Mario , Luigi, Donkey Kong and friends are coming to Orlando in 2025!
Back in January, Universal Orlando dropped a bombshell announcement offering a few tasty tidbits coming as part of Epic Universe – scheduled to open in 2025. As part of the announcement, Universal identified five themed lands which will make up the resort’s fourth theme park, joining Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay water theme park.
The themed lands of Epic Universe will include:
Celestial Park The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic Super Nintendo World Dreamworks How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk Dark Universe
Today, Universal has released many powered-up, whimsical details on another of these new lands – Super Nintendo World.
Super Mario Land
Image: Universal
Enter through the iconic green pipe into a world full of colorful scenery, charming characters, and collectible coins. Instantly recognizable landscapes abound with multi-level, three-dimensional terrain,...
Back in January, Universal Orlando dropped a bombshell announcement offering a few tasty tidbits coming as part of Epic Universe – scheduled to open in 2025. As part of the announcement, Universal identified five themed lands which will make up the resort’s fourth theme park, joining Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay water theme park.
The themed lands of Epic Universe will include:
Celestial Park The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic Super Nintendo World Dreamworks How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk Dark Universe
Today, Universal has released many powered-up, whimsical details on another of these new lands – Super Nintendo World.
Super Mario Land
Image: Universal
Enter through the iconic green pipe into a world full of colorful scenery, charming characters, and collectible coins. Instantly recognizable landscapes abound with multi-level, three-dimensional terrain,...
- 5/2/2024
- by James Smith
- Pirates & Princesses
After the mega-success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it’s no secret that Nintendo and Illumination are looking to maximize their partnership by adapting more classic Nintendo video game properties for the silver screen. To celebrate Mario Day, which was March 10th (get it? Mar10?), Shigeru Miyamoto, the character’s creator, and Illumination head Chris Meledandri, officially announced another film set in that universe, with an April 3rd, 2026 release date. But, with a Super Mario Bros Movie 2 finally happening, what other Nintendo properties might be getting a movie?
Closer to the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie last year notorious scooper Daniel Richtman, who has a solid track record for sharing information that often pans out, said Nintendo and Illumination were working on various titles. In the original post linked to Richtman’s Patreon, he mentioned the team behind Mario was hard at work on adaptations of The Legend of Zelda,...
Closer to the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie last year notorious scooper Daniel Richtman, who has a solid track record for sharing information that often pans out, said Nintendo and Illumination were working on various titles. In the original post linked to Richtman’s Patreon, he mentioned the team behind Mario was hard at work on adaptations of The Legend of Zelda,...
- 3/12/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Illumination and Nintendo will join forces to produce a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros.
The companies previously partnered on last year’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which grossed more than $1.3 billion and became the second highest-grossing movie of 2023. It’s unclear which fanciful characters the new film will focus on — be they plumbers, princesses, Koopas or other residents of the Mushroom Kingdom — and the partners are not using the word “sequel.” However, the companies did specify that the movie will be released in theaters on April 3, 2026, in the U.S. and additional markets globally. It will be unveiled in other territories throughout April.
The film will be produced by Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of Illumination, and Shigeru Miyamoto, representative director and fellow of Nintendo and one of the most famous figures in gaming. The close collaboration between the filmmakers and Miyamoto is...
The companies previously partnered on last year’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which grossed more than $1.3 billion and became the second highest-grossing movie of 2023. It’s unclear which fanciful characters the new film will focus on — be they plumbers, princesses, Koopas or other residents of the Mushroom Kingdom — and the partners are not using the word “sequel.” However, the companies did specify that the movie will be released in theaters on April 3, 2026, in the U.S. and additional markets globally. It will be unveiled in other territories throughout April.
The film will be produced by Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of Illumination, and Shigeru Miyamoto, representative director and fellow of Nintendo and one of the most famous figures in gaming. The close collaboration between the filmmakers and Miyamoto is...
- 3/10/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
FromSoftware has been creating masterpiece after masterpiece ever since their first soulslike Demon Souls, was launched. Even though their games are similar at heart, they are different in just the right places. Players get to explore new worlds, use new kinds of weapons, and fight new kinds of harder bosses. Each one of these things was present in the Elden Ring.
As vibrant as these games are, their fanbase is not half bad either. It consists of people fighting one of the hardest bosses around 6000–7000 times, and there are even people who would play these games without getting hit even once. And director Hideteka Miyazaki has no issues, as he wants fans to continue having fun with the game.
Hidetaka Miyazaki does not discourage Elden Ring players from experimenting with things
A still from Shadow of the Erdtree
There was a game that was released on GameCube called Donkey Kong Jungle Beat.
As vibrant as these games are, their fanbase is not half bad either. It consists of people fighting one of the hardest bosses around 6000–7000 times, and there are even people who would play these games without getting hit even once. And director Hideteka Miyazaki has no issues, as he wants fans to continue having fun with the game.
Hidetaka Miyazaki does not discourage Elden Ring players from experimenting with things
A still from Shadow of the Erdtree
There was a game that was released on GameCube called Donkey Kong Jungle Beat.
- 3/6/2024
- by Rohit Sejwal
- FandomWire
Exclusive: Nearly two decades after producing The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, a video game documentary that’s emerged as a cult classic since its unveiling at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival, Ed Cunningham has wrapped production on Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad Of Walter Day, a follow-up film picking up with his documentary subject, known as the father of Esports.
Directed by Seth Gordon, The King of Kong offered a look into the world of competitive arcade gaming with a focus on the quest for the high score in the classic arcade game Donkey Kong. The specific focus of the film is the intense rivalry between two gamers: the reigning champion, restaurateur Billy Mitchell, and underdog challenger, Steve Wiebe. As Wiebe relentlessly pursues the Donkey Kong high score, he faces obstacles and skepticism from the gaming community, particularly from Mitchell and the organization Twin Galaxies, which oversees video game records.
Directed by Seth Gordon, The King of Kong offered a look into the world of competitive arcade gaming with a focus on the quest for the high score in the classic arcade game Donkey Kong. The specific focus of the film is the intense rivalry between two gamers: the reigning champion, restaurateur Billy Mitchell, and underdog challenger, Steve Wiebe. As Wiebe relentlessly pursues the Donkey Kong high score, he faces obstacles and skepticism from the gaming community, particularly from Mitchell and the organization Twin Galaxies, which oversees video game records.
- 2/29/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That seems to be the sensible approach that Nintendo took with this remake of the 2004 puzzle-platformer Mario vs. Donkey Kong, perhaps believing that the original Game Boy Advance game required little mechanical overhaul. The fact that there’s marginal change in how this version operates—think of it as a spiritual sequel to the Donkey Kong arcade classic—in comparison to the original isn’t itself an issue. However, if you’re dropping into the game hoping for more than just a straight shot of nostalgia, you may find yourself wondering if the experience is diverting enough to justify its existence.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong’s levels are elegantly designed and visually impressive. Oftentimes, they introduce a brand new obstacle and the object you’ll use to overcome it—such as hitting the right color switch to activate a corresponding warp...
Mario vs. Donkey Kong’s levels are elegantly designed and visually impressive. Oftentimes, they introduce a brand new obstacle and the object you’ll use to overcome it—such as hitting the right color switch to activate a corresponding warp...
