Five artists, inspired by the forthcoming release of Mario's first game for NINTENDO GAMECUBE(TM), Super Mario Sunshine(TM), created works of art that will decorate their neighborhoods with larger than life murals as part of the "Nintendo and Mario Make My Community SHiNE" contest.

Beginning today and continuing through the end of August, the winning murals will be unveiled in each of the finalist's cities. Nintendo, SHiNE teens, friends and family of the winners and community members will paint the murals and clean-up the surrounding area in dedication of Mario's restoration efforts in his upcoming game. Event dates, locations and additional details are available at www.shine.com.

"Nintendo has always focused on family entertainment, and we're honored to see our audience embrace Mario and help their community SHiNE," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "Everyone who entered gave a heroic and artistic effort, showcasing vibrantly rich and colorful worlds, much like those in Mario games."

The winning entries were selected from hundreds of imaginative and enthusiastic young people nationwide. The winners are: Roland Sabalza of Seattle; Steven McIlroy from West Covina representing Los Angeles; Han Tran from Wynnewood representing Philadelphia and Davria King from Wilton Manors splashes in for Miami. Finally, Earnest Clark Jr. of Tucson was selected as the national winner in a wild card search calling for entries from across the nation. Each mural embraces the vision of a virtuous world in which the young artists would like its community to share and represent.

"The process of selecting winners was difficult, as each represented incredibly creative and positive messages," adds Alan Rambam, SHiNE founder. "It is refreshing and invigorating to know Mario fans across the country devoted time and energy to express themselves and think about how they can make a difference."