There’s a lot of signature characteristics when it comes to Mario: That iconic mustache, his vibrant red hat, the trademark Italian accent, but probably the most timeless characteristic of the super plumber is his unforgettable overalls.

Few articles of clothing have experienced the wear and tear that these bad boys have endured, which makes sense why a company like Levi’s would try and cash in on their fame. So, get those coins ready because clothing crossovers with Nintendo don’t come around every day. And with Super Nintendo World under construction in the U S of A, these garments could come in handy.

Levi’s tweeted out a teaser for the upcoming line, cycling between the Levi’s and Super Mario logos along with a big fat gold coin. Subtle.

👖x 🍄. Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/swd9i8TiW4

— Levi’s® (@LEVIS) March 2, 2020

While Levi’s has yet to drop too many details regarding the upcoming line, the website Level Up shared a gallery featuring some of the upcoming pieces, which including t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, and of course, jeans.

Sure, Nintendo merch isn’t too hard to come by nowadays, but coming from a brand like Levi’s – usually known for its quality and resiliency – we’re expecting some gear that could withstand a bout with Bowser (or, at the very least, a good old fashioned goomba stomp).

Now, we just have to wait and see if the price point is reasonable or King Boo-level scary. Either way, we’ll be ready to jump over and check out this sweet Super Mario swag when it drops April 1st on Levi’s website and in select stores.

It’s official. Even though Universal Studios Japan has yet to even open its doors to the highly anticipated Super Nintendo World, Mario, and his pals are already set to make their way to both Universal Studios Orlando and Hollywood.

While some of you were certainly ready to shell out some serious coin to visit the up-and-coming Mushroom Kingdom in Japan, you’ll be able to play along with your favorite mustachioed plumber right here in the United States… as long as you’re willing to wait a bit.

Japan’s park is currently prepping for its Spring 2020 grand opening with Universal Hollywood’s Super Nintendo World scheduled to open in 2021 or 2022 and Orlando following suit in 2023.

All three parks are offering a super-immersive Nintendo experience as guests traverse the grounds with their Power-Up Bands, devices that allow “their arms, hands, and entire bodies as they explore the new area.”

Like wands used in Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, these bands will need to be purchased instead of rented and will be available in six styles based on classic Nintendo characters: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad, and Yoshi.

Visitors will be on the hunt for virtual keys as that will be unlocked as they participate in Key Challenges. Once enough keys are collected, they can interact with more guests, unlock various upgrades, and jump into “boss battles”—where visitors take on bad guys, like Koopa Jr.—to win a golden mushroom. Plus, anyone who owns a Nintendo Switch will be able to track their progress via a console-based app that auto-downloads your progress.

Specific rides and attractions have yet to be announced for the US locations, but parents can definitely expect a bevy of Nintendo-themed restaurants and merch to geek out over… I mean, for the kids to geek out over.

Here’s the promotional video for the Japan location to help tide you over.

From breakfast to burgers to salads, fast food chains have been tossing bacon into recipes for years, but it seems strange that we haven’t seen just BACON as a menu item before. Well, our friends over at Dunkin’ have decided to change that.

Yes, in what appears to be a genius marketing strategy, the coffee and donut chain has decided to say, “F*** it, give ’em a sack of bacon,” and that’s exactly what it is.

Snackin’ Bacon is eight half-strips (equal to four full strips) of “high-end bacon” in a convenient little sleeve for “on-the-go snacking ease.” It’s so simple, you’ll wonder why no one has considered tossing fatty pork strips into a french fry bag before.

“Our Snackin’ Bacon starts its journey smoked with natural cherrywood. It’s then treated to our sweet and savory blend of brown sugar and black pepper seasoning, creating a delightfully caramelized bacon our fans know and love from our Sweet Black Pepper Bacon Breakfast Sandwich.”

A bag of bacon, while lacking any bells or whistles whatsoever, definitely makes a lot of sense. Not only are no other major fast-food breakfast chains offering a protein-rich snack like this, but it only costs $2.49 – perfect for anyone who prefers more savory items than what’s traditionally on Dunkin’s donut-heavy menu.

So, if you’re achin’ for some bacon (and let’s be honest—who isn’t?), stroll on down to your local Dunkin’ and pick up a batch of Snackin’ Bacon for yourself. Your taste buds will thank you even if your arteries won’t.

For those dying for more content from a galaxy far, far away, Disney just announced their new publishing campaign for 2020 titled Star Wars: The High Republic. This major foray into the new expanded universe will be fleshed out via an interconnected series of young adult books, novels, and comic books set 200 years before Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

Previously referred to as “Project Luminous,” The High Republic will highlight a “golden age for the Jedi,” when both the light side force-wielders and the government they serve were at the height of their power.

