Target is coming down with Mario Kart fever. With Nintendo about to release an updated version of its latest game in the long-running kart-racing franchise next week, Target is dressing up for the occasion both inside and outside of its retail stores throughout the United States.

If you’ve been to a Target, then you are probably familiar with those giant red balls placed outside the entrance of the store. I never really understood what those were all about, but stop by your local Target now and you may be greeted by one of your favorite fictional plumbers, Mario and Luigi.

Take a closer look at those photos and you may also notice the shopping carts have been given a makeover too. They now resemble the go-karts found in the Mario Kart series.

Nintendo is releasing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on April 28. The game is an updated and refined version of the WiiU title (Mario Kart 8) with some extras added like new racers, new courses, new modes, improved features and graphics tailored made for the Nintendo Switch. The deluxe version of the game also comes with all of the DLC that was previously available for the WiiU version right out of the box and ready to use. Honestly, this should have been a launch title for the Switch, but then again I’m still working my way through Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, so it has all worked out.

As for the Target promo, I’d love to see how far they go with this concept. Will they drop item boxes in the aisles around the store? If a line is too long, will you be able to throw a blue shell in order to move up in the line? If Target can pull that off, that would be awesome.

[Target]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.