- 2/24/2024
- by Paul Attard
- Slant Magazine
Nintendo somewhat quietly published a Nintendo Direct presentation today that focused on some of its partners’ upcoming projects. While filled with interesting updates about various games, the highlight of the presentation involved an unexpected update to Nintendo Switch Online’s digital library.
As of today, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers of various tiers can play a collection of Rare-developed titles that include Snake Rattle ‘n’ Roll, Rc Pro-am, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs, Killer Instinct, and Blast Corps. Gamers in Japan got Mother 3 in their version of that update, but that’s a story for another day.
While many of those games are notable in their own ways, the fact they were all developed by Rare is most certainly the most interesting thing about them in this particular instance. For those who don’t know, Rare and Nintendo once formed a partnership that led to the production of legendary games like Donkey Kong Country,...
As of today, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers of various tiers can play a collection of Rare-developed titles that include Snake Rattle ‘n’ Roll, Rc Pro-am, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs, Killer Instinct, and Blast Corps. Gamers in Japan got Mother 3 in their version of that update, but that’s a story for another day.
While many of those games are notable in their own ways, the fact they were all developed by Rare is most certainly the most interesting thing about them in this particular instance. For those who don’t know, Rare and Nintendo once formed a partnership that led to the production of legendary games like Donkey Kong Country,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
While the upcoming Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake for the Nintendo Switch is one of the console’s most notable 2024 new releases, Mario and Donkey Kong’s rivalry has been going on for decades. The two characters have been both enemies and allies across numerous genres and franchises.
The characters are integral to Nintendo’s growth on a global stage, and their respective rises to fame have often been the source of the animosity between them. Yet, this rivalry has never been as clear-cut as you may think it is. Mario and Donkey Kong’s relationship might be legendary, but there’s a lot more to know about the plumber and the gorilla.
A Double Debut
The 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong would prove to be a significant turning point for Nintendo and gaming. It was not only the first proper platformer, but it featured the titular gorilla capturing the protagonist...
The characters are integral to Nintendo’s growth on a global stage, and their respective rises to fame have often been the source of the animosity between them. Yet, this rivalry has never been as clear-cut as you may think it is. Mario and Donkey Kong’s relationship might be legendary, but there’s a lot more to know about the plumber and the gorilla.
A Double Debut
The 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong would prove to be a significant turning point for Nintendo and gaming. It was not only the first proper platformer, but it featured the titular gorilla capturing the protagonist...
- 2/15/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
The puzzling action of Mario vs. Donkey Kong is about to return with an updated spin on Nintendo Switch, and you can try it out right now. Nintendo shared a new overview trailer last night, timing it nicely with the arrival of a playable demo. You can download the demo via the Nintendo eShop and check out the new trailer below. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Overview Trailer Related: Donkey Kong Country Opens Spring 2024 in Japan's Super Nintendo World Here's how Nintendo describes Mario vs. Donkey Kong : Donkey Kong has stolen all the Mini-Mario toys from the factory, and it’s up to Mario to get them back! Run, jump, and backflip your way to retrieving them across over 130 levels in this puzzle-style twist on classic platforming action. The rivalry that originally heated up on the Game Boy Advance system returns on the Nintendo Switch system with newly added co-op play,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Joseph Luster
- Crunchyroll
Over 30 years on from its release, the Nes version of Tetris has finally been beaten by a 13 year-old player.
Tetris? Completed it, mate. That’s the bragging right well and truly earned by 13-year old gamer Willis ‘BlueScuti’ Gibson, who’s become the first player to ‘beat’ the Nes version of the puzzler – some 34 years after it was first released.
If, like us, you didn’t know it was possible to even beat Tetris, rest assured that it was widely assumed that no human player could keep up with the game’s sheer speed once it reached its later levels. By this point, the blocks come hurtling down the screen at such a frenzied pace that it becomes borderline impossible to position them accurately – all of which leads to a Game Over within a few short seconds.
BlueScuti’s skill is such, however, that he’s able to not only...
Tetris? Completed it, mate. That’s the bragging right well and truly earned by 13-year old gamer Willis ‘BlueScuti’ Gibson, who’s become the first player to ‘beat’ the Nes version of the puzzler – some 34 years after it was first released.
If, like us, you didn’t know it was possible to even beat Tetris, rest assured that it was widely assumed that no human player could keep up with the game’s sheer speed once it reached its later levels. By this point, the blocks come hurtling down the screen at such a frenzied pace that it becomes borderline impossible to position them accurately – all of which leads to a Game Over within a few short seconds.
BlueScuti’s skill is such, however, that he’s able to not only...
- 1/3/2024
- by Ryan Lambie
- Film Stories
Jack Black’s performance of the emotional piano rock ballad “Peaches” as Bowser leveled up the box office hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie when it released earlier this year. But the hit song almost never happened.
Black says when he signed onto the film, which hit theaters in April, music wasn’t part of the equation. “They had this idea late, late in the game, ‘What if Bowser sings a song?” Black tells The Hollywood Reporter, recalling a conversation with the film’s directors, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. “They were like, ‘We got this little nugget.'” And they sent over this little 20-second song.”
Black, a Grammy-winning multi-hyphenate who has successfully combined acting, music and comedy throughout his 30-year career, initially thought, “this is not a musical — you can’t just pop this on me.” But the short demo was funny and likable enough that he called his producing partner,...
Black says when he signed onto the film, which hit theaters in April, music wasn’t part of the equation. “They had this idea late, late in the game, ‘What if Bowser sings a song?” Black tells The Hollywood Reporter, recalling a conversation with the film’s directors, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. “They were like, ‘We got this little nugget.'” And they sent over this little 20-second song.”
Black, a Grammy-winning multi-hyphenate who has successfully combined acting, music and comedy throughout his 30-year career, initially thought, “this is not a musical — you can’t just pop this on me.” But the short demo was funny and likable enough that he called his producing partner,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Once per season, the makers of "Futurama" like to tinker with their formula by presenting speculative anthology-style episodes wherein they can tell stories that are even wilder than usual. The second edition of this format was entitled "Anthology of Interest II" and aired on January 6, 2002. The wraparound device for "Interest II" was that the Professor (Billy West) invented a TV-like device called the What-If Machine which could present short videos of whatever speculative question one thought to ask it.
Fry (West), being something of a shiftless layabout, announces that he's only ever been proficient at old-school video games, and asks the What-If Machine what life would be like were it to adhere to the rules of said video games. He and the rest of the "Futurama" characters find themselves in a world where diplomatic talks between Earth and the planet Nindenduu 64 have broken down, causing Donkey Kong to throw a...
Fry (West), being something of a shiftless layabout, announces that he's only ever been proficient at old-school video games, and asks the What-If Machine what life would be like were it to adhere to the rules of said video games. He and the rest of the "Futurama" characters find themselves in a world where diplomatic talks between Earth and the planet Nindenduu 64 have broken down, causing Donkey Kong to throw a...
- 12/3/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or Snes, is still heralded as one of the greatest consoles that any video game company has ever released. Its legacy is defined by hits within well-known Nintendo franchises like Super Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Kirby, Zelda, and Star Fox.
