It’s easy to find video game merch these days, especially for a series as robust and beloved as the Mario Brothers series. But back when the NES was recent, especially in my neck of the woods, things were different. Promotions existed, but they felt rare and far between. So when McDonald’s carried Happy Meal toys of one of my favourite games (of all time, no less) I was just so excited. I only owned one of these as a kid. They’re not particularly rare and I’m sure modern figures are more accurate to game art. But I have no shame in admitting that I wanted these for purely nostalgic reasons. Besides, they’re really cool and a neat little corner of Nintendo and Mario history.
So I recently bought all five pieces for under $5. I managed this largely through eBay sniping and a guy had beaten me for a set the night before for considerably more. This set is not without its quality issues, but the pieces I wanted are in good shape and I’m just thrilled to have them for display purposes.
Released as Happy Meal inserts in 1989, these toys played on the excitement of Super Mario Brothers 3 – which was huge at the time. Being that these are mass produced toys of the highest order, they are hollow plastic with sketchy paint jobs. Also, given that these are Happy Meal toys, they are very gimmicky. Luckily, the gimmicks work. They’re small, and easily displayable. They have a distinctly retro look that is highly appealing to anyone collecting toys from this era or relating to classic Mario. They’re affordable and easily collected – I recommend them for sure.
MARIO
Mario’s gimmick is, appropriately enough, a jump. Pushing down on the toy will allow the suction cup to adhere to the base. When the tension from the spring becomes too much, the cup releases from the base and Mario will be flung maybe a foot and a half into the air. It actually works surprisingly well. Mario might seem odd as a display piece because of the raised base and his pose, but I think he works because of his “more complete” paint job.
LUIGI
Luigi was the only toy I had as a kid. That’s a good thing, because Luigi is awesome. But also a bad thing, because this is unequivocally the lamest of the bunch. Luigi sits on a cloud holding a star. It’s a friction toy, so you pull him back and watch him go. Exciting! It’s not so bad, honestly, but he did get the short end here.
GOOMBA
The Goomba is one of the most displayable pieces in this set. Looks exactly like its ingame counterpart and its gimmick is not very intrusive at all. Goomba has a suction cup on his chin that also attaches to a base. When it releases, he “backflips…” that is he is forcibly thrown backwards and may or may not land on his feet. It does stand a good chance of landing on his feet though because they are so large. Looks great.
KOOPA PARATROOPA
I’ve got some bias here, because this is the toy that made me seek these out. The Koopa Paratroopa was the one wanted so badly as a kid. I saw a kid play with one once, and I was so jealous! We checked back at McDonald’s for more Mario 3 toys but they only ever had Luigi at the joint near me. So this is sort of childhood redemption for me, ha ha. Paratroopa has a large tube and bladder that can be easily hidden if the intent is to display. Squeezing the bladder will make Paratroopa kick its legs and propel it forward. And it sort of works too, if you hold the bladder correctly. The Paratroopa’s seam is very noticeable, but it’s gorgeous and very displayable.
MARIO (UNDER 3)
The Under 3 Mario is the rarest of the lot, and is not typically included in promotions for the set or even really remembered by people. But it was a happy meal toy meant for kids under 3. As such, it lacks a gimmick and is rubber instead of plastic. Funnily enough, he’s more displayable than either of the standard Mario or Luigi figures.
Nice pictures! I had the suction cup Mario and cloud Luigi as a kid and while it’s mostly unrelated, I still have the Addams Family VHS I got from McD’s. I’ll probably get rid of it when it releases on Blu (Still not released. :@)
I remember loving the Mario cartoon when I was young, but my opinon of it now is not as favorable. I find it pretty cheesy and bad and inserting American pop culture is just… no. I loved Super Mario Bros. 3 when I was young, too, even if I didn’t get to play it nowhere near as much as I wanted (I wish I could trade that crap Robin Hood for something better :p), but that holds up just as well as it did then. 😉
The goomba and paratroopa are most likely better because it’s harder to do a good job on human figures than creatures. I find the face the most disconcerting of human figures, but if I buy any figures in the future, there’s a good chance it’d be Mario related.
They gave out VHS? Weird son. I remember my little bro had a birthday there when he was very young and they had some old incredible hulk cartoon vhs. It’s also the only place I’ve ever played Excite Bke 64.
I think I’m the kind of dork that would LOVE the weird real life crossovers and references in SMB now, ha ha. The Super Show was questionable, yes, but I had fun with it :P.
I would agree about humans. Another thing is there was very little consistent art for Mario himself. Even within the pages of NP, he would often be drawn different in different features. He’s very much reached a “final” iteration now, but I guess it wasn’t always the case.
Mario looks much happier with dining out liberally and silent protagonism than with forced involvement in sports and (yeck) Charles Martinet! 😛 He looks hale and hearty with his smile and chubby cheeks 🙂 Even Luigi’s Starman has some decent meat on his bones, but what’s with Paratroopa’s hose-and-bladder? Is he getting a soothing McFlurry enema to try and enrich his booty cheeks to Goomba proportions? 😉 Anyway, congrats on the collection, I never had any of these ever IIRC! – they look great, warts n all – and they display great with yer pipe mug & coasters, not to mention Mario looks right at home with those Food Fighters! And it’s good you never had to run away to Califorrniaaaaaa to find em 😉
I’ve got nothing against Martinet, what’s the beef? 😛 But yeah, I’ve seen Mario “drawn” like this even in NP before but I guess Nintendo would have strict standards now.
Paratroopa’s hose is a bit unsightly but easy to wrap ‘behind’ your display. So medical queries can remain a mystery, because it’s out of sight and out of mind :P.
Speaking of California – I wish I had some of my California Raisins on hand for the Food Fighters article!
Yeah, but that was the only one I ever got. I had a birthday there as well, and it’s on tape!
I don’t think they have any place to be there, but I only remember one. I can’t remember the Super Show.
But most of NP art isn’t offical, anyway. :p