For 40 years, he's been jumping, running, and saving his princess: Mario has grown from a video game character to a recognizable icon. But how did he become who he is today? And how has he kept pace with the ever-evolving gaming industry?

Super Mario 40 Years was on view on in our Spotlight room from December 13 2025 until June 21 2026.

In this Storyworld Spotlight, we took visitors on a journey through time, exploring the technical and creative evolution of Mario and his world. We discovered how the very first Mario games were created, what made him so incredibly popular, and the technical limitations that shaped his iconic appearance and gameplay. The Spotlight showed how the production process changed over the years and how new technical innovations (and limitations) influenced the games.

Whether you're a seasoned gamer or simply curious about the story behind the pixels, this Spotlight exhibition offered a fascinating glimpse into four decades of gaming history, with Mario as the guide.

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