However, there is a long list of titles that were launched on Snes that acted as tie-ins or adaptations to popular movies and TV series. As was always the case with the jump from screen to console, there were a few duds among the release schedule as studios looked for an easy way to cash in on a familiar property. However, just because there are those video games that players would be best off forgetting, that doesn’t mean there aren’t genuine gems from Snes history. These movie and TV titles, which were released on the Super Nintendo, both captured the essence of their...
However, there is a long list of titles that were launched on Snes that acted as tie-ins or adaptations to popular movies and TV series. As was always the case with the jump from screen to console, there were a few duds among the release schedule as studios looked for an easy way to cash in on a familiar property. However, just because there are those video games that players would be best off forgetting, that doesn’t mean there aren’t genuine gems from Snes history. These movie and TV titles, which were released on the Super Nintendo, both captured the essence of their...
- 11/23/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Though there are many things that make the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) one of the greatest consoles ever made, it’s the game’s arcade-like action experiences that arguably age best. Those titles were not just often the showcase for the many things that Sega aspired to do with the Genesis but the kind of purely enjoyable games that remain wonderfully easy to return to after 30+ years.
While I come to celebrate the best of the best of those games today, please note that defining the seemingly simple action genre can be a remarkably challenging experience. For the purposes of this list, I tried to focus on more “pure” action games where the combat was the main draw. Among other things, that meant that Action RPGs and more platforming-heavy Action Platformer titles weren’t really considered for this list. We’ll pay homage to games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Beyond Oasis another day.
While I come to celebrate the best of the best of those games today, please note that defining the seemingly simple action genre can be a remarkably challenging experience. For the purposes of this list, I tried to focus on more “pure” action games where the combat was the main draw. Among other things, that meant that Action RPGs and more platforming-heavy Action Platformer titles weren’t really considered for this list. We’ll pay homage to games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Beyond Oasis another day.
- 11/23/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
27 years after the original title wowed audiences on the Super Nintendo, the 1996 classic game Super Mario RPG is finally getting a full remake on the Nintendo Switch. More than branching out the Super Mario franchise effectively into the RPG gameplay genre, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (as it was fully titled) is one of the best turn-based RPGs on one of the best consoles for RPGs ever released. Debuting three months before the launch of the Nintendo 64, Super Mario RPG does feel like the perfect (if sometimes bittersweet) swan song to the entire Snes RPG era.
Here is how Super Mario RPG came to be and how the game closed out not just Nintendo’s Snes era, but the Snes’ place as the premier console experience for RPGs.
The Golden Age of Nintendo RPGs
Square really hit its stride as a game developer on the Snes before...
Here is how Super Mario RPG came to be and how the game closed out not just Nintendo’s Snes era, but the Snes’ place as the premier console experience for RPGs.
The Golden Age of Nintendo RPGs
Square really hit its stride as a game developer on the Snes before...
- 11/16/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
This month sees the launch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder: the first new Super Mario game on the Nintendo Switch since 2017’s Super Mario Odyssey and the first side-scrolling Super Mario game since 2012’s New Super Mario Bros. U on the Wii U.
While there’s plenty of buzz about Wonder being the first Super Mario game to feature a different voice actor for Mario (instead of franchise veteran Charles Martinet) in over 25 years, the game also marks the return of prolific Nintendo developer Takashi Tezuka, who serves as Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s producer.
A presence with the Super Mario series since the beginning, Tezuka is the unsung figure behind making the video game hero a global icon and figurehead of the entire video game industry.
Takashi Tezuka’s Extensive History at Nintendo
Tezuka joined Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto as the assistant director and co-designer of 1985’s Super Mario Bros....
While there’s plenty of buzz about Wonder being the first Super Mario game to feature a different voice actor for Mario (instead of franchise veteran Charles Martinet) in over 25 years, the game also marks the return of prolific Nintendo developer Takashi Tezuka, who serves as Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s producer.
A presence with the Super Mario series since the beginning, Tezuka is the unsung figure behind making the video game hero a global icon and figurehead of the entire video game industry.
Takashi Tezuka’s Extensive History at Nintendo
Tezuka joined Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto as the assistant director and co-designer of 1985’s Super Mario Bros....
- 10/17/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
It’s been almost three decades since Nintendo debuted its beloved 16-bit console, but we still haven’t forgotten its contributions to the golden age of gaming. It was the home of not only the best platformers of the day but also a console that brought the best RPGs Japan had to offer. The Snes was the birthplace of the Metroidvania as well as the first console to let us kart race with Mario and friends.
There are so many classic titles on the Snes that a few have fallen by the wayside over the years. The console boasts one of the greatest catalogs of games ever released on a platform and it’s time to celebrate that. Here are the 35 best Snes games of all time:
Note: This article has been updated since it was originally published to include entries 26-35.
35. Killer Instinct
1995┃Rare
Before Microsoft purchased Rare, almost...
There are so many classic titles on the Snes that a few have fallen by the wayside over the years. The console boasts one of the greatest catalogs of games ever released on a platform and it’s time to celebrate that. Here are the 35 best Snes games of all time:
Note: This article has been updated since it was originally published to include entries 26-35.
35. Killer Instinct
1995┃Rare
Before Microsoft purchased Rare, almost...
- 10/8/2023
- by Jbindeck2015
- Den of Geek
The animated highlights of 2023 thus far: Illumination/Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” ($1.36 billion globally, $574.9 million domestically) and Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” ($689 million globally, $381 million domestically) were massive box office hits, proving that there is a hungry audience clamoring to see animation in theaters again.
However, Pixar/Disney’s “Elemental” and DreamWorks/Universal’s “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” were major box office flops: Pixar’s immigrant story about the elements trying to co-exist only mustered $154.4 million domestically (placing 20th on the studio’s list of features). However, it grabbed $490 million worldwide and subsequently became Disney+’s most-viewed movie premiere of the year. Meanwhile, DreamWorks’ coming-of-age Kraken comedy had the worst domestic showing in the studio’s history (with $15.7 million). This signaled that original animated content still has theatrical hurdles to overcome compared to franchises.
Fortunately, the animated reboot of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (Nickelodeon/Paramount) was a hit,...
However, Pixar/Disney’s “Elemental” and DreamWorks/Universal’s “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” were major box office flops: Pixar’s immigrant story about the elements trying to co-exist only mustered $154.4 million domestically (placing 20th on the studio’s list of features). However, it grabbed $490 million worldwide and subsequently became Disney+’s most-viewed movie premiere of the year. Meanwhile, DreamWorks’ coming-of-age Kraken comedy had the worst domestic showing in the studio’s history (with $15.7 million). This signaled that original animated content still has theatrical hurdles to overcome compared to franchises.
Fortunately, the animated reboot of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (Nickelodeon/Paramount) was a hit,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Video games have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the arcades and on home consoles. While gameplay mechanics, technology, and storytelling have all evolved significantly, one aspect that often goes overlooked is the artistry behind video games.In the world of online gambling and sports betting, where entertainment and technology converge, it’s fascinating to observe the parallel evolution of websites like Bet365 sister sites. These platforms not only offer thrilling betting experiences but also represent a unique fusion of user interface design and graphic artistry. From the early days of Pong to the stunning, lifelike visuals of modern titles, the evolution of video game art is a fascinating journey through creativity and technology.
The Pioneering Days: Simple Shapes and Limited Colors
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, video games were in their infancy. Pong, one of the earliest arcade games, featured two paddles and a...
