Mario’s been jumping through pipes and collecting coins since 1985, and fans have been snatching up everything from plushies to power-up keychains ever since. Finding genuine exclusive merchandise takes knowing where to look, though — whether you’re after that limited-edition figure or just want a Mushroom Kingdom coffee mug nobody else at work has. The good news? Mario merch has exploded way beyond basic department store shelves. Specialty retailers and import shops now offer items you won’t find anywhere else.
Here is a list of 15 places where you can score exclusive Mario merchandise, from official Nintendo releases to Japanese imports that never make it to regular U.S. stores. Each spot brings something unique to the table, whether that’s convention exclusives, vintage treasures, or items straight from Nintendo headquarters in Japan.
Nintendo Store New York
The flagship Nintendo Store in Rockefeller Center is basically Mario heaven — two floors of pure collectible bliss. They’ve got exclusive items you literally can’t buy anywhere else, including location-specific t-shirts and pins branded with ‘Nintendo NY’ alongside Mario characters.
The store rotates exclusive merchandise tied to game launches and special events, which means even regular visitors stumble across new treasures. Plus, they sometimes get limited quantities from Nintendo Tokyo — giving American fans a rare shot at Japanese exclusives without those brutal international shipping fees.
Pokémon Center website (Mario crossover items)
While it sounds odd, the Pokémon Center online store drops exclusive Mario crossover merchandise that catches collectors completely off guard. These limited runs? They feature Mario characters in Pokémon-style designs or special collaboration items during Nintendo anniversaries.
The items vanish fast — both Pokémon and Mario collectors compete for the same stock. Keep those notifications on, though, since these crossover pieces often become some of the most valuable exclusive items in the secondary market.
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Super Nintendo World shops
The Universal Studios locations in Japan, Hollywood, and Orlando each carry their own exclusive Super Nintendo World merchandise — stuff you can’t buy online or anywhere else. These parks sell everything from interactive Power-Up Bands to exclusive clothing lines designed specifically for each location.
Japanese parks get different designs than U.S. locations, perfect for collectors chasing region-specific items. Even the popcorn buckets shaped like Mario items? They’ve become collector’s pieces that resell for triple their original price.
First 4 Figures
This company specializes in high-end collectible statues that make other Mario figures look like Happy Meal toys. They produce limited edition resin statues — often just a few thousand pieces worldwide — with details so precise you can actually see the stitching on Mario’s overalls.
Prices range from $90 for smaller pieces to over $500 for massive dioramas, yet these become instant centerpieces in any collection. Their exclusive colorways and special editions? They sell out during pre-order, months before the statues even ship.
Play-Asia
This import gaming giant carries Japanese Mario merchandise that never gets official U.S. releases — from exclusive amiibo variants to soundtrack CDs you won’t find on streaming services. They specialize in items from Japanese arcade centers, including UFO catcher prizes and Banpresto figures that’d cost a fortune to win in actual Japanese game centers.
Shipping takes a few weeks, sure, but you’re getting authentic merchandise that most American collectors don’t even know exists. They stock limited lottery items from Japanese convenience stores, too — where winning tickets grant exclusive Mario collectibles.
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Tokyo Otaku Mode
Think of this as your personal shopping assistant in Japan — bringing exclusive Mario items from Shibuya directly to your doorstep. They secure merchandise from Japanese Nintendo events, collaboration cafés, and limited Tokyo releases that would otherwise require a plane ticket to obtain.
The site excels at pre-orders for upcoming exclusive figures, often throwing in bonuses like exclusive keychains or postcards with purchases. Their premium membership? It gives early access to the most sought-after items, which matters when exclusive drops sell out in minutes.
Fangamer
This indie retailer collaborates directly with Nintendo for exclusive merchandise designs you won’t see in mainstream stores. They produce unique items — Mario-themed enamel pins, art prints, and clothing with artistic takes that go beyond typical character slapping.
Their exclusive items often feature retro game sprites or clever mashups referencing deep Mario lore only longtime fans appreciate. The quality rivals official Nintendo products, yet with designs that feel more like what fans would create for other fans.
