Super Mario 64 Start Menu Channeled by Hello Mario App

Nintendo announced a number of pieces of Super Mario series merchandise geared toward little kids, and among them is a Hello Mario Switch and mobile app. That will function in a manner similar to the Super Mario 64 start menu, in which someone could interact with Mario’s face to change it around or see different reactions. There will also be two wood block sets that act as toys and amiibo. The new items and the app will launch in Japan on August 26, 2025, but some of the merchandise won’t appear in the US and other regions until 2026.

In the one Japanese announcement, a number of Hello Mario photos appeared that showed how similar to the Super Mario 64 Mario face start menu the app will be. The difference is, this will be a more cartoonish, 2D rendition. Other images suggested we’ll be able to interact with the character’s hands and offer items like a mushroom. That will be a free app.

Here’s how the initial images look:

In the case of the My Mario wood block sets that are also amiibo, there is one basic option and another more intricate one. The base Mario Wood Block Set is ¥2,980 (~$20). That gives you a Mario block, a mushroom one, and a question block. According to the announcement, the Mario one would function as an amiibo. The Mario and Friends Wood Block set is ¥19,980 (~$135). That features 30 blocks and a box that offers a stage backdrop. Some of the more notable character ones that are also amiibo include Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Yoshi. The Mario one is identical to the one in the smaller, three-piece set. So if you get the larger one, you don’t need to get the smaller one too. 

Here are all the blocks:

As for the other pieces of Super Mario merchandise in the English announcement, a  ¥1,870 (~$13) Hello Mario interactive picture book and free It’s Me, Mario! Stop Motion Shorts came up. The Japanese site also showed clothing and plush toys for kids.

The My Mario merchandise inspired by the Super Mario series and Hello Mario Switch and mobile app will come to Japan on August 26, 2025. Some items in the collection will appear worldwide in 2026.