Mario's 2016 Photo: The Image Nintendo Wants You to Forget

Back in 2016, Nintendo shared a photo that quickly became a viral sensation. It featured a person in a Mario costume peeking out from behind a curtain, intended as a teaser for the upcoming Nintendo Switch. However, the image was deemed creepy by many and turned into a meme. This unexpected reaction reportedly caused some discontent within Nintendo, as the company was not thrilled with how the situation unfolded. Let's dive into the story behind this infamous Mario photo and what it meant for Nintendo.

The Controversial Mario Photo

The image in question was shared by Nintendo on social media as part of the marketing campaign for the Switch. While it was meant to generate excitement, the photo ended up sparking a different kind of buzz. According to Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang, former hosts of the Nintendo Minute, the image was quite controversial within the company.

Behind the Curtain

The idea for the photo came from a former head of social media at Nintendo. They staged a photoshoot with a Mario costume character peeking from behind a curtain. The intention was to create a playful tease, but it backfired. The image was seen as too speculative and didn't align with Nintendo's usual approach to managing expectations.

The Aftermath

Once the image hit the internet, it was quickly turned into a meme. This unexpected turn of events left some Nintendo employees feeling uneasy. The lack of an official asset to accompany the announcement was a key issue, as explained by Ellis. The team had to improvise, leading to the creation of the infamous photo.

• Nintendo's marketing strategy faced backlash.
• The photo became a viral meme.
• Internal dissatisfaction with the image's reception.

Lessons Learned

Ellis and Yang shared that Nintendo learned from this experience. Future announcements would be more carefully planned, ensuring all necessary assets are prepared in advance. The duo believes that Nintendo will avoid similar mishaps in the future, especially with significant reveals like a potential Switch 2 announcement.

In the end, while the creepy Mario photo may have been a misstep, it served as a valuable lesson for Nintendo's marketing team. It highlighted the importance of aligning promotional materials with the company's image and managing public expectations effectively.

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