Nintendo’s Hello, Mario app lets kids tug at Mario’s face

Nintendo released Hello, Mario on February 19 for Android, iOS, Switch, and Switch 2. It isn’t a 3D or 2D platformer or a sports spin-off, but a small interactive app that focuses on Mario’s face. Players can yank on different parts of Mario’s head and face to get different reactions while also stretching the famed platformer in odd-looking ways.

You can tap to give him sunglasses, play peek-a-boo, or run a comb through his moustache. Yanking his nose and ear can even prompt him to shout, "Oh, yeah, Mario Time!" It’s similar to how you could mess with Mario’s head in Super Mario 64, if a bit less charming.

After about 12 minutes, Mario stops letting players squeeze and pinch his face and goes to sleep; Nintendo says this feature will help limit screentime for kids. The app can be restarted or a user can do something else on the phone, and he’ll be ready again.

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