The Super Mario Bros. franchise, one of the pillars of the video game industry, celebrated its four decades of existence in September 2025. Desde the original game’s 1985 release on Japão, the character created by Nintendo not only defined the platform genre, but also cemented himself as a global cultural icon, transcending generations and media.
With global sales that have already exceeded the 900 million units mark, the series is positioned as one of the most commercially successful in the entire history of electronic entertainment. Este continued success is the result of a strategy of constant innovation and the ability to adapt to new technologies and public expectations.
Nintendo capitalized on this popularity by expanding the Mario universe beyond consoles. The diversification strategy transformed intellectual property into immersive theme parks, high-grossing animated films and a wide range of licensed products, ensuring the brand’s relevance to an increasingly broader audience.
The entertainment revolution that began in 1985
Released September 13, 1985 for the Family Computer (Famicom), Super Mario Bros. It was a technological and creative milestone. Sob led by designer Shigeru Miyamoto, the game introduced the world to a captivating adventure where players controlled the plumber The main innovation was the implementation of continuous side-scrolling, which allowed the creation of vast and dynamic worlds, breaking with the limitations of static screens common at the time. Essa mechanics offered an unprecedented sense of exploration and progression, setting a new standard for platform game design and influencing countless titles for decades to come. The project was a natural evolution of previous games like Mario Bros. from 1983, but its ambition and execution turned it into an instant cultural phenomenon.
Mechanics that defined a generation
The original game’s success was driven by gameplay mechanics that have become iconic. The introduction of power-ups, such as Super Cogumelo that made Mario grow and Flor from Fogo that gave him the ability to shoot projectiles, added a layer of strategy and variety. Esses items not only changed the character’s capabilities, but also encouraged players to explore the levels in search of advantages to overcome the proposed challenges.
Furthermore, the level design was full of secrets, such as tubes that functioned as warp zones, underwater stages and hidden blocks, which rewarded the player’s curiosity and skill. Cada’s world ended with a castle and a direct confrontation with Bowser, creating a clear narrative structure and climax for each stage of the journey. Essas characteristics, combined, solidified the formula that would be refined and expanded throughout the entire history of the franchise.
Mario’s journey across platforms
Over the decades, the series has constantly evolved, adapting to each new generation of Nintendo consoles. In 1988, Super Mario Bros. 3 for the NES expanded the formula with a world map, new power-ups like the Super Folha, which allowed flying, and unprecedented design complexity.
The arrival of Super Nintendo in the 1990s brought Super Mario World, which introduced the dinosaur Yoshi as a rideable companion, adding new gameplay mechanics. The title became one of the console’s best sellers and is acclaimed for its level design and secrets.
The big leap into the three-dimensional universe occurred in 1996 with Super Mario 64 to Nintendo 64. The game revolutionized the industry by setting the standards for camera control and movement in 3D environments, selling approximately 12 million copies and influencing game design for years.
More recently, the series has continued to innovate with titles like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, from 2023, which brought back the 2D perspective with dynamic visual effects and new mechanics, showing the franchise’s ability to reinvent itself without losing its essence.
Box office conquest and the future in cinema
The expansion of the Mario brand into other media reached a new level with “Super Mario Bros. The Filme”. Lançado in 2023 in a partnership between Nintendo and the animation studio Illumination, the feature film was a resounding box office success, grossing more than 1.3 billion dollars worldwide.
The commercial success and positive reception from the public guaranteed the production of a sequel, already confirmed and scheduled for release in April 2026. The announcement reinforces Nintendo’s strategy of solidifying its film franchises, using Hollywood to reach a global audience that goes beyond traditional players.
This foray into audiovisual is part of a broader plan that includes the development of other projects based on its intellectual properties, transforming iconic characters into stars on multiple entertainment platforms.
Super Nintendo World as an immersive experience
The physical presence of the Mario universe was realized with the inauguration of the Super Nintendo World themed areas. Desenvolvidas in partnership with Universal Studios, these immersive lands are already operating in parks in Japão and Estados Unidos, with plans to expand to other global locations.
Visitors can experience interactive attractions, such as a kart race based on Mario Kart, and explore scenes faithfully recreated from the games. The experience is amplified by the use of Power-Up Bands bracelets, which allow visitors to collect virtual coins and interact with park elements, simulating game gameplay.
Official celebrations at Nintendo Museum
The 40th anniversary celebrations also focused on Japão, with special events at the newly opened Nintendo Museum, at Uji, Kyoto. Starting in December 2025, the museum received special themed lighting inspired by the classic levels from Super Mario Bros., which remained on display until April 27, 2026.
To mark the date, tickets sold from September 2025 onwards have an exclusive commemorative design. Dentro of the museum, visitors were able to explore chronological exhibits detailing the evolution of the franchise, from its early days in Famicom to the most recent releases, with historic consoles and interactive installations.
Advertisements reinforce the franchise’s legacy
Coinciding with the celebrations, Nintendo held an Direct presentation in September 2025, where it announced news that reinforces both the past and the future of the series. Entre highlights were the remasters of Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, which brought the Wii classics to current consoles with improved graphics, a measure that aims to preserve the franchise’s legacy and introduce it to new players.
