Finding out that Super Mario 3D All-Stars was going to have a limited production run and would only be sold digitally until 31st March 2021 provoked some strong reactions from many Nintendo fans. Sure, there's an argument to be made that anyone who wanted a copy of this compilation game probably picked one up already, but the notion that access to an incredibly popular and important game like Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Galaxy (or Sunshine — yes, we love Sunshine!) was being arbitrarily restricted left a bad taste in the mouth of many gamers. We bought the game — of course we did — but the feeling that we were being strong-armed into it didn't sit well, and neither did the idea that people who bought a Switch from April 2021 would find it increasingly difficult to track down some of the finest games ever made.
Of course, 3D All-Stars wasn't the only product that Nintendo put out to celebrate Super Mario's 35th anniversary — the Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. was similarly time-limited, with no more of the nostalgic novelty console being produced shipped to stores after 31st March.
At the time we imagined a glut of both products immediately hitting eBay — and we've certainly seen attempts from scalpers to flip the console and game online for huge sums. However, we personally have seen both Super Mario 3D All-Stars and the Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. in surprisingly plentiful supply in the intervening months.
Even now, nearly four months after the 'death' of Mario, we're able to visit our local department stores, electronics outlets and game-specific retailers and find both sitting on shelves available to buy. One supermarket chain is selling the Game & Watch for just 39,90€, too, with European outlet Media Markt selling it for 40,99€.
We're wondering if this is just a local phenomenon, or if Nintendo really did go to town when producing this neat little throwback console and deciding print run numbers for 3D All-Stars. We're interested to find out if you can still find either in stores.
So, let us know if you're able to still get your hands Super Mario 3D All-Stars and the Super Mario Game & Watch console by answering the polls below, and tell us the country you're in in the comments (if you like):
Thanks for participating. Let us know below if you've succumbed to temptation with either of these, if you're waiting for the G&W to hit bargain basement prices, or if you can't find either items in your neighborhood for love nor money.