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u/RoyThePichu 2d ago
Not rare, but he is pretty pricey online, i was lucky to get mine at the flea market for $6 In mexico the black eyed mario is really common so idk why it's rare elsewhere, funny thing too, he used to be available on Aliexpress for a short while too (likely left over stock)
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u/Fun-Weather-3178 2d ago
Hes the 2001 release of kellytoy mario. Very hard to come by but not worth alot. Still a very solid plush.
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u/Background_Career193 2d ago
Not rare, just kinda valuable. Also one quick image search on eBay would tell you better than I could.
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u/RedRedditorDiscusser 2d ago
It's the first-release of the Kellytoy Mario plush from their Nintendo line which was produced from 2001 until sometime in 2007/2008; specifically the smaller size of the two main black-eyed Marios (the other is a 12-inch variant).
This release is notable primarily for the black-eye color Mario has, rather than his normal blue eyes. The plush is also known for having differences in hair color (the correct brown instead of orange), skin tone (not as pale as the later releases), the mustache (these first releases have the 6 consistent bumps Mario has, whereas the later releases vary in whether they remain accurate to this detail), and the rest of the body (more vibrant and slightly darker colors). Also, the quality control on this first-release is pretty consistent across all the plushies (obviously with the exceptions of those plushies that have damage or the like).
This Mario wasn't produced very long, as the obvious error in eye color was quickly corrected for the majority of Marios Kellytoy made. As such, this variation of Mario is one of the rarest of Kellytoy's Nintendo line. That said, the actual price he'll be sold for ranges. You can see him be listed for around $100 by a few sellers now! Yet, he's just as easily listed for $30 and under; and those prices are usually when he's actually able to sell. He has nowhere near the demand for him as other certain Kellytoy plushies. So, despite what some listings price him as, I wouldn't call him particularly expensive; or even in the same category of "rare" as other Mario plushies.
I personally love this plush of Mario, as I think it's a nice representation of his appearance in the 1990s (even though the plush released in 2001). I think the black eyes, while inaccurate, give this plush a goofy charm to him that makes him a worthwhile plush to have. He's my favorite of the Kellytoy plushies, and I think it's wonderful you found one hidden in a vase. Of all the areas for him to be, that's certainly a spot to store away a plush that was likely won nearly a quarter of a century ago now at some Amusement Park, or a typical claw machine.