Nintendo Confirms 3 Free Mario Games, Yours to Enjoy For Mario Day

It’s almost time to unleash a mighty wahoo.

Mario Day is nearly here, arriving - as always - on 10 March. Why? Mar10 looks like Mario, so it’s enough of an excuse to celebrate the famed plumber.

It’s never usually the most momentous of occasions. You shouldn’t expect anything in the way of a major new game reveal.

I can, however, unveil some freebies coming your way if you’re a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriber.

Nintendo has confirmed that in celebration of Mario Day, three classic Mario titles will be joining that particular subscription service tier’s free game catalogue.

Three Classic Mario Games Are Heading to NSO + Expansion Pack

Let’s begin with Mario vs. Donkey Kong which is joining the Game Boy Advance catalogue.

This one first arrived in 2004 and sees players engage in both platforming and puzzling as they attempt to save Mini-Marios from Donkey Kong.

You may have played the remake which landed on Nintendo Switch consoles in 2024.

Nintendo

If you enjoyed that, then treat this as the perfect opportunity to see where it all began.

The other two titles will be joining the brand new Virtual Boy catalogue. Those are Mario’s Tennis and Mario Clash.

Mario’s Tennis is exactly what you think it is. This 1995 sports game allows you to participate in singles or doubles tennis matches as one of seven characters.

Mario Clash, on the other hand, is an arcade game where you essentially need to knock enemies off ledges, jumping from platform to platform as Mario. It also launched in 1995.

What I’m sure you’re wondering is do I need a Virtual Boy to play?

The nostalgic accessory relaunched last month. It’ll set you back $99 / £66.99 for the real thing or $24.99 / £16.99 for the cardboard version.

Technically you can play Virtual Boy games without the accessory but it could be a tad unpleasant.

The Virtual Boy makes use of stereoscopic technology which means it utilises two images to create the illusion of depth.

If you’re playing without one of the accessories, you’ll see both images on your Nintendo Switch’s display making for a small, unclear play area.

Still, the option is there if you so desire.

As for what else will be arriving for Mario Day, well, we’ll be keeping a keen eye out and bring that news to you as it lands.

Don’t forget that slightly further on the horizon, Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park launches on 26 March, with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arriving on 1 April.