First Animal Crossing: New Horizons Super Mario items are live, with more to come later

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
(Image credit: Nintendo)

The Animal Crossing: New Horizons crossover with Super Mario is now live in the former game with the launch of the new 1.8 update.

Once you've downloaded update 1.8 for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which is available everywhere today on February 25, you'll have access to new Super Mario-themed items. When you check your mailbox after installing the update, you'll find the Mushroom Mural wallpaper waiting for you, which turns your house wall into a Mario course.

However, the rest of the special Super Mario crossover items aren't going live for New Horizons players until next month on March 3. At this point, Nintendo will begin to gradually roll out the new items, which will continue to arrive all throughout the coming month.

Contained within the crossover items are new outfits, resembling Mario, Luigi, and Peach, as well as special warp pipes. Once these pipes have been purchased, you can place two of them anywhere on your island for a quick shortcut between the two locations, just like you would in a normal Mario level.

This is all part of the ongoing celebrations for Mario's 35th birthday. Last year, Nintendo revealed plans to celebrate the big anniversary of the Italian plumber, featuring a game collection called Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a limited-time battle royale game called Super Mario Bros. 35, and much more.

For more Animal Crossing tips and tricks, you can check out these Animal Crossing: New Horizons secrets that we bet you didn't know you could do in-game.

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.