The Best Deals Ahead Of Mario Day: Save On Games, Toys, And More

Mario Day is right around the corner on March 10, and while we're still waiting for most of the official deals to go live, there are a bunch of great discounts to peruse ahead of the event. Whether you're in the market for a new Switch game, a Lego Mario expansion set, or a snuggly plush, there's a bunch of Mario gear on sale ahead of the plumber's big day. One cool deal for longtime fans is for the Super Mario Encyclopedia, which is filled with 256 pages of Mario knowledge and is now just $21 (down from $40). You'll also find the Super Mario Bros. Movie Collectible Steelbook back in stock at Walmart for $28--though we're sure it'll sell out fast.

New to the concept of Mario Day? Each year, March 10 is celebrated as Mario Day because the date can be stylized as "MAR10." That's really all there is to it, though the day has gradually evolved into a sales event featuring discounts on games and gear, as well as the possibility of news from Nintendo about everyone's favorite plumber.

Looking ahead, Nintendo has revealed that select Mario games will be available for discounts on the eShop from March 7 to March 17. Meanwhile, select retailers will have physical games for up to $20 off from March 10 to March 16. Some retailers will also be giving away $25 gift cards with the purchase of a Nintendo Switch console.

Outside of the deals, Nintendo is hosting two giveaways: a Lego Super Mario sweepstakes and a BlackMilk x Super Mario sweepstakes featuring a Princess Peach outfit. The timing is great for the latter, as Princess Peach: Showtime is set to launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on March 22.

For now, here's a look at the best deals ahead of Mario Day.

Video Games

Only a handful of Mario games are receiving notable discounts right now. This includes Super Mario Bros. Wonder for $51 and Super Mario RPG for $50, both down from $60, at Amazon. You'll even find them a bit cheaper when purchasing through resellers at Walmart. Wonder is a particular standout, as it's one of the most inventive side-scrolling Mario games in quite some time. Meanwhile, Super Mario RPG is a nostalgic throwback to Mario's debut RPG on Super Nintendo. There are also nice price cuts for Super Mario Maker 2 and Super Mario Party.

• Super Mario Bros. Wonder -- $51 ($60)
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Reseller) -- $46 ($60)
• Super Mario RPG -- $50 ($60)
• Super Mario RPG (Reseller) -- $45 ($60)
• Super Mario Party -- $40 ($60)
• Super Mario Maker 2 -- $40 ($60)
• Super Mario Party + Red and Blue Joy-Con Bundle -- $99

Hardware and Accessories

The Mario Red Nintendo Switch OLED that released last holiday is sold out at most retailers, but you can still grab one at Target for retail price. It doesn't come with any games, but it's an eye-catching console that likely won't be available for much longer. And if you want to pair your new console with an affordable alternative to the standard Switch Pro Controller, you can pick up the PowerA Wireless Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Red Mario) for $35 (down from $45).

• Nintendo Switch OLED Model (Mario Red) -- $309 ($350)
• Nintendo Switch OLED Model (Mario Red) -- $350
• PowerA Enhanced Wired Switch Controller (Mushroom Kingdom Friends) -- $20 ($28)
• PowerA Wireless Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Red Mario) -- $35 ($45)
• PDP Rematch Enhanced Wired Switch Controller (Glow in the Dark Toad) -- $18 ($28)

Super Mario Board Games

Step away from the screen with one of the many Mario board games on sale. Test your balancing skills with the Super Mario Blow Up Shaky Tower Balancing Game for $14 (down from $20) or tackle a classic game of Guess Who with a Mario twist for $31 (down from $38). For something more strategic, you'll find a unique Super Mario Chess Set for $47 (down from $60).

• Super Mario Blow Up Shaky Tower Balancing Game -- $14 ($20)
• Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape -- $15 ($20)
• Ravensburger Super Mario Labyrinth Board Game -- $19 ($37)
• Guess Who (Mario Edition) -- $31 ($38)
• Super Mario Checkers + Tic Tac Toe -- $18 ($25)
• Super Mario Chess Set -- $47 ($60)
• Super Mario Balancing Game Bundle -- $24 ($30)
• Super Mario Tabletop Tennis Game -- $35 ($50)

Super Mario Toys

There's no shortage of Mario toys out, and a bunch are steeply discounted ahead of Mario Day. This includes a handful of figures based on the Super Mario Bros. Movie, as well as a gigantic Bowser Inflatable Sports Game for $34 (down from $40). Arguably the most fun toy on sale might be the Super Mario Kart Anti-Gravity Mini RC Racer for $33 (down from $40), as it lets you zip around your home or neighborhood with an impressive range of up to 100 feet. Best of all, there's a built-in drift button that flips the wheels to anti-gravity mode.

• Super Mario Kart Anti-Gravity Mini RC Racer -- $33 ($40)
• Super Mario Bros. Movie Rumble RC Kart -- $47 ($50)
• Super Mario Collectible Talking Action Figure -- $40 ($50)
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie: Mushroom Kingdom Castle Playset -- $16 ($30)
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Bowser Action Figure -- $21 ($30)
• Hot Wheels Super Mario Bros. Set (4-Pack) -- $20 ($24)
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Mario Tanooki Figure -- $8 ($20)
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Mario Figure -- $9.50 ($20)
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Luigi Figure -- $13 ($20)
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Peach Figure -- $13 ($20)
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie Toad Figure -- $13 ($20)
• Donkey Kong Deluxe Action Figure -- $14 ($18)
• Super Mario Figure 3-Pack (Mario, Bowser, Bob-omb) -- $29
• Super Mario Dungeon Diorama Set -- $9 ($20)
• Bowser Inflatable Sports Game -- $34 ($40)
• Little Buddy Super Mario All-Star Plush-- $15 ($20)

Super Mario Lego Sets

The Lego Super Mario Adventures Starter Courses are all discounted right now. This includes the Mario Starter Course for $48, the Luigi Starter Course for $47, and the Peach Starter Course for $48. If you already own one of those, you can check out a small list of discounted expansions, though the best deal is for the Fliprus Snow Adventure Expansion Set, as it's seeing a $25 price cut. The Picnic at Mario's House Expansion Set is another great deal, as it's close to hitting its lowest-ever price at just $31 (down from $38). If nothing below catches your eye, head over to the Lego Store where members can score double points on Super Mario Lego purchases until March 11.

Starter Courses

• Mario Starter Course -- $48 ($60)
• Luigi Starter Course -- $47 ($60)
• Peach Starter Course -- $48 ($60)

Expansions

• Fliprus Snow Adventure Expansion Set -- $40 ($65)
• Picnic at Mario's House Expansion Set -- $31 ($38)
• Donkey Kong's Tree House Expansion Set -- $54 ($60)
• Dixie Kong's Jungle Jam Expansion Set -- $24 ($27)
• Peach's Castle Expansion Set -- $110 ($130)