REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nintendo is partnering with McDonald’s to bring some of its most famous characters from the Mushroom Kingdom to Happy Meals everywhere. Starting today and running through May 22, anyone who purchases a Happy Meal at participating McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S. will receive one of eight fun toys based on Super Mario characters. These classic and instantly recognizable characters are also featured in the upcoming Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game for Nintendo’s newest system, Nintendo Switch.

“Nintendo is always looking for ways to expand its brand, and a partnership with the family-friendly McDonald’s restaurants felt like a great fit,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Like Mario, Happy Meals are something both kids and parents grew up with.”

Nintendo fans will want to collect each of the eight toys, which include Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Invincible Mario, a Red Koopa Shell and 1-Up Mushroom. Each one of the toys has a special function, like a translucent Mario that lights up in different colors.

In addition to the toys, families can take their fun to the next level by entering a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 100 Nintendo Switch Prize Packs inclusive of a Nintendo Switch system and the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game. Eligible customers that scan and purchase a meal at McDonald’s using the McDonald’s mobile app between now and May 22 will be entered. Customers get one entry for redeeming any deal in the app and two entries when they purchase a Happy Meal. No purchase is necessary to enter. The sweepstakes is open only to residents of the United States who are 13 and older. Official rules for the sweepstakes, including details about how to enter without making a purchase, can be found at online and http://www.PlayatMcD.com and at participating McDonald’s restaurants.

When Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launches on April 28, it will do so with more characters, karts and tracks than any other game in Mario Kart history. This racing game is the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and includes a revamped Battle Mode that players of all ages can enjoy together (additional games, systems and accessories may be required for multiplayer mode and are sold separately). For more information about Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, visit http://mariokart8.nintendo.com/.

Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/switch/.

Nintendo is not a sponsor, co-sponsor or administrator of this sweepstakes.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Nintendo Switch^™ system and the Nintendo 3DS^™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System^™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.4 billion video games and more than 700 million hardware units globally, including Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, as well as the Game Boy^™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS^™ family of systems, Super NES^™, Nintendo 64^™, Nintendo GameCube^™, Wii^™ and Wii U^™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names, such as Mario, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Zelda and Pokémon. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Americas. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.