We recently explored Hanafuda, a traditional Japanese card game with a rich history dating back to the Edo period. Unlike Western playing cards, Hanafuda decks consist of 48 beautifully illustrated cards divided into 12 suits, each representing a month of the year with seasonal flowers and motifs.
Nintendo, which originally started as a Hanafuda card manufacturer in 1889, released a Mario-themed Hanafuda deck, blending classic game design with their iconic characters. We played Koi-Koi, one of the most popular Hanafuda games, where players match cards to form scoring combinations. The game requires both strategy and luck, making it engaging even for beginners. Seeing Mario, Luigi, and Peach incorporated into this centuries-old tradition was a fun way to connect with Japanese culture and gaming history.
There are several decks available for purchase, but we personally loved the Mario deck featuring your favorite Mario characters on the cards!
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