MAR10 Day 2026: Three Mario Classics Hit Switch Online as Galaxy Film Nears

MAR10 Day 2026: What’s new, what to expect, and the dates that matter

Nintendo’s annual celebration of all things Mario lands on Sunday, March 10, 2026 (aka MAR10 Day). This year’s headline: three retro Mario titles are hitting Nintendo Switch Online the same day, just weeks before Mario returns to theaters in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on Friday, April 3, 2026 in the United States. (videogameschronicle.com )

The big drop on March 10: three classic Mario games

Nintendo has confirmed a trio of classics arriving for subscribers to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on Sunday, March 10, 2026:

• Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Game Boy Advance)
• Mario’s Tennis (Virtual Boy)
• Mario Clash (Virtual Boy)

The additions are timed specifically to MAR10 Day, expanding both the GBA and new Virtual Boy libraries in the service. If you’re on the base Switch Online plan, note that Virtual Boy and GBA catalogs are part of the Expansion Pack tier. (videogameschronicle.com )

What to know about access and hardware:

• Expansion Pack required: The higher tier adds GBA, Virtual Boy, Nintendo 64, and Sega Genesis libraries. (videogameschronicle.com )
• Virtual Boy accessory: To play Virtual Boy titles on Switch/Switch 2, Nintendo requires a dedicated viewer (available in a premium version or a lower-cost cardboard option) in addition to the Expansion Pack subscription. (gamespot.com )

Why these three matter right now

• Mario vs. Donkey Kong is the puzzle-platformer follow-up to the 1994 Game Boy Donkey Kong and was remade for Switch in 2024—making the original’s arrival a nice historical complement for fans who met it via the remake. (gamespot.com )
• Mario Clash brings a 3D twist on the arcade Mario Bros. formula and is one of the more distinctive, harder-to-find Mario experiences from Virtual Boy’s short lifespan. (videogameschronicle.com )
• Mario’s Tennis effectively launched the modern Mario sports lineage; its return is timely with Mario sports back in the spotlight on new hardware. (gamespot.com )

The movie tie‑in: Mario hits theaters next month

Nintendo’s film arm-ups continue: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is officially the title of the animated sequel from Nintendo and Illumination, opening in U.S. theaters on Friday, April 3, 2026 (select territories follow through April). The title reveal and the date were confirmed by Nintendo; expect cross‑promotions to heat up through March. (nintendo.com )

Sales, bundles, and events: what’s announced as of March 5, 2026

Nintendo typically uses MAR10 Day to anchor retail promos, community events, and Switch Online perks. As of Thursday, March 5, 2026, Nintendo has not yet posted a new U.S. newsroom roundup detailing 2026-specific eShop discounts; watch the official news feed and Mario hub as we approach Sunday. For context, last year’s MAR10 activity included a Switch OLED hardware bundle, a Universal Epic Universe theme-park sweepstakes, and community challenges—plus a limited-time 14‑day free Nintendo Switch Online trial. If Nintendo repeats even part of that playbook, expect details to arrive close to the date. (nintendo.com )

Key dates at a glance

• Sunday, March 10, 2026 (MAR10 Day): Mario vs. Donkey Kong (GBA), Mario’s Tennis (Virtual Boy), and Mario Clash (Virtual Boy) join Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. (videogameschronicle.com )
• Friday, April 3, 2026: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie opens in U.S. theaters; additional markets follow later in April. (nintendo.com )

How to play the new classics on March 10

• Check your membership: Ensure your account is on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier before the games drop. Pricing and the specific catalogs tied to each tier are outlined by multiple outlets; Expansion Pack is required for the Virtual Boy and GBA libraries. (videogameschronicle.com )
• Prepare hardware for Virtual Boy titles: If you plan to try Mario’s Tennis or Mario Clash, you’ll need Nintendo’s compatible Virtual Boy viewer accessory for Switch/Switch 2. Details and pricing have been highlighted in reporting ahead of MAR10 Day. (gamespot.com )
• Update your “Nintendo Classics” apps: Make sure your Game Boy Advance and Virtual Boy apps are installed and updated on your console; new titles typically appear after the content goes live on the date. (Timing can stagger by region.) (gamespot.com )

The broader MAR10 moment

Beyond the new retro drops, MAR10 Day reliably spotlights Mario across Nintendo’s ecosystem—from merch to My Nintendo rewards and limited-time Switch Online trials. In 2024, Nintendo used its official channels to bundle game news, Switch Online bonuses, retail deals that ran through mid‑March, and an early tease that a new Mario film was targeting April 2026. This year, that film is weeks away, setting up a rare one‑two: a nostalgia‑driven content beat on March 10 followed by a major theatrical release on April 3. (businesswire.com )

What to watch as the week unfolds

• A possible U.S. eShop sale post: Nintendo often posts a MAR10 Day sale page with first‑party discounts; keep an eye on the official news feed and store as Sunday approaches. Historical precedent suggests any sale would likely run for about a week after the date. (businesswire.com )
• Retailer promos: Even when the eShop offering is modest, big-box retailers have run parallel price cuts or gift‑card offers during MAR10 windows in prior years. Monitor retailer listings and Nintendo’s announcements channel. (businesswire.com )
• Additional NSO updates: Nintendo sometimes follows a themed drop with late‑March or early‑April updates to other classic libraries; watch the Nintendo Switch Online news posts for March. (nintendo.com )

Bottom line

As of Thursday, March 5, 2026, MAR10 Day’s centerpiece is official: three Mario classics join Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on the day itself, with Virtual Boy finally getting two of Mario’s rarest outings. Two and a half weeks later, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arrives in U.S. theaters on Friday, April 3. It’s a neatly timed celebration—one that bridges Mario’s past with his immediate future on the big screen. (videogameschronicle.com )