Nintendo Celebrates 40 Years of ‘Super Mario Bros.’ with Unique Baseball Collaboration
Kyoto, Japan – Nintendo is marking the 40th anniversary of “Super Mario Bros.” with an unprecedented collaboration with Japan’s 12 professional baseball teams. Beginning at the end of April, the partnership will see Nintendo sponsoring games hosted by each team, totaling 12 games, and introducing a distinctive element to the playing field.
The collaboration’s centerpiece is the introduction of specially designed bases featuring the iconic “Hatena Block” design for first, second, and third base. This marks the first time in Japanese professional baseball history that all 12 teams will utilize uniquely designed bases during official games.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, Mario himself will throw the ceremonial first pitch at each sponsored game. Following the games, select fans and their children will have the opportunity to participate in a base running experience using the “Hatena Block” designed bases, chosen through a lottery system.
Nintendo also plans to release original merchandise related to the collaboration, with further details regarding the base running experience and merchandise sales to be announced at a later date.
“Super Mario Bros. 40th Anniversary x 12 Professional Baseball Teams” Match Schedule:
- April 29th: Chiba Lotte Marines at ZOZO Marine Stadium
- May 6th: Yokohama DeNA Baystars at Yokohama Stadium
- May 9th: Hanshin Tigers at Hanshin Koshien Stadium
- May 15th: Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles at Rakuten Mobile Strongest Park Miyagi
- May 31st: Saitama Seibu Lions at bella dome
- June 7th: Hiroshima Toyo Carp at MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima
- June 14th: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at Esconfield HOKKAIDO
- June 20th: Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome Osaka
- June 21st: Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium
- August 8th: Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome
- August 11th: Chunichi Dragons at Bantelin Dome Nagoya
- August 16th: Fukuoka Softbank Hawks at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka