March 10 celebrates MAR10 Day, an unofficial holiday for fans of the Super Mario franchise. This date aligns with the US format MAR 10, marking a fun nod to the plumber’s adventures. Although Nintendo often runs limited sales on Mario titles during this time, major announcements remain rare. Rumors point to potential updates for Mario Kart World, but several Mushroom Kingdom residents still await their solo spotlight beyond Mario, Luigi, and Wario.
Characters Primed for Their Own Adventures
1. Toad
A distinct Toad character frequently appears in sports and party spin-offs, separate from the generic mushroom-headed residents or Captain Toad, who already has Treasure Tracker. This Toad served as one of four playable heroes in Super Mario Bros. 2 but has faded from recent 2D platformers like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, where blue and yellow variants take precedence. A life-simulation game, inspired by Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Pokémon Pokopia, could let players build and manage a Mushroom Kingdom town as this humble Toad, capturing the vibrant style of the recent animated film.
2. Goomba
Goombas endure constant stomping from Mario and allies after four decades, yet they feature in Mario Kart World and Mario Tennis Fever. The Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga remake introduced a strategy side-game with a Goomba leading Bowser’s forces. A full tactics title could expand this, challenging rival armies to claim the kingdom. Alternatively, a puzzle platformer akin to Captain Toad with Pikmin-style recruitment suits their limbless dexterity perfectly.
3. Lakitu
Lakitus often aid Bowser but occasionally help Mario as cameramen in Super Mario 64 or party members in Paper Mario. They referee sports titles and start races in Mario Kart games. A horizontal shooter like R-Type, firing Spiny shells from cloud mounts, or a relaxed fishing simulator—echoing their track-pulling role—offers fresh gameplay.
4. Boo
These giggling ghosts dominate Mario’s hauntings, distinct from Luigi’s Mansion specters. Playable in spin-offs and antagonists under King Boo, they lack a dedicated title. A stealth game flips the script: sneak up on Luigi for cartoonish scares in a family-friendly Dead by Daylight style. Their aversion to direct gazes provides a clever mechanic.
5. Kamek
Bowser’s loyal Magikoopa since infancy, Kamek stands out from generic foes and features prominently in Illumination’s Mario films. Playable since Mario Party 9 and in Mario Kart Tour plus 8 Deluxe, he appears as an item in Mario Kart World. A strategy game leverages his rank, while broomstick spells fit arcade shooters. Or explore his past in a parody life-sim, nurturing an infant Bowser toward villainy like Nintendogs.
6. Waluigi
Luigi’s tall counterpart shines in spin-offs but ignores mainline platformers, WarioWare, and Wario Land despite his partnership. He debuted as a villain in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix. His chaotic vibe suits bizarre adventures like Tingle’s Zelda titles—dungeon-crawling for treasure. A co-op role in a new Wario Land would also thrill fans.
7. Princess Peach
Peach led Super Princess Peach in 2005 and Princess Peach: Showtime! in 2024, yet both fall short. The former carried unintended stereotypes, while the latter feels overly simplistic without deepening her character like Luigi’s Mansion did for Luigi. Post-movie action-hero status demands a robust platformer or enhanced Showtime sequel with sharper gameplay and humor, perhaps from Next Level Games.
8. Daisy
Peach’s bold, tomboyish rival debuted in Super Mario Land 34 years ago and joined mainline playables in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Hints of Luigi romance suggest Luigi’s Mansion cameos. A Sarasaland platformer unlocks new areas, or she pairs with Peach in a Showtime co-op follow-up.
9. Nabbit
Introduced as a thief in New Super Mario Bros. U, Nabbit became an invincible beginner character. A high-speed platformer like Super Meat Boy revives his robbery roots, with bite-sized levels emphasizing escape velocity. Super Mario Bros. Wonder portrays him as a watchful figure, hinting at deeper backstory.
10 & 11. Geno and Mallow
From Super Mario RPG, which turns 30 just before MAR10 Day, Geno—a star spirit in a doll—wields energy blasts and draws Smash Bros. fans. Mallow, a cloud prince raised by frogs, uses weather magic and grows through his parent-search arc. A sequel with Paper Mario comedy or co-op platformer like Hazelight’s titles expands their roles amid sparse character development in Mario lore.
