Super Mario, one of the oldest video game franchises in existence, made his debut in the arcade classic Donkey Kong back in 1981. Since then, he has served as Nintendo's flagship mascot and has expanded into various media forms such as TV shows, movies, comics, merchandise, and even his own theme park. Despite its age, the Super Mario franchise holds immense value for Nintendo and shows no signs of slowing down.
As Nintendo's primary character, Mario has made multiple appearances during each of the company's console generations. Alongside his colorful cohorts, he has starred in 17 NES games, 20 SNES games, 21 DS games, 18 Wii games, and 29 3DS games. On the Nintendo Switch alone, Mario has been featured in 22 individual titles, with more Super Mario projects currently in development at Nintendo, promising an even larger presence for the beloved character.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
After years of speculation and rumors, fans of the Super Mario franchise can finally rejoice as a brand new 2D installment has been announced. Introducing Super Mario Bros. Wonder, this side-scrolling adventure signifies the first addition to the 2D Mario series in over a decade, following the release of New Super Mario Bros. U in 2012. Scheduled for release on October 20, 2023, Super Mario Bros. Wonder showcases a remarkable evolution of the beloved 2D Mario formula. The game introduces the captivating "Wonder Flower" mechanic, a power-up that not only enhances Mario's abilities but also transforms the stage's layout and theme, injecting a delightful dose of whimsy into the franchise.
Super Mario RPG Remake
After years of pleading from fans, another highly anticipated game, Super Mario RPG, is finally getting the comprehensive remake it deserves. Originally launched in 1996 for the Nintendo 64, Super Mario RPG was a groundbreaking and experimental departure from the franchise's traditional formula. With its upcoming release date set for November 17, 2023, Mario enthusiasts can eagerly look forward to indulging in an abundance of exciting content during the latter half of the year.
Untitled Princess Peach Game
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon Remaster
As part of the same Nintendo Direct presentation that unveiled Super Mario Bros. Wonder and the Super Mario RPG Remake, the development of a Princess Peach game was also announced. While specific details about the game are currently scarce, fans with a keen eye can glean some insights from its debut trailer. The game appears to have a theater-themed setting, where Princess Peach takes center stage alongside a new comet companion, whose ribbon-like tail allows for interactions with the environment. Additionally, players will witness Peach transforming her iconic pink dress into a pale blue one, although the gameplay implications of this change remain unknown.
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, originally an exclusive for Nintendo 3DS, is the second installment in the Luigi's Mansion series. A remastered version of the game is soon to be released on Nintendo Switch. While specific details about this remaster have not been provided by Nintendo, it is expected to showcase enhanced visuals compared to the original 3DS game. Additionally, players can anticipate refined controls and potential quality-of-life improvements for an even better gaming experience.
WarioWare: Move It!
WarioWare: Move It! is the upcoming 10th installment in the popular party game spin-off series, Super Mario franchise. Set to be released on November 3, 2023, the game revisits its motion-controlled origins and challenges players to utilize both Joy-Cons for various microgames.