If you’ve been on the internet the past couple of weeks, you may have seen news floating around about how Nintendo’s Super Mario is going to die on March 31st. Is the company really killing off the iconic plumber? The answer is no. At least, not in the literal sense.
Last year was a grand celebration for the franchise as it celebrated its 35th anniversary with a multitude of partnerships, collaborations, and merchandise. Nintendo also released a couple of remastered classics for the Nintendo Switch which is limited and will only be sold until March 31st, 2021. This is where the “Mario is dying” joke originated.
"March 31st! Wait, that isn't right. It should say THE DAY THAT MARIO FRIES." #MARIOISDEAD pic.twitter.com/LjVAqAwgnM
— dants (@wafflebuggerton) March 31, 2021
Fans were quick to wonder why a time limit was enforced to purchasing the classic games — Super Mario 3D All-Stars and Super Mario Bros 35. This prompted the internet to jokingly suggest that Nintendo is killing off Mario. The joke spread like wildfire with jokes and memes littered on social media sites.
March 31st has passed. Mario is officially dead. He had a good life! Too bad he didn't grab one more 1UP mushroom.#SuperMario35 #SuperMario35th pic.twitter.com/59cVqXr1Vi
— Yves Bourgelas (@thebourgyman) April 1, 2021
In truth, Nintendo didn’t kill off Mario. The company did push through with pulling the games off the Nintendo e-shop but that’s as far it goes from the looks of it. Why the company enforced the deadline is still a bit of a mystery but there may be something more up Nintendo’s sleeve for this year.