Nintendo unleashes a Super Mario onslaught for 35th anniversary

It’s been rumored for a while, but Nintendo today has confirmed that there will be a deluge of Super Mario, including re-releases, coming to Switch.

Happy Birthday Mario

Hard to believe, but it’s been 35 years since Nintendo’s mascot first donned his now-familiar cap and overalls. Super Mario is an institution in gaming, and as such his 35th birthday is a bit of a momentous occasion.

I have to believe that if Covid wasn’t an issue this year, we would have had a little more hoopla, but nonetheless Nintendo has revealed that there is a ton and a half of Mario on the way. And no, that’s not a fat-joke.

So what’s coming? Well, how about Super Mario 3D All Stars? A collection of Mario’s Nintendo 64 through Wii U era adventures are coming up, that’ll include Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and the first Super Mario Galaxy.

Want more? Of course you do, and that’s what Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is for. That Switch re-release will contain not only the original 3D World, but also online co-op and presumably some new levels (not yet revealed).

But there’s much more. Nintendo has Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros, and Super Mario Bros 35 all coming up. That last one? It’s a limited time event-game (playable till March) that has 35 players all sending defeated enemies back and forth to each others games.

Here’s the full rundown:

• Super Mario 3D All-Stars: Optimized versions of 3D Mario games Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy are coming to Nintendo Switch in one package. In addition to having higher resolutions than their original versions, the games have been optimized for a smooth gameplay experience on Nintendo Switch. Super Mario 3D All-Stars also includes an in-game music-player mode to play the music and songs from all three games. Players can also listen to music on their Nintendo Switch systems when the screen is off. A limited production of Super Mario 3D All-Stars launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch family of systems on Sept. 18 and will be available until approximately March 31, 2021.

• Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit: Created in partnership with Velan Studios, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit brings the fun of the Mario Kartseries into the real world by using a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite** system to race against opponents using a physical Kart. The physical Kart responds to boosts in-game and in the real world, stops when hit with an item and can be affected in different ways depending on the race. Players place gates to create a custom course layout in their home, where the only limit is their imagination. Race against Koopalings in Grand Prix, unlock a variety of course customizations and costumes for Mario or Luigi, and play with up to four players in local multiplayer mode.*** Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, which is available in a Mario Set or Luigi Set, launches on Oct. 16 at a suggested retail price of $99.99.

• Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.: This new collectable device is inspired by the original Game & Watch systems first released in 1980. The original handheld device included a game, and could also be used as a watch to tell time. The original Game & Watch series sold more than 43 million worldwide. Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. features a modern +Control Pad. In addition to playing classic games Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (released in Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2) and a special version of Ball with a Mario makeover, Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. also functions as a clock, with 35 little touches to discover, including some guest appearances from Mario’s friends and foes. Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. launches on Nov. 13 at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury: Multiplayer mayhem pounces onto Nintendo Switch! This enhanced Super Mario 3D World, which originally launched for the Wii U system, features co-op gameplay both online* and through local multiplayer in a variety of creative levels. Additional details about what new things this game has to offer will be revealed later. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury launches for Nintendo Switch on Feb. 12, 2021. New amiibo figures Cat Mario and Cat Peach will also be released at the same time as the game.

• Super Mario Bros. 35: Welcome to Super Mario Bros. … with 35 players! In this competitive online battle game, 35 players will compete to be the last Mario standing … or running. Enemies defeated will be sent to other players’ courses, but that also works the other way around! Players can activate special items to try and outpace their opponents. Super Mario Bros. 35 launches on Oct. 1 as a digital-only game exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members.* The game will be playable until March 31, 2021.
• Super Mario All-Stars: The classic Super NES game that includes upgraded versions of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3 with enhanced 16-bit graphics is joining the catalog of games available with Nintendo Switch Online … later today!*
• Super Mario Events: From now until March 2021, there are many events to mark the 35^th anniversary of Super Mario.
  • By completing Super Mario related missions on My Nintendo, fans will have an opportunity to earn rewards, including a special pin set. Pins are available while supplies last. This promotion lasts until March 31, 2021. Learn more by visiting the official website.
  • From Sept. 8 at 11 p.m. PT until Sept. 22 at 11 p.m. PT, Mario Kart Tour will have a Super Mario Kart Tour event, with special appearances by Mario (Super NES) and Donkey Kong Jr. (Super NES) from the original Super Mario Kart game.****
  • Historical Super Mario items and 35^th anniversary-themed merchandise will be available for purchase at the Nintendo NY store andstore.nintendo.com during the month of November.
  • A 35^th anniversary-themed Ninji Speedruns course is coming to the Super Mario Maker 2 game in November.
  • Later this year, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will have an in-game online tournament using Super Mario series fighters, stages and items.
  • A Super Mario themed Splatfest is coming to Splatoon 2 in January 2021. Keychains will also be available as a My Nintendo reward closer to the Splatfest.***** In addition, physical Splatfest T-shirts will be available for purchase online later today. The upcoming Splatfest asks the important question: Which Super Mario power-up do you prefer? Supersize with a Super Mushroom or become invincible with a Super Star?
  • In March of next year, Super Mario themed furniture will be available in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.
• Super Mario Products: In addition to events, many different Super Mario themed products will be hitting store shelves this year.
  • The PUMA RS-Dreamer Super Mario 64 basketball shoes from our collaborative collection will launch tomorrow, Sept. 4. These shoes will be available exclusively at Foot Locker, Champs Sports, PUMA stores and Puma.com.
  • Monopoly Super Mario Celebration from Hasbro is now available at retailers worldwide.
  • Jenga Super Mario sets from Hasbro are now available at retailers worldwide.
  • The It’s-a-Me, Mario action figure from JAKKS Pacific is now available at retailers worldwide.
  • Black Milk Clothing inspired by Super Mario will be available at BlackMilkClothing.com starting at 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 5. A lookbook sneak peek will be available on Sept. 29.
  • The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System set is now available exclusively at LEGO stores and LEGO.com, with multiple LEGO Super Mario sets now available at retailers worldwide, including the Adventures with Mario Starter Course.

For more information about all these games, products and events, visit the Super Mario 35^th anniversary website.

Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/. 

* Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online

** Nintendo Switch Lite plays all games that support handheld mode.

*** Additional games, systems and karts required for multiplayer mode. Systems and karts sold separately. Game download required and available as free download on Nintendo eShop. 

**** Free-to-start; optional in-game purchases available. Persistent Internet, compatible smartphone and Nintendo Account required. Data charges may apply.

***** A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem My Nintendo points. Terms apply. https://accounts.nintendo.com/term_point.