Mario Is Missing! Why Does Mario’s 40th Birthday Feel So [Fart Sound]
Mario, Nintendo’s iconic mascot, is turning 40 years old in 2026, but the milestone anniversary appears to be going largely unnoticed by the company. Following a quiet start to the year for Mario content, fans had hoped Nintendo would use the summer game reveal season—particularly a Nintendo Direct presentation—to announce something special for the character’s birthday. However, the company let the opportunity pass, offering no major Mario announcements.
The closest Nintendo came to acknowledging the milestone was a Donkey Kong Banana event that offered Mario-themed cosmetic items as rewards. This modest tie-in hardly qualifies as a proper celebration for one of gaming’s most recognizable and historically important characters. The lack of a significant announcement has left fans disappointed, with expectations for a major Mario project or update largely extinguished.
While Nintendo has technically recognized Mario’s 40th anniversary, the company has done little to make it feel special. This stands in contrast to how major gaming franchises typically celebrate such milestones, which often include announcements of new games, special editions, or major content updates. For a character central to Nintendo’s identity and success for four decades, the muted response is particularly surprising.