Best Super Mario Gift Ideas 2023 - Switch Games, Mario Movie Merch, And More

By Steven Petite and Darryn Bonthuys on September 29, 2023 at 10:27AM PDT

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Super Mario has been the face of Nintendo, if not gaming in general, for 35-plus years. But 2023 has been particularly special for the mustachioed plumber who simply can't stop running, jumping, and reminding us his name. This year, Mario and his brother Luigi became movie stars thanks to The Super Mario Bros. Movie's billion-dollar box office performance.

The animated film's success solidified the tireless Nintendo mascot's place inside the minds of a new generation of fans. As such, Mario and his Mushroom Kingdom pals will find themselves on even more holiday wishlists than usual in 2023. To help you pick out a cool Super Mario gift for the Nintendo fan in your life, we put together a list of the best Super Mario gift ideas.

Our list of Super Mario Bros. games, accessories, and merch aims to be wide-ranging. Due to the sheer volume of Super Mario-themed products, we decided to break it down by categories, where it made sense, giving you a wealth of options for merch such as plushies, T-shirts, Lego sets, and more. Regardless of your loved one's favorite Mushroom Kingdom character, you should be able to find something of interest on this list.

It only makes sense to kick things off with what will easily be the most popular Super Mario product this holiday. Because even though Mario leapt onto the silver screen in 2023, he is closing out the year with a return to his humble side-scrolling platformer roots.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

New 2D Mario Bros. games arrive on the same cadence as Haley's Comet, but when they do appear, they're usually terrific showcases of Nintendo magic. Believe it or not, a decade has passed since the last brand-new traditional Mario side-scroller, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder is shaping up to be a colorful and inventive spin on this Nintendo staple.

While the action doesn't look too far removed from Mario's biggest hits on the NES and SNES, Super Mario Bros. Wonder does shake up the formula with some interesting additions. Wonder Flowers are a new collectible that can rewrite the reality of the stages around you, as they'll make Warp pipes come alive, give Mario a noodle body, and transform characters in weird and wacky ways..

Super Mario Bros. Wonder releases October 20. You can preorder it now at your preferred retailer. It's worth noting that My Best Buy Plus members ($50/year) have access to a buy two, get one free promotion on all Switch games. If you plan on buying Switch games as gifts this holiday, Best Buy's membership perk will come in handy. You can also get free bonuses by preordering a copy of the game.

Preorder Super Mario Bros. Wonder:

Super Mario RPG

In the mood for a more nostalgic Mario experience that also mixes in some classic role-playing adventures? Super Mario RPG should scratch that itch, as this remake of the beloved 1996 game puts a turn-based spin on Mario's world and teams him up with Peach, Bowser, Geno, and more characters to save the day. The Mario RPG remake will keeps the original game's stocky art style and isometric perspective, modernizes the visuals, and is scheduled to release on November 17. Remember: This could be one of your three games as part of Best Buy's B2G1 free promotion for members.

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More Mario games

We've seen a lot of Mario games over the last couple of years, and if you've just picked up a Switch, now is a great time to dive in and check what Nintendo's favorite plumber has been up to lately. For some traditional Mario fare, Super Mario Odyssey is a fantastic 3D platformer; Super Mario Maker 2 lets fans make their own Mario levels; and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Super Mario 3D World are outstanding Wii U ports with added content.

Of course, Mario and friends routinely star in other genres of games, too. A trio of Mario sports sims have been released on Switch; the Mario + Rabbids games are wonderfully zany strategy games; Paper Mario: Origami King is a novel role-playing game; and, of course, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a must for any Switch library.

Mario Red Switch OLED

What good is a selection of new Mario games without a Switch? If you're looking to grab the console, now is a great time to get your hands on a limited-edition Switch. This is an OLED Switch, which sports an incredibly sharp and vibrant screen, and it features the iconic shade of red synonymous with Super Mario. As an added touch, there's a Mario silhouette on the lower-back corner corner of the console dock as well as rows of coins under the dock's back cover.

The Joy-Cons also have that lovely shade of red, giving the entire presentation a unique and uniform look. If you haven't picked up a Switch yet, then you've missed out on an excellent gaming experience so far. The key feature of this console is that it functions as both a handheld and home gaming system, allowing you to easily take it on the road with you, resume your gaming session in either of its modes, and detach its Joy-Con controllers for multiplayer fun.

The Mario Red Switch OLED releases October 6.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Switch bundle

Alternatively, you can pick up a Switch console and have a game ready to play after a quick download. This special bundles in the regular Switch--it doesn't have an OLED screen or several of the modern improvements of the OLED model but it's still a rock-solid and more affordable device--with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and three months of Nintendo Switch Online (provides access to a bunch of classic Mario games and more). That's a reliable console and an excellent game, ready to go in one convenient package.