The Pioneering Days: Simple Shapes and Limited Colors
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, video games were in their infancy. Pong, one of the earliest arcade games, featured two paddles and a...
- 9/21/2023
- by Video-Games MCM
- Martin Cid Tech
Stars: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Sebastian Maniscalco, Charles Martinet, Kevin Michael Richardson | Written by Matthew Fogel | Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
Chris Pratt and Charlie Day voice moustachioed plumbers Mario and Luigi in this animated adaptation of one of the most popular video games of all time. Produced by Illumination (home of the Minions) and co-directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the film instantly eclipses all memories of the disastrous 1993 live-action movie and delivers fast-paced forgettable fun, much like the video game itself.
The Super Mario Bros Movie opens in what looks like 1980s Brooklyn, where plumbers Mario and Luigi are excited to begin their new plumbing business, after recording a commercial in which they adopt exaggerated Italian accents (thereby neatly getting around the problem of whether they’re going to speak like that for the entire movie). However,...
Chris Pratt and Charlie Day voice moustachioed plumbers Mario and Luigi in this animated adaptation of one of the most popular video games of all time. Produced by Illumination (home of the Minions) and co-directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the film instantly eclipses all memories of the disastrous 1993 live-action movie and delivers fast-paced forgettable fun, much like the video game itself.
The Super Mario Bros Movie opens in what looks like 1980s Brooklyn, where plumbers Mario and Luigi are excited to begin their new plumbing business, after recording a commercial in which they adopt exaggerated Italian accents (thereby neatly getting around the problem of whether they’re going to speak like that for the entire movie). However,...
- 7/21/2023
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
Even after decades in the video game business, Nintendo seems to be at an all-time high right now. The Switch continues to sell well after six years on the market, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is being almost universally lauded as one of the greatest games ever made, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a massive hit at the box office. It’s like everything Nintendo touches turns to gold.
But it wasn’t always like this. When Nintendo entered the console market in the ‘80s, retailers and pundits alike were skeptical, and early sales weren’t great. There were also plenty of mistakes and weird detours that have been largely forgotten. But thankfully, the Internet never entirely forgets. As we celebrate 40 years since the release of the Famicom in Japan, these are 15 things you likely never knew about the Nes.
15. The Console Was Initially Going...
But it wasn’t always like this. When Nintendo entered the console market in the ‘80s, retailers and pundits alike were skeptical, and early sales weren’t great. There were also plenty of mistakes and weird detours that have been largely forgotten. But thankfully, the Internet never entirely forgets. As we celebrate 40 years since the release of the Famicom in Japan, these are 15 things you likely never knew about the Nes.
15. The Console Was Initially Going...
- 7/19/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Even in an ever-changing industry that is gradually moving away from traditional hardware, the gaming console remains an almost mythical device. Modern gaming consoles are often the entertainment centerpieces of living rooms everywhere. Meanwhile, one look at the right retro gaming console can unlock a treasure trove of memories.
So what’s the greatest video game console ever? While that’s obviously what we’re here to look at today, here are a couple of things to keep in mind while reading this list:
– Both handheld devices and gaming consoles were considered eligible for this list.
– PCs and other home computer devices (such as the Commodore 64 and Zx Spectrum) were not considered eligible for this list. That will be a topic for another day.
– Consoles that had multiple versions (such as the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 2 Slim) share an entry. The best possible version of that console was essentially considered to be the eligible entrant.
So what’s the greatest video game console ever? While that’s obviously what we’re here to look at today, here are a couple of things to keep in mind while reading this list:
– Both handheld devices and gaming consoles were considered eligible for this list.
– PCs and other home computer devices (such as the Commodore 64 and Zx Spectrum) were not considered eligible for this list. That will be a topic for another day.
– Consoles that had multiple versions (such as the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 2 Slim) share an entry. The best possible version of that console was essentially considered to be the eligible entrant.
- 7/8/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
You might as well tell your Korok friends to sit tight and put away your Master Sword because, according to Chris Meledandri, the founder and CEO of Illumination, the rumor about a movie based on The Legend of Zelda being in development is false. Late last week, news leaker Daniel Richtman posted an article to his Patreon saying adaptations of The Legend of Zelda, Luigi’s Mansion, Donkey Kong, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 are actively developing. However, The Wrap spoke with Meledandri at the Annecy International Animation Festival about possibly bringing Link and Princess Zelda to the silver screen, and the Illumination chief says he has no idea where that rumor started.
“I don’t know where that came from,” Meledandri said about the Legend of Zelda rumor. “I mean I can understand how people would surmise all sorts of things because obviously, we’ve had a great experience working together.
“I don’t know where that came from,” Meledandri said about the Legend of Zelda rumor. “I mean I can understand how people would surmise all sorts of things because obviously, we’ve had a great experience working together.
- 6/15/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Earlier this year, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” produced by Illumination and Nintendo, was released theatrically and has since taken in over $1.3 billion at the global box office. It’s enough to wonder what is next for the fruitful partnership between the animation studio behind “Sing” and “Despicable Me” and the video game giant. And while a sequel to the “Super Mario Bros. Movie” is quietly being worked on, a recent rumor (via Jeff Sneider) had the two companies collaborating on a different beloved property – “The Legend of Zelda.” At the Annecy International Animation Festival, TheWrap caught up with Chris Meledandri, the founder and CEO of Illumination and the producer of all of their films, and asked about whether Link was coming to the big screen soon.
“I don’t know where that came from,” Meledandri said of the “Legend of Zelda” rumor. “I mean I can understand how people...
“I don’t know where that came from,” Meledandri said of the “Legend of Zelda” rumor. “I mean I can understand how people...
- 6/15/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Bowser (Jack Black) in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, from Nintendo and Illumination. © 2023 Nintendo and Universal Studios Born in 1969, Jack Black was the perfect age to experience the video game boom of the late ’70s and early ’80s, when Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong were fixtures in shopping mall arcades. Back then, Black started a love affair with video games that has paid off in a big way, as Black has a starring voice role in 2023’s biggest film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Reminiscing back to his preteen days, Black talked about those early experiences he had, particularly with the Nintendo line of video games.(Click on the media bar below to hear Jack Black) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Jack_Black_Nintendo_.mp3 The Super Mario Bros. Movie is now playing in theaters.
The post Long Before Jack Black Had ‘King Kong,’ He Had Donkey Kong appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Long Before Jack Black Had ‘King Kong,’ He Had Donkey Kong appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/25/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Mario and Luigi embark on an action-filled adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom in Illumination’s new animated epic, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”
Based on the world of Nintendo’s Mario video games, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” will delight the generation of viewers that grew up playing them. But is the action too intense for younger viewers?
Read on the find out everything you need to know about “The Super Mario Bros Movie.”
When did “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” come out?
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” opened wide on April 5, 2023.
Also Read:
Sorry, Disney: ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Could Cement Universal as the New King of Animation Box Office Is “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” in theaters or streaming?
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was released only in theaters and IMAX. You can buy tickets here.
It will be released on Digital to rent or buy on May 16.
As a Universal film,...
Based on the world of Nintendo’s Mario video games, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” will delight the generation of viewers that grew up playing them. But is the action too intense for younger viewers?
Read on the find out everything you need to know about “The Super Mario Bros Movie.”
When did “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” come out?
