The Essentials List: ‘Stranger Things’ star Gaten Matarazzo on Mario Day, Nintendo and his must-have travel products

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Gaten Matarazzo is back on set and ready to save the world from interdimensional threats — but he’s hoping to finish the new Zelda game first. The “Stranger Things” star is currently filming the fifth and final season of Netflix’s beloved sci-fi series, which means lots of time spent exploring the fantasy world of Hyrule or racing around as Yoshi on his Nintendo Switch in between shoots.

“Any time you’re filming, there’s stretches here and there where I’ll have weeks off at a time, and so I usually like to fill my time,” Matarazzo tells CNN Underscored. “[I’ve] been playing all the stuff on the Switch particularly, because I’m always back and forth between New York and Atlanta and it’s so portable.”

Matarazzo isn’t just an avid gamer and Nintendo fanatic. He’s also an official spokesperson for the company and busy spreading the word about Mario Day (Mar. 10, get it?), a time when the gaming giant likes to celebrate the beloved plumber with special events and sales, which this year includes a lot of discounted games and a free $25 gift card with the purchase of a Nintendo Switch. The 21-year-old actor was introduced to Nintendo’s mustached mascot through 2007’s Super Mario Galaxy (a fact that made this writer feel particularly old) and has more recently been smitten by 2023’s delightfully inventive Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

“Dude, it’s beautiful,” he says. “It’s so refreshing for anybody who played the old ones, but it’s still challenging enough and it’s visually a triumph.”

Despite being a lifelong video game fan, Matarazzo isn’t very particular about his tech. He doesn’t own a computer, wasn’t entirely sure which model iPhone he has (“Is it the 14? It might be the 14”) and was quick to poke fun at himself for how many AirPods he’s lost on the road. His travel gear includes plenty of ways to have fun offline, including some rock climbing shoes and a pair of ice skates, but no matter where he goes, his Switch is never far from reach — especially since he’s got his sights set on a very important goal.

“I’ve been playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for like a year now. I’ve had people be like, ‘Hey, it’s been a year. You’ve got to get through it,’” Matarazzo shares. “I’m going to make sure that that’s my mission when I get back to Atlanta. Rather than be productive in my work life, I’m going to just focus all of my time and energy on playing video games, which I think my mom would be very proud of.”

From his must-have tech accessories to his favorite ways to stay active on the road, Matarazzo shares his essentials with CNN Underscored.

PowerA Joy-Con Comfort Grip for Nintendo Switch

While Matarazzo is a big fan of Nintendo’s Pro Controller for that classic console feel, he usually finds himself sliding his Joy-Cons into this convenient PowerA Grip for an instant makeshift gamepad that’s especially ideal for travel. “I don’t know why, but I like the way it feels in my hand, and it kind of feels like I’m a tinkerer,” Matarazzo says. “It makes me feel like a little wizard.” Nintendo’s own Joy-Con grip comes with the Switch, but this PowerA model is a great, cheap option if you need an extra for multiplayer nights, especially since it comes in a range of fun Nintendo-themed variations.

$10 at Amazon
$15 at PowerA

Anker 313 Power Bank

“As long as I have a pair of headphones and a charger, I’m usually going to be fine,” says Matarazzo, who swears by this popular and slim Anker power bank to stay juiced up on the go. It’s easy to see why: The compact little brick is thin enough to easily fit in your pocket during a flight, and its 12W charging capabilities can quickly fill up an iPhone while also keeping your Nintendo Switch powered during an extended Zelda adventure.

$16 at Amazon

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Despite his deep reverence for the genre-defining Super Mario Bros. 3 and his enthusiasm for the rule-bending Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Matarazzo’s favorite Mario game has nothing to do with stomping goombas or saving Princess Peach. “I think [it’s] Mario Kart, weirdly enough,” he says. “I played every version that came out. Played it on the Wii, played it on the Switch, and I know it’s a different type of game, but I’ve always gone back to it.” We can’t blame him — Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been one of the best Switch games since the system launched in 2017 and has gotten a wealth of new content all the way through last year. If you somehow haven’t picked it up yet, it’s on sale for Mario Day from March 10 through March 16.

$40 at Amazon
$49 at Target
$40 at Walmart

Scarpa Helix Women’s Rock Climbing Shoes

When Matarazzo isn’t glued to his Switch or adventuring through the Upside Down on set, there’s a good chance you’ll find him rock climbing with his trusty shoes. “I have Scarpas, which are really cool,” Matarazzo says. “The orange with the blue laces. Climbers will know what I’m talking about.” The actor prefers the women’s model of this particular shoe, which is designed to offer all-day comfort to professional guides and advanced climbers, since they fit him better.

$129 at Scarpa
$129 at REI
$129 at Backcountry

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) With USB-C

It seems like just about everyone on Earth is wearing AirPods Pro these days, and you can count Matarazzo among them. “I usually have my AirPods in [because] they’re easy.” he says. “They’re great. They’re convenient.” That ease of use, combined with their excellent audio quality and noise cancellation, has helped keep Apple’s ubiquitous buds near the top of our best wireless earbuds rankings for years.

$199 at Amazon
$249 at Apple
$250 at Best Buy

Bauer Supreme M3 Ice Skates

“I’m learning how to play hockey right now, which has been a lot of fun,” Matarazzo says. “I have my ice skates that I bring with me because I like to see where there’s good rinks [wherever] I go.” The actor and burgeoning hockey player prefers to hit the ice with these Bauer skates, which are built for competitive players and promise a lightweight, comfortable feel.

$280 at Bauer
$280 at Dick’s Sporting Goods

Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.

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