Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
View
Trending
  • Summer Game Fest
  • New games for 2025
  • Upcoming Switch 2 games
  • Switch 2 stock

Recommended reading

Best Mario games
Super Mario The 15 best Mario games of all time
Resident Evil Village
Games The 25 best video game villains you just love to hate
N64
Games The 25 best N64 games of all time
Best Wii games: The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot.
Games The 25 best Wii games of all time
Mario Smash screenshot showing mario walking near a giant wario head
Super Mario 30 years later, a lost Mario game has been found – in blood-red screenshots extracted from an old AOL file library
Super Metroid
Metroid The Best Metroid Games of All Time
Pikmin 4
Strategy Games Despite being the father of Mario, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has once again affirmed Pikmin is his favourite child: "I spent a lot of time the past 5, 6 years really wanting to grow Pikmin"
  1. Games
  2. Action

The best Super Mario commercials from the last 30 years

Features
By Henry Gilbert published 12 May 2014

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

It's-a me!

It's-a me!

The Super Mario series legacy has been built one game at time over three decades, but the success goes beyond the titles. Since being introduced in Donkey Kong in 1981, Mario has appeared in dozens--if not hundreds--of commercials that have helped make him the most famous plumber on Earth. And handful of those ads are still stuck in our collective memories, all these years later.

So I, with the help of the GamesRadar staff, pulled together the 10 most memorable Mario commercials of all time into one helpful list. You can see the whole staff discuss the adverts in the video below, but if youd rather take your time with this decalogue, then click through to see all the lovable propaganda, beginning with...

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
The Nintendo Cereal System invades breakfast

The Nintendo Cereal System invades breakfast

Im not sure what kids eat for breakfast today (MP3s?), but back in my youth, a character wasnt considered a star until they had their own cereal. The Ghostbusters, Mr. T, and C-3PO all had crunchy, sugary breakfast sweets, and Mario was no different. After appearing in a Donkey Kong-themed cereal, Mario and Link from The Legend of Zelda teamed up for the Nintendo Cereal System, a twin package of fruity goodness that spawned this very 80s commercial. As the advert suggests, the box contained two distinct cereals, perfect to be enjoyed by the average boy, girl, or nerd that are portrayed within.

Any impressionable child will love the idea of eating a distinctly 8-bit breakfast, but the catchy song makes it even harder for kids to turn down. And the naming hooks into the Nintendo Entertainment System, making kids think of the company first instead of the characters--smart marketing for the publisher. Its possible that naming helped indoctrinate a generation of Nintendo fanboys, but as someone who recalls eating this crappy cereal, I think that fruit-flavored mess probably did more harm than good.

Watch it here!

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
Super Mario Galaxy 2 takes the whole family into space

Super Mario Galaxy 2 takes the whole family into space

This is the most recent commercial of the bunch, so it isnt surprising that its also the most visually impressive. It certainly looks expensive, showing off environments that outclass the game pretty thoroughly--not that Super Mario Galaxy 2 wasnt visually impressive at the time. The game came at the height of the Wiis sales dominance, so perhaps Nintendo had a little money to burn on this one.

And the positives go beyond classy visuals that are backed up by Galaxy 2s stellar soundtrack. The commercial takes the franchises planetoid concept and uses it to show families across multiple worlds getting excited for Marios galactic return. It has a similar feel to an ad youd see for Disney Land, which I doubt is a coincidence. Few commercials better capture the type of all-ages magic Nintendo hopes to spread with its games.

Watch it here!

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Paper Mario is taken literally

Paper Mario is taken literally

Paper Mario is one the final games to come to the N64, having arrived just months before the launch of the GameCube. So how do you sell a game for a system with rapidly aging graphics? By going as lo-fi as possible. Which is to say, replacing most of the game footage with cardboard and farm animals.

This very literal Paper Mario commercial sidesteps looking inferior to the brand-new PS2s visuals by taking the flat nature of the game seriously. Here Mario is a flimsy hero out to save an equally 2D Princess Peach from a dangerous shredder (a real one, not the Ninja Turtles villain). Its whimsical, esoteric, and eye-catching, with a memorably comedic tone that fit with the games decidedly goofy aesthetic.

Watch it here!

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
Mario, where are you?!?

Mario, where are you?!?

This is one of the oldest ads on the list, and its the best entry that technically doesnt even feature Mario. This one is so ancient that it comes from a time when Nintendo was still a third-party developer, putting its arcade hit Mario Bros. on the Atari 2600. But even at that early of a date, this tuneful commercial shows how complex Marios mythology had already become.