The Mario Kart Switch holiday bundle releases October 6.

Nintendo Switch Online membership for retro Mario games

Alright, we hear you. You want the retro Mario experience, and fortunately, Nintendo Switch Online has you covered on that front. With a membership to this Nintendo program, you'll be able to quickly download a Mario library of yesterday's biggest hits. We're talking Mario 64, Super Mario Bros. 3, Dr. Mario, Super Mario All-Stars, Mario Party, and much more.

Switch Online has two membership tiers, with Individual and Family versions (up to eight users) for each. If you opt for the standard Switch Online membership for $20, you'll gain access to NES, SNES, and Game Boy games. Meanwhile, the Expansion Pack tier also gives you N64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis libraries.

On top of that, subscribers also receive online multiplayer, cloud saves, voice chat via a smartphone app, special profile pictures, and promotional offers. Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack offers the overall best value for money, and is available in either individual or family-focused bundles.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

One of the biggest hits of the years, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a delightful animated film from the studio behind the successful Despicable Me film franchise. It's a movie that rewards repeat viewings, especially if you're a student of Mario history and keep your eyes open for Easter eggs, and right now the Blu-ray release has dropped in price. The 4K release looks fantastic on TVs that support ultra high-definition resolutions, and it comes with a 1080p and digital streaming key in case you need more options.

There are plenty of extras on the disc as well, including and apologies in advance, a "Peaches" lyric video for when younger members of the family want to sing along with Jack Black's Bowser.

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Lego Super Mario Starter Sets and Expansions

Sure, Super Mario Maker 2 allows you to craft your own digital Mario levels, but have you ever wanted to bring those creations into the real world? Thanks to Lego, this ever-growing range of Super Mario toy sets allow you to easily craft stages and play on them. Packed with unique blocks, building ideas, and mini-figures, the real charm of these sets are the core Mario toys included with the starter courses. For example, Mario himself can interact with these stages thanks to some ingenious electronics included inside of his stocky Lego frame, and you can expand the gang with Luigi and Princess Peach figures as well.

Starter sets will get you rolling on building a Mario stage, and thanks to the design of Lego, you can expand on these creations with a variety of extra components, pieces, and themes. Not only is it fun to build a Mario stage, the completed product looks fantastic and can easily be used to add some color to your shelves or working environments.

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Lego Super Mario Mighty Bowser, Question Block, and NES sets

Of course, the interactive playsets are just the tip of the Lego iceberg when it comes to Nintendo. For more fun and challenging Lego builds, look no further than these excellent gift ideas. Mighty Bowser is a gigantic model of the Koopa King that has an impressive amount of articulation, the Lego Question Block pays tribute to the classic Super Mario 64 video game with a block that hides plenty of surprises, and the NES set is a nostalgic replica with a very cool Mario Easter Egg.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Toys

Times change, trends come and go, but action figures are forever. To tie in with the release of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Jakks Pacific released a line of action figures and playsets that look like they hopped straight out of the feature film itself. These toys have good articulation, accurate paint jobs, and a wide variety of them are available. You can't go wrong with purchases of the core cast of characters like Mario, Luigi, and Peach, but the Bowser toy is especially impressive. Not just an imposing replica of the mighty Mario adversary, it has a "fire-breathing" feature that makes Bowser emit steam through the water reservoir on his back. You should also consider the Mario Bros. plumbing van playset and others featuring Peach, Bowser, and Donkey Kong.

Super Mario Bros. Movie Monopoly and other board games

Tabletop games are more popular than ever, and when it comes to Nintendo, there's a lot to choose from here. Traditional board games like Monopoly, Tic-Tac-Toe, Jenga, Checkers, and Chess are all covered, each one featuring a Mushroom Kingdom redesign that captures the spirit of Mario and his friends.

Hot Wheels Mario Kart Sets

Whether you're a kid or an adult, Hot Wheels always make for fun and quick gifts. These pocket-sized cars have a solid build quality, and the officially licensed Mario versions capture the karting magic of the franchise. Plus, you can even build a topsy-turvy course with these Hot Wheels playset add-ons. There's even a non-Hot Wheels option for anyone looking for fast-paced fun, as this Carrera Slot lets you hold your own Mario Kart race on over 16-feet of track.

Super Mario Pillow Buddies

Nothing complex here, just an adorable Pillow Buddy version of Mario or Yoshi, perfect for anyone looking for a cuddly pal.

