Yoshi Leads the My Mario Lineup: Hello Yoshi App, Plush, Picture Book, and Amiibo Block Sets Explained

8 November 2025
General
9 min.
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Yoshi Leads the My Mario Lineup: Hello Yoshi App, Plush, Picture Book, and Amiibo Block Sets Explained

Summary:

The newest additions to Nintendo’s My Mario range put Yoshi front and center with playful experiences that fit small hands and short attention spans. Hello Yoshi, a free app for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, lets kids pull, stretch, and gently interact with Yoshi while he reacts with cheerful faces, hatches in different colors, and even dozes off if left alone—an adorable cue to take a breather. Alongside the app, there’s a hands-on picture book called “Licky-Licky Yoshi” from Shogakukan, a talking plush from Joy Palette that sings classic Yoshi tunes and responds to voice, and pastel plush, doudou, and rattle options from Happinet designed for easy cleaning. Three standalone wooden block sets—Yoshi, Peach, and Luigi—round out the lineup and double as amiibo figures for playful crossover moments on Switch. Japan gets it first starting November 18–20, 2025, with international availability planned for 2026. If you’re planning gifts or building a cozy play corner, Yoshi’s gentle, friendly vibe makes this lineup easy to recommend and simple to enjoy without any setup drama.

Yoshi takes center stage in the My Mario lineup for young families

Yoshi is the kind of character kids gravitate to immediately—round features, soft colors, and zero stress. That’s exactly why this wave under the My Mario umbrella leans into him. The lineup covers different play styles in one coordinated drop: a free app for screen time you can supervise, a picture book for quiet moments, a talking plush for musical play, and soft baby-friendly plush for the littlest hands. Add in wooden block sets that double as amiibo and you’ve got options for birthdays, holidays, and “just because” surprises. The release window in Japan lands on November 18 for the app, toys, and blocks, with the picture book following on November 20, 2025. Each item feels purpose-built: tactile levers and flaps in the book, a gentle idle-sleep in the app to hint at breaks, and sturdy wooden blocks that invite stacking, sorting, and pretend play. For families, that range means we can match the right Yoshi to the right age and attention span without guesswork.

What is Hello Yoshi and how it works on Switch and mobile

Hello Yoshi is a playful follow-up to Nintendo’s earlier face-play idea, now built around everyone’s favorite dino. Kids can pull Yoshi’s cheeks, stretch his tongue to nibble items, tap to trigger reactions, and watch different colored Yoshis hatch from eggs. The free download is available on Nintendo Switch via the eShop and on iOS and Android, which means it fits both a living-room console and a handheld phone or tablet you keep in a travel bag. One small but thoughtful touch is Yoshi nodding off when left idle; it nudges kids to put the device down, stretch, and come back later. We love that it’s free—no in-app purchase maze—and that it bridges shared play: a parent can mirror the reactions and turn it into a quick “feelings” game by naming expressions. On Switch, those amiibo-enabled block characters can also become a neat, physical tie-in, turning a quick session into a mixed play moment without extra setup.

Why the release timing matters for parents and gift planners

Dates matter when you’re balancing school calendars and holiday lists. The app, plushes, and blocks land on November 18, 2025 in Japan, with the “Licky-Licky Yoshi” picture book stepping in two days later on November 20. That timing makes it easy to assemble a neat bundle: download the app on day one, pick up a soft plush for instant cuddles, and add the book later in the week for bedtime reading. If you’re creating a shared gift for siblings, pairing a block set with the app gives the older child a “helper” role while the younger one taps and giggles. International availability is planned for 2026, so relatives abroad can keep an eye out for listings next year. For now, Japanese Nintendo stores and general bookstores carry the essentials, and the digital storefronts cover everyone else. The short runway from announcement to release also helps avoid the long “are we there yet?” wait that can test patience in little players.

