The Super Mario Bros. franchise, one of the biggest pillars of the video game industry, is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary in September 2025. Desde its original release, the character created by Shigeru Miyamoto has transcended the screen to become a global cultural icon, with an impact that spans generations of players and diverse forms of entertainment.
The historic milestone will be celebrated with a series of new features that reinforce Nintendo’s strategy of expanding its intellectual properties beyond consoles. Entre’s most anticipated announcements are the sequel to the successful animated film, scheduled for 2026, and the continued expansion of Super Nintendo World theme parks around the globe.
With sales that already exceed the mark of 900 million units worldwide, the series continues to demonstrate its relevance and capacity for innovation. The celebration of four decades consolidates not only the commercial success, but also the profound cultural legacy of Mario, Luigi, Princesa Peach and the entire Reino Cogumelo universe.
The origin of the classic that revolutionized video games
Released September 13, 1985 for the Family Computer (Famicom) console in the Japão, Super Mario Bros. set a new standard for platform games. The title introduced mechanics that would become fundamental to the genre, such as continuous side-scrolling, which allowed players to explore vast, interconnected worlds in a way never seen before. The mission was simple but captivating: control plumber Mario on his journey to rescue Princesa Peach from the clutches of the villain Bowser. The level design, created by the team led by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, was intuitive and rewarding, encouraging exploration with secret passages, pipes that led to bonus areas, and blocks that hid valuable items. The introduction of power-ups, such as Super Cogumelo, which made Mario grow, and Flor’s Fogo, which gave him the ability to shoot fireballs, added a strategic layer that transformed the way games were designed and played, influencing countless titles in the decades that followed.
The evolution of the franchise over the decades
After initial success, Nintendo continued to innovate with each new release. In 1988, Super Mario Bros. 3 drastically expanded on the original concept, introducing a world map that allowed players to choose their paths and iconic power-ups like the Super Folha, which transformed Mario into the flight-capable Raccoon Mario.
The arrival of Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in the 1990s brought Super Mario World, which introduced the world to the dinosaur Yoshi, a companion who became one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. The game further refined the level design, with an interconnected world and multiple secrets to discover.
The biggest evolutionary leap occurred in 1996 with Super Mario 64 to Nintendo 64. Este title pioneered camera control and movement in three-dimensional environments, defining the conventions for 3D platform games. The freedom to explore the vast worlds within Princesa Peach’s castle was a technical and creative revolution.
More recently, the series demonstrated its versatility with the return to the 2D format in New Super Mario Bros. and the limitless creativity of titles like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey. In 2023, Super Mario Bros. Wonder reinvented the 2D formula again with Flores Fenomenais, which drastically alters levels in unpredictable ways, proving that the franchise still has a lot to offer.
Sales records and market dominance
The success of Super Mario Bros. translates into impressive numbers that place it at the top of the gaming industry. With more than 900 million copies sold across all its iterations, the franchise is one of the most successful of all time. Individual Títulos continues to break records, as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe approaches 70 million units sold, becoming Nintendo Switch’s best-selling game and an enduring multiplayer phenomenon.
The original 1985 game, including all its versions and re-releases, has surpassed the 40 million units mark, a remarkable feat that demonstrates its timeless appeal. Nintendo’s strategy of keeping its classic catalog accessible through services such as
The resounding success in cinema
The expansion of the Mario brand into other media reached its peak in 2023 with the launch of “Super Mario Bros. The Filme”. Produzido in a partnership between Nintendo and the animation studio Illumination, the feature film became a global box office success, grossing more than 1.36 billion dollars and breaking records for video game adaptations.
The film managed to capture the essence of the games, with vibrant visuals and references that pleased longtime fans, while also introducing the universe to a new audience. The success was so great that Nintendo and Illumination have already officially confirmed the production of a sequel, scheduled for release in April 2026.
This move is part of Nintendo’s broader strategy to transform its franchises into full-fledged entertainment brands. The success of Mario in cinema opens the door for other company properties to follow the same path, consolidating the presence of Nintendo in Hollywood and diversifying its revenue sources.
Expanding into the real world with theme parks
Immersion in Reino Cogumelo became a reality with the opening of the Super Nintendo World themed areas in the Universal Studios parks. The first opened at Japão, followed by one at Califórnia, bringing to life iconic locations like Castelo from Peach and Fortaleza from Bowser with an impressive level of detail.
Guests can participate in interactive attractions such as the augmented reality race “Mario Kart: Bowser’s The next major expansion is scheduled for Orlando, Flórida, with the opening of a new area dedicated to Donkey Kong in 2025.
Special celebrations at Museu of Nintendo
To mark the 40th anniversary, the newly opened Museu of Nintendo, located in Uji, in the prefecture of From the end of 2025, the museum building will receive special lighting inspired by the classic levels of the original game, creating a visual spectacle for visitors.
The celebration will run until April 2026 and will include exhibits that tell the story of the franchise’s evolution. Além In addition, limited edition commemorative tickets will be made available, which should attract fans and collectors from all over the world to the city that is the birthplace of Nintendo.
The cultural legacy that transcends games
After four decades, Mario is much more than a video game character; he is a globally recognized pop culture ambassador. Sua image graces a wide range of products, from toys to clothing, and its influence can be seen in collaborations with major brands and even global sporting events, such as its participation in the Olimpíadas closing ceremony of Rio in 2016. The franchise’s ability to continually reinvent itself, while remaining true to its essence of fun and accessibility, is key to its longevity and the special place it holds in the hearts of millions of people.