The 30-second advert has quick bits of gameplay, but it mainly employs a catchy song to list all the enemies in the game, along with how helpless Luigi is without Mario. The green hero had just made his debut in Mario Bros., and hes already frantically searching for Mario, a coward lost without his stronger sibling. Though its doubtful Nintendo still considers this canonical, this half-minute TV spot certainly fits with Weegees portrayal in games like Luigis Mansion and Paper Mario.

Watch it here!

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Game & Watch (a handheld home for Marios secrets)

Game & Watch (a handheld home for Marios secrets)

Nintendo has a spotty record with home consoles of late, but its handheld dominance has been a constant for more than 30 years. While many may think its portable history began 25 years ago with the Game Boy, the LCD-powered Game & Watch was where it truly started. An early hit in Japan, Nintendo exported the simple machines to North America with memorable commercials like this one.

This ad is a monument to a very different era for Nintendo. Back then it made licensed games, working with brands like Popeye and Snoopy, both of which were popular in both Japan and the US. Whats even more remarkable is that this early version of Mario is animated as a part of the crowd instead of in his current place as Nintendos mascot. And the real shocker is that Marios bald underneath his hat, though many of his later games dont recognize that moment. Could he have the worlds greatest toupee?

Watch it here!

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Mario Got Milk

Mario Got Milk

Most of the ads on this list showcase a specific game or console, so this one cant help but be memorable by virtue of what its selling. Like many celebrities in the 1990s, Mario got into the Got Milk? craze that was inescapable back then in the US. And when Mario joined in on the advertising fad for dairy products, the result wasnt entirely favorable for the plumber.

First off, the kids in the commercial look pretty bored with Super Mario 64, which is likely meant to imply how boring life is without milk. But it isnt doing the N64 any favors. Also, the CGI in the ad is dated now, but looks way better than Super Mario 64, overpromising Nintendos marquee title. And lastly, it shows Mario grows from drinking milk, which is ridiculous. Everyone knows that only Mega Mushrooms have that effect!

Watch it here!

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
Super Mario Land 2 says "Obey Wario"

Super Mario Land 2 says "Obey Wario"

This was an incredibly strong debut for Marios darker half. After Super Mario Land became one of the highest-selling games of all time, Nintendos mascot moved on to his first portable sequel by adding a new nemesis to his expansive rogues gallery. The fresh bad guys name was Wario, and unlike the more destructive Bowser, the yellow-hatted villain had the insidious plan to go after the hearts and minds of Marios fanbase in his commercial debut.

The majority of the commercial is a close-up of Warios impressively animated head, hypnotizing players with his plot to destroy Mario. The execution partially helps cover for the Game Boys less than flashy visuals, but it also made the twisted character a star--despite not being in the title, Warios name is said almost as many times as Marios in the ad. Its not surprising that the character went on to star in his own series of games not long after.

Watch it here!

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
Super Mario All-Stars Japanese premier

Super Mario All-Stars Japanese premier

There are so many oddball Japanese ads for Mario games that they could some day fill their own feature, but for the moment Im going to focus on this impressive commercial. Before Nintendo made rereleasing old games a weekly occurrence, getting every Super Mario Bros. game in one package was a major event. This ad for Super Mario All-Stars treats it as the milestone you expect, making the release a gala that everyone in The Mushroom Kingdom had to attend.

The animation holds up today, and the brief moments give each of the characters a chance to show their personalities. Peach appears up in an alluring dress, Bowser wears sunglasses while walking the red carpet with his kids, and Birdo and Wart are there as a couple. Its a classy ad thats so enjoyable even a brief mention of the horrendous live action film cant do any lasting damage to this bit of Japanese promotional material.

Watch it here!

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
Super Smash Bros. are "Happy Together"

Super Smash Bros. are "Happy Together"

Within GamesRadars US office, this is the commercial that the staff remembered most fondly. And its likely endearing to huge swaths of the hardcore Smash Bros. community, too. This ad smartly traded on the cutesy image Nintendo had cultivated over the years, showing the mean streak that was lurking underneath Mario and companys smiling faces.

Set to the 1967 pop song Happy Together by The Turtles, this ad captures the concept of Smash Bros. perfectly. Lovable Nintendo characters are finally ready to beat the crap out of each other, and youre invited to join in. It was a thrill to see Mario punch Donkey Kong in the stomach, and for fans tired of the omnipresent Pokemon craze, it was satisfying to watch Pikachu get tossed in the air. For a certain generation of gamer, the song is synonymous with Smash Bros., so much so that I hope Nintendo has room in the budget to use the song in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS.

Watch it here!

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
The Super Mario Bros. 3 chant

The Super Mario Bros. 3 chant

So whats the most memorable Mario commercial of all time? Well, I suppose it depends on when (and where) you grew up, but this one certainly is unforgettable to my generation. As NES owners across North America waited for Super Mario Bros. 3 to finally come out, it felt like everyone on the continent was waiting for game, which is exactly what this ad depicted.