My Mario Picture Book “Licky-Licky Yoshi”: what kids can do on every page

Interactive pages are the heart of this Shogakukan release. Kids lift flaps, slide tabs, and move parts to make Yoshi stretch his tongue and munch fruit—simple motions that feel magical to toddlers. Because it’s a picture book, sessions naturally stay bite-sized. You can read a page or two between chores or at bedtime without a cliffhanger fuss. The art doubles down on Yoshi’s friendly shapes, so even pre-readers can “tell” the story back to you by pointing at fruit, eggs, and expression changes. The November 20, 2025 date is close enough to the app launch that families can weave both into a single routine: app reactions by day, quiet book time at night. Shogakukan’s distribution across general bookstores in Japan is useful for grandparents who like to pop into a local shop rather than order online, and the durable board-style format means the book holds up after many enthusiastic page pulls.

Sing & Talk! Flappy Yoshi by Joy Palette: modes, lines, and music

This talking plush aims to be the life of a kid’s mini concert. It sways and waves, responds to voice, and flips between two simple experiences: a chatty mode for call-and-response fun and a melody mode that plays familiar tunes. Thirteen voice lines keep things varied without overwhelming small listeners, and the inclusion of the Yoshi’s Story theme alongside “Yoshi’s Song” is a nostalgia nudge for parents who remember those melodies. Switching modes is as easy as pressing the music note on its foot, which means no fiddling with tiny switches. Because it’s tied to the same November 18 window as the app, you can make it part of a playful routine—start the morning with a quick song, then wind down later with gentle face interactions in the app. The plush’s motion invites kids to mirror dance moves, sneaking in a bit of movement on rainy afternoons.

Soft Yoshi plush, doudou, and rattle by Happinet: safety and care

For babies and toddlers, texture and washability are everything. Happinet’s pastel plush assortment includes a classic cuddle buddy, a small rattle for early grasping, and a “Doudou Sitting Yoshi” blanket plush that doubles as comfort and toy. The soft palette plays nicely with nursery colors, and the machine-washable design keeps cleanup simple after travel days or snack mishaps. These pieces are the sort of thing you can hand to a sleepy toddler in a stroller without worrying about fragile parts. Pairing a rattle with the picture book creates a tactile-plus-visual combo; little ones can shake along while you flip a flap to make Yoshi stretch his tongue. Because they share the same date as the app, you can pick a matching pastel Yoshi and “introduce” it as the friend inside Hello Yoshi—the kind of tiny story touch that makes a child light up.

Yoshi, Peach, and Luigi building block sets: play, display, and amiibo perks

The standalone wooden block sets are a clever bridge between open-ended building and digital rewards. Each three-piece character pack includes a figure block that also works as an amiibo, plus themed item blocks that fit right into a child’s make-believe level building. The amiibo angle turns the figure into a little “key” for Switch play, letting families add fun touches in supported software and fostering that physical-to-digital link kids love. Because these are wood, they feel solid in the hand and look great on a shelf when not in use. Yoshi, Peach, and Luigi each get their own pack, making it easy to split gifts among siblings or cousins without overlap. For collectors, the small footprint makes them tidy desk accents, and for parents, the durability means fewer cracked edges compared to plastic sets that take a knock in the toy bin.

Where and how to download or buy: stores, eShop, and future international rollout

Getting started is straightforward. Hello Yoshi is a free download on the Nintendo eShop for Switch and on the App Store and Google Play for mobile, all on November 18, 2025 in Japan. Physical items are available at Nintendo TOKYO, OSAKA, KYOTO, and the new FUKUOKA store, with the picture book also stocked nationwide through general bookstores from November 20. If you’re outside Japan, watch for the 2026 rollout and keep retailer alerts on; some specialty importers may list early, but official local stock will be easier for returns and support. For the amiibo block sets, check Nintendo Stores first, since they often feature dedicated My Mario displays with clear age labels. Pro tip: if you’re gifting to a family with multiple kids, buying two different character packs avoids the “we both got Yoshi” mix-up and encourages cooperative play when they trade blocks.

