Super Mario Bros Turns 40 in Japan

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Today marks the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, which was originally released in Japan on February 21, 1986, for the Famicom Disk System. The game’s innovative format was considered revolutionary at the time. To celebrate, a poll is open asking players where they first experienced this classic title, with options including the NES Classic Mini and Nintendo Switch Online. An option is also available for those who haven’t played it yet, and readers are invited to share their own memories in the comments. Also reaching milestone anniversaries in 2026 are the Sonic the Hedgehog, Castlevania, and Dragon Quest franchises. Despite the anniversary, Nintendo has not announced any plans for a remaster, rerelease, or major celebration for The Legend of Zelda’s 40th birthday. Other news from the world of gaming and Japanese culture: Fans are eagerly awaiting the live-action Legend of Zelda movie, slated for release in 2027. Jim Carrey will portray Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Pokémon will turn 30 on February 27, and a Pikachu card recently sold for $16.49 million at auction, demonstrating the franchise’s enduring value. Donkey Kong is expected to be featured prominently in Nintendo’s plans for 2026.

A viral video of a lonely baby monkey in Japan resonated with viewers worldwide. Yoshitoshi Shinomiya is gaining recognition as a new anime auteur with A New Dawn. Coffee cultivation in Okinawa is proving successful. Nakamura Takanosuke plans to bring kabuki’s onnagata tradition to Europe. A critic has sparked controversy in the pop culture world. Japan’s Takaichi is pursuing security goals with a new mandate. The enduring appeal of these franchises is further underscored by events like the 2021 auction of a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which sold for R 3.7 million—the highest amount ever paid for a video game, according to a press release from Heritage Auctions. The Dallas-based auction company stated that the NES cartridge was purchased as a Christmas gift in 1986 and remained unopened. The unnamed seller stated in the press release, “It stayed in the drawer of my office desk all this time, since the day I bought it. I never thought much about it.”

Auctioned NES Game Receives Top Score, Spotlighting Rare Packaging and Enduring Appeal of Classic Games

According to the auction company, the game was professionally assessed by Watagames and received a score of 9.6a, which they called the best professionally assessed copy for auction to date. It is also one of the earliest copies packaged with retrofilm instead of an adhesive sticker. From anniversary celebrations to record-breaking auctions, these stories illustrate the lasting cultural and financial impact of classic video games.

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