LOS ANGELES: The pull of Nintendo is strong, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has defied the critics, racking up more than US$600mil (RM2.3bil) globally in two weeks. It’s one of the biggest hits of the year, but after the credits roll, the adventure doesn’t have to stop.
It’s easy to find more Mario content because, compared to other film franchises, Nintendo has built a thriving entertainment ecosystem over 40 years. Fans have a treasure trove of classic video games starting with Super Mario Bros, but there’s also a growing number of toys and items that give fans a tangible connection to the series. Here’s a look at a few of them:
Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 – If you love The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the best place to start is the source material of creator Shigeru Miyamoto’s video game world. That means fans can dig up their old Wii, or they can pick up a re-released package of the titles on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Fans who loved the movie can find all the references to Rosalina, the Honey Queen and Power Stars. The two games come in a US$69.99 (RM274.96) combo.
Mario Tennis Fever – Developer Camelot Software Planning excels at making accessible and fun sports games. This title stars Mario and his friends and blends the series power-ups and characters with the core rules of the sport. Players have five types of shots such as the slice, topspin and lob, and stronger versions of them along with different rackets that carry different abilities. Players can challenge friends or they can tackle the single-player mode, which features tons of characters from the Mario universe, including the baby versions seen in the movie. The Nintentdo Switch 2 game is priced at US$69.99 (RM274.96).
Super Mario Wonder + Meetup in Bellabel Park – Those looking for a more traditional Super Mario Bros experience can find it in this 2D side-scroller. It boasts familiar power-ups and goals, but the developers also added unpredictable twists via Wonder Flowers that drastically change each level. The creativity made the entry one of the best games in 2023. The company brought the title to the Nintendo Switch 2, and it includes the Meetup in Bellabel Park add-on that focuses on multiplayer experiences. It’s a great party experience, almost making an older game worth the US$79.99 (RM314.24) price tag.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book – This upcoming title stars the dinosaur who made his animated film debut. Let’s forget his appearance in the live-action movie. Over the years, Yoshi has broken out of his job of babysitting Baby Mario and has gone on several solo adventures. This one carries the gentle, handcrafted vibe of previous entries, but this time it focuses on a storybook motif as the dino enters the pages of Mr. E and interacts with different creatures within his pages. The Nintendo Switch 2 title is priced at US$59.99 (RM235.67) and is scheduled for release May 21. – Bay Area News Group/dpa
