Japan used its storied video game history to tease the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in an unexpected, incredible moment at the Rio Olympics closing ceremony.
In a tease to show the passing of the torch from Rio to Tokyo for the next summer games, Nintendo’s most iconic character Mario showed up in a video and jumped down a warp pipe. The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, emerged from the pipe in the Olympic stadium. It was a fun reference to Japan and their love of video games.
While the Super Mario reference was brief, it’s an exciting sign of what could possibly happen at the 2020 opening ceremonies in Tokyo. I’d love organizers to do a video game segment featuring the likes of Super Mario characters, Kirby, Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man, Pokemon and other famous Japanese-created video game properties. It would be visually thrilling and enjoyable for all ages.
It’s a tad bizarre Mario was used as an introduction to Tokyo, as the character is technically Italian, but I assume that’s why Abe came out with “Tokyo” on his hat, instead of the letter M. Regardless of his nationality, the appearance stole the show and should have gamers and Olympic fans hyped for the possibilities in the opening ceremony in 2020.
