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Mario with x's on his eyes symbolizing that he's dead

Mario Dies on March 31st

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Updated Apr 01, 2021 at 06:25AM EDT by andcallmeshirley.

Added Mar 25, 2021 at 03:48PM EDT by Matt.

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About

Mario Dies on March 31st is a mock internet conspiracy theory that posits the idea that Nintendo will kill off their long-time mascot Super Mario on March 31st, 2021. The joke corresponds with the end of the character's 35th-anniversary celebration, which fans of the video game The Legend of Zelda joke will be the day Mario dies, leaving space for Nintendo to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Zelda. Furthermore, Nintendo intends to remove a number of Mario games from their online eShop on March 31st, 2021.

Origin

On September 3rd, 2020, Nintendo announced the Super Mario 35th Anniversary during a Nintendo Direct broadcast. During the broadcast, the company announced a multiplayer battle royale video game that would only be available until March 31st, 2021. The post received more than 9 million views in less than seven months (shown below).



That day, Twitter[1] user @nejiron tweeted, "Mario dies March 31st." The tweet is the earliest known mention of the meme (shown below).


tryfaws @nejiron mario dies march 31st 6:23 AM · Sep 3, 2020 · TweetDeck


Spread

That day, many other fans began posting that Mario would die on March 31st (examples below, left).[2]

The rumors continued into the following year, when the meme spread in greater numbers. On March 5th, 2021, iMore published an article on the rumors, "RIP Mario: The plumber dies March 31 and we can't wait." In the article, the author states that these rumors were in response to the lack of celebration of the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda.

On March 17th, quote retweeting an advertisement by Nintendo about the limited-time availability of the video game Super Mario 3-D All-Stars, Twitter[4] user @Wario64 tweeted, "Nintendo gives a final warning that Mario dies on March 31st." The tweet received more than 14,000 likes and 3,000 retweets in less than one month (shown below, center).

Days later, on March 22nd, Urban Dictionary [5] user UrbanDicter1 defined March 31, 2021 as "The day when SM3DAS dies and Among Us revives itself" (shown below, right).


Alexander Chevalier @alexchevalier1 · Sep 3, 2020 ... Mario dies at the end of March • Super Mario 3D All-Stars: Optimized versions of 3D Mario games Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy are coming to Nintendo Switch in one package. In addition to having higher resolutions than their original versions, the games have been optimized for a smooth gameplay experience on Nintendo Switch. Super Mario 3D All-Stars also includes an in-game music- player mode to play the music and songs from all three games. Players can also listen to music on their Nintendo Switch systems when the screen is off. A limited production of Super Mario 3D All-Stars launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch family of systems on Sept. 18 and will be available until approximately March 31, 2021. 1 3 Donkus the Psycho Shocker @poondonkus · Sep 3, 2020 If March 10th is Mario Day (MAR 10 = MARIO) then March 31st, when Mario dies and becomes inexplicably inaccessible to us, must be Marei Day (MAR 31 = %3D MAREI). Marei, Mario's alternate dimension counterpart, will be taking over the franchise from then onward. TheArgoNinja @TheArgoNinja · Sep 3, 2020 So the Mario Direct was neat, but what's with everything having a limited release? Is March the month where Mario Dies or something? •.. Wario64 @Wario64 Nintendo gives a final warning that Mario dies on March 31st bit.ly/3tqb6QQ Mar 17, 2021 Super Mario 3D All-Stars leaves Nintendo eShop on March 31st. er Then SUPER MARIC 3D ALL STARS SUPER SUPER MARIO GATAXY If you've had your eye on the Super Mario 3D All-Stars™ Collection, this reminder is for you! Please note that the digital version will be leaving Nintendo eShop on March 31st*. With this collection, you can play three of Mario's greatest 3D platform adventures: Super Mario 64TM, Super Mario SunshineTM, and Super Mario GalaxyTM This limited-time collection was released last year as part of the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary. If you've already purchased the digital version, you'll still be able to play the game after March 31st. Even if you remove the game from your system, you'll still be able to re-download any time. For more info on Super Mario 3D All-Stars, please visit https://supermario3dallstars.nintendo.com/. * The physical version of Super Mario 3D All-Stars (released Sept. 18) will continue to be shipped to retailers and available for purchase through March 31, 2021 or while supplies last. The digital edition will be available to purchase through March 31, 2021. Once the digital edition has been purchased on your Nintendo Account, it can be re-downloaded and played if deleted from your device. 12:01 PM · Mar 17, 2021 · TweetDeck TOP DEFINITION March 31, 2021 The day when SM3DAS dies and Among Us revives itself Among Us fan: T heard the airship is coming March 31, 2021! Mario fan: NO! That's when Mario dies! by UrbanDicter1 March 22, 2021

On March 24th, the video game website uploaded a video to YouTube entitled "Is March 31 the Day Mario Dies?" in which they explain the rumor. The post received more than 50,000 views in less than two days (shown below, left). That day, the website Nerdist posted a similar video, which received more than 24,000 views in less than two days (shown below, right).

Several media outlets reported on the meme, including iMore,[3] IGN,[6] The Independent[7] and more.



Various Examples

Search Interest

External References

[1] Twitter – @nejiron's Tweet

[2] Twitter – Mario Dies

[3] iMore – RIP Mario: The plumber dies March 31 and we can't wait

[4] Twitter – @Wario64's Tweet

[5] Urban Dictionary – March 31, 2021

[6] IGN – The Internet Dubs March 31 the Day Mario Dies

[7] The Independent – ‘Mario dies on 31 March’: Why Nintendo fans are tweeting about the death of iconic video game character

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