It’s faux-E3 time and the itch is brewing. I’m willing to bet we may see a new 3D Mario from Nintendo this year.
Short synopsis: Odyssey released in October of 2017. Smash hit, 24 million units sold, and received critical acclaim. In the 5 years since, we’ve heard almost nothing from the Mario team, aside from developing Bowser’s Fury last year, which was a short side mode just packaged with the 3D World port. I can’t really believe that was the only thing they’ve been working on in the interim.
Two other notable games released in 2017: **BotW and Sonic Forces.** I bring them up because, in the same 5-year timeframe, we’ve seen the following:
-two paid DLC expansions for BotW (the last of which, Champions’ Ballad, was released in December of 2017)
-BotW 2 reveal and information
-Sonic Frontiers reveal and information
Hell, we’ve seen 3 or 4 entries from Pokémon, a couple of which with some radical changes to the main series’ format and design.
So what’re the odds we’ll see a new Super Mario title shown off soon, as well? They seem pretty good. I know the rumor is that the Mario team was working on a 3D DK game, but was that ever substantiated? Meanwhile, we have [this *supposed* leak from December of 2019](https://mobile.twitter.com/matthasnocuts/status/1469773091094114306).
This was accompanied by another leak for Sonic Frontiers (then unnamed, possibly still Sonic Rangers at this point) which lists the Starfall Islands as the location and large boss enemies, among other details (all of which seem to be confirmed now). So this gives some credibility to the Mario screenshot. Keep in mind, these were just concepts and a lot could have changed since 2019. It could’ve become a different game entirely or it could’ve evaporated altogether.
Still, we haven’t seen a time gap between releases for this series longer than 5 years since 64 and Sunshine (1996-2002). Given all that we know, and that a Mario movie was supposed to release this year, it really feels like we’re overdue for a new 3D Mario now.
SMO and BF seem to indicate where the series is going next, in an increasingly open direction, so I’m cautiously hopeful. With so many other historical franchises like Sonic, Zelda, Pokemon, and now even (strangely enough) Street Fighter taking the leap, could it be time for Mario to finally show the industry a fun new way to look at open-worlds the same way Mario 64 popularized 3D gaming? The way SMB popularized sidescrollers and console gaming? The way Donkey Kong 1981 revitalized a dying industry? I’m being dramatic, but personally, I strongly feel it’s time for something big and new for the boy in red.
**What do you guys think? Will we hear what the Mario crew has been working on soon or are we a long way off? What kind of game do you think it will even be? Very excited to hear what you all think.**