Hello, Mario! is a new made-for-kids app as part of Nintendo\'s big Mario push

Hello, Mario! is Nintendo’s latest venture into the Mario lifestyle experience.
It’s part of the new My Mario product line.
Gently poke, prod, or pinch Mario’s face—just like in the N64 version—to trigger a range of playful reactions.

Those who grew up with the original (or played the DS port) still remember Super Mario 64. A groundbreaking leap in platformers, no doubt. But what truly captured our imagination? The chance to tug, prod, and stretch Mario’s newly 3D-rendered face—pure, unfiltered childhood delight. And that’s exactly the joy Nintendo aims to revive with Hello, Mario!.

Of course, not quite to that exaggerated extent. Hello, Mario! is an upcoming app designed to bring back that tactile, interactive fun. Targeted at kids and parents alike, it invites children to explore different touches on Mario’s face and discover all sorts of charming responses.

This is part of a major new initiative called “My Mario,” where Nintendo is reinforcing the iconic Italian plumber’s enduring appeal to children around the world. The new Mario-themed collection includes not only this app, but also building blocks, board books, and other accessories—with Hello, Mario! launching on iOS, Android, and Switch.

Its-a-me!

After years of avoiding mobile, any hint of Nintendo embracing our humble platform—sarcasm intended—is big news. Even more telling, it signals a shift toward a quirky, lifestyle-oriented brand identity. For many of us, encountering Mario as kids happened through games, not picture books.

Still, it’s clear that mobile isn’t the only path forward—especially since this app is hitting Switch alongside smartphones and tablets. Who knows? We might see more cross-platform launches soon.

With the My Mario product line—including Hello, Mario!—kicking off on August 26th, we won’t have to wait long to see what’s next.

In the meantime, if you’re curious about the competition in Nintendo’s most beloved genre, take a look at our list of the best platformers for Android and see what else is out there.