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[ShogunDarius]

"When considering some challenges facing Nintendo in the current market, it's common for fans to bemoan what they consider to be undercooked or uninspiring advertising and marketing. To take the undercooked description one step further, there is some positive news for those in the UK that feel the Nintendo brand needs more exposure - Super Mario is coming to Happy Meals.

The moustachioed mascot will be taking over in the next range of Happy Meals in the UK, likely in March, with a batch of themed toys sure to be included. While Happy Meal branding may not strike everyone as valuable marketing, the role of these McDonald's meals in getting the attention of young diners shouldn't be underestimated. We suspect you won't find it hard to locate a parent that's been a victim of Happy Meal-related pressure; it'll also be fun for those of you that do enjoy these meals to grab some Nintendo toys.

In terms of gaining some mass-market attention in the UK, especially among young gamers, this seems like a smart move from Nintendo UK. Hopefully similar promotions will be seen elsewhere in Europe and beyond."


http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/02/super_mario_hopping_into_mcdonalds_happy_meals_in_the_uk



This sounds like a VERY smart idea imo.

 

[j.rob]

Haven't brought a Happy Meal in the longest time, but now that's about to change.

 

[Deleted member 125677]

So is this an example of the "putting out licences" strategies we heard about at the investor meeting?

Sounds like a good idea to me. They have nothing to lose in the UK.

 

[Otakumegane]

This has happened before I think

 

[Uncle Rupee]

It has been awhile since they did a promotion for Mario in McDonalds, hasn't it? I remember there was set of toys around Super Mario Bros. 3 release as well, wasn't there?

 

[MYE]

Dreamworks Mushroom Kingdom movie next

 

[javac]

Going to take my little brother and 'buy' him a few all of them.

 

[disco]

Woo! I always buy Happy Meals because I feel eating anymore McDonald's than a child's portion will make me obese. Plus the fact that kids food isn't taxed as highly means its a pretty cheap snack if you just need a little carb boost to get you through the day. Having Mario toys makes it even more exciting. :333

 

[chronosic]

I loved the Mario happy meal toys they had way back when I was a kid. I think they coincided with the release of Mario 3 or world.

 

[MYE]

Woo! I always buy Happy Meals because I feel eating anymore McDonald's than a child's portion will make me obese. Plus the fact that kids food isn't taxed as highly means its a pretty cheap snack if you just need a little carb boost to get you through the day. Having Mario toys makes it even more exciting. :333

Dont lie, you just want the toys, man baby!!!

 

[Robin64]

Will buy a Happy Meal and throw away the food for these.

 

[Kid Ska]

I'm... actually kind of jealous. Hoping this makes its way to the US.

 

[SeanR1221]

So many memories

 

[Broken Joystick]

They need all the help they can get in the UK, so this is a smart move.

Our next Happy Meal invites kids to Run, Jump and Power Up with Super Mario!

 

[watershed]

So many memories

I had everyone but the goomba!

This is a smart move by Nintendo. They should be cementing Mario in the minds of the next generation of gamers and get them asking their parents for Nintendo games/systems.

 

[Blablurn]

Devaluation of the franchise

Spoiler

not really

 

[BGBW]

Time to resurrect my Happy Meal toy collecting ways,

 

[emb]

Has this never happened in the UK? I can remember a few instances of it stateside. I don't think it will save the Wii U guys.

 

[Cow Goes Moo]

lure them with mcdonalds
then sell them QOL health products

genius

 

[NekoFever]

So many memories

Wasn't Luigi withdrawn because the head was too easy to break off and turn into a choking hazard? I seem to remember that from when my dad collected McDonald's toys in the 90s.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

Any excuse to shamefully scoff a Big Tasty down, peppercorn sauce and uncomfortably warm lettuce dripping down my chin.

Wasn't Luigi withdrawn because the head was too easy to break off and turn into a choking hazard? I seem to remember that from when my dad collected McDonald's toys in the 90s.

Was this a 90s parent thing? My Mum hoarded them thinking they'd be worth something in resell one day.

 

[Stumpokapow]

maybe left hand and right hand aren't talking when right hand is talking about rebranding the company around health and wellness and left hand is talking about cross-promoting with fast food.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

maybe left hand and right hand aren't talking when right hand is talking about rebranding the company around health and wellness and left hand is talking about cross-promoting with fast food.

It doesn't really matter when McDonalds themselves regularly promote the importance of a balanced diet and offer "healthy options" with a child's fat-soaked fries. Loads of companies do this. Hypocrisy means nothing when you can make money off health nuts and lazy eaters. Left hand and right hand are counting change.

 

[emb]

Was this a 90s parent thing? My Mum hoarded them thinking they'd be worth something in resell one day.

