Hey Mario Paint fans! Do you want to share your work with a new audience? To see your efforts broadcast on the revived Satellaview service that the Satellaview+ community is running? Or to see your work featured in an SNES game that isn’t Mario Paint itself?
If so, you’re in luck. The folks at the Satellaview+ project are running a Mario Paint contest for Mario Day, with all participants seeing their works air on the service!
It’s a simple set up too. You’ve got until 11:59pm ET on the 10th of April 2026 to submit a Mario related song created in Mario Paint. This song can either be a cover of an existing song or a new one inspired by the series, but has to be your own work and created specifically for the contest in question.
Then, the winner will see their work turned into a bumper or identifier for SoundLink+ programming on the Satellaview+ network, while others will just have their work played on the service.
It’s all pretty nifty if we say so ourselves, and a lovely way for Mario Paint composers in communities like Studio21 and Mario Paint Hangout to get a bit more attention for their works.
Here’s an announcement video by YouTuber Nintenduo and the Satellaview+ team with more details:
Additionally, it’s also a way for more people to learn about the Satellaview and its revival project too.
Because while many Nintendo fans know a bit about the whole affair (thanks in part due to a certain costume appearing in Super Mario Odyssey), knowledge about the service beyond the basics is thin on the ground. So, what exactly was the Satellaview anyway? And how does the Satellaview+ project relate to all of this?
This is probably the only Satellaview reference Nintendo made in the last decade or so…
Well, back in the 90s, Nintendo teamed up with a radio company called St.GIGA to create a video game streaming service of sorts for the SNES. This would let anyone who bought the peripheral sign up for a network where they could listen to radio programs, read special magazines, play exclusive games and take part in other events that would occur on a scheduled basis. In other words, it was a free hybrid of a TV or radio network, and a video game console.
The service had things like quiz shows and other interactive programs outside of games too
What’s more, the library had some really neat stuff too. You had exclusive Satellaview versions of games, like Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle, Dr. Mario BS Ban and Wario no Mori Bakushō Version. There were some Mario Paint variants like Mario Paint BS Ban. And heck, there were even exclusive updated versions of classic Mario and Zelda games unavailable elsewhere, like BS The Legend of Zelda and BS Super Mario USA.
As you can see, these Satellaview versions had some interesting new events and gameplay tweaks too
These were an interesting set of games in themselves due to the SoundLink functionality letting the service stream live audio alongside the game. So, not only would they have updated, often orchestrated soundtracks impossible in a normal SNES game, but they’d also have voice acting too. Really nifty if we do say so ourselves, and something we wish was available in other formats.
Unfortunately, due to limited availability and some questionable pricing (the service was only available in Japan, and was entirely free outside of hardware sales and ads), the service didn’t exactly catch on the way Nintendo or St.GIGA wanted. It kept going for 5 years or so until the year 2000, and then closed its doors with all content seemingly lost forever.
Sadly, the Super Bros 1 part of BS Super Mario Collection may be lost forever. RIP this beautiful world map
Which is where the Satellaview+ project comes in. It’s a fan made attempt to revive the Satellaview for a new generation, and allow people to access the types of broadcasts found on the original one through an SNES emulator. It’s not a perfect recreation just yet, since SoundLink functionality is still unfinished and plenty of games are currently unavailable due to the files being lost (notably BS Super Mario Collection), but it’s a fascinating setup, and one with a lot of promise nonetheless. The internet just makes systems like this one more convenient than radio ever did, and the idea of being able to access these games in a more accurate formula is always heavily appreciated here.
You can find out more about that on their website, or Discord server.
Either way, give it a shot Mario Paint fans! It’s a fun way to get into the spirit of Mario for Mario Day, and another way to get your work out there beyond just social media posts and Discord messages. Perhaps it’ll be your song that becomes a integral part of the Satellaview+ service, and lives on in this revival of Nintendo and St.GIGA’s legacy!
FAQ:
When does the contest start?
If you’re reading this, it’s already started.
When does it end?
11pm Eastern Time on the 9th of April 2026. For local times, check the table below:
| Time Zone | Contest End Date/Time |
|---|---|
| EST | 10th of April, 11pm |
| PT | 10th of April, 8pm |
| GMT | 11th of April, 3am |
| CEST | 11th of April, 4am |
| JST | 11th of April, 12pm |
What theme do the songs have to adhere to?
They need to be Mario related. This means either a cover of an existing song, or a new tune in the style of the Mario series.
How can I submit my entry?
You can find the entry form at this link.
How will it be scored
Submissions will be scored based on 3 factors; Effort, Relevancy and Creativity. Each category has 5 points available for a total of 15.
How can I access Mario Paint via the Satellaview+ service?
Connect, go to the Tofu Hall (the large white building) and choose Mario Paint. There are more details in the announcement on their Discord server.