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College Humor writes a complaint to Mario Bros. Plumbing

by David Hinkle { Dec 30th 2009 at 12:45AM }

We've all seen Super Mario Bros. parodies before -- some that even make Mario a pretty sick and deranged dude. Been there, done that. But, what makes this College Humor video so special -- aside from its unusually grody depiction of the brothers Mario -- is its surprise ending. We won't spoil it for you, so you'll have to click on over if you want to check it out.

See Mario transformed into bacteria

by Justin McElroy { Dec 16th 2009 at 3:30PM }

We're always happy to see gaming encroaching on the rest of the world, a sign that it's becoming more culturally accepted and mainstream, but this example is so nerdy, it might actually be a step in the other direction. What you see on the right there is the classic NES Mario sprite, recreated in specifically-engineered bacteria by the nanobiology laboratories at the University of Osaka, Japan.

We love the idea of gaming's leading man being transformed this way, we can't help but think how great it would have been if Team Osaka could have achieved the same effect with fungus. ... You know, because the Mushroom Kin --- oh, never mind.

[Thanks, Modern Epicurian]

Yoshi and Kirby decals eat your laptop logo

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 15th 2009 at 10:00PM }

Let's all just agree that the above laptop decal is awesome. Created by LapTatt and available on Etsy for a paltry $14, it's just about the greatest Nintendo-themed laptop decal we've ever seen (not that there have been too many). Admittedly, it seems designed with the Apple logo in mind -- especially considering Yoshi's taste for brightly colored fruit -- but we imagine it would work just as well with almost any laptop logo.

And, if Yoshi and baby Mario don't do it for you, you could always pick up a Kirby decal (in black or white) for only $8. See it after the break.

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Robotic man plays Mario theme with one hand

by Justin McElroy { Dec 7th 2009 at 1:00PM }

We're willing to abide a lot around Joystiq HQ, but from the start we've had one basic, simple rule. We don't cotton to robots. We know that society has come to depend on them for odd jobs like fruit juicing and child care, but that doesn't mean we have to accept them.

It should be a great testament then to the skill of YouTube user RigorMortis999 that we're willing to break our own prime directive to bring you his one-handed version of the Super Mario Bros. theme, which you'll find right after the break. Sure, he's quite obviously a robot, but we think it's safe to assume he's a friendly one.

[Via Kotaku]

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Miyamoto: Mario originally named 'Mr. Video,' couldn't jump

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 25th 2009 at 1:30PM }

Though the latest edition of Iwata Asks is technically focused on New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the first few pages of the interview go off on a tangent about the overall-clad plumber's roots which you might find interesting. For instance, did you know that Miyamoto's original plan for Donkey Kong was a video game based on Popeye? It's true -- it was only after he was denied the rights to put the muscly-armed sailor man in a video game that he created the most prolific video game character of all time.

Of course, just like a timid middle school student, Mario was forced to go through some awkward formative phases. Miyamoto revealed that in the original design for Donkey Kong, Mario -- who, at the time, was referred to as "Mr. Video" -- was unable to jump. Man, we feel like we just gazed into some kind of creepy alternate universe.

"It is me, Mr. Video. I'm going to slowly walk over there, all the while praying that I don't encounter any ground-based enemies."

Nintendo launching Limited Edition DSi bundles featuring Mario, 'brain teaser' DSiWare packs

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 23rd 2009 at 9:33AM }

This Black Friday, November 27, Nintendo will release DSi bundles containing pre-installed software to the value of $20. The metallic blue DSi bundle (a new color for the States) will feature Mario-themed DSiWare, while the white is for those with "a passion for brain teasers."

Blue version: Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, Dr. Mario Express, WarioWare: Snapped!, Mario Calculator and Mario Clock.
White version: Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Sudoku, Brain Age Express: Math, Clubhouse Games Express: Card Classics, Photo Clock.

There is no altered price to go with the announcement of these bundles, so we're guessing the units will retail at the normal $170 price. Of course, it is Black Friday, so check various retailers for the best deals.

Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below:

For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales,
And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com

Laser etcher plays the Mario theme for you

by Justin McElroy { Nov 16th 2009 at 1:45PM }

How To Ruin Your Moment of Internet Glory:

Work for an unconscionable number of hours making a laser etcher improbably play a fine rendition of the World 1-1 music from Super Mario Bros.
Let Cory Doctorow film it.
Listen as he rewards your hard work with terrible internet cliches, and, in doing so, almost completely obscures the audio you crafted.
Cry yourself to sleep.

Video tutorial right after the break.

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Video: Dr. Mario kinda doesn't know what he's doing

by David Hinkle { Nov 13th 2009 at 5:45PM }

As much as we'd like to think Mario is an accredited doctor with the papers to back it up (that University of Phoenix diploma above might as well be toilet paper), the dude is just a plumber in a white lab coat. Unlike most practitioners, he's willing to throw pills at any problem and can only really deal with two issues: the chills and fever. Nothing makes this more evident than the video made by College Humor user Brentalfloss, which adds lyrics to the Dr. Mario theme ... and some kinda disturbing imagery, too. Check it out at your own risk!

