Champion teams up with Super Mario Bros. for retro box art-inspired capsule

By

Robin Driver

Published
Nov 19, 2020

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the iconic Nintendo video game franchise, sportswear brand Champion has launched a limited-edition Super Mario Bros. capsule collection.

The collaborative collection includes a selection of hoodies, crews, joggers, anoraks and t-shirts, ranging in price from $30 to $150 and covering the men’s, women’s and youth categories.

Pieces feature Champion’s spin on vintage Japanese box art used for the original Super Mario Bros. game in 1985, with classic characters Mario, Toad, Princess Peach and Bowser all putting in an appearance.

Headline items include a Champion Cloud Dye Tee emblazoned with a monochrome Toad, a Reverse Weave Hoodie featuring an image of Mario bouncing fireballs, and a super-limited run of co-branded red Super Fleece 3.0 Overalls.
 
“As a brand that celebrated its centennial anniversary last year, Champion was thrilled to commemorate another iconic brand’s milestone,” said Champion’s director of global marketing, David Robertson, in a release. “From the beginning, Super Mario Bros. has represented teamwork by introducing many beloved characters who work together for the greater good. Champion is a brand that celebrates teams, in any shape or form, and we’re excited to welcome the whole Super Mario Bros. crew to ours.”
 
The collaboration is the latest in a varied series of creative partnerships which has seen Champion join forces with brands ranging from General Mills cereals to streetwear label BAIT, with whom Champion dropped a Spider-Man-themed capsule at the beginning of 2020. Within the last year, The HanesBrands-owned sportswear brand has even teamed up with fashion designers like America’s Rick Owens and the UK’s Crag Green.
 
This isn’t Champion’s first trip into the world of video games, either. In October, the brand launched a dedicated “Gamer Collection”, designed especially for esports athletes.
 
The Champion x Super Mario Bros. collection is available now on Champion’s e-commerce platform, as well as at selected retail partners, including Finish Line, PacSun, Jimmy Jazz, Tilly’s, Zumiez and Shiekh Shoes.