“Star Wars: The High Republic features the Jedi as we’ve always wanted to see them — as true guardians of peace and justice. This is a hopeful, optimistic time when the Jedi and the Galactic Republic are at their height. But of course, into this glorious new era something wicked this way comes,” Lucasfilm Publishing creative director Michael Siglain says.

“This initiative will give readers young and old a new corner of the galaxy to explore through rich, meaningful stories. Plus, readers will learn what scares the Jedi.”

Lucasfilm is comparing the Jedi of this period to the Arthurian knights of the round table—“guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy,” as Obi-Wan described in A New Hope—who will face a new group of villains known as The Nhil, playfully referred to as “space vikings.”

The first five books and comics are set to debut at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in August 2020:

• Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule (an adult novel)
• Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark by Claudia Gray (a young adult novel)
• Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage by Justina Ireland (a middle-grade novel)
• Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures by Daniel José Older (a comic book series from IDW)
• Star Wars: The High Republic by Cavan Scott (a comic book series from Marvel)

As per a press release, “This period on the Star Wars timeline will not overlap any of the filmed features or series currently planned for production.” However, should the material become popular among fans, there’s really no reason why Disney couldn’t pursue High Republic film adaptations in the future.

“We are so excited to be opening up such a rich, fertile era for our authors to explore,” Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said. “We’ll get to see the Jedi in their prime.”

We all have bad days. They’re inevitable. Ironically, though, one of the worst has to be the day we’re born – the bright lights, the cold, all the poking and prodding from the doctors and nurses… it’s about as rough as transitions can get.

And while babies aren’t normally known for communicating their discomfort apart from crying, little Isabela Pareira de Jesus was caught giving her doctors one hell of a look to convey her displeasure immediately after her birth.

“Childbirth is a unique moment. I can only consider myself a blessed person,” said Brazilian photographer Rodrigo Kunstmann, who snapped the perfectly timed shot. “I feel like a lottery winner.”

Kunstmann’s Portuguese caption translates to: “Today is my birth and I don’t even have clothes for this.”

“She made the baby have contact with the mother at birth,” Kunstmann further explained. “But I only saw the expression on the baby’s face when I left the operating room.” And that was all he needed to get the iconic shot. Even Isabela’s mother, Daiane de Jesus Barbosa, instantly thought it was hilarious, saying she was “born a ready meme.”

Instead of crying, little Isabella simply glared at the hospital staff until her umbilical cord was cut. Her mother says Isabella is still practicing her facial expressions, wrinkling her forehead or furrowing her brow when she needs to be fed or changed.

Understandably, the photo has since gone viral with folks all over the world adding their own captions to the unforgettable shot.

No matter your age, gender, or nationality, there’s one thing that remains universally funny: farts. Even when one interrupts a professional Billards match or a fart is used to reveal a baby’s gender, they’re always good for a laugh. But can anyone truly appreciate these hilarious gaseous expulsions if they can’t hear them?

Anna Trupiano is a first-grade teacher who works with deaf, hard of hearing and hearing students. This means teaching not only standard grade school curriculum but also vital life skills for living in a society that doesn’t exactly cater to the hard of hearing.

And while farting isn’t exactly a life-threating bodily function, it definitely has societal repercussions, and Trupiano recently had the unique pleasure of explaining the audible quality of farts to a deaf 6-year-old after he heedlessly ripped a huge one in the middle of class.

Trupiano elaborated on her enlightening fart conversation on Facebook:

“I know it started with farts, but the real issue is that many of my students aren’t able to learn about these things at home or from their peers because they don’t have the same linguistic access,” Trupiano told GOOD. “So many of my students don’t have families who can sign well enough to explain so many things it’s incredibly isolating for these kids.”

Trupiano hopes her story, while objectively cute and funny, highlights the unique needs in deaf culture. If more hearing people knew sign language, there would be more opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing kids to be taught in their communities rather than being isolated in them.

“I would love to see a world where my students can learn about anything from anyone they interact with during their day,” Trupiano emphasized. “Whether that means learning about the solar system, the candy options at a store, or even farts, it would be so great for them to have that language access anywhere they go.”

As important as they may be, movie posters are generally pretty boring. Typically just some headshots of cast members or a cooky visual joke to make them memorable, the advertisements rarely convey much about a film itself.

Interestingly, starting back in the 70s, some not-quite-legal theaters in Africa (specifically, Ghana) preferred to avoid the licensing costs for these movies by showing bootleg versions and, as a result, had to hire local artists to help advertise what’s playing.