[Thanks, Adrian!]

Source - Dr. Mario with Lyrics (probably NSFW)

Men dressed as Mario and Luigi rob a cab driver

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 13th 2009 at 3:30AM }

While it's unbelievably tempting to litter this piece with allusions to the various Mario and Luigi properties, we're instead going to bite our tongues and tell the story of some less-than-gentlemanly gents who beat and robbed a NYC cabbie at 4AM on November 1. According to police reports, the cabbie stopped his car at a gas station when one of the four patrons attempted to steal money out of his pocket. He asked the men to pay their fare and get out, which resulted in the attack.

In the video found on the NY Daily News website, two men dressed as Mario and Luigi can be seen assaulting the cab driver while another person in their party stands about, presumably watching for interference. The men are still at large and police are asking those with information to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, log onto NYPD Crime Stoppers, or text 274637 then enter "TIP577."

[Image credit: Bob Dob]

[Via GamePolitics]

[Thanks, Adam]

Spanish labor association honors Mario

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 11th 2009 at 5:45PM }

ASEFOSAM, a Spanish labor association has announced (translation) that it plans to make Nintendo's Mario Mario an honorary member. Mario is to be presented with a silver badge, which is given to members of the association who improve the image of laborers. In celebration, a contest will be held in Madrid over the weekend to determine the best Mario Bros. player (though we're not sure exactly which of the many, many Mario games is to be played).

So, yeah, it sounds like the Italian labor associations really dropped the ball on this.

[Via GoNintendo]

New Super Mario Bros Wii launch event in NYC this Saturday

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 10th 2009 at 3:15PM }

Nintendo is holding a little family-friendly launch fiesta for New Super Marios Bros. Wii this Saturday, November 14, at its flagship store in New York City. The House of Mario will "transform" Rockefeller Plaza into the Mushroom Kingdom, providing demo stations, "costumed characters, trivia challenges, prize giveaways (while supplies last)."

The event takes place from 3-7PM and NSMBW is available to purchase early from the Nintendo World Store during that time. The game officially launches the following day, November 15. If getting it a day early seems worth the trip, remember to add NYC's lovely (8.875%) sales tax to your budget.

This is the story of New Super Mario Bros. Wii

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 5th 2009 at 6:00PM }

We know many Joystiq readers don't want to read spoilers on the site. That's why, for your sake, we've carefully posted the intro movie to New Super Mario Bros. Wii after the break. The upcoming 2D platformer returns the series to its roots, but adds a number of features that make it "new" -- it says so on the box. New power-ups and the addition of multiplayer radically change the feel of NSMBW, but we're not sure if gamers are prepared for the revolutionary new story featured in this latest adventure.

Check it out after the break.

[Via GoNintendo]

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Super Mario Galaxy commercial brings a tear to our eye

by David Hinkle { Oct 30th 2009 at 4:00PM }

We're not afraid to admit that Ed Peduzzi's Super Mario Galaxy commercial gets us all misty. It's a powerful combination of Sigur Rós' "Hoppípolla" and the classic footage of Nintendo's Italian plumber, crescendoing in a mighty display of Super Mario Galaxy that really gave our heart strings a tug. Check it out for yourself past the break and if you don't get goosebumps, well you just may be a soulless husk of a human being.

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You are not likely as hardcore as these Mario fans

by Ben Gilbert { Oct 29th 2009 at 6:45PM }

You might have noticed a less than offensive Nintendo tattoo donning the image space above this sentence you're reading, and could very well be wondering why this is the case. As it turns out, the Super Mario Bros.-themed images of Princess Peach and a Star are a bit too graphic for use on Joystiq. They are, however, quite unique – rather than the ol' ink-permanently-embedded-in-skin treatment of traditional tattoos, the aforementioned two employ a method of tattooing that involves skin removal. Check out the original shots over at BodyMod.org if you want to see 'em, but click through at your own discretion.

[Thanks Adam!]

[Image credit: Drew Olanoff]

New, super character art from New Super Mario Bros. Wii

by JC Fletcher { Oct 26th 2009 at 1:15PM }

The new multiplayer mode in New Super Mario Bros. Wii is great, as is the apparent difficulty of the new levels. We're curious about the Super Guide feature as well. But for some Mario fans, the real draw to the latest sidescroller can be seen above: the Koopalings, returning for the first time in a traditional Mario game since Super Mario World. While, of course, we'd still prefer a 2D adventure, Iggy, Morton, et al. have made the transition to 3D quite well!

Nintendo released that render along with some other character and enemy art, and an image of the bizarre all-red box art. See what a Goomba looks like now in our gallery. Spoiler: pretty much like it always looks.