The mall’s food court is packed with excited gamers waiting for the big reveal of Nintendo’s new Super Mario game. Screens flicker with trailers showing Mario, Luigi, and friends in space stations and underwater levels. A young man in a red shirt hands out flyers to anyone standing still long enough. The flyer has a picture of Mario flying on a Yoshi with the words “New Super Mario Bros. U.” A few people stop to read it, but most are already engrossed in talking about what they hope to see.

A booth at one end of the food court is already set up for the launch party. Nintendo reps wearing black shirts and white smiles greet everyone who walks by. They hand out glow-in-the-dark wristbands with the Mario logo and small controllers shaped like mushrooms. Kids are gathered around, inspecting the controllers, pressing them and grinning.

Behind a wall of blue and red boxes labeled “Limited Edition,” a screen is playing a trailer showing Mario and Luigi racing on clouds while a familiar tune plays in the background. A few people are already forming a queue to get inside, where they’ll be able to play demos and win prizes like collectible cards and plushies.

Outside, a large banner reads “New Super Mario Bros. U Launch Party” and waves gently in the breeze. The excitement is building as more and more people arrive, each hoping to catch a glimpse of the new game before it hits shelves next week.