Little Buddy Super Mario Plushies

Would the world be better if everyone had access to Mario-themed emotional support plushies? We think so, and you can start your very own collection of huggable Mario characters with the selection below. Produced by Little Buddy, pretty much the entire Mushroom Kingdom is covered in this line of soft toys.

Club Mocchi-Mocchi Plushies

This line of plushies are different but no less cute, as Club Mocchi-Mocchi offers an imaginative alternative to the usual selection of Mario-themed dolls. These fun toys include oversized Mario hats, power-up mushrooms, Goomba minions, and much more.

Super Mario Switch Controllers

Joy-Cons are fun little controllers, but if you're looking for something a bit more reliable, then third-party manufacturers can help you out, PowerA's line of controllers look great and are robust options to consider; Hori's controllers boast striking designs; and overall, you can choose from a wide selection of wired and wireless peripherals that'll work brilliantly with upcoming Mario games.

Mario Kart Racing Wheels for Switch

It's worth noting that you can use a regular Joy-Con as a steering wheel thanks to the gyroscopic technology inside of it (plus you can slot them into plastic wheels), but nothing beats the precision of a proper steering wheel. For the Switch, we have two options listed below. The first, a deluxe and officially licensed steering wheel from Hori, comes with onboard controls and foot pedals that make it a reliable option for teenagers and grown-up Mario Kart fans. For younger members of the family, the Hori Pro Mini is a smaller and vibrant red racing that also comes with foot pedals.

Super Mario Switch Carrying Cases

A Nintendo Switch can provide some of the best entertainment around, and naturally, you're going to want to protect the hybrid gaming console when you take it out and about for you. There's no shortage of reliable carrying cases for the Switch, but for Mario fans in particular, we've rounded up a selection of retro and contemporary cases that can be used to keep various Switch models in tip-top condition.

Mario Anti-Gravity RC Karts

These remote-control cars don't technically defy the laws of gravity, but they are super cool. If you'd like to drive Mario and Luigi all around your house and neighborhood, then you can grab both of the Mario brothers right now in cute RC car form and watch them perform mind-bending racing feats. These RC karts are quite fast and handle extremely well, and you can turn the wheels on their side at the press of the button, just like in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Just make sure you buy some AA batteries (it comes with six, but you need eight).

Super Mario Bomber Jackets for kids

Winter, as the hip Game of Thrones fans say, is coming. And what better way to prepare your young ones for a chilly festive season than with these stylish Mario and Luigi bomber jackets? Not only do these jackets have retro prints on them, they're also lightweight and made from 100% breathable polyester.

Super Mario Hoodies

While the Mario bomber jackets are (sadly) only kid-sized, adults can settle for some fashionable black hoodies instead. This tried-and-trusted item is more practical than revolutionary, but when you need a quick top to keep the cold away, hoodies are unparalleled. Plus, you'll get to show off your appreciation for various eras of Mario Bros.

Super Mario T-shirts

Of course, you're going to need something fashionable to wear underneath those Mario hoodies, and why not double up on the theme with T-shirts? There's a great line of Super Mario T-shirts available here, ranging black shirts with distressed prints, more modern graphics, and retro-inspired garments that go all in on blocky sprites. You're also able to flex your fandom with these T-shirts, as while Mario might be the star of the show, Peach, Bowser, and Luigi clothing is also on offer.

Super Mario Bros. Movie Throw Blankets

Beat the winter blues with this super soft throw blanket. It's warm, cuddly, easy to wash, and crafted for comfort. There are several options here to choose from, and if you're looking to turn a bedroom into a Mushroom Kingdom embassy, officially licensed linen and comforters will help complete the look.

Super Mario Bros. Movie Comforters

Like the blankets and linen above, these items are all focused on comfort, warmth, and easy maintenance. This line features visuals inspired by The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which might be more easily recognizable to young fans of the film.

Super Mario Bros. Backpacks

No one likes hauling a small library of books to school, but at least you can keep them in a stylish backpack that shows off your fandom. The backpacks below all come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are colorful, durable storage solutions for kids on the move.

Super Mario Bros. Art Books

After decades of action, Nintendo gathered material to publish fascinating books detailing just how several of the Super Mario games were made over the years. These particular books make for excellent and informative reading material, as well as eye-catching coffee table extras for when guests are around.

For the Super Mario Bros. 2 and 3 fans

Outside of the official line of books, insiders and scholars have also published in-depth studies into the Super Mario franchise. Sure, they may not pack the same visual punch as Nintendo's official books, but if you ever wanted to read up on how the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2 was declared "too hard" by Nintendo of America and replaced with a Mario-ified port of another game, these books from indie publisher Boss Fight Books are stellar reads.

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