Might have been. My Grandma used to do the same a little bit. Whenever I got duplicates should would always say I should keep them and leave it sealed up.

 

[Interceptor]

So are these the same we got in germany 2 months ago?

 

[ScreenSplitter]

So are these the same we got in germany 2 months ago?

Wow, Happy Meal toy quality has gotten a lot better in the last 10 years.

 

[Robin64]

maybe left hand and right hand aren't talking when right hand is talking about rebranding the company around health and wellness and left hand is talking about cross-promoting with fast food.

To be fair, the Happy Meals in the UK have been trying to be rebranded as "not so bad" for your kids. So gone are the days of it just being a burger, fries and coke but for small people. Now you can get, as an example, a Happy Meal that is fish fingers, carrot sticks and fruit juice.

 

[test_account]

Wasnt someone here on NeoGAF going to quit gaming if Nintendo did promotions like this? As a respond to that mobile game that Sony did with promotion with Coca Cola.

Spoiler

I know that it was hyperbole, but i think someone said it =)

 

[so1337]

Wow, Happy Meal toy quality has gotten a lot better in the last 10 years.

Not really. They're kind of cheap looking in person. The Luigi I have has a big-ass screw in the back.

 

[bluehat9]

that Luigi toy on the bottom row of the Germany pic is definitely the same one Burger King used in the US when they had Wii branded toys.

 

[Sadist]

Those were available a few months back in Holland as well.

 

[level44]

Do they do anything?

 

[Sneds]

Add it to the chalkboard.

 

[Vashetti]

Haven't brought a Happy Meal in the longest time, but now that's about to change.

You BOUGHT a Happy Meal.

You didn't BRING a Happy Meal anywhere!

Anyway, will look out for these if the toys are good quality.

 

[Mpl90]

Yeah, Mario was in Happy Meals in Italy as well last Holiday season. At least, it seems their IP licensing intentions are serious. Probably, in the next future, we'll see Mario hopping in Happy Meals in US as well.

 

[Black Door]

So is this an example of the "putting out licences" strategies we heard about at the investor meeting?

Still waiting on my Peach and Rosalina Shunya Yamashita Bishoujo statues

 

[ramuh]

They best be bringing that in the States. I'm not a kid but I'll buy a happy meal for some mario merchandise.

 

[Starwolf_UK]

Nintendo really need to get out those promotional smartphone apps ASAP. I can see this happening. Kid buys Mario Meal. Sees he is a videogame character. Searches on this phones app store.

Will buy a Happy Meal and throw away the food for these.

Can just buy the toys outside of America? If so then...Well, just make sure you get change and check whats in the package first.

So are these the same we got in germany 2 months ago?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-msvP0zfu6...0/mcd-happy-meal-toys-hungary-super-mario.jpg

So similar size/quality to what you get out of capsules but only at twice the cost?

 

[ZeroX03]

Dreamworks Mushroom Kingdom movie next

Pick another studio, and we have a deal.

 

[Interceptor]

Do they do anything?

Yes. I got Mario. He jumps out of his pipe.

 

[Uncle Rupee]

Premium-grade nightmare fuel

 

[Lyonaz]

They had Super Mario Happy Meals around the Super Mario 3D World release here in the Netherlands too, kinda regret not getting them.

 

[BGBW]

Was this a 90s parent thing? My Mum hoarded them thinking they'd be worth something in resell one day.

I have a book all about McD toys and their worth. One fact I remember is that the 101 Dalmatians toys are worth more if they are from the UK, as they were free toys so getting all 101 is hard , compared to the US where you could buy all of them in one fell swoop.

 

[Interceptor]

If you want to get an impression about the size and maybe some inspiration for future applications click here.

 

[spyroflame0487]

Pretty neat. We had some figures in the US at Burger King. The Mario was very cool and actually really nice.

Those ones from McD actually look really nice. Wonder if we'll get them in the US too?

 

[axisofweevils]

Nintendo should start including NFC in figures like this. It would be amazing.

 

[Stumpokapow]

To be fair, the Happy Meals in the UK have been trying to be rebranded as "not so bad" for your kids. So gone are the days of it just being a burger, fries and coke but for small people. Now you can get, as an example, a Happy Meal that is fish fingers, carrot sticks and fruit juice.

Sure, you can.

 

[axisofweevils]

Wonder if we'll ever get the Big Mac streetpass puzzle?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Augh2wV8sZQ

 

[Robin64]

Sure, you can.

Heavily promoted, too. Usually the big main image of a Happy Meal is the healthy version.

But. Yeah. Fuck that. As a kid, going to McDonalds, I'd want a burger and fries.

McDonalds' menu has felt so at odds with itself lately. Everyone knows it as a place for junk food, no matter how much of this alternate food they throw on there.

 

[Betta Lines]