In a joint announcement Friday, Nintendo of America and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade revealed that a brand-new Mario character balloon will make its debut at the 99th iteration of the parade, on Thursday, Nov 27.
The occasion? The 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. game, which launched in Japan in 1985. The balloon, crafted by the Macy’s Parade Studio in collaboration with Nintendo, reaches 51 feet, 2 inches long, 37 feet wide, and 43 feet 8 inches tall.
“Having Mario join this iconic holiday tradition is an incredible way to honor the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. … Since he first emerged from a Warp Pipe, Mario has embodied our goal of bringing smiles to faces all over the world,” said Devon Pritchard, EVP of Revenue, Marketing & Consumer Experience at Nintendo of America.
Mario will appear in his classic red-cap, blue-overalls look, posed in a “flying pose inspired by Super Mario Galaxy.”
“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has long been a stage for the world’s most beloved characters, and this year we’re thrilled to partner with Nintendo,” said Jordan Dabby, producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “As Mario celebrates 40 years of inspiring players and families worldwide, his flight down the streets of Manhattan is both a historic milestone and a joyful celebration — one sure to have fans everywhere cheering ‘Wahoo!’ this Thanksgiving morning.”
How cool!
Awesome!
How many Years did it take for him to finally be an icon/???
Probably a few decades.
I love Mario and glad to know they will be a part in the parade
Good
Finally
Thos is cool
Neato!
Mario is a classic.
Cool
Cool beans
This is fantastic! I love Mario.
Thank you Jared and your team for what you guys are doing to reach the vet community through gaming!
I love Mario <3
It’s-a me, Mario!
Mario is my pal! 🍟🍔🤔😭😭😭😭
It’s gonna be a majestic sight in NYC
Forever Mario!
Marioooo!!
It’a bird, it’sa plane, it’sa SuperMario to save the parade! Love that plumber.
yo
🔥🔥
Mario in the Macy’s Parade? So awesome!
Macy’s Parade and Mario? Lets gooooooooooooooooo!
Mario!!! How cool
How awesome! Now maybe there will be three balloons in the parade I recognize from my own younger days!! Hahaha
Parade time
This is very cool!!