Twitter user ‘Retr0Joe’ described the artful practice in a tweet, followed by some of his favorite examples:

A thread of African Movie Posters…

Due to licensing and printing costs, some African theaters gave the task to artists to paint the posters for movies being shown…

Some artists had no reference to what movie they was drawing so some just guessed…

Here are my favourites.. pic.twitter.com/sRneFxtGNj

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

“Some artists had no reference to what movie they [were] drawing,” he wrote, “so some just guessed…”

The result is usually something colorful, grotesque, or completely absurd (and often all three).

Space Jam pic.twitter.com/E4T24bURE1

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

Jurassic Park pic.twitter.com/IKSdxGBy0y

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

The Spy Who “Loved” Me pic.twitter.com/Aou8IlHlQB

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

Mission Impossible pic.twitter.com/4vdV7b7Ulx

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

E.T pic.twitter.com/U0YKfUDk8M

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

Sister Act pic.twitter.com/Yqs3RXzx6g

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

Xmen pic.twitter.com/nKHabcYaff

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

Face Off pic.twitter.com/HCSh3OWf7t

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

T.M.N.T pic.twitter.com/6uSC3nMjRh

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark pic.twitter.com/3w5lNN8Pcc

— Gamiest Gamer 🕹 (@Retr0Joe) January 10, 2020

While initially singular in purpose, the unforgettable works of art from underground movie clubs have begun to attract worldwide attention for their bizarre uniqueness (and hilarious inaccuracies).

“They’re not just film posters – they’re 2m-high, one-off, original oil paintings,” says Karun Thakar, collector and curator behind African Gaze, an exhibition showcasing film posters from Ghana.

But if you want to own one of these massive, often surreal posters for yourself, you’ll have to beat other collectors to them.

Currently, an authentic Ghanaian movie poster can fetch several hundreds of dollars on eBay, but where else are you going to find a poster for 1999’s crime drama “Ghost Dogs” featuring Forest Whitaker fighting a literal group of weaponized ethereal dogs with a samurai sword?

Mario Kart 8 remains the most recent, non-mobile Mario racer to date, which is surprising considering its 2014 release date. Yes, there have been updated versions of the game and additional DLC but it’s pretty surprising that Nintendo hasn’t teased any upcoming installments. That doesn’t mean there isn’t one on the way, though.

According to a historically reliable source who goes by “Sabi,” there is currently a game in development scheduled to release for the Nintendo Switch that might very well be the newest Mario Kart game in the beloved franchise.

While definitely still only considered a rumor, Sabi claims that there is a Nintendo game scheduled to be released later this year that prominently features tires. This may seem like a minor detail, but it has led many to speculate about a possible Mario Kart sequel. Considering the generally poor reception of Mario Kart Tour with its microtransactions and somewhat dumbed-down gameplay, it would make sense if Nintendo was developing something new and in the same vein as past games.

Sabi stated on Twitter that Breath of the Wild 2 is experiencing delays, which has opened up a slot for a big title release around the holidays.

Botw2 taking longer than anticipated back during e3 2019, so it doesn’t seem to be this year’s holiday release, which adds more credence to the major title I was referencing on a tweet the other day. Neither are set in stone yet so take some salt. The more likely one has.. tires

— Sabi (@New_WabiSabi) January 31, 2020

Only time will tell if these rumors are true but if you’re craving some high octane kart-racing action in the meantime, you can always join our Mario Kart Group on The Dad Gaming. We’ll be competing in Mario Kart 8 until Nintendo gives us a reason not to.

Dads are known for a lot of wonderful traits. Attention to detail is not usually one of them.

To prove this point, one guy decided to test his dad by swiping his belongings and seeing just how long it would take for him to notice they were missing. For every day it went unnoticed, he would take another item.

Upping the ante even further, the devious prankster decided he would hide the items in plain sight… on the ceiling.

“I stuck my dad’s glasses to the ceiling. For every day he doesn’t notice I will add another of his possessions,” wrote Redditor and expert prankster SeamanTheSailor.

One person made the astute remark that his poor dad would probably need the glasses in order to find them, to which the son responded, “They’re his readers, I’m not that evil.”

But this was just the beginning. When day two rolled around, he took a quintessential dad item that he would be more likely to notice: the infamous cell phone belt clip.

And yet, the prankster’s dad still remained none the wiser. The stakes would have to be raised once more.

Day three saw a bold addition to the growing ceiling collection thanks to some heavy-duty command strips: a solitary shoe. Sure, dad was bound to have extra pairs laying about, but it’s pretty hard to miss a ceiling shoe.

But wouldn’t you know it, dad remained clueless about the elusive ceiling stash.