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” opened wide on April 5, 2023.
Also Read:
Sorry, Disney: ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Could Cement Universal as the New King of Animation Box Office Is “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” in theaters or streaming?
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was released only in theaters and IMAX. You can buy tickets here.
It will be released on Digital to rent or buy on May 16.
As a Universal film,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Lawrence Yee
- The Wrap
Rocket Raccoon is building a weapon, and it’s aimed squarely at The Super Mario Bros. Movie. After leveling up at the box office for four weeks straight, Marvel‘s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is expected to knock Mario from the top spot. The anticipated threequel could earn as much as $120 million this weekend, with $110M to $118M at the low end of the spectrum. If the $120M amount holds, the third Guardians film falls between 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy ($94M) and 2017’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ($146M).
While reviews for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 are trending positively, tracking for the film remains uncertain. Sequels tend to bring fans out in droves, though, in the case of Guardians 3, the hype might not be as potent as you’d think. Typically, tentpole films cost $200M+ to produce. While a $120M launch is good, Guardians...
While reviews for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 are trending positively, tracking for the film remains uncertain. Sequels tend to bring fans out in droves, though, in the case of Guardians 3, the hype might not be as potent as you’d think. Typically, tentpole films cost $200M+ to produce. While a $120M launch is good, Guardians...
- 5/2/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen) in Nintendo and Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. © 2023 Nintendo and Universal Studios Seth Rogen was born into a world where Donkey Kong was a legitimate video game craze. After it was introduced in the summer of 1981, it became one of the highest-grossing video games of 1982, the year that Rogen arrived. Now, Rogen is bringing Donkey Kong to life, voicing the character in the new animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and he talked to us about what an honor it was to have that opportunity. (Click on the media bar below to hear Seth Rogen) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Seth_Rogen_Donkey_Lomg_Super_Mario_Bros_.mp3 The Super Mario Bros. Movie is now playing in theaters.
The post ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Makes Seth Rogen’s Donkey Kong Dreams Come True appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Makes Seth Rogen’s Donkey Kong Dreams Come True appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 4/28/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Ah, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Truly one of God’s finest creations. After the Nintendo Entertainment System helped rebound the very concept of video games and the Sega Genesis evolved past its limitations, Nintendo released this wonderful 16-bit console to help Nintendo reclaim that top spot. It’s the system that gave us so many classic games and so many classic characters. Characters like Yoshi, Diddy Kong, Mega Man X, Geno, Fox McCloud, Gabby Jay, Ness, and Aero the Acro-bat. Okay, maybe they weren’t all classics.
Still, the Snes is still such a beloved part of gaming history and has a spot in many hearts. Active for about a decade and with such a massive library, there are so many fascinating bits of trivia out there. Here are some interesting facts to celebrate the system that gave us the Rainbow Road.
15. The Snes’ Disruptive Launch
In Japan, the...
Still, the Snes is still such a beloved part of gaming history and has a spot in many hearts. Active for about a decade and with such a massive library, there are so many fascinating bits of trivia out there. Here are some interesting facts to celebrate the system that gave us the Rainbow Road.
15. The Snes’ Disruptive Launch
In Japan, the...
- 4/22/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Aziz Ansari is readying a new feature film called Good Fortune with co-stars Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen.
The comedy will mark Ansari’s first directed feature after production on his planned debut, Being Mortal, was suspended due to Bill Murray’s alleged inappropriate behavior. Ansari also wrote the script for Good Fortune, which will begin filming next month in Los Angeles.
Ansari will co-produce Good Fortune with Anthony Katagas and Master of None collaborator Alan Yang. Brady Fujikawa and Jon Humphrey will oversee the film for Lionsgate.
“We have indeed found good fortune with this film,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake in a statement. “We love the script and believe strongly in Aziz as both a performer and a director. And when you add in Seth and Keanu — two incredible world-class talents — toplining alongside Aziz, this has the potential to be a very special film for us.
The comedy will mark Ansari’s first directed feature after production on his planned debut, Being Mortal, was suspended due to Bill Murray’s alleged inappropriate behavior. Ansari also wrote the script for Good Fortune, which will begin filming next month in Los Angeles.
Ansari will co-produce Good Fortune with Anthony Katagas and Master of None collaborator Alan Yang. Brady Fujikawa and Jon Humphrey will oversee the film for Lionsgate.
“We have indeed found good fortune with this film,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake in a statement. “We love the script and believe strongly in Aziz as both a performer and a director. And when you add in Seth and Keanu — two incredible world-class talents — toplining alongside Aziz, this has the potential to be a very special film for us.
- 4/18/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
Aziz Ansari is readying a new feature film, tapping Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves to co-star.
Ansari will write and direct Good Fortune, in which he will star with Rogen and Reeves. Lionsgate is behind the comedy, which will begin filming next month in Los Angeles, with plot details being kept under wraps.
Anthony Katagas (Armageddon Time, Amsterdam), Alan Yang (Loot, Master of None) and Ansari will produce. Brady Fujikawa and Jon Humphrey will oversee for the studio.
Motion Picture Group head Joe Drake said, “We have indeed found good fortune with this film. We love the script and believe strongly in Aziz as both a performer and a director. And when you add in Seth and Keanu — two incredible world-class talents — toplining alongside Aziz, this has the potential to be a very special film for us. We moved quickly to land this project once it was available.”
Reeves, repped by WME,...
Ansari will write and direct Good Fortune, in which he will star with Rogen and Reeves. Lionsgate is behind the comedy, which will begin filming next month in Los Angeles, with plot details being kept under wraps.
Anthony Katagas (Armageddon Time, Amsterdam), Alan Yang (Loot, Master of None) and Ansari will produce. Brady Fujikawa and Jon Humphrey will oversee for the studio.
Motion Picture Group head Joe Drake said, “We have indeed found good fortune with this film. We love the script and believe strongly in Aziz as both a performer and a director. And when you add in Seth and Keanu — two incredible world-class talents — toplining alongside Aziz, this has the potential to be a very special film for us. We moved quickly to land this project once it was available.”
Reeves, repped by WME,...
- 4/18/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Of all the members of the Kong family tree, there are none quite so funky as the inimitable Funky Kong, with his polka dot bandanna, cut-off jean shorts, and wraparound purple shades. Keep your Swanky Kongs and your Crankys Kongs; Funky Kong is where it's at. Sadly, though, Funky Kong was simply too funky for "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," and only appears as a background character without any lines.
Even a mere glimpse of Funky Kong has been powerful enough to make "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" the highest-grossing video game movie of all time, as well as the biggest movie of 2023 so far -- but how much funkier could the movie have been? To answer that question, Funky Kong himself (Kenan Thompson) joined Colin Jost on the Weekend Update desk for this week's "Saturday Night Live," to offer his funky wisdom, show off his funky dance moves, and...
Even a mere glimpse of Funky Kong has been powerful enough to make "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" the highest-grossing video game movie of all time, as well as the biggest movie of 2023 so far -- but how much funkier could the movie have been? To answer that question, Funky Kong himself (Kenan Thompson) joined Colin Jost on the Weekend Update desk for this week's "Saturday Night Live," to offer his funky wisdom, show off his funky dance moves, and...
- 4/16/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” continues to be a box office high-scorer.
