worse.

Superior Bathrooms by SuperMario [SuperMario Broke Our Heart via technabob]

The Real Bowser Is A Dino-Chicken

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:30:00 MDT

Real Mario was creepy. Real creepy. Also apparently a big inspiration for internet photoshoppers, because German art student Marcus Blättermann has taken Pixeloo's premise and applied it to Bowser. Who no longer looks like a bad guy. He just looks like a dinosaur. Or a chicken. Oh, and a turtle too. Whatever, he's not creepy.
Realistically Painted Bowser [essenmitsosse, via Go Nintendo]

RAC Re-ignites Nintendo Sega Feud

Mike Fahey — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:00:00 MDT

The console wars between Sega and Nintendo ended years ago, but the folks of the RemixArtistCollective are bringing it back with a special 4-track remix album of classic tunes from both systems. On the Nintendo side of things you've got Mario and of course The Legend of Zelda, while Sega is represented here by Sonic the Hedgehog and...Sonic the Hedgehog. Does Nintendo win on sheer variety, or can two Sonic remixes stand up to the double threat of Mario and Link? Find out for yourself by downloading the electro dance versions of these classic tunes below. Not bad at all.

NINTENDO VS SEGA EP [RAC]

What's This On My Desk? Just INVINCIBILITY.

Mark Wilson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:40:00 MDT

Oh, hey Sharon. Yeah, I'm looking forward to the weekend too. Oh, what's this star? Nothing for you to worry about. Let's just say, a man like me occasionally needs...some protection...if you catch my drift.

No, no, I didn't mean it that way, Sharon! Not protection as in "wee," protection as in "Wii!" (You can't actually see the spelling of my words, can you?) Please Sharon, step away from human resources. OK, then at least tell them that I have this musical star on my desk for protection—as in invincibility. When I touch it, my body begins to glow for 15 seconds and all things that can harm me bounce off my skin. Can you do that for me, Sharon? Thanks, I wouldn't want them to think I was a weirdo or something! Haha! Amiright??

Super Mario Singing Glow Star [Think Geek via Geek Alerts]

Mario That You Can Always Sit On

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:30:09 MDT

That Nintendo tattoo? Neat. That Nintendo tattoo on some guy's ass? Yeah... What happened? Some guy likes Nintendo. Some guy has ass. Said some guy gets Nintendo tattooed on his ass. What we know:

Mr. Lobes geeky ass cheek tattoos were done by Brad at Atomic Zombie in Edmonton, Alberta. I don't know if he's planning on pounding more color into them, but I hope so, even though they look great as is.

Contextual, NSFW pics after the jump.

Geek Ass [ModBlog via Geekologie via ALBOTAS]

Bling Out with LEGO Mario Necklace

Brian Crecente — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:00:00 MDT

Mario is off the hook, but not the chain, the gold chain. Alice points to this fine bit of Mario jewelry featuring Nintendo's top dog in Lego brick hung from a thick gold rope.

So you've got the big gold necklace, you've got the oversized icon necklace and you have the LEGO. And are those LEGO brick earrings I see? Doesn't get any doper... or is that dope?

Mario is the new VW Badge [Wonderland]

(Super) Mario (Bros.) Paint

Mark Wilson — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:45:00 MDT

Have you ever just looked at the Super Mario Bros. box art? I mean, really looked at it until it made some sort of sense? Why is Mario leaping over a lake of lava while tossing fireballs at a wall—the same wall, I should mention, that he's actually leaping into? Did the art department screw up? Where they read "wall" were they meant to read "Bowser?" Where they painted blue blocks were they meant to paint green scales?

The world may never know, but feel free to ponder the question over this oil painting. It's deep because it's oil painting.

Super Mario Bros Paint [Flickr]

The Mario Theme, Performed By A Car And Some Bottles Of Wine

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:30:00 MDT

So this kid, he likes Nintendo. And one day, he finds himself in an underground car park, with an RC car and around a gagillion empty wine bottles lying around. What's he do? He does what any of us would do, and combines the lot to belt out possibly the most wonderful rendition of the Mario theme you'll ever need to hear.
[via Boing-Boing]

Hey, Mushroomy Rock Band Pads

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:40:22 MDT

Grey drum pads? Cripplingly boring. Super Mario Bros. style mushroom drum pads? Oh, yes, please! This adorable little Rock Band drum controller mod is, I hope, the start of a trend, inspiring more custom controller art and hopefully fewer video game tattoos. Express yourself via pad, kids! There are plenty of photos on Flickr, proving that Rock Band is still fun when played in front of a sliding glass door, with video backing up the theory.

Super Mario Mushroom Drum Pads for Rock Band [Behold the Mundane - thanks, Alexandre!]

