Nintendo has announced a new product line for young children called My Mario, which will be released on August 26, available only in Nintendo stores in Japan at the moment. The My Mario series includes fun toys, books, games, and more, all featuring Mario and his friends, with more items being added down the line. What’s more, it will feature what appears to be the spiritual successor to a delightful “game” from the past.
Nintendo gave a sneak preview of some of the times that will be readily available: a set of wooden blocks shaped like Mario, Luigi, and other familiar items from Mario’s world. What makes these blocks interesting is that they also work as Amiibo figures, so kids can use them in certain Nintendo Switch games to unlock extra features or characters.
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Another product in the series is a board book called Hello, Mario! which is designed for parents and kids to read together. The book has fun parts that children can touch and move, like opening Mario’s mouth or turning his face. There will also be a free app for smartphones and a game for the Nintendo Switch that lets kids play by pulling or turning Mario’s face on the screen. If you’re old enough, you may remember being able to do something similar on Super Mario 64’s home screen.
This sort of initiative reflects what Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto has been planning for some time, with Mario appearing in product lines where you’d also see a character like Mickey Mouse.
To go along with the toys and games, Nintendo will also release short stop-motion videos that will be posted on the official My Mario website and other channels. The series will also include clothing, plush toys, and other fun items. Starting next year, some My Mario products will be sold outside Japan as well.
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