When ‘Jumpman’ first appeared in 1981’s Donkey Kong, it’s unlikely that anyone thought: “yes, that little sprite is going to be an icon”. If they did, then kudos, because only a year after Donkey Kong’s release Jumpman became Mario. And the rest is gaming history.

Mario is one of the most recognisable characters in gaming, effectively acting as the global ambassador for Nintendo. From Donkey Kong to Super Mario World, Mario 64 to Mario Odyssey, the little Italian plumber has spent his life at the forefront of the gaming world. Along with his entourage of Luigi, Peach, Toad, and Yoshi, Mario has amassed quite the following.

If you’re one of his dedicated followers, or know someone who is, here are our picks of the best Super Mario merchandise around: