Official collaborations between Mario and other franchises

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While Mario may be Nintendo's undisputed ambassador, he doesn't always roam alone in his Mushroom Kingdom. For several years, Nintendo has been multiplying official collaborations between Mario and other iconic franchises like Zelda , Animal Crossing , Donkey Kong , and Rabbids . These unexpected crossovers offer rich and varied experiences, often full of surprises. Here are the most notable ones.

1. Mario & Zelda: a discreet but lasting alliance

• Super Smash Bros .: Mario and Link have been battling since 1999 .
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe : Link playable with the Master Cycle .
• Super Mario Maker 2 : Added Link with unique gameplay (bow, bomb, shield).

2. Mario & Animal Crossing: from decoration to karting

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons : Mario decorative pack with teleporters and themed items.
• Mario Kart 8 : Animal Crossing circuit, Villagers and Isabelle playable.
• Super Smash Bros .: Villagers and Isabelle face Mario in shared arenas.

3. Mario & Donkey Kong: a shared history

• Mario vs. Donkey Kong : A series of puzzle games on multiple consoles.
• Spin-offs: Donkey Kong playable in Smash, Mario Kart, sports.

4. Mario + Rabbids: A daring crossover

• Kingdom Battle ( 2017 ): humorous tactical RPG developed by Ubisoft .
• Sparks of Hope ( 2022 ): semi-open world, free gameplay, new mechanics.

5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

• Saga since 2008 : every official edition of the Olympic Games since Beijing 2008 .
• Sport, arcade, nostalgia: a historic bridge between Nintendo and SEGA .

6. Other notable collaborations

• LEGO Super Mario : Interactive toys with sensors, apps and updates.
• Minecraft : Exclusive Mario pack on Switch with official music and textures.
• Skylanders SuperChargers : Bowser and Donkey Kong playable with Amiibo-compatible figures.
• Tetris DS : Super Mario mode with retro visuals and classic music.
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate : a true interactive Nintendo museum, featuring more than 80 characters from different universes.

Chronological table of major collaborations

Year	Franchise	Type of collaboration	Main game
1999	Zelda	Fighter in Smash Bros.	Super Smash Bros.
2008	Sonic	Sports games	Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
2014	Animal Crossing	Playable characters	Smash 4, Mario Kart 8
2017	Raving Rabbids	Tactical crossover game	Kingdom Battle
2020	LEGO	Interactive toys	LEGO Super Mario
2021	Animal Crossing	Mario in-game items	New Horizons
2022	Raving Rabbids	Crossover Suite	Sparks of Hope

Dreamed or expected collaborations

• Mario × Metroid : an adventure combining platforming and sci-fi exploration.
• Mario × Kirby : a platform game merging powers and transformations.
• Mario × Splatoon : colorful universe, competitive fun, special costumes or shared stages.
• Super Mario RPG 2 (with Square Enix): return of a legendary collaboration.

FAQ – Mario Collaborations

• What is the most successful collaboration?
  " Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle " is often praised for its originality and gameplay.
• Which character other than Mario is most present with him?
  Link , Sonic , and Donkey Kong are the most recurrent, playable in several games alongside Mario.
• Is there a game that brings together all the Nintendo heroes?
  Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the ultimate crossover, with over 80 characters .
• Does Mario collaborate outside of games?
  Yes: LEGO , amusement parks, Uniqlo clothing, McDonald’s , and more recently cinema (Illumination).

Conclusion

From Olympic events to karting , strategy , and building , Mario has crossed the boundaries of his own universe to collaborate with some of the biggest names in video games. These crossovers enrich the player experience while celebrating Nintendo's diverse culture . With the expansion of the Mario brand into movies , toys , and beyond, there's no doubt more memorable collaborations are on the way.