Real Creepy Mario Now Talking Real Creepy

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:00:35 MDT

Thought it couldn't get creepier than the real life Mario? Oh man, yes it can, yes it can. The freakazoid now moves and, worse yet, talks. The animation was created by Deviant artist Portrix by using "Crazy Talk 5 Pro" to honor the originally, nightmare-inducing Mario. Link below is scary.
Animated Scary mario [Boundless Thanks, Z!]

Mini Bash's DS Brought to Life

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:40:40 MDT

Someone has taken Mini Bash's origami DS and made it real! Over at Newgrounds, artist zikayn writes:

I was bored over Easter and after reading something about a kid making his own DS out of paper, I decided to try and make one of my own, surprisingly it actually started working...

Mini Bash response: "Why does his move, but mine doesn't?" Because zikayn is a witch, that's why.
Home Made DS [Newgrounds Thanks, jama!]

Maniac Mario Collection

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:00:38 MDT

Some people like Nintendo. Other people like Nintendo. The person who lives in this room, well he/she/it is clearly very bananas for Nintendo. Look at all those Marios packed in there like sardines. The cruelty!

Like Nintendo [popgive via Go Nintendo]

Classic, GameCube Controllers Gimped For Mario Kart

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:20:00 MDT

Oh my. Anyone preparing to throw the Wii Wheel out with the bathwater when their copy of Mario Kart arrives may want to know this. The latest fact sheet handed to us from Nintendo contains some notes on the game's four control schemes. Here's what it says for the Classic and GameCube controls:

• Classic Controller: Mario Kart veterans can let their thumbs do the driving with the Classic Controller. However, players cannot perform certain moves with this control scheme.
• Nintendo GameCube™ Controller: Experienced Mario Kart fans may also enjoy this familiar scheme, although some maneuvers cannot be performed.

The emphasis is mine. The disappointment, however, is quite possibly yours. Full release is after the jump if you're the type who prefers first-hand accounts.

Mario Kart® Wii
Format: Wii™
Launch Date: 04/27/08
ESRB: E (Everyone): Comic Mischief
Game Type: Kart Racing
Accessories: Wii Wheel™ (included)
Players: 1-4 locally or up to 12 on Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection with up to 2 players locally
Developer: Nintendo

KEY INFORMATION
The worldwide race is on with a whole new set of tricks, tracks and ways to play.

* The Wii Wheel transforms the Wii Remote™ controller into a steering wheel that feels natural in anyone's hands, while the Wii Remote and Nunchuk™ controller offer a classic control style for the Mario Kart veteran. In either configuration, players can perform speed-boosting tricks with a shake of the Wii Remote.
* Players can race as their favorite Nintendo character, or even as themselves! Mario Kart Wii lets players race with their personalized Mii™ characters. And racers will see other Mii characters they have created cheering from the sidelines on some race courses.
* Players can compete with up to three friends in their living room. Or challenge up to 11 opponents via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in the biggest Mario Kart race yet. All tracks and modes of play are available via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and players can visit the Mario Kart Channel to compete in tournaments, check rankings, see when their friends are playing and download ghost data.
* Cruise new tracks and arenas or tour classic courses from Super Mario Kart™, Mario Kart® 64, Mario Kart®: Super Circuit™, Mario Kart®: Double Dash!!™ and Mario Kart® DS. Tired of riding on four wheels? Bust out one of the new motorbikes for special tricks and techniques.

Game storyline: Drawing on courses and battle arenas from every game in the series - not to mention tons of new ones - the true king of the Mushroom Kingdom racing circuits will finally be crowned.

How to progress through the game: Place first in Grand Prix circuits or clear skill-based missions to open up increasingly difficult and thrilling circuits. Players can have multiplayer races on any open courses or battle in arenas.

Characters: Nintendo favorites Mario™, Luigi™, Peach™, Yoshi®, Donkey Kong®, Wario™, Bowser™ and Toad™, plus a host of new faces-including your own! Get into the game and put your Mii™ character behind the wheel.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Whether racing around an obstacle-filled track or battling in an arena, drifting and tossing items are the keys to Mario Kart success. Players can shake the Wii Remote while launching off a ramp to pull off a trick that will temporarily boost their speed. When riding a bike, players can gain additional speed by flicking the Wii Remote up and popping a wheelie.

Control: Mario Kart Wii is compatible with four different control schemes, so players can customize how they want to play:

* Wii Remote Controller (with or without Wii Wheel): Steer by tilting the Wii Remote left and right. Or snap the Wii Remote into the Wii Wheel to transform it into a steering wheel for an intuitive, motion-based control scheme.
* Nunchuk Controller: Steer with the Control Stick on the Nunchuk and use the Wii Remote to accelerate, perform tricks and drift.
* Classic Controller: Mario Kart veterans can let their thumbs do the driving with the Classic Controller. However, players cannot perform certain moves with this control scheme.
* Nintendo GameCube™ Controller: Experienced Mario Kart fans may also enjoy this familiar scheme, although some maneuvers cannot be performed.

