Super Mario got its start as a 2D side-scrolling platformer, and while the franchise has featured exciting 3D adventures, it has still returned to its roots on multiple occasions. The incredible popularity of New Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo DS sparked a resurgence of 2D Super Mario games that continued until 2012's New Super Mario Bros. U, which was followed by projects like the Super Mario Run mobile game and the Super Mario Maker titles. It's been nearly a decade since a proper 2D Super Mario adventure, but it looks like the wait may soon be at an end.
Nintendo leaker Zippo, who has accurately leaked Nintendo news in the past, has claimed that they have information on an unannounced 2D Super Mario game. According to Zippo, this new 2D Super Mario project will not have the "New Super Mario" tagline, abandoning the style of that sub-series to embrace a surprising new art style. The game will reportedly feature online multiplayer and the return of obscure character Foreman Spike, who appeared as Mario's rival in Wrecking Crew.
As for when Super Mario fans may have the chance to play this new 2D Super Mario game for themselves, Zippo claims that the game is "very far" in development and may be nearly complete. Nintendo is apparently looking to launch it at some point in 2023 or 2024, so it doesn't seem as though fans should expect a surprise Super Mario release this holiday season or anything like that. Of course, all of this information should be taken with a grain of salt.
Zippo has accurately leaked Nintendo news in the past, but they have also leaked things that have yet to come true, so fans may want to wait and see those predictions come to pass before putting too much stock in the latest claims. One big claim Zippo made was that Nintendo had a new Donkey Kong Country game in development, though it still has yet to be announced at the time of this writing.
Regardless, it's very believable that Nintendo would want to make a new 2D Super Mario game. Some of the best-selling video games of all time are 2D Super Mario adventures, and so it wouldn't make sense to let the franchise lay dormant for too long. As for claims like Foreman Spike is returning, that too is fairly believable since the character is reportedly going to be featured in the Super Mario movie, and so it would make sense to bring him back to the spotlight in video games as well.
Reputable sources have claimed that Nintendo is hosting a Nintendo Direct fairly soon, so perhaps this 2D Super Mario game will be announced then. For now, though, fans should definitely keep their expectations in check.
Source: Zippo
