A known leaker has claimed that a new 2D Super Mario game is coming, and the art style for it and the franchise may take elements from Illumination’s upcoming The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
While the claim of Nintendo making a new game from their biggest franchise seems hardly surprising, the last 2D platformer title in the long-running series was New Super Mario Bros. U in 2012. That’s right, ten years ago.
Though there was the mobile title Super Mario Run in 2016, as well as Super Mario Maker and its sequel in 2015 and 2019, respectively, none of them could really be deemed a traditional 2D Mario title.
Super Mario 3D World in 2013 — later ported to Nintendo Switch in 2021 — continued the tradition of linear levels and most other trappings but in 3D environments. As such, players may have assumed 3D World would be the new standard.
Nonetheless, the claims come from insider “Zippo.” The Escapist reports that they correctly leaked remasters of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Persona 3 Portable, and Persona 4 Golden. The leaker also correctly noted Sonic the Hedgehog 3 would be returning in some capacity along with Sonic & Knuckles; both making the predicted return in Sonic Origins.
Their claims began in late August, at the time claiming a new 2D Mario title was in development. Along with not be using the “New Super Mario Bros.” moniker, the game would also be “it’s own thing” and “feature a new art style that will take some people by surprise.” Zippo claimed the reported title would feature online multiplayer and would launch in Nintendo’s Fiscal Year 2023 or 2024.
They also noted the return of Wrecking Crew‘s Foreman Spike, who is reportedly set to appear in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and voiced by stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco.
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Now, Zippo has provided new details. “Hey, people have been asking for update on this new 2D Mario everyone’s been wanting to see, so here’s a bit more info.”
“It’s been in development for over three years, and development should, or has just about wrapped up,” Zippo claims. This would track with his prior blog post in August claiming the game was quite far into development and soon to be completed.
“Takashi Tezuka and Hiroyuki Kimura, who are longtime 2D Mario veterans, are once again serving as producers for this title,” Zippo asserted. Tezuka was producer on both Super Mario Maker games and the New Super Mario Bros. series (as was Kimura), along with Super Mario Run, Yoshi’s Woolly World, and many other Nintendo titles.
Continuing with the trend of past games and 3D World, Zippo insists, “Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad are your playable characters this time around.” They note that — outside of Toadette’s Super Crown power-up — this would be the first time Peach has been playable in a 2D Mario game in almost 35 years.
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One again maintaining the game will release in Nintendo’s 2023 to 2024 FY, Zippo elaborates on his earlier comment about the art style. “This is less a statement on the game, but more on the future of the franchise itself,” Zippo prefaces, adding, “Mario and co. will gradually take things and design elements from the movie moving forward, such as the brothers’ updated outfits.”
This could suggest more realistic textures in this new Mario game and the franchise as a whole. Zippo affirms, “You’re actually starting to see this already,” as the “Tokotoko Mario” toy from Super Nintendo World features “new shoe laces from the movie.”
As seen in an unboxing video by tabugen on YouTube, another Mario toy from the theme park also features the laces molded onto the shoes (2:08 to 2:10). Though both toys are slightly different in height, they arguably use the same part for the foot, however.
“I smell a Direct isn’t too far off,” Zippo proposes. “Nintendo has a pretty hefty year planned, so it’s almost time to start talking about it, yeah? Hopefully we hear more early into the new year.”
Is the change in art style merely a way to capitalize on The Super Mario Bros. Movie hopeful success? A way to flex graphical power of the Nintendo Switch? Or truly Nintendo’s new vision for the franchise?
Whatever the case, Illumination’s next big film has certainly attempted to lift elements from the games, with the latest clip of the film showing classic power ups, floating bricks, moving platforms, and Warp Pipes.
