It’s a big day for Mario Mario. It’s literally his day — March 10, a.k.a. Mar10 — his new movie just got a cool trailer, and Nintendo has decided that the best way to celebrate that is to steal his shoes and put them in the plumber’s ancestral home of New York. Of course, Gizmodo was there to take a look!
People Were Hyped For the Boots
The line to get into Nintendo’s New York City store in Rockefeller plaza this morning — which otherwise wasn’t open until midday, unless you were there for The Boots — was considerable. Are people really that crazy for Mario’s feet? Perhaps.
Gabbo Is Coming
The Boots’ arrival in-store was heralded by this hilariously-worded poster, which gives off extremely strong Gabbo vibes.
Damn, Those are Big Boots
But behold! Boots. They’re so big. Why are they so big? Are they to scale? Is Mario actually a giant even before he gets into the Mushroom Kingdom? Are they boots post-Super-Mushroom-embiggening? Endless questions, and only boots.
?
Mario’s boots were suspended above another, arguably more iconic piece of imagery from the games: the humble question block. It’s arguably much more iconic than the boots. Why didn’t Nintendo tell people the question block would be here?
How to Make a Fake Boot Real
Nintendo and Illumination worked with Red Wing Shoes to bring the model of Mario’s boots from the movie to real life — including their mushroom-based insoles.
Nice Laces
They’re pretty nice, if plain, boots. Note the Super Mario Bros. Movie logo on the inside, though. Nice touch, although I feel like Mario wouldn’t be branding his shoes like that if these really are his boots. We’re being lied to.
Ever Wondered What the Bottom of Mario’s Boot Looks Like?
Bam. Now you know.
The Boots of the People
People were indeed excited to see Mario’s boots. Or maybe to just get into the Nintendo store early. Either way, the boots were there.
Intermission: Wario Time!
It might be Mario’s day, but he can’t have all the attention. Both Wario and Waluigi were watching the boots from afar, courtesy of this very well-positioned merch.
Big Boots, Bigger Ride
Boots aside, Nintendo also pulled up a replica of Mario and Luigi’s work van from the movie outside for people to get pictures with.
Check That Logo
That classic font, that classic art ripped right from the games… I would indeed trust these plumbers with any plumbing concerns. Or an invasion of koopalings.
Custom Plates!
Mario and Luigi are committed to the bit.
See Boots? Get Swag
OK, maybe it was the free swag that got people lining up rather than Mario’s boots. Anyone who went in to see the boots also walked away with a free poster and a magnet.
One Side Mario…
Naturally, the poster was double-sided to accommodate the brothers. Mario is on one side, ready for action…
… The Other, Luigi
…and Luigi on the other, being captured by Shy Guys. Poor guy.
For a Good Time, Call the Mario Bros.
The Magnet might be the cutest thing of all though, given that it actually takes the form of Mario and Luigi’s business card.
You’ll be able to see more of Mario’s boots, and presumably every other part of him, when The Super Mario Bros. Movie hits theatres on April 5.
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