March 10th • Pop Culture & Gaming

Mario Day (Mar 10)

An internet-created celebration of the world's most famous video game plumber. The date (Mar 10) looks exactly like the name mario, prompting millions of fans to celebrate their favourite childhood games, the history of Nintendo, and the massive impact video games have had on global pop culture. This lesson explores the evolution of gaming, whether video games are a form of art, and why a character from the 1980s is still a household name today.

A retro video game joystick representing the history of gaming

Speaking Discussion

Why do you think Mario has remained the most iconic video game character in history for over 40 years? What is his secret?
In your opinion, are video games a waste of time, or are they a legitimate form of modern art and interactive storytelling?
What is your earliest memory of playing a video game? How has the experience changed since you were a child?
How has the gaming industry changed from simple 8-bit pixels to the hyper-realistic virtual reality we see today? Is it always better?
Should professional e-sports players be considered real athletes? Why do some people resist this idea?
What is the most important lesson a video game can teach a person about perseverance, logic, or problem-solving?
Do you think video games are becoming too addictive, or is it just a new form of entertainment that older generations don't understand?

Activity 1: The New hero Pitch

The Task: You are a Game Designer at Nintendo. You need to pitch a new sidekick for Mario. What is their name, their special power, and their personality?

from the sidebar.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

"The best video game ever made is..."
"I think screen time for children should be..."
"In my opinion, the future of entertainment is..."

Key Vocabulary

Iconic (Adj) Widely recognised and well-established as an important symbol or representative of something.
Nostalgia (N) A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.
Interactive (Adj) Allowing a two-way flow of information between a computer and a user; responding to a user's input.
Perseverance (N) Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Household Name (Idiom) A person or thing that is well known by the public.

Fluency Catalyst

The "Level Up" Phrases: When discussing progress, use: "To get to the next level," or "To be on top of your game."

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