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection: There are two options for races and battles over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection: up to 12 people via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or up to 10 people via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection with two people playing locally.

Wired's A Brief History Of Nintendo's Godawful Philips CD-i Games

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:20:59 MDT

You may already be familiar with the handful of Nintendo-licensed games that were released for the Philips CD-i during the heady days of CD-ROMania. If not, you will definitely want to unsee the latest episode of Game|Life The Video which offers a fantastic and hilarious primer on the near ruining of Nintendo's best known IPs, Mario and Zelda.

You may learn a thing or two while getting your first horrific glances at Super Mario's Wacky Worlds and Zelda's Adventure, Novalogic's braindead sequel of sorts to Super Mario World and the photorealistic stillborn offspring of digitized graphics and The Legend of Zelda respectively. Proceed with caution toward the Kohler-Baker tag team of these unclassics.

Game|Life The Video, #7: Nintendo and CD-i [Game|Life]

Gamer Brits Set Pathetic Cosplaying Guinness World Record

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:30:53 MDT

It doesn't take much to impress the folks at the Guinness Book of World Records, I guess. They deemed the gathering of 80 cosplayers, each dressed up as a video game character, "The Largest Gathering of Games Characters" that they've ever had on record. The GameSpot report on the matter points out that the record wasn't officially recorded prior to the event, so it wasn't exactly hard.

That certainly doesn't mean that the 30 kids sporting Mario outfits from Argyle Primary School, Kings Cross aren't adorable. We're just expecting the record to be smashed by the weekend. There's surely a con happening somewhere.

UK cosplayers set Guinness World Record [GameSpot]

Real Mario Is Real Creepy

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 01:30:00 MDT

This is what happens when you take the proportions of cartoon/Nintendo Mario's face and apply real-world characteristics to it. It was created using Photoshop and a bunch of features from a bunch of real faces. It is currently creeping the shit out of me.
Super Real Mario World [Pixeloo, via technabob]

Super Mario... Corset?

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:00:43 MDT

Gaming themed shirts? Check. Gaming themed socks? Ditto. Gaming themed corsets? Hrm. This must be a first for Kotaku: a Mario corset. From the Etsy page:

A supercute corset made from alternating RARE & vintage Super Mario Brothers and red & white polka dot print fabric, topped off with bias tape flanking the bodice, a delicate sweetheart-shaped bustline, two polka dot ribbon bows, crude contrast stitching and silver metal grommets in the back so you can lace up! FULLY boned for support.

Fully what? Hit the jump for view of the back.

Super Mario Bros. Corset [Etsy via Technabob via Shiny Shiny]

Useless Accessory Watch: The Mario Nintendo DS Holder

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:20:00 MST

We suppose someone out there may have use for a twelve inch Mario statue that's sole purpose is to hold a Nintendo DS in its hands. It just seems superfluous to us, because we have interns working round the clock to keep our handhelds aloft, never once touching the ground. (For the record, if they do touch the ground they are immediately sent to the incinerator. The interns, that is.)

For the rest of you who don't have interns slaving away for college credit wearing pristine silk gloves keeping your DSs clean, maybe this $30 Mario statue is for you. Just seems like a waste to me.

Super Mario 12-Inch Nintendo DS Holder Statue [Entertainment Earth via Wonderland]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Character Super Evolved

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:00:44 MST

Sure, we've seen stuff like this before, that doesn't mean we're sick of Nintendo character evolution charts. Never! This time around we're tracking the progression that the brawlers from Super Smash Bros. Brawl have undergone. Hit the jump for a look at Samus, Kirby and non-Nintendo character but Wii-favorite Sonic.

So, yeah, Kirby's about the same.
Ninty Retro [Image Shack via Digg via Infendo]

Tattoo You

Drew Crecente — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:00:00 MST

Kotaku faithful T3CHTony loves all things Mario and doesn't care who knows it. Here's his recent tattoo that he received at Electric Tattoo in Pasadena, Maryland.

It's a relief to see that it's a cool tattoo. I like good tattoos and actually just got a new one in memory of my daughter two weeks ago but cringe whenever I see one that looks like it was drawn with an Etch a Sketch or whose subject matter may necessitate a lengthy explanation to the grandkids one day.

Very cool Tony - wear it with pride!