Hot Topic
Known for band tees and goth accessories, Hot Topic secures surprising Mario exclusives through licensing deals other retailers don’t pursue. They carry exclusive Funko Pop variants, limited colorways of Mario figures — plus clothing collaborations that blend streetwear with Mushroom Kingdom style.
Their BoxLunch sister store gets different exclusives too, essentially doubling your options for unique finds. The rotating stock means checking both online and in-store regularly, since exclusive items often hit physical locations before appearing on the website.
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Target (exclusive lines)
Target consistently lands exclusive Mario merchandise lines — particularly in their electronics and toy sections. They get exclusive amiibo releases, special edition game bundles with bonus items, and entire toy lines that other big box stores simply don’t carry.
Their Bullseye’s Playground section near the entrance? It occasionally stocks exclusive Mario items for under $5 that become surprisingly hard to find later. The key is checking during major Mario game releases — that’s when Target negotiates exclusive merchandise tied to the launch.
GameStop
Beyond just games, GameStop secures exclusive Mario collectibles through their ThinkGeek merger and collector-focused buying power. They get exclusive statue variants — limited edition plush sets, special metallic or glow-in-the-dark versions of figures sold elsewhere in standard colors.
PowerUp Rewards members get early access to pre-orders, which matters for items limited to a few thousand pieces. Physical stores sometimes carry exclusive items not listed online, especially older stock that’s been sitting in backrooms since previous Mario anniversaries.
AmiAmi
This Japanese retailer offers pre-owned exclusive items alongside new releases. Perfect for tracking down older exclusive merchandise you missed. They grade condition meticulously, so you know exactly what you’re buying even from thousands of miles away.
Their pre-order system for upcoming exclusives often beats other import sites on price, though you’re committed once you order. The real treasure, though? Their pre-owned section, where Japanese collectors sell exclusive items from past events and limited releases.
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Nintendo Tokyo store
The official Nintendo Tokyo store in Shibuya Parco creates exclusives that even Nintendo New York doesn’t receive. They produce Tokyo-specific merchandise featuring Mario in Japanese cultural settings.
Traditional festival wear, region-specific designs, that sort of thing. Using a forwarding service is necessary since they don’t ship internationally, yet the exclusive items justify those extra steps and costs. They release special items during Japanese holidays too, incorporating Mario into traditional celebrations.
Etsy (licensed sellers)
While flooded with homemade items, Etsy hosts officially licensed sellers who create exclusive Mario merchandise through Nintendo’s licensing program. These sellers produce small-batch items. Handcrafted jewelry, custom artwork, unique interpretations you won’t find in mass production.
The trick is filtering for licensed sellers who display their Nintendo licensing credentials in shop descriptions. Some sellers get exclusive rights to produce certain item types, making their shops the only source for specific officially licensed designs.
San Diego Comic-Con vendors
SDCC vendors secure exclusive Mario items specifically for convention sales. Variants of existing figures, completely unique products, items featuring special SDCC branding or convention-year stamps.
Nintendo often debuts exclusive merchandise at their booth. Even if you can’t attend, many vendors sell remaining stock online after the convention, although prices jump significantly. Convention exclusives from past years? They’ve become some of the most valuable Mario collectibles on the resale market.
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Mondo
This Austin-based company produces exclusive high-end Mario merchandise. Vinyl soundtracks and screen prints that sell out immediately. Their Mario releases feature exclusive artwork and colorways, often limited to just a few hundred pieces worldwide.
They announce drops through their newsletter with little warning. Popular items disappear within minutes of going live. Their timed releases give everyone a fair shot during a specific window, but once that window closes, those items are gone forever.
The enduring appeal of mushroom kingdom collecting
Mario merchandise has evolved from simple toys into a serious collecting category. Exclusive items command premium prices while dedicated fans plan international trips around store-exclusive releases. The hunt for exclusive pieces? It’s become almost as engaging as the games themselves. Collectors form communities to share intel about upcoming drops and regional exclusives.
Modern manufacturing and global shipping mean fans can access exclusive items from Tokyo to New York, yet the thrill of finding that one exclusive piece still makes every package delivery feel like discovering a secret warp pipe. As Nintendo keeps expanding Mario’s presence through theme parks and collaborations, the exclusive merchandise landscape continues growing. Collectors will always have new treasures to chase.
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