You’ve probably seen it sitting on a shelf or listed for a ridiculous markup on eBay. It's bright. It's loud. It is very, very red. When Nintendo dropped the Super Mario Edition Switch—specifically the Mario Red & Blue Edition that launched alongside Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury—it felt like a turning point for how the company handled its hardware refreshes.
Most "special editions" are just a standard grey console with some decals slapped on the dock. Not this one. This was the first time the actual tablet housing was a different color. People went feral for it. Honestly, seeing that deep crimson chassis for the first time was a bit of a shock compared to the drab black plastic we’d been staring at since 2017.
What makes the Super Mario Edition Switch different from a standard model?
Most people assume it’s just a color swap. It isn't. Well, it is, but the execution matters. Nintendo usually plays it safe. With the Super Mario Edition Switch, they went all-in on the primary colors that defined the NES era. You get the red console, red Joy-Cons, and a blue grip that’s supposed to mimic Mario’s overalls.
It’s bold.
But here is the thing: it’s a "V2" Switch. That means it has the improved Mariko chip. You get the better battery life—roughly 4.5 to 9 hours depending on whether you’re playing something intensive like Breath of the Wild or a lighter indie title. If you’re hunting for one today, don’t confuse it with the original 2017 launch models. Those had terrible battery life. This one actually lasts through a flight.
The carrying case included in the box is surprisingly high quality too. It’s got that classic Mario iconography—yellow zippers that look like coins and a red-and-blue weave. Usually, Nintendo upcharges $20 for a case like that, but here, it was tucked right in the box.
The OLED Version vs. The Standard Mario Red
We have to talk about the confusion in the market. There are actually two "Mario" red consoles now. There is the 2021 Mario Red & Blue (the one with the blue grip) and the newer 2023 Mario Red Edition OLED.
The OLED version is a different beast entirely. It’s a deeper "carmine" red. It doesn’t have the blue accents. Instead, it has a tiny silhouette of Mario jumping on the back of the dock and some hidden coins inside the rear panel. If you care about screen quality, the OLED is the winner. Period. But if you want that "toy-like" nostalgia of the classic red and blue, the 2021 edition is the one that collectors are actually fighting over.
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Why the resale market is getting weird
Supply and demand is a cruel mistress. Nintendo stopped producing the Mario Red & Blue Edition shortly after its anniversary window closed. Now? You're looking at a 30% to 50% markup on the secondary market for a "New in Box" unit.
Why? Because of the housing.
Third-party companies like ExtremeRate sell shells you can swap yourself, but nothing quite matches the factory-finish red of the official Super Mario Edition Switch. If you try to DIY it, you risk snapping a ribbon cable or stripping those tiny tri-wing screws that Nintendo uses specifically to keep us out. Most gamers would rather just pay the premium for a console that was born red.
A note on the Joy-Con drift issue
Look, it’s a Switch. It doesn’t matter if it’s painted gold or signed by Shigeru Miyamoto himself; those Joy-Cons are eventually going to drift. It’s a hardware flaw in the potentiometer. If you buy a Super Mario Edition Switch used, check the sticks immediately.
Fortunately, Nintendo’s repair program usually covers these for free in many regions, but getting a "Special Edition" Joy-Con back from a repair center can be a gamble. Sometimes they just send you a refurbished grey one if they're out of stock. That’s a nightmare scenario for a collector. Always insist on a repair, not a replacement.
Collector tips for finding a legitimate unit
Don't get scammed. The market is flooded with "reshelled" consoles. These are standard black Switches that someone put into a cheap plastic red shell from a Chinese wholesaler.
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- Check the Serial Number: The serial on the bottom of the tablet should match the sticker on the box. If they don't match, walk away.
- The Blue Grip: The authentic Mario Red & Blue Edition comes with a specific shade of blue Joy-Con grip. Scammers often forget this or include a standard black one.
- The Screen Rail: On a real Mario Edition, the rails where the Joy-Cons slide in are black, but the surrounding plastic is red. If you see black plastic peeking through the seams, it’s a fake shell.
It’s also worth mentioning that the "Super Mario Odyssey" edition from years ago was different. That one had "Mario Red" Joy-Cons (a darker, blood-red) but a standard black console. Collectors often confuse these two, but the value difference is massive. The full-body red console is the one that’s going to hold its value over the next decade.
Is it actually worth playing in 2026?
We are deep into the lifecycle of the Switch. Rumors of the "Switch 2" or whatever Nintendo decides to call their next piece of silicon are everywhere. Does it make sense to buy a Super Mario Edition Switch right now?
Honestly, yeah, but only for two types of people.
First, the collectors. Physical hardware is becoming a blue-chip investment for Nintendo fans. Look at the prices of the Pikachu N64 or the Zelda GameCube. They don't go down.
Second, the parents who want a "tank" of a console. The standard Switch build is surprisingly durable, and the red plastic on this edition hides scratches much better than the matte black finish of the original. Plus, it's easier to find in a messy playroom.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’re serious about hunting one of these down, stop looking at big-box retailers. They've been out of stock for years. Your best bet is local marketplaces like Facebook or specialized retro gaming shops.
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- Verify the battery: Ask the seller for a screenshot of the "System" settings to ensure it’s not an unpatched V1 unit someone tried to pass off as a Mario edition.
- Inspect the Dock: The dock for the Mario Red & Blue edition is purely red. If it has a logo on the front, it’s the wrong dock. The official one is minimalist.
- Check the HDMI: This is a weird one, but the Mario Red & Blue edition actually came with a blue and red themed box, but the cables were standard. Don't pay extra because someone claims they have "special edition cables." They don't exist.
Basically, if you find one for under $350 in good condition, grab it. The Super Mario Edition Switch is a piece of gaming history that marks the peak of the "hybrid" era. It’s loud, it’s unapologetically Nintendo, and it looks better on a shelf than almost any other console from the last ten years. Just make sure you’re buying a genuine piece of plastic and not a cheap shell swap. High-quality hardware is getting harder to find as we move toward an all-digital future, so holding onto a physical, colored-housing Switch is a smart move for anyone who actually likes owning their tech.