The video game adaptation has crossed the $500 million mark at the global box office, shattering records with the gusto that its title character usually amasses via power-ups. To date, the animated adventure has earned $260.3 million domestically and $248.4 million internationally. That lifts its worldwide haul to $508.7 million. It is now the highest-grossing film of 2023 at both the global and domestic box office, surpassing “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”. More important, it also makes “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” the biggest video game adaptation in history, topping the grosses of “Warcraft” and “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu.”
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was produced by Universal, Illumination and Nintendo and had been in the works for decades. Part of the delay was due to Nintendo’s hesitancy to return to the Mushroom Kingdom on screen after a 1993 live-action adaptation flopped in spectacular...
The video game adaptation has crossed the $500 million mark at the global box office, shattering records with the gusto that its title character usually amasses via power-ups. To date, the animated adventure has earned $260.3 million domestically and $248.4 million internationally. That lifts its worldwide haul to $508.7 million. It is now the highest-grossing film of 2023 at both the global and domestic box office, surpassing “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”. More important, it also makes “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” the biggest video game adaptation in history, topping the grosses of “Warcraft” and “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu.”
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was produced by Universal, Illumination and Nintendo and had been in the works for decades. Part of the delay was due to Nintendo’s hesitancy to return to the Mushroom Kingdom on screen after a 1993 live-action adaptation flopped in spectacular...
- 4/14/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Calling the success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” a testament to video-game IP would be a disservice to Illumination and Nintendo. Universal confirmed that it grossed $454 million worldwide in its first week and the Mario movie achieved something that even HBO’s “The Last of Us” did not: It’s a four-quadrant success.
A ton of kids turned out, sure, and it didn’t hurt that the last family movie in theaters was months ago with “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” However, as IndieWire reported last weekend, 84 percent of the film’s audience was above the age of 13. It’s a rare movie that attracts both kid-friendly crowds and nostalgic adults, that played for all genders and ethnicities, and performed strongly across international markets, and that made it the biggest worldwide animated opening of all time.
Success like that inevitably sets off a frenzy of aspiring copycats, but...
A ton of kids turned out, sure, and it didn’t hurt that the last family movie in theaters was months ago with “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” However, as IndieWire reported last weekend, 84 percent of the film’s audience was above the age of 13. It’s a rare movie that attracts both kid-friendly crowds and nostalgic adults, that played for all genders and ethnicities, and performed strongly across international markets, and that made it the biggest worldwide animated opening of all time.
Success like that inevitably sets off a frenzy of aspiring copycats, but...
- 4/13/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Anya Taylor-Joy has credited her Super Mario Bros Movie co-star Jack Black with her bilingual abilities.
The actor was born in Florida while her parents were on holiday, but was raised in Argentina until the age of six when her family relocated to London.
Taylor-Joy went viral this week after conducting an interview in fluent Spanish; many of her fans assumed the actor was English.
While discussing her role as Princess Peach in the newly released Super Mario Bros Movie with Buzzfeed, the 26-year-old said she was “super starstruck” meeting Black (who plays Bowser in the film) due to her love of School of Rock.
“At the school I went to, when I first moved to London, they would play School of Rock every Friday,” she told the outlet.
“At that time, I didn’t really speak much English, if any, so that and Harry Potter and Jumanji are like how I learned English.
The actor was born in Florida while her parents were on holiday, but was raised in Argentina until the age of six when her family relocated to London.
Taylor-Joy went viral this week after conducting an interview in fluent Spanish; many of her fans assumed the actor was English.
While discussing her role as Princess Peach in the newly released Super Mario Bros Movie with Buzzfeed, the 26-year-old said she was “super starstruck” meeting Black (who plays Bowser in the film) due to her love of School of Rock.
“At the school I went to, when I first moved to London, they would play School of Rock every Friday,” she told the outlet.
“At that time, I didn’t really speak much English, if any, so that and Harry Potter and Jumanji are like how I learned English.
- 4/12/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - Film
It felt right when it was announced that Nintendo was making an animated "Mario" movie. Live-action always seemed like an odd fit for the legendary gaming company's most recognizable mascot. And while one can feel however they want to feel about what Universal and Illumination cooked up in partnership with Nintendo, there's no denying that "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" is a monster hit. It will be the highest-grossing video game movie ever by far following its record-shattering opening weekend at the box office. The question now becomes, what's next?
Could @supermariomovie be the start to a cinematic #Nintendo universe? pic.twitter.com/pVikBiDLJJ
— WhatNow (@whatnownerds) April 7, 2023
If you've been online in recent days, it's possible you've seen that image floating around pitching a full-blown Nintendo cinematic universe, with proposed "The Legend of Zelda" and "Kirby" movies, amongst others. While that may make some people roll their eyes, rest assured,...
Could @supermariomovie be the start to a cinematic #Nintendo universe? pic.twitter.com/pVikBiDLJJ
— WhatNow (@whatnownerds) April 7, 2023
If you've been online in recent days, it's possible you've seen that image floating around pitching a full-blown Nintendo cinematic universe, with proposed "The Legend of Zelda" and "Kirby" movies, amongst others. While that may make some people roll their eyes, rest assured,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Anya Taylor-Joy has credited her Super Mario Bros Movie co-star Jack Black with her bilingual abilities.
The actor was born in Florida while her parents were on holiday, but was raised in Argentina until the age of six when her family relocated to London.
Taylor-Joy went viral this week after conducting an interview in fluent Spanish; many of her fans assumed the actor was English.
While discussing her role as Princess Peach in the newly released Super Mario Bros Movie with Buzzfeed, the 26-year-old said she was “super starstruck” meeting Black (who plays Bowser in the film) due to her love of School of Rock.
“At the school I went to, when I first moved to London, they would play School of Rock every Friday,” she told the outlet.
“At that time, I didn’t really speak much English, if any, so that and Harry Potter and Jumanji are like how I learned English.
The actor was born in Florida while her parents were on holiday, but was raised in Argentina until the age of six when her family relocated to London.
Taylor-Joy went viral this week after conducting an interview in fluent Spanish; many of her fans assumed the actor was English.
While discussing her role as Princess Peach in the newly released Super Mario Bros Movie with Buzzfeed, the 26-year-old said she was “super starstruck” meeting Black (who plays Bowser in the film) due to her love of School of Rock.
“At the school I went to, when I first moved to London, they would play School of Rock every Friday,” she told the outlet.
“At that time, I didn’t really speak much English, if any, so that and Harry Potter and Jumanji are like how I learned English.
- 4/11/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - Film
A generation of kids who grew up playing “Super Mario Bros.” on the Nes in the 1980s are now adults in their 40s, and they’re just as responsible as the kids of today for “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” earning one of the biggest box office launches ever seen from an animated film.
The five-day opening numbers for Universal/Illumination’s take on Nintendo’s most famous character are staggering: $204 million domestic and $377 million globally, the latter setting a new animation record by beating the $358 million Thanksgiving weekend opening of “Frozen II” in 2019.
Domestically, the three-day opening of $143 million has topped post-shutdown films like “The Batman” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and is second only to “Incredibles 2” ($182 million in June 2018) on the all-time animation opening weekend list. It’s also the third-highest Easter weekend opening behind only “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” ($166 million in 2016) and “Furious 7...
