Nintendo Launches “Hello, Mario!” App for Children in Japan

Nintendo has introduced Hello, Mario!, a new interactive app aimed at young children, available now on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices. Released on August 26, 2025, in Japan, the app is part of Nintendo’s “My Mario” initiative, which combines digital experiences with child-friendly products. An international rollout is planned for 2026.

The app allows children to interact with a fully animated Mario face, where poking, pulling, or rotating his features triggers humorous reactions. Players can stretch his mustache, tug his ears to make him stick out his tongue, or press his nose to make him sneeze. A toolbar provides familiar items such as the Super Mushroom, Warp Pipe, Star, and Music Block, each producing different responses. Mini-games, including spinning Mario’s face or sending him through a Warp Pipe, add additional playful challenges.

Designed for simplicity and safety, the app requires no internet connection. On the Nintendo Switch, it runs only in handheld mode and occupies 156 MB, while mobile versions support iOS 15 or later and Android 6.0 or later.

In addition to the app, Nintendo released a physical Hello, Mario! board book, offering similar interactive features offline. The “My Mario” line also includes wooden building blocks that function as Amiibo figures, allowing further interactive play on the Nintendo Switch. All products are currently available in Japan, with international availability expected next year.

With Hello, Mario!, Nintendo continues to focus on younger audiences, offering a playful, engaging, and accessible way to experience the Mario universe. The initiative blends digital and physical play, reinforcing Mario’s status as a cultural icon for generations to come.