Nintendo is set to delight fans this Mario Day by adding three beloved retro Mario titles to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. Arriving on March 10, the lineup includes Mario’s Tennis and Mario Clash from the Virtual Boy library, alongside the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong from the Game Boy Advance era. These games highlight Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to preserving its classic catalog through the Nintendo Classics apps, offering subscribers fresh ways to experience Mario’s early adventures in sports, platforming, and puzzle-solving formats.
Mario Day Brings Fresh Retro Goodness to Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo has timed a perfect surprise for Mario enthusiasts with the upcoming arrival of three retro titles on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Scheduled to launch precisely on March 10—universally celebrated as MAR10 Day—these additions bolster the growing Nintendo Classics collection across Virtual Boy and Game Boy Advance libraries.
The two Virtual Boy entries, both originally released in 1995, mark meaningful expansions for the platform’s emulator app, which debuted earlier in 2026. Mario’s Tennis serves as an early precursor to the long-running Mario Tennis series, delivering fast-paced singles and doubles matches with a roster of seven playable characters including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, and others. Players compete on colorful courts where power-ups and precise timing define victory, capturing the essence of competitive sports action in the unique red-and-black Virtual Boy aesthetic.
Complementing it is Mario Clash, a creative 2D platformer that draws clear inspiration from the arcade classic Mario Bros. In this title, Mario navigates multi-layered stages, tossing Koopa shells to defeat enemies while leveraging foreground and background elements strategically. Pipes positioned throughout levels allow shells to travel between planes, adding depth to puzzle-like encounters and requiring quick reflexes and spatial awareness. These Virtual Boy games represent some of the rarer entries in Mario’s history, having been tied to Nintendo’s short-lived 3D headset console that never achieved mainstream success but has since gained cult appreciation among collectors and retro gaming fans.
Joining them on the Game Boy Advance side is the 2004 release Mario vs. Donkey Kong, a puzzle-platformer that reimagines the rivalry from the original Donkey Kong arcade game in a fresh format. Mario pursues a mischievous Donkey Kong across toy-factory-themed worlds, solving environmental puzzles by carrying keys, manipulating switches, avoiding hazards like conveyor belts and spikes, and rescuing Mini-Marios. The game emphasizes precise platforming combined with brain-teasing level design, where players must often backtrack or use environmental objects cleverly to progress. This original version offers a distinct experience compared to its 2024 remake on Switch, preserving the tighter, more challenging handheld feel that defined early 2000s portable gaming.
These additions arrive as part of the premium Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier, which grants access to enhanced libraries including NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and now the growing Virtual Boy selection. With the Virtual Boy app still in its early stages—having launched recently and promising more titles throughout the year—the inclusion of Mario’s Tennis and Mario Clash brings its catalog closer to a fuller representation of the system’s library.
For longtime subscribers, this Mario Day drop continues a tradition of timely celebrations that tie new content to the plumber’s annual holiday. Nintendo has consistently used March 10 to spotlight Mario-related updates, from merchandise events to in-game challenges, but expanding the retro offerings remains one of the most appreciated moves for fans who value preservation and accessibility.
The timing also aligns with broader momentum in Nintendo’s classic gaming efforts. The Virtual Boy library, though niche, allows players to experience hardware quirks through modern emulation, including the signature stereoscopic 3D effect adapted for handheld and TV play on Switch. Meanwhile, Mario vs. Donkey Kong adds another jewel to the GBA collection, which has steadily grown with puzzle-platformers, RPGs, and adventure titles over time.
Key Features of the Incoming Titles
Mario’s Tennis (Virtual Boy, 1995)
Singles and doubles tennis matches
Seven characters with unique playstyles
Power-up items for strategic advantages
Court-based action with precise controls
Mario Clash (Virtual Boy, 1995)
Multi-plane platforming stages
Shell-throwing mechanics inspired by Mario Bros.
Pipe transport for cross-layer attacks
Enemy-clearing challenges with spatial strategy
Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Game Boy Advance, 2004)
Puzzle-platform levels in toy-factory settings
Key collection and Mini-Mario rescues
Environmental hazards and switches
Classic rivalry narrative with Donkey Kong
These games not only enrich the Nintendo Switch Online experience but also serve as a reminder of Mario’s versatility across genres—from sports simulations to inventive platformers and logic-driven puzzles. Subscribers can dive in starting March 10, ready to relive or discover these hidden gems in the plumber’s expansive legacy.
Disclaimer: This is a news report based on official announcements and does not constitute investment, purchase, or gaming advice.