This called for the big guns. What is something that dads always notice when it’s missing? What’s something so crucial to their happiness and comfort?

Yes, the TV remote.

Treasured by all and already elusive in its own right, this was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. When day five rolled around, the prankster found only the remnants of adhesive left on the ceiling where his growing collection had been.

“Well boys it was a good run, but all things must come to an end,” he captioned the final photo of the series.

Thankfully, pops seemed to take the prank in stride, clearly appreciating it for what it was.

“He called me a cheeky c***, then we had a beer together and I [showed] him all the comments on my posts.”

Honestly, we can’t imagine a better ending.

The horrific helicopter crash that claimed nine lives in Calabasas, California on Sunday has been dominating news headlines due to the shocking loss of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.

The vehicle was transporting passengers to Thousand Oaks for a girls basketball game, in which Gianna was expected to play and Kobe was going to coach.

‘The Dad’ has created tributes and posted content honoring Kobe’s memory since the accident, but we also want to acknowledge and remember the other father who was onboard and tragically lost.

John Altobelli, 56, was an Orange Coast College baseball coach, husband to Keri (who also perished in the crash), and father of three. Altobelli’s daughter, Alyssa, was a teammate of Gianna Bryant and was also lost in the crash.

“There were two sides to John,” Tony Altobelli, John’s brother, said. “People saw him on the baseball field, he’s (a) gritty and tough-as-nails kind of guy, but the other side of him, he was one of the biggest-hearted people you’ll meet in your life. He cared about his players, cared about his school.”

While not carrying the same star power or influence as Kobe, Altobelli was committed to creating positive change in his community.

“It’s hard to put into words what this loss means to the college and the athletics department,” OCC Athletics Director Jason Kehler said.

“John was a tremendous coach and an even better friend. Beyond that, he was an amazing mentor to all of the students and athletes that he taught and coached. He treated them all like family and his impact will live on forever.”

Over the course of his career, “Coach Alto” racked up more than 700 wins and was named ABCA/Diamond National Coach of the Year in 2019 by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). This would have been his 28th season coaching the Pirates, whom he helped lead to the state championship last year.

A statement from Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom regarding the Altobelli family: pic.twitter.com/nfrMs5t6Bj

— Red Sox (@RedSox) January 27, 2020

The Boston Red Sox posted a statement about the tragedy, emphasizing their mourning of the three members of the Altobelli family. Coach Alto’s son, J.J. Altobelli, is a Red Sox scout.

The Red Sox Foundation has since set up a GoFundMe to raise support for the Altobelli family.

It doesn’t matter if they are consistently in the limelight or making a difference behind the scenes; good fathers help shape the world we live in each and every day. They represent strength, perseverance, and love, and when they are lost, they deserve to be remembered for the amazing influence they brought into the world.

Well done, John. Rest in peace.

In addition to the Altobellis and Bryants, the other passengers lost in the crash included Sarah Chester, a 45-year-old Newport Beach mother of three flying in the helicopter with her 13-year-old daughter, Payton Chester, who also perished; Christina Mauser, a 38-year-old from Huntington Beach who was a coach at Harbor Day School and Bryant’s top assistant coach; and Ara Zobayan, the 50-year-old helicopter pilot who often flew Kobe and was also an instructor.

You’ve heard it plenty of times: “There are no stupid questions.” Well, there’s a Denver-based restaurant that is outright trying to prove that statement wrong.

Reddit user ‘humblemangoes’ recently posted a photo after visiting Tom’s Diner that proves that they are not messing around when it comes to anything less than reasonable questions.

me_irl from r/me_irl

Listed under one side of mashed potatoes and one chicken tender basket was a charge for one stupid question. The internet couldn’t help but take notice of the unique bill, some assuming it simply had to be a hoax, but as it turns out, ‘stupid questions’ are a clear menu item at Tom’s for a mere 38 cents.

“It’s meant to be playful. It’s good to keep things light in today’s world,” Manager Hunter Landry told TODAY Food. “When we have a good fun table that engages with us or when they ask about the charge, it’s always fun to add it on.”

Landry said their prime demographic is, you guessed it… dads. Especially the ones who like to test the limits of what constitutes “stupid.” Some of his favorites have included “Are there any dues for the turkey club sandwich?” and “Does the ice have any water in it?”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Tom’s don’t play.

A post shared by Russell Lopez (@copendejo) on Dec 22, 2018 at 11:25pm PST

Tom’s Diner doesn’t draw the line at “stupid questions,” either. Under “healthy options”, you can find “skip your meal” (that’s free) and “walk home” (for “priceless”).

“It’s all about not taking yourself too seriously,” Landry added. “We’re not here for a long time, so let’s enjoy ourselves and try to make the most of this life.”