The five-day opening numbers for Universal/Illumination’s take on Nintendo’s most famous character are staggering: $204 million domestic and $377 million globally, the latter setting a new animation record by beating the $358 million Thanksgiving weekend opening of “Frozen II” in 2019.
Domestically, the three-day opening of $143 million has topped post-shutdown films like “The Batman” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and is second only to “Incredibles 2” ($182 million in June 2018) on the all-time animation opening weekend list. It’s also the third-highest Easter weekend opening behind only “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” ($166 million in 2016) and “Furious 7...
- 4/10/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Contains spoilers for "The Super Mario Bros. Movie"
Nintendo's flagship video game franchise gets the big screen treatment with the bombastic "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." When brothers Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) get transported to the magical Mushroom Kingdom, they discover that the fantastical realm is under attack by the fiery monster Bowser (Jack Black). Separated from Luigi during their strange odyssey, Mario sets out to stop Bowser and rescue his brother, teaming up with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen).
A true labor of love for fans of the iconic game series, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" has Easter eggs, subtle nods, and direct references to the full breadth of the long-running franchise. From musical cues from beloved games and television adaptations to a variety of power-ups and items players know and love, there are tons of allusions in virtually every scene.
Nintendo's flagship video game franchise gets the big screen treatment with the bombastic "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." When brothers Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) get transported to the magical Mushroom Kingdom, they discover that the fantastical realm is under attack by the fiery monster Bowser (Jack Black). Separated from Luigi during their strange odyssey, Mario sets out to stop Bowser and rescue his brother, teaming up with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen).
A true labor of love for fans of the iconic game series, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" has Easter eggs, subtle nods, and direct references to the full breadth of the long-running franchise. From musical cues from beloved games and television adaptations to a variety of power-ups and items players know and love, there are tons of allusions in virtually every scene.
- 4/10/2023
- by Samuel Stone
- Slash Film
Nintendo brought Mario to the big screen back in 1993 with Super Mario Bros. This film starred Bob Hoskins as the titular Mario and John Leguizamo as Luigi. The film did not do too well. It became the go-to reference for a bad adaptation of video games to live-action films.
Fans hoped for a new adaptation for decades, but Nintendo was hesitant to pull the trigger. They finally teamed up with the animation studio Illumination Entertainment who brought us such films as Despicable Me, Minions, and the latest version of The Grinch. The company packed this new film full of Super Mario Easter Eggs and references. What did you end up missing?
Punch Out Pizza
When we meet Mario and Luigi, they are at their local pizzeria Punch Out Pizza. This is a reference to the Nintendo classic video game Punch-Out. Pictures of boxers from the video...
Fans hoped for a new adaptation for decades, but Nintendo was hesitant to pull the trigger. They finally teamed up with the animation studio Illumination Entertainment who brought us such films as Despicable Me, Minions, and the latest version of The Grinch. The company packed this new film full of Super Mario Easter Eggs and references. What did you end up missing?
Punch Out Pizza
When we meet Mario and Luigi, they are at their local pizzeria Punch Out Pizza. This is a reference to the Nintendo classic video game Punch-Out. Pictures of boxers from the video...
- 4/10/2023
- by Bryan Wolford
- JoBlo.com
Across the history of cinematic screw-ups, few have been as notorious or lasting as 1993’s Super Mario Bros. The film – a loose adaptation of Nintendo’s hit platforming franchise, starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo – came to epitomise the “curse” of sub-par game-to-screen adaptations for decades. Hollywood simply didn’t understand video games. Hoskins was oblivious to the film’s origins until he’d already signed on, and who could blame him? Even if he had played the games, the murky, off-putting crime fantasy was unrecognisable from the eye-poppingly colourful frivolity that inspired it. Thirty years later and the Mario games have been adapted again. But this time The Super Mario Brothers Movie suffers from the opposite problem: it understands video games far, far too well.
In many ways, the new children’s feature, released in cinemas this week, is the antithesis not just of the 1993 version, but of every...
In many ways, the new children’s feature, released in cinemas this week, is the antithesis not just of the 1993 version, but of every...
- 4/10/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - Film
Seth Rogen, who is voicing Bebop in the upcoming Tmnt movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, channeled another warthog of his, Pumbaa, who he portrayed in 2019’s The Lion King remake, taking lessons from that session to up the authenticity of his Tmnt venture.
While voice actors typically record in separate booths and/or sessions, that wasn’t always the case on The Lion King, which allowed for a looser production and more natural voices when Rogen shared a booth with the likes of Donald Glover (Simba) and Billy Eichner (Timon). That, too, helped Seth Rogen get into the mindset for Tmnt. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Rogen said, “We really went out of our way and bent over backwards on Ninja Turtles to try to capture that improvisational energy that you get when a lot of people are in the same place at the same time. I actually...
While voice actors typically record in separate booths and/or sessions, that wasn’t always the case on The Lion King, which allowed for a looser production and more natural voices when Rogen shared a booth with the likes of Donald Glover (Simba) and Billy Eichner (Timon). That, too, helped Seth Rogen get into the mindset for Tmnt. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Rogen said, “We really went out of our way and bent over backwards on Ninja Turtles to try to capture that improvisational energy that you get when a lot of people are in the same place at the same time. I actually...
- 4/9/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
It’s been over forty years since Mario made his video game debut as the hero of 1981’s arcade classic Donkey Kong, although back then he was simply known as “Jumpman.” He’s had quite the glow up since then, appearing in over 200 video games, a Saturday morning cartoon, and now two theatrically released movies. And the success of Donkey Kong didn’t give the world just one star, it also delivered another: creator Shigeru Miyamoto.
Credited as the brains behind not just Mario, but Zelda, Star Fox, Pikmin and more,...
Credited as the brains behind not just Mario, but Zelda, Star Fox, Pikmin and more,...
- 4/9/2023
- by Christopher Cruz
- Rollingstone.com
This article contains mild spoilers for "The Super Mario Bros. Movie."
Aaron Horvath's and Michael Jelenic's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" contains multiple, perhaps-obvious, pop music cues that accent the film's many action sequences. Early in the film, when Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) have to traverse a dangerous Brooklyn street on the way to a much-needed plumbing job, The Beastie Boys' 1987 hit "No Sleep Till Brooklyn," from their album "Licensed to Ill" plays on the soundtrack. The line "Our manager's crazy, he always smokes dust" is tactfully omitted. Later in the film, when Mario, Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) have to build and drive their own high-octane go-karts, the opening rock strains of AC/DC's 1990 song "Thunderstruck," punctuates the construction.
Both of these music cues have some thematic logic. The more baffling needle drop is the placement of A-ha's 1985 chart-topper "Take on Me,...
Aaron Horvath's and Michael Jelenic's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" contains multiple, perhaps-obvious, pop music cues that accent the film's many action sequences. Early in the film, when Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) have to traverse a dangerous Brooklyn street on the way to a much-needed plumbing job, The Beastie Boys' 1987 hit "No Sleep Till Brooklyn," from their album "Licensed to Ill" plays on the soundtrack. The line "Our manager's crazy, he always smokes dust" is tactfully omitted. Later in the film, when Mario, Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) have to build and drive their own high-octane go-karts, the opening rock strains of AC/DC's 1990 song "Thunderstruck," punctuates the construction.
Both of these music cues have some thematic logic. The more baffling needle drop is the placement of A-ha's 1985 chart-topper "Take on Me,...
