Celebrating MAR10 Day 2019 at Nintendo NY

Generally when I?m told of a ?new? holiday, my general reaction besides indifference is to ask if we get the day off. However when I was forwarded an email invitation to celebrate Nintendo?s favorite son (Sorry, Green Mar…I mean Luigi), I wouldn?t turn it down like an offer of cake at Peach?s Castle. Held at Nintendo?s flagship store in midtown Manhattan, on a rainy Sunday afternoon on MARch 10th. Despite the inclement weather, Mario?s biggest fans and even one of his most troublesome enemies (We see you, Piranha Plant…we see you) came out in force to celebrate.

Once out of the rain, revelers were invited to check in with their My Nintendo account and all those who had, won a random prize which could have been a pin, a pop socket or even a mini-Bluetooth speaker. Also on the first floor of the store was a Nintendo Switch customization station which offered Controller Gear decal kits featuring a variety of Nintendo Character themes, including one set which that was exclusive to the event. Mario was also available every hour to take photos with those who would ask.

Ascending to the second floor, the first thing we are greeted by is the corporate co-sponsor of the day?s events Frito Lays. Revealing their new promotion which involved their hourly Switch giveaway for those who purchased their variety packs, also available at the table was free samples of the chips that came in those variety packs. Back to the Mario themed festivities, this floor offered, a match game (famously seen in Super Mario 3), a Mario mask station, so you too can become the plumber, a coloring station so you customize Mario and his friends anyway you desire. The more physical activities offered included a cornhole game which asked players to throw sacks into a hole on a board several feet away and perhaps the most on-brand activity was Flag Jump Challenge. This activity mimicked the end of level event which is featured on most of Mario?s side scrolling adventures. Attendees who completed at least three activities were eligible to receive a gift bag that included a poster which commemorated MAR10 day.

Those who did not make it to the physical festivities were not left out as the Nintendo offered digital goods such as calendars and wallpapers as well as discounts on Switch console bundles and discounts on digital versions of various Mario titles. The celebration will extend beyond the one day (but hopefully not for a year…let Luigi at least have that).