There are few things sexier than a man who knows his way around the kitchen. You use the proper cutting technique with that chef’s knife? Oh my. Understand the difference between a saucepan and a saute pan? Impressive! You just cleaned and deboned a bunch of fish for an entire dinner party? Mamma mia!

So, in order to combat all the sexy chef vibes you’re putting out, why not add a little nerd culture to your kitchen? As it turns out, there’s a remarkable amount of awesome Marvel cookware and utensils that will be sure to kill the mood right away – unless, of course, you’re serving a bunch of fellow nerds. No promises, then.

Here are some of our favorites:

Thor Mjolnir Meat Tenderizer

Before slapping that steak on the grill, maybe consider attacking with the power of Thor. Truly a magical marriage of cooking and comics, this Mjolnir Mallet is perfect for tenderizing pieces of meat with its silicone grip handle and double-sided stainless steel metal head.

Beef, chicken, poultry, or pork – nothing stands a chance when you’re tenderizing like a god! Summon yours today from Amazon for $24.99.

Marvel Avengers Captain America Shield Cutting Board

Need a cutting board that will withstand anything you throw at it (or cut on it)? One made of vibranium would probably do the trick.

This patriotic cutting board is odor and stain-resistant, heat resistant up to 350 degrees F, and features non-slip feet, so it’s not going anywhere unless you heroically throw it yourself. Pick one up for yourself on Amazon for $22.99.

Infinity Gauntlet Silicone Oven Glove

A powerful accessory that makes handling hot pots and pans a “snap,” this Infinity Gauntlet oven mitt is made from food-grade, flexible, heat resistant silicone that can withstand temperatures up to 445 degrees F.

Slip this bad boy on and you’ll be ready to reign over the entire universe with an iron fist… or at the very least, hold hot stuff. Grab yours today from Amazon for $19.99.

X-Men Wolverine ‘Corn on the Claws’ Cob Holders

While grilling out is clearly all about the meat (as it should be), it’s polite to at least offer your guests a vegetable of some kind. So, what better way to spice up those boring old cobs of corn than with some adamantium claws?

The “Corn on the Claws” X-Men Wolverine cob holders⁠—a Think Geek / Gamestop exclusive⁠—come in a set of four pairs and definitely aren’t toy, despite their kickass appearance. They are expected to start shipping January 29th and you can pre-order right here for only $9.99 while they last.

Just a heads up, if you buy stuff using the provided links, The Dad may collect a small commission.

Universal Studios in Japan is remarkably close to opening Super Nintendo World to the masses and it’s shaping up to be a huge attraction for video game fanatics and casuals alike. The park is expected to open Spring 2020, just ahead of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Nintendo released a promotional music video trailer for the park at a press event in Japan, which provided a sneak peek of the unique park features and appearance.

While obviously not a literal overview of the park (considering everyone is basically avoiding instant death the entire time), the video provides us with a good look at the Mario-themed smart wristbands and accompanying phone app which make the park truly special.

Tokyo-based Bloomberg reporter Kurumi Mori was in attendance at the live press event, during which she tweeted about the ‘Power Up Bands’, which will ‘make you feel like you’re part of the game world’.

Super Nintendo World will use tech + smartphone app⚡ Wearable wrist bands called the “Power Up Band” will make you feel like you’re part of the game world 🎮 You can collect digital coins and compete with others #SuperNintendoWorld #MarioKart pic.twitter.com/ltloaNqCCE

— Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) January 14, 2020

The bands are the primary method for “gamifying” the park, allowing visitors to collect digital coins and compete against other park-goers for high scores.

Chief creative officer of Universal Creative, Thierry Coup, described Super Nintendo World as a ‘life-size, living video game’. Hopefully, that doesn’t include risking our lives at every possible moment like our favorite overalled plumber.

Construction on the park began in Fall 2018 but it wasn’t until late 2019 that people began to see signs of life in the upcoming area.

USJの任天堂エリア、ハテナブロックとマリオの旗が設置されました。2020年春にジョーズ裏にオープン！

マリオカートに乗れる‼︎

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD ™ is under construction behind JAWS Ride and will open in the spring of 2020！#USJ #マリオカート pic.twitter.com/vfuMiOa8p3

— USJ情報局 L.C.A.STUDIOS (@LCASTUDIOS_USJ) September 28, 2019

As previously stated by Universal Parks & Resorts CEO Tom Williams, the park will include two rides at launch: a Mario Kart ride and a Yoshi’s Adventure ride. These will accompany the castle areas belonging to Bowser and Peach respectively as part of the ‘first phase of the park.’