Nintendo Reveals Super Mario 35th Anniversary Plans

Last Updated: September 4, 2020

Mario is one of the most recognizable video game characters ever created, and with good reason. Nintendo’s iconic series has now been around for 35 years. On September 13, 1985, the release of Super Mario Bros brought Mario out of the arcades and onto a home console, and there has been plenty of speculation about how Nintendo might celebrate Mario’s 35th Anniversary.

Well, in a special Super Mario Bros. Nintendo Direct held on September 3, Nintendo revealed its plans at last.

Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.

First, Nintendo announced a new Super Mario Bros version of the Game & Watch systems, a line of specialized handheld devices that function as a watch and include a game to be played on the LCD screen. The first Game & Watch was released in 1980. This new one will feature a clock, 35 “little touches” to celebrate the anniversary, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2: The Lost Levels, and a special Mario-themed version of Ball (the game included on the first-ever Game & Watch device). Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. will be out on November 13 for $49.99.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Next, Nintendo finally announced that Super Mario 3D World is coming to the Switch, something which had been rumored for quite a long time now. The Switch version of the Wii U’s 3D Mario title will include new content, in particular a new expansion of some sort called Bowser’s Fury. More details about this will be revealed soon. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury will be out on February 12, 2021 for $59.99.

Super Mario Bros. 35

Their third announcement was Super Mario Bros. 35, a new multiplayer twist on the original Super Mario Bros. that pits 35 players against each other online, with defeated enemies being used to sabotage the other players. Super Mario Bros. 35 will be out on October 1 for free with a Nintendo Switch Online membership, but it will only be available through March 31, 2021.

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit

Nintendo moved on to reveal another twist on a familiar franchise with Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. This special entry in the Mario Kart series comes with a physical kart and special gates that let players set up a course in their homes. The kart then reacts based on what is happening in the game as the player races. Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit will be out on October 16 for $99.99, with your choice of either the “Mario Set” or “Luigi Set” to determine which kart you get.

The last Mario Kart game released before this was Mario Kart Tour for mobile devices, and the last mainline entry was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the enhanced Switch version of the Wii U’s Mario Kart 8, so at this point it’s not clear if we should expect to see a Mario Kart 9 this console generation.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Finally, the last major announcement was another one that had been rumored ahead of time, Super Mario 3D All-Stars. This is a special collection that includes Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. This will be the first time Super Mario Sunshine has seen a re-release, unlike the other two games, which have been ported in the past. The collection also includes an in-game music player featuring 175 songs from these three titles. Super Mario 3D All-Stars will be available on September 18 for $59.99, but both the physical and digital versions will only be available through March 31, 2021, a decision that has proven controversial among fans.

Nintendo didn’t say a word about Super Mario Galaxy 2, which has led to speculation about whether it will receive a separate standalone release on the Switch, be part of a second collection, or has simply been forgotten. Only time will tell.

Conclusion

Several smaller 35th Anniversary announcements were also made, such as Super Mario themed items coming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons in March 2021 and a new line of physical merchandise being sold, but these were the major announcements. How do you feel about Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary plans?