14 DAY TRIAL // When you see an '80s action figure marketing a luxury automobile, your first reaction is to check your calculator watch for the date.
The mustache-sporting mushroom munching Mario seems to have landed a deal with Mercedes-Benz, the German automobile manufacturer, in order to promote the Mercedes GLA.
The Mercedes GLA will be offered as a free in-game vehicle in the upcoming racing game Mario Kart 8, becoming available to download in Japan sometime this summer.
According to Eurogamer, Nintendo UK "sounded positive" when asked whether the free DLC pack would also make its way to western shores.
"The announcement this time was made by Mercedes-Benz Japan regarding their collaboration in Japan with NCL. As for the information relating to the distribution of the GLA kart for MK8 outside Japan, we will be able to announce in the near future," the official reply goes.
Mercedes' website is also full of promotional content, featuring a classic NES rendition of Mario getting aboard a GLA and stomping some Goombas.
This isn't the first time that Nintendo has welcomed other real-world brands in its videogames, and the latest inclusion is part of the Japanese company's plans to license character rights to new partners in order to gain increased exposure to as large a consumer base as possible, beyond the boundaries of its video game hardware platforms.
Mario Kart 8 is coming out exclusively for the Nintendo Wii U console on May 29 in Japan, May 30 in Europe and North America, and on May 31 in Australasia.
