Nintendo's latest Mario stop-motion animation revives cherished memories of childhood

Nintendo has launched a fresh and exciting creative campaign to celebrate the upcoming 40th anniversary of Mario, the beloved character who built modern gaming and stars in both retro consoles and animated movies and games.

At the heart of this campaign is the new 'My Mario' line, which includes a series of adorable stop-motion shorts featuring the iconic plumber. These charming videos, directed by Dave Heyward, have been released on the Play Nintendo YouTube channel and are a testament to the enduring appeal of Mario.

The stop-motion style of these shorts reinforces Mario as both a digital icon and a tangible plaything. They offer a glimpse of Mario at his most human, showcasing his fragility, playfulness, silliness, and lovability. The visual style feels lovingly stitched together and celebrates its imperfections, adding to the charm of these tiny, bumbling figurines.

The first three stop-motion shorts are brimming with playful energy and lean into a tactile aesthetic. Exaggerated performance, a sense of rhythm, and attention to micro-expressions are present in Mario's tiny gestures, adding depth and emotion to these brief vignettes.

These stop-motion shorts echo principles discussed in the eight rules of movie animation, according to Guillermo del Toro. They serve as inspiration for other handcrafted animation projects, such as I Am Frankelda, and could potentially hint at bigger announcements for next year.

Nintendo has also launched a new Hello, Mario! app for Switch and mobile, which forms a double act with the stop-motion videos. The app is designed to give fans a reason to re-engage with the character ahead of Mario's 40th anniversary. However, it does not repeat the fact that the stop-motion shorts serve the same purpose.

The Super Mario Bros. was originally released on September 13, 1985, marking the start of the countdown to the 40th anniversary celebrations. Mario is a star of one of the best games of the '80s, and his enduring popularity is a testament to the timeless appeal of his world and characters.

As Mario's 40th anniversary approaches, it's clear that the character is poised for a potential creative renaissance. The new Hello, Mario! app and the stop-motion videos are just the beginning, and fans can look forward to more exciting announcements in the coming months.

Nintendo's latest Mario stop-motion animation revives cherished memories of childhood