Nintendo thanks fans for celebrating Mario’s 40th anniversary

22 September 2026
General
5 min.
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Nintendo thanks fans for celebrating Mario’s 40th anniversary

Summary:

Nintendo has thanked fans for celebrating Mario’s 40th anniversary, with the company looking back on a year full of games, exhibitions and a feature film. The message on the official Japanese site mentions special releases, activities at the Nintendo Museum and promotions with 12 professional baseball teams, alongside the global theatrical release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in April 2026. For fans, this means Nintendo made the anniversary visible across multiple channels: digital releases for the Nintendo Switch, live events and merchandise. In this article we clearly list what Nintendo specifically said, the highlights, and how you can still find or relive those moments. NintendoReporters helps you quickly find what was important, where to get more information and what the community is saying about it.

Nintendo thanks fans for Mario’s 40th anniversary: the core of the message

Nintendo recently posted a short, grateful message on the official 40th Super Mario page and on the museum website, explicitly thanking fans for their involvement during the anniversary year. The tone is friendly and to the point: Nintendo acknowledges that fans helped make the celebration year a success by playing games, visiting exhibitions and attending special events. Importantly, Nintendo not only looks back but also notes that many activities were spread across multiple channels: digital releases on the Nintendo Switch, physical exhibitions in Japan and promotions that even touched sporting events. That interplay between digital and physical celebrations shows how Nintendo uses its iconic character in ways that both evoke nostalgia and appeal to new players.

What was specifically mentioned in the official text

In the translated passage that appeared on the Japanese page, Nintendo thanks fans for taking part in various initiatives around Mario’s 40th anniversary. Specifically mentioned are: game releases and special software initiatives, exhibitions at the Nintendo Museum, promotions and special matches with 12 professional baseball teams, and the theatrical release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Nintendo emphasizes toward the end of the message that they hope for continued support for Mario. This list is interesting because it covers a wide range of activities: from cultural institutions and retail to sports and cinema promotions. That makes the anniversary recognizable to different audiences within the fanbase.

Highlights that received a lot of attention during the anniversary

During the anniversary year a few things stood out: remasters and special releases for the Nintendo Switch, the focus on the Nintendo Museum with temporary exhibitions, and of course the film release that took place worldwide in April 2026. Nintendo also released special merchandise and organized local events at stores and pop-up locations. In Japan the museum received special adjustments such as customized admission passes and a temporary shop offering. Outside Japan, promotions and events were organized worldwide in collaboration with stores and partners. For fans that meant the chance to contribute to the celebration both digitally through current releases and physically through exhibitions and cinema visits. That mix of online and offline activities made the anniversary both visible and tangible.

Why this thank-you is important for the community

A public thank-you from Nintendo feels for many fans like more than symbolic: it recognizes the community’s role in the success of a franchise that has existed for decades. For a brand like Nintendo, which relies heavily on fan loyalty and nostalgia, it’s important to show that players and visitors are noticed. It also confirms that initiatives such as the museum, special game releases and collaborations with third parties were not just marketing stunts, but parts of a broader anniversary plan. For fan projects and community initiatives, such official recognition often acts as encouragement to organize activities again next year. Moreover, it helps new players discover Mario’s rich history and catalog through those events.

How you can find or relive the celebration yourself

If you missed certain parts of the anniversary you can still find a lot of it: digital releases and remasters are often available on the eShop for the Nintendo Switch, and some filmmakers or promotions circulate clips and trailers on official channels. If you want to see physical elements, you can find information about the Nintendo Museum and similar exhibitions on the museum page that provides details about the exhibitions and merchandise. On our site it’s useful to check the Nintendo Switch section for news about re-releases and updates. It’s also worth regularly visiting the special 100% Nintendo page for summaries and follow-up stories: 100% Nintendo.

What the film release adds to the anniversary

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie brought Mario’s world to a wider audience and served as an important pillar of the 40th celebration. The film had a worldwide release in April 2026, which generated extra media attention and new highlights within the franchise. Films have the advantage of reaching non-gamers as well, strengthening Mario’s brand image further and making new players curious about the games. For fans the film provided moments of recognition and new interpretations of beloved characters, while it gave collectors extra merch and event opportunities. Thanks to this cross-pollination between film and games, the 40th anniversary remained relevant to a variety of audiences.

Fan reactions and community initiatives

The community reacted in diverse ways: from enthusiastic retrospectives and fan art to practical tips about which releases you shouldn’t miss. In some cases fans shared local photo reports of museum visits or cinema trips, and others made compilations of in-game events. Participation is one of the reasons Nintendo considered such a thank-you message worth issuing: fans were not just consumers, they were promoters, created content and brought offline activities to life. If you’re looking for community material, forums, social media and local fan clubs are good places to find photos, stories and memories.

Conclusion

Nintendo’s thank-you for Mario’s 40th anniversary is small in form but big in meaning: it recognizes a broad anniversary program that combined both digital and physical experiences, and it highlights how fans worldwide played a central role. Whether you took part in events, bought a cinema ticket or simply rediscovered a game, Nintendo explicitly thanks that involvement. For fans there’s still a lot to relive via digital releases, museum archives and community material. Stay updated via our sections on releases and news, and share your own memories with other fans — that’s exactly what an anniversary is about.

FAQs
  • When was Mario’s actual 40th anniversary?
    • Mario’s 40th anniversary fell on September 13, 2025; that is the date of the original Super Mario Bros. release that marked the anniversary.
  • What exactly did Nintendo say in the thank-you message?
    • Nintendo thanked fans for taking part in the anniversary year and mentioned games, exhibitions at the Nintendo Museum, special baseball promotions and the feature film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
  • When was The Super Mario Galaxy Movie released?
    • The film had a worldwide theatrical release in April 2026, with the U.S. release on April 3, 2026 and Japan on April 24, 2026.
  • Where can I find information about museum exhibitions?
    • Check the official Nintendo Museum page for details about exhibitions, tickets and merchandise, including special 40th-anniversary activities.
  • How do I stay updated on similar Nintendo events?
    • Follow our 100% Nintendo page and the Nintendo Switch section for announcements about releases, events and follow-up activities around franchises.
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