Nintendo Teams Up with Hoshino Gen for Special Performance at Kouhaku 2025
The charm of Japan’s New Year celebrations goes far beyond eating soba for good fortune and longevity. One of the country’s most iconic year-end traditions is NHK’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen, also known as the “Red and White Song Battle,” a special program that brings together some of Japan’s most popular artists for unforgettable performances to close out the year.
In 2025, the show once again welcomed a familiar face—Hoshino Gen, marking his 11th appearance at Kouhaku. As one of Japan’s most influential entertainers, Gen is well known for collaborations that span multiple entertainment mediums, and this year’s performance delivered something truly special for both music and gaming fans.
A Mario-Themed Collaboration with Nintendo
For Kouhaku 2025, Hoshino Gen performed “Create,” a song originally created to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. franchise. The performance was reimagined in an adorable and nostalgic style, blending music with Nintendo’s iconic game imagery.
The song was pre-recorded at the Nintendo Museum, where Gen performed alongside a live band. The collaboration featured a surprise appearance by Koji Kondo, Nintendo’s legendary composer known for shaping the sound of Mario and many other classic franchises.
Classic Mario Gimmicks Meet Real-World Performance
One of the standout elements of the performance was its playful staging. Hoshino Gen transformed himself into part of the classic Super Mario Bros. game, beginning in the iconic World 1-1 stage. He jumped to collect a mushroom before transitioning into the real world, seamlessly bridging game fantasy with live performance.
From there, Gen walked through the museum’s first-floor exhibition area, showcasing Nintendo consoles from different generations. The moment culminated in his meeting with Koji Kondo, who joined him for the opening portion of the Overworld Theme, creating a nostalgic highlight for longtime fans.
NHK Music has made select portions of the performance available for a limited time on its official YouTube channel.
Super Mario’s Ongoing Anniversary Celebration
The Super Mario Bros. franchise officially began its 40th anniversary celebration in 2025, with several major projects currently underway. These include a sequel to the animated film, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, as well as a remastered release of Super Mario Galaxy.
Looking ahead to mid-year spring, fans can also expect a next-generation version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, further extending Mario’s legacy across modern platforms. Additional updates are expected in the coming months, and This Is Game SEA will continue to provide the latest coverage as new details are revealed.Looking ahead to mid-year spring, fans can also expect a next-generation version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, further extending Mario’s legacy across modern platforms. Additional updates are expected in the coming months, and This Is Game SEA will continue to provide the latest coverage as new details are revealed.
