Nintendo has introduced a new app called Hello, Mario!, which invites young users to interact with Mario’s animated face on screen. The app launched on August 26, 2025, in Japan and is available free of charge on iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. It arrived alongside the debut of Nintendo’s My Mario product line aimed at toddlers and preschoolers.

The core appeal lies in its simplicity and charm. Users can tug, poke, or spin Mario’s face, which is modeled after the iconic Super Mario 64 title screen, and Mario responds with playful expressions and reactions.

Parents will appreciate the app’s thoughtful design. It includes a brief automatic timeout in which Mario falls asleep, gently encouraging children to take a break, though this can be turned off via settings in the mobile version. The app also requires no internet connection to function, ensuring a safe and distraction-free experience.

This launch is part of the broader My Mario lineup, which features child-safe merchandise such as plush toys, teething items, clothing, board books, and wooden blocks that double as Amiibo figures. These products initially hit stores in major Japanese cities on August 26 and are expected to be released worldwide in 2026.

While currently exclusive to Japan, the app supports multiple languages and is likely headed to Western digital stores in the months to come.