Giant Mario Quilt Makes Eyes Spin

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:00:31 MST

Some guy named Brian (no relation) has this huge Mario quilt in his basement gameroom. His wife made it from 16 different fabrics for that four bit-color. It's 36 columns wide and 44 rows high — that's 6 feet wide by 8 feet tall. We can't decide if this is so awesome or headache inducing.
Mario Quilt [Boing Boing]

Mario Theme Would Make a Fantastic Japanese Anthem

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:00:59 MST

"Kimigayo," Japan's national anthem, has its supporters and haters. Adopted in 1868, the song is really a 10th century poem that contains this controversial line: "May the Emperor's reign last forever." Well, since the Emperor is now a figurehead, some Japanese question whether "Kimigayo" should be the national anthem. Other don't really give a hoot! While discussing Nintendo's super composer Koji Kondo, colleague Nobuo Uematsu jokingly hit upon this solution:

I think there are a lot of talented composers these days compared to when we started back in the day. But if I were to name just one person then it would be [Koji] Kondo-san and his beats and music in Super Mario, just his upbeat tempos. I'm sure everyone in the world — no borderlines or age limit — everyone in the world who's come across Super Mario's music will never forget that melody... I think that the Super Mario song should be the national anthem for Japan. [Hums the death refrain] So when someone wins a gold medal at the Olympics, a Japanese athlete, the flag should go up with the theme song. Shoop! ...The world would have a different image of Japan if we use that.

Before you pepper the comments with "lol" or "hahaha", just keep in mind having to stand and take off your hat every time someone fired up a Mario game. 'Kay? Now proceed with the hahaha-ing and lol-ing.
A Day in the Life [1Up via Go Nintendo]

Nintendo Characters Big and Evolved

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:00:28 MST

We've seen charts like this before. You know, ones that show how Nintendo characters evolve. That doesn't mean we'll ever get tired of them. No way! Here was have a look at Mario, Link and Donkey Kong over the years. Do yourself a favor, ignore that some of them are out of order! It'll ruin the effect.

Full chart after the jump.

Nintendo Character Evo [Bynabi via Danny Choo]

Suda Wants To Make Mario With Guns

Mark Wilson — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:00:45 MST

Grasshopper's Goichi Suda (51) is pretty comfortable making violent games, like bloody light saber fest No More Heroes (a slap in the face to most fiction/reality when burns tend to cauterize wounds, but we digress). So he was recently asked by Nintendo Official Magazine UK if he'd consider making titles for a younger crowd. And that's when his eyes turned red and pupils the darkest black of night...

I want to make a Super Mario game for adults...Maybe Mario could wear an Italian suit and have a machine gun...But Nintendo probably wouldn't like that idea.

And somewhere in the distance, amongst the shadows and debris blowing in the wind, you could hear Miyamoto weeping. Softly.

With a gun.

Suda wants to make 'Mario with guns' [CVG][image]

Mario Car Goes "Beep Beep"

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 06:00:28 MST

Nothing quite cruising the virtual expressway in this Mario mobile. This "Beep Beep Mario" from Japan was spotted in Madrid by Spanish blog ion lithium. Pretty sure it's just one of those feed-a-coin-watch-the-screen-and-turn-the-wheel dealios. Doesn't make it any less magical! Especially if you are a pre-schooler.
Super Mario World [ion lithium]

Mario Art Scrolls, Jumps, Is Utterly Fantastic

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:20:00 MST

This is a prototype of Keith Lam and Joseph Chan's Moving Mario, an installation art piece that wants to draw your attention to the fact that the sense of a character's "movement" attained in old 2D side-scrollers was instead just a scrolling background image. Or, as Lam says:

By phsyicalize (sic) the virtual game, Moving Mario is transferring the movement of virtual character (Mario) to the real world player.

Which is all well and good, but he could just as easily have said "because this looks really great" and I'd have nodded my head in agreement twice as hard.
Moving Mario [via Boing-Boing]
[Moving Mario Flickr set]

Mario Blanket Proves Once Again That Grandmas Are Awesome

Mark Wilson — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:40:37 MST

Let's review. The ultimate Mario: Raccoon Mario. The ultimate warming device: blankets. The ultimate Mario throw: quite possibly, this Raccoon Mario blanket. Constructed from 2-inch squares and backed with a solid black design, we don't believe that this Etsy-born product was actually sewn by a grandma, but it's close enough for us to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. While none are currently in stock, you can email the designer to purchase this unlicensed blanket of your very own for $85.

Raccoon Mario blanket [etsy]

Sound Effects Make the Best Game Themes

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:00:55 MST

The latest thing? Remixing game sound effects into the game's theme. Right up there, that's the original Super Smash Bros. Pretty catchy! Hit the jump for a stab at Super Mario 64.

Thanks, Yards!

How Important Is Mario's Mustache?

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:43 MST

Little red hat, overalls and a mustache. That's the Mario we all know. But what if he had, you know, a different mustache? Would he look different? He sure would! No clue who made this or how old it is or whatever. All we do know is it's super cool. That, and the Lech Walesa 'stache is magnificent. The Burt Reynolds is impressive, too. Hit the jump for more, including fan favorites like Dali, H. Poirot and Magnum.

Mario Stache [Atomike-Studio via FFFFOUND! via 4CR]