The first of two 8-bit Mario amiibo variants will be released in Europe on September 11, according to a tweet from Nintendo of Europe.
The first color variant known as “Classic Colours” – which features an 8-bit style Mario using his classic red/brown color scheme from the original Super Mario Bros. – will be released on September 11 in Europe. The second variant known as “Modern Colours” – which sports a more updated color palette for Mario with a red shirt, a red hat, blue overalls, white gloves, brown hair, and brown shoes – will be released on October 23.
While the September 11 release date might seem odd for American consumers, it is probably intended as a date that is close to the 30th anniversary of the release of Super Mario Bros. in Japan on September 14, 1985
Nintendo of America has not announced official release dates for the 8-bit Mario amiibo for the United States.
The release of the Classic Colours variant coincides with the release of upcoming Wii U-exclusive Mario Maker, which will have support for not only the 8-bit Mario amiibo, but other amiibo, as well. Mario Maker is a game in which players will be able to design their own 2D Mario-themed levels and share them with other players. By tapping a supported amiibo figure to the Wii U gamepad, the character you are playing as will change to whichever amiibo character used.
