Fans dressed as Super Mario gather in Union Square for Mar10 Day world record attempt

Fans dressed as Super Mario gathered in Union Square for Mar10 Day as GameStop attempted cosplay world record

Fans dressed as Super Mario gathered in Union Square in Manhattan on March 10 as part of Mar10 Day celebrations and an attempt to break a world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as the Nintendo character.

The event, organised by GameStop, brought together large numbers of participants wearing costumes inspired by different versions of Mario from across the character’s history.

The gathering transformed the busy public square into a scene resembling a real-life video game celebration, with fans arriving in red hats, moustaches and blue overalls.

March 10 has become widely recognised by fans as “Mar10 Day” because the date visually resembles the name Mario. The day is often marked by events, promotions and tributes connected to the long-running Nintendo franchise.

As part of the Union Square event, GameStop offered a $5 store credit to anyone who arrived dressed in a Mario costume. The promotion encouraged participants to join the gathering and contribute to the record attempt.

According to organisers, the goal was to surpass the existing world record for the largest group of people dressed as Mario in one location. The current record was previously set in China a few years ago.

GameStop Director of Communications Nicolle Robles explained the motivation behind the event, pointing to the character’s lasting popularity with players of different ages.

“He's a reminder of people's childhoods and a carefree time, and you know people still play video games well into adulthood,” Robles said.

The gathering attracted attention from passers-by and fans alike, with many participants posing for photos and celebrating the video game character’s cultural impact.