Any keen retro gamer will know that Mario’s first appearance was in Donkey Kong, released in arcades in July 1981.
Back then of course, he was known simply as “Jumpman,” a carpenter trying to rescue Pauline from Donkey Kong. It wasn’t until Donkey Kong Jr. (1982) that he was officially called “Mario,” and Mario Bros., released a year later cemented his identity as a plumber along with his brother Luigi.
And then in 1985 with the launch of Super Mario Bros., the legacy of the little plumber was cemented (officially at least), and it’s this milestone that is recognised as the beginning of Mario as we know him.
So as we count down to lots of celebratory good stuff later this year, Time magazine have this week released a 96-page special edition celebrating 40 years of Mario.
Time Magazine is marking this very special 40th Anniversary year with a special edition cover. Should be out now… #supermario40 pic.twitter.com/AuItVCwYod
— Mario Museum (@Mario_Museum) February 27, 2025
It’s a big moment for sure, and seeing him on the cover of such an iconic publication just reinforces how much of a cultural legend he’s become.
Grab that Time magazine while you can — it’s a collector’s item in the making!
Mario anniversaries through the years
Nintendo has marked key anniversaries of Super Mario in various ways over the decades, with special games, hardware, and events celebrating the plumber’s legacy. Some anniversaries have been major milestones with large-scale releases, while others have been more understated.
25th anniversary
For Mario’s 25th anniversary in 2010, Nintendo released Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition for the Wii. This was essentially a repackaging of the SNES Super Mario All-Stars with a few extras, including a booklet and soundtrack CD. There were also special red Wii and DSi consoles to mark the occasion.
30th anniversary
The 30th anniversary in 2015 was more significant, coinciding with the release of Super Mario Maker for the Wii U. This was accompanied by a set of 8-bit-style Mario amiibo.
35th anniversary
For the 35th anniversary in 2020, Nintendo went all out with multiple releases, despite the challenges of the pandemic. Super Mario 3D All-Stars brought Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy to the Switch, though its limited-time availability frustrated many. There was also Super Mario Bros. 35, a battle royale-style multiplayer game, and a special Mario-themed Game & Watch handheld.
Now, with the 40th anniversary approaching, fans are eager to see what Nintendo has planned next. Whether it’s a new game collection, themed hardware, or something entirely unexpected, Mario’s legacy remains as strong as ever.
So, here’s to 40 years (or 44, if we’re being picky) of Mario magic!