Tips to choose the right Yoshi item for different ages

For infants under one, the Happinet rattle or doudou is the safest starting point—soft edges, easy washing, and gentle colors. Toddlers who love peek-a-boo will get a kick out of the “Licky-Licky Yoshi” picture book’s flaps and moving parts. Preschoolers who dance to everything will adore the Joy Palette talking plush, especially the foot-press mode switch they can control themselves. Early grade-schoolers often crave “I did it” moments, making the wooden block amiibo sets a natural pick; they can stack, sort, and then tap the amiibo to feel like they’ve unlocked something in the digital world. The Hello Yoshi app spans all of these as a free, low-commitment treat. If you’re picking one thing for a mixed-age household, consider a combo: one soft plush for the youngest, one block pack for the oldest, and the app for everyone to share on a rainy afternoon.

Value snapshot: durability, replay appeal, and gift readiness

Value isn’t just price—it’s how often something gets used without turning into clutter. The app wins on replay thanks to zero cost and quick-hit interactions. The picture book holds attention because kids love cause-and-effect mechanics (pull the tab, tongue goes out). The Joy Palette plush has built-in replay through music and voice response, which makes it a go-to when kids want to show a grandparent “what it can do.” Wooden blocks earn their keep through durability and dual use: playset by day, amiibo by night, display piece anytime. Gift readiness also matters—these items require minimal setup and work right out of the box. You can wrap the plush, slip the book into a tote, and pop the block packs into a stocking without batteries or complicated instructions. That ease lowers the barrier to spontaneous play sessions and reduces parent stress during busy seasons.

Care, storage, and keeping the fun fresh over time

To keep everything looking new, toss the Happinet plush and doudou into a gentle wash inside a mesh bag and air-dry to maintain softness. Store wooden blocks in a shallow tray or open basket so kids can see them—visibility encourages play. For the Joy Palette plush, a quick dust with a lint roller and a light wipe on high-touch spots keeps it photo-ready for proud kid performances. With the app, consider a simple “Yoshi break” rule: a few minutes of play, then rest, just like Yoshi snoozing when idle. Rotate items weekly—book one week, blocks the next—to keep novelty alive without buying more. If you have amiibo-curious kids, set up a small “tap station” near the Switch dock so they can activate features without juggling cables. These small habits help the lineup stay lively through the school year and beyond.

Why this clicks for families

What makes this Yoshi range stand out is how well it meets kids where they are. There’s a free, friendly app that rewards gentle touch and attention. There’s a picture book that celebrates simple cause-and-effect play without noisy distractions. There’s a musical plush that invites movement and laughter. And there are wooden blocks that blend classic play with modern amiibo magic. The November dates help planners lock gifts in early, and the 2026 global rollout means relatives abroad can join the fun later. More importantly, everything shares a consistent Yoshi personality—warm, cheerful, and calm—which turns a handful of separate items into a little ecosystem. Pick one or mix a few; either way, there’s a good chance your kid will name Yoshi a new best friend by the weekend.

Conclusion

Yoshi’s My Mario wave nails the sweet spot between tactile toys, simple screen fun, and display-worthy keepsakes. With Hello Yoshi arriving free on Switch and mobile and a spread of books, plush, and amiibo-enabled block sets, families get flexible choices that fit real life: quick sessions, easy cleanup, and smiles on repeat. Start with the app, add a cuddle buddy or a block set, and save the picture book for wind-down time—Yoshi will happily meet your kid in every moment.

FAQs
  • Is Hello Yoshi free?
    • Yes. It’s a free download on Nintendo Switch via the eShop and on iOS/Android, launching November 18, 2025 in Japan.
  • What’s inside the “Licky-Licky Yoshi” picture book?
    • Interactive flaps and moving parts that let kids make Yoshi stretch his tongue and snack on fruit, with general bookstore availability in Japan from November 20, 2025.
  • Does the Joy Palette plush really sing?
    • It includes two songs—Yoshi’s Story theme and Yoshi’s Song—plus 13 voice lines, with “Chat” and “Melody” modes switched by pressing the music note on its foot.
  • Are the wooden block sets actual amiibo?
    • The character blocks function as amiibo on Nintendo Switch, adding a fun physical-to-digital bonus alongside the simple stacking play.
  • When can we buy these outside Japan?
    • Japan gets the lineup in November 2025; broader international availability is planned for 2026. Keep an eye on regional Nintendo stores and official listings.
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