What You Need To Know About The Mario Red & Blue Edition Switch
The celebration of Mario continues. On Tuesday, Nintendo unveiled a brand new Mario-themed Nintendo Switch console bundle, complete with a brightly-colored system and a snazzy matching carrying case, which will go on sale next month. The surprise reveal came alongside Nintendo's trailer for Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, which also releases in February.
According to Nintendo's website, the Mario Red & Blue Edition Switch will hit stores on Feb. 12, 2021, at a $299.99 price point. The console features a bright red color scheme for the dock, Joy-Cons, and the system itself. This marks the first time since the Switch's debut in 2017 that the console itself has been release in a color other than black, as Polygon noted.
Meanwhile, the Joy-Con grip and wrist straps feature a blue design reminiscent of Mario's overalls. The bundle also comes with a red carrying case covered in "Super Mario iconography," as well as a screen protector.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury will release the same day as the Mario Red & Blue Edition Switch. In addition to the game's trailer, which detailed an adventure alongside Bowser Jr. to stop his gargantuan dad Bowser, Nintendo revealed via a press release that new Cat Mario and Cat Peach amiibo will be available to purchase separately. "Along with the Nintendo Switch – Mario Red & Blue Edition system, we're delighted to offer these new products that mark more than 35 years of Super Mario adventures," Nick Chavez, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Nintendo of America, said in the release.
And that's not all: a Super Mario Bros. 35 World Count Challenge is also on its way, where players work together in Nintendo Switch Online's battle royale Super Mario Bros. 35 to finish goals within a time limit. The challenge will be held three times between January and March, with the first one running from Jan. 18 to Jan. 25.
Nintendo began celebrating 35 years of Super Mario all the way back in March 2020 and the party won't stop until March of this year. Several other new products have come out of the celebration, including Super Mario 3D All-Stars, the handheld Game & Watch Super Mario Bros., a line of Mario x Puma sneakers, and a line of Mario LEGO sets. With Nintendo's announcement this week, it seems the gaming giant still has plenty more goodies up its sleeve for the coming months.