The chanting is a simple way of illustrating the characters massive popularity in the USA, and the gravitas only increases as spacey sounds replace the chanting and massive game boxes fill the air. This marketed Mario as something bigger than a mere game, with no NES footage necessary to sell fans on Super Mario Bros. 3. Mario was so big that just his name and face were enough to sell millions of cartridges.

Watch it here!

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
After these messages...

After these messages...

So those are the ones we on staff remember, but I, for one, want to know all of your favorite Mario ads from years past! Share all of them in the comments below. (And watch this Japanese oddity if the above image confuses you.)

And if you're looking for more Mario, check out GamesRadar's lists of obscure Mario trivia and the 25 things we love about Super Mario Bros. 3 25 years later.

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
CATEGORIES
Wii-u Nintendo Platforms
PRODUCTS
New Super Luigi U Paper Mario: Sticker Star Super Mario 3D Land Super Mario 3D World
Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert
Social Links Navigation

Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts. 

You may like
  • Best Mario games The 15 best Mario games of all time
  • Resident Evil Village The 25 best video game villains you just love to hate
  • N64 The 25 best N64 games of all time
See more Nintendo Features
Read more
Best Mario games
The 15 best Mario games of all time
Resident Evil Village
The 25 best video game villains you just love to hate
N64
The 25 best N64 games of all time
Best Wii games: The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot.
The 25 best Wii games of all time
Mario Smash screenshot showing mario walking near a giant wario head
30 years later, a lost Mario game has been found – in blood-red screenshots extracted from an old AOL file library
Super Metroid
The Best Metroid Games of All Time
Latest in Action
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Link wanted for counterfeit as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Switch 2 edition adds a new item duplication glitch for infinite rare materials
Death Stranding 2 Sam touching Lou and Fragile
Full Death Stranding 2 cast and cameos list
A living puppet sits on Fragile's shoulder in a Death Stranding 2 PS5 screenshot
Death Stranding 2 players discover that they're being penalized for efficiency, as bulk-delivering items rewards you less than handing them in one at a time
Death Stranding 2
Do you need to play Death Stranding 1 before Death Stranding 2: On the Beach?
GTA Online Safeguard deliveries
How to complete GTA Online Safeguard deliveries
Death Stranding 2 PS5 screenshot
If you play Death Stranding 2 on your birthday you're treated to a 90-second cutscene that's unbelievably ridiculous even by Hideo Kojima's standards
Latest in Features
One-Punch Man season 3: Saitama punching while in mid-air during the anime One-Punch Man.
Anime Expo 2025: dates, announcements, and why One-Punch Man fans should be excited
The Shrouds
It may feature corpses, missing limbs, and AI, but with The Shrouds, legendary director David Cronenberg has made the ultimate meditation on grief: "To me, there is no afterlife"
A full setup for Fate of the Fellowship with cards, tokens, and pieces all laid out
Legendary board game designer says his upcoming Lord of the Rings project is "definitely the most thematically and mechanically rich game I’ve worked on"
Promotional artwork for the Steam Summer Sale 2025 which runs from June 26th - July 10th at 10am PT
I've spent six hours exploring the Steam Summer Sale with our Games Editor, and these are the 10 best games on discount I'd recommend so far
The Outer Worlds 2 screenshot of Aza, a cultist companion with short pink hair who holds a dagger
The Outer Worlds 2 is "going deeper and more complex" with its companions, and I'm already making grabby hands at this RPG
Ruffy runs across the ocean on wooden crates in Ruffy and the Riverside, with the GamesRadar+ Indie Spotlight logo
Banjo-Kazooie and Paper Mario mix together in this delightful puzzle platformer that has me swapping textures to solve puzzles by changing the world
  1. Sam fires at the ghost mech squid boss in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
    1
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  2. 2
    Rematch review: "As with Rocket League, the just-one-more-game pull is magnetic"
  3. 3
    Tron: Catalyst review: "Disc slinging is a thrill in this gorgeous rendition of the series, but I'm let down by a time-loop story that falls flat"
  4. 4
    FBC: Firebreak review: "A disappointingly bland multiplayer FPS that's missing far too much of what made Control special"
  5. 5
    Dune: Awakening review: "Both extremely compelling and extraordinarily boring, sometimes at the same time – yet still a true Dune love letter"
  1. M3GAN doll in M3GAN 2.0
    1
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  2. 2
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  3. 3
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  4. 4
    From the World of John Wick: Ballerina review: "Brilliant action, even if the plot gives you a sense of déjà vu"
  5. 5
    Karate Kid: Legends review: "Better than Karate Kid (2010), nothing on Karate Kid (1984)"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...