Try the new Bubly’s ‘Super Mario’ flavor on USA TODAY
Bubbly’s new cans feature characters from the “Super Mario” universe and new flavors including “Meteor Melon,” “Cosmic Swirl,” and “Dragon Fruit Stardust.”
Ahead of the release of “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” on April 1st, new goods from Nintendo’s standard bearers are appearing in stores one after another.
From die-hard Mario fans to casual Mario fans, you can be decked out from head to toe in Mario-related hats, hats, socks, and even boxer shorts. On-the-go options include sling bags and crossbody bags.
Many of the new Mario products combine current style with Y2K-era nostalgia. Some new exclusive products are available on BoxLunch.com or BoxLunch stores, while others can be found at Amazon, GameStop, Hot Topic, Target, and other major retailers nationwide.
Mario is one of the most successful franchises not only in video games but also in pop culture. The plumber character first appeared in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong. (At the time, he was originally called “Jumpman” and was renamed “Mario” because the Nintendo of America warehouse owner’s first name sounded similar to “Mario,” according to History.com.)
‘Resonating across generations’: Celebrating the Super Mario Bros. franchise
Two years later, Mario Bros., a game starring Mario and his twin brother Luigi, was added to the Mario series and will be worth an estimated $38 billion by 2024, according to Guinness World Records. Since then, Nintendo has released Mario Kart World, which became a hit on the gaming company’s newest video game console, the Nintendo Switch 2, which was released in the United States in June 2025.
“Super Mario Bros.” was released in 2023 and was a success. “Super Mario Galaxy Movie”, which follows “The Movie,” stars Chris Pratt as Mario, Jack Black as Bowser, Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Prince Peach, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Brie Larson as Rosalina, Donald Glover as Yoshi, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Issa Rae as Honey Queen. Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek.
With the release of the new movie, fans of the series will be shopping for fresh looks. “As excitement builds around the release of the new movie, we’ve seen Super Mario merchandise continue to trend strongly among fans,” Gillian Wendt, vice president of marketing for Box Lunch and Her Universe stores, told USA TODAY in a statement. “Nostalgic game series like Mario resonate across generations, with longtime fans and new audiences alike looking for ways to celebrate the characters.”
Nintendo’s Mario is a character that “grows with us”
Jason Mays, senior director of marketing for Bioworld Merchandising, a company that makes licensed pop culture products, said fans and players connect with the character (and the franchise) because “Mario has evolved and grown with us.”
“What’s interesting is that we have multiple age groups (intellectuals) coming together, which is kind of unique,” he told USA TODAY. “Parents love this product as much as their kids do. So we’re not just talking to one audience, we’re talking to the whole family. Our job is to create products that connect with each of them and bring that shared experience to life.”
In addition to Mario and Luigi cosplay-style berets, there are also Mario and Luigi bucket hats, Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach beanies, dad hats featuring character iconography, and Princess Peach trucker hats. There’s also a 4-piece Princess Peach treat care kit that includes a scrunchie and headband.
Other ways to show off your love for the Mario series include Bowser’s seashell backpack and raccoon red Mario cosplay hat. Want to keep your fans close? Choose boxer briefs for boys.
“Our community is particularly drawn to BoxLunch’s exclusive Super Mario collection,” says Wendt. “Fans love discovering new designs and collectibles that incorporate their favorite characters into everyday style.”
Need a reason to shop? BoxLunch has partnered with Feeding America to donate one meal to a local food bank for every $10 customers spend in-store and online. This new product line goes beyond the ordinary. “You’ve got Mario, you’ve got Luigi, you’ve got Bowser, you’ve got Princess Peach. This obviously appeals to girls,” Mays said. But there are also products featuring lesser-known characters, such as the Waluigi Mario Purple Cosplay Hat, inspired by Luigi’s nemesis.
By working with retailers like BoxLunch, “we can up the target a little bit,” Mays said. The collection is “very rich and deep.”
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
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