Reusing OG Switch: Utilizing Nintendo's Wooden Amiibos for a Novel Solution
In an exciting move, Nintendo is set to release a new series of toys and software aimed at young children, called the "My Mario" series. This initiative, designed to bridge the gap between physical play and digital interaction, will be available to Japanese audiences starting August 26, 2025, with wider availability planned for 2026.
The heart of the "My Mario" series is a free app called "Hello, Mario!", available on the Nintendo Switch and smart devices. This interactive app allows children to play with Mario's face, pulling, turning, and rotating it to elicit various reactions. This shared play experience encourages parents and children to engage together.
Accompanying the app are physical products that make up the "My Mario" playset. These include wooden figures of Mario, Luigi, and other iconic Super Mario series items, designed to be easy for young children to handle. These wooden figures can also be used as amiibo figures in compatible Switch games to unlock in-game items.
Other physical products in the series include a Hello, Mario! board book, which offers interactive enjoyment, and future planned expansions such as apparel, plush toys (rattles), general goods, and claymation shorts.
Nintendo is not only catering to the younger audience with the "My Mario" series. They are also diversifying their business into theme parks and movies. The new toys and Switch software for kids include wood blocks and a funny, stretchy Mario face.
While the initial launch focuses on Japan, Nintendo has indicated that select items from the My Mario series will become available outside Japan in early 2026.
The "My Mario" series is part of Nintendo's efforts to revitalize and extend the appeal of the original Nintendo Switch, especially given the release of the Switch 2. The playsets are designed both as nostalgic collectible items for parents and intuitive toys for kids.
[1] Nintendo Official Website - My Mario Series Announcement [2] Nintendo Life - Nintendo Announces My Mario Series for Kids [3] IGN - Nintendo's New My Mario Series Targets Kids [4] Polygon - Nintendo's My Mario Series: What We Know So Far [5] Kotaku - Nintendo's New My Mario Series: A Closer Look
- The "Hello, Mario!" app, a part of the "My Mario" series, is an AI-driven interactivity that allows children to manipulate Mario's face on Nintendo Switch and smart devices.
- The "My Mario" series, including gadgets like the amiibo figures and interactive board book, is set to expand beyond Japan's market, with plans for global distribution of certain products in early 2026, as technology advancements continue to blend physical play with digital experiences.