- 4/7/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It's always been unclear as to how Donkey Kong fits into the world of Mario. Technically, the two characters made their debut together in the same game and they've made numerous crossover appearances since then, but they also seem to exist in independent corners of their separate franchises. "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," however, introduces Donkey Kong as a piece of the greater Mario universe, tidying up a confusing piece of Mario lore for the creator of both video game icons, Shigeru Miyamoto.
The "Donkey Kong" arcade game, released in 1981, pitted Mario against the antagonistic Dk, though the former didn't have a full identity yet and was called "Jumpman." Both moved on to become the main heroes of their own respective series as Miyamoto directly oversaw development of the Mario games and British studio Rare handled the "Donkey Kong Country" series. Neither character appeared in each other's flagship titles, but...
The "Donkey Kong" arcade game, released in 1981, pitted Mario against the antagonistic Dk, though the former didn't have a full identity yet and was called "Jumpman." Both moved on to become the main heroes of their own respective series as Miyamoto directly oversaw development of the Mario games and British studio Rare handled the "Donkey Kong Country" series. Neither character appeared in each other's flagship titles, but...
- 4/7/2023
- by Andrew Housman
- Slash Film
This article contains minor spoilers for "The Super Mario Bros. Movie."For decades, I've played Nintendo games. They weren't the only ones I enjoyed, of course. I've spent more hours than I like to calculate on darker games like "Ghosts of Tsushima," "Assassin's Creed: Odyssey" and "Valhalla." They're a blast, and they let me indulge in my history geek side. However, these aren't games I play to forget the world for a bit. They're very much rooted in the world, full of complex emotions and situations, moral questions about the decisions you make, and full of a lot of dismembering and brutal death.
When I play a Nintendo game, specifically one set around Mario, Donkey Kong, or any of the denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom, I'm not playing it to go deep into a world gone by or murder a whole lot of enemy fighters. I'm playing it to relax.
When I play a Nintendo game, specifically one set around Mario, Donkey Kong, or any of the denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom, I'm not playing it to go deep into a world gone by or murder a whole lot of enemy fighters. I'm playing it to relax.
- 4/7/2023
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
Contains spoilers for "The Super Mario Bros. Movie"
"The Super Mario Bros. Movie" is proving itself to be a crossover hit between Nintendo fans young and old alike. This is yet another modernized feather in the cap for video games-turned-movies. With fun blockbusters like "Mortal Kombat," the "Sonic the Hedgehog" franchise films, and even a new "Street Fighter" movie in the works, the big screen is prepping itself to be quite the playground for nostalgic gamers.
The main cast includes the most familiar of the bunch: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, and Bowser. That said, this flick is also filled to the brim with fun references, deep cuts, and interesting character cameos. While some of these appearances are of the blink-and-you'll-miss-it variety, other appearances of these minor icons do play more involved roles. With so many cameos from so many corners of the Mario canon, one must wonder, which distinctive additions are the coolest?...
"The Super Mario Bros. Movie" is proving itself to be a crossover hit between Nintendo fans young and old alike. This is yet another modernized feather in the cap for video games-turned-movies. With fun blockbusters like "Mortal Kombat," the "Sonic the Hedgehog" franchise films, and even a new "Street Fighter" movie in the works, the big screen is prepping itself to be quite the playground for nostalgic gamers.
The main cast includes the most familiar of the bunch: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, and Bowser. That said, this flick is also filled to the brim with fun references, deep cuts, and interesting character cameos. While some of these appearances are of the blink-and-you'll-miss-it variety, other appearances of these minor icons do play more involved roles. With so many cameos from so many corners of the Mario canon, one must wonder, which distinctive additions are the coolest?...
- 4/7/2023
- by Rafiq Taylor
- Slash Film
It’s-a blockbuster!
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” continued to rack up high scores at the box office as it heads into Easter weekend. The animated movie, a collaboration between Illumination, Nintendo and Universal, shows no signs of slowing down, earning a massive $26.5 million on Thursday. That brings its domestic haul to $58.2 million. At this rate, the mustachioed plumber should end his first five days on the big screen with more than $150 million in stateside winnings. Internationally, the movie has earned $62.5 million, pushing global ticket sales to $120.7 million.
The week’s other major new release, Amazon Studios’s “Air,” a footwear tale detailing how Nike convinced Michael Jordan to become its most successful brand ambassador, earned $2.4 million on Thursday. That brings the sneaker story’s domestic total to just under $6 million. The film, which stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Tucker and Viola Davis, is expected to earn $16 million in...
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” continued to rack up high scores at the box office as it heads into Easter weekend. The animated movie, a collaboration between Illumination, Nintendo and Universal, shows no signs of slowing down, earning a massive $26.5 million on Thursday. That brings its domestic haul to $58.2 million. At this rate, the mustachioed plumber should end his first five days on the big screen with more than $150 million in stateside winnings. Internationally, the movie has earned $62.5 million, pushing global ticket sales to $120.7 million.
The week’s other major new release, Amazon Studios’s “Air,” a footwear tale detailing how Nike convinced Michael Jordan to become its most successful brand ambassador, earned $2.4 million on Thursday. That brings the sneaker story’s domestic total to just under $6 million. The film, which stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Tucker and Viola Davis, is expected to earn $16 million in...
- 4/7/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The Super Mario franchise is a cornerstone of the video game industry. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach…we know these names better than we know the names of our own parents (whoever they may claim to be). Yet, for as much as we know about the Super Mario franchise, there is so much we don’t know about it. Much of the series is still shrouded in mystery.
So if you’ve ever wondered what’s in the darkest corners of the Super Mario franchise, here are some of the most notable Super Mario urban legends and unsolved mysteries.
15. The True Origins of Donkey Kong’s Name
The Donkey Kong arcade game may have given Mario his big break, but Donkey Kong has obviously gone on to become a household name himself. That’s what makes it so strange that the true origins of Donkey Kong’s name remain something of a mystery.
So if you’ve ever wondered what’s in the darkest corners of the Super Mario franchise, here are some of the most notable Super Mario urban legends and unsolved mysteries.
15. The True Origins of Donkey Kong’s Name
The Donkey Kong arcade game may have given Mario his big break, but Donkey Kong has obviously gone on to become a household name himself. That’s what makes it so strange that the true origins of Donkey Kong’s name remain something of a mystery.
- 4/7/2023
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Across the history of cinematic screw-ups, few have been as notorious or lasting as 1993’s Super Mario Bros. The film – a loose adaptation of Nintendo’s hit platforming franchise, starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo – came to epitomise the “curse” of sub-par game-to-screen adaptations for decades. Hollywood simply didn’t understand video games. Hoskins was oblivious to the film’s origins until he’d already signed on, and who could blame him? Even if he had played the games, the murky, off-putting crime fantasy was unrecognisable from the eye-poppingly colourful frivolity that inspired it. Thirty years later and the Mario games have been adapted again. But this time The Super Mario Brothers Movie suffers from the opposite problem: it understands video games far, far too well.
In many ways, the new children’s feature, released in cinemas this week, is the antithesis not just of the 1993 version, but of every...
In many ways, the new children’s feature, released in cinemas this week, is the antithesis not just of the 1993 version, but of every...
- 4/7/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - Film
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