The Super Mario Bros. series has been the foundation of Nintendo's success since the first installment's release nearly forty years ago. The sidescrolling platformer has enchanted so many gamers with its charm and accessibility that it's hard to find someone who doesn't have fond memories of jumping through the Mushroom Kingdom. Even as Nintendo has innovated with games like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario 3D World, the Super Mario Bros. series has remained timeless.
Super Mario Bros. has persisted under the New Super Mario Bros. moniker since the release of New Super Mario Bros. on the Wii. The series consists of three original titles, with 2012's New Super Mario Bros. U being the last truly original entry. Since then, however, the New Super Mario Bros. series has stagnated. While New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe has kept the series alive on the Nintendo Switch, it's now a three-year-old version of a ten-year-old game. With all the innovation gaming has seen since then, it's time Nintendo does something new with New Super Mario Bros.
The Switch Deserves A Unique New Super Mario Bros. Game
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is an excellent all-around experience, but it speaks to an issue that many Nintendo fans have had since the Switch released. Due to the failures of the Wii U, Nintendo took many of its first-party titles on the console and ported them to the Switch with little to no alterations. While this has worked out nicely for many gamers who passed on the Wii U, Nintendo has neglected to release truly original follow-ups on the Switch for several of its first-party franchises.
In the case of New Super Mario Bros., there would be a considerable amount of potential for a new game and even a series on the Switch. For all the criticism the Switch receives for being underpowered, it is capable of impressive visuals that could benefit a New Super Mario Bros. game built from the ground up. In terms of gameplay, Nintendo has never shown a shortage of creativity for gameplay mechanics and level design when it comes to Super Mario Bros., so a new set of worlds to play through would likely feel like a breath of fresh air for many fans.
How Likely Is A 'New' New Super Mario Bros. Series On The Switch?
Any information on a new 2D Mario game on the Switch has been slim to none for years now. Most recent Mario rumors have circulated around a new 3D adventure that could include four playable characters, and Nintendo has seemed more interested in boosting the reputation of its favorite plumber through the opening of Super Nintendo World and the upcoming release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The company is no stranger to surprise announcements, but for now it seems Nintendo isn't willing to let go of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.
Nintendo has experienced unprecedented success with the Switch, but in that success it has seemed unwilling to give some of its biggest franchises an entry worthy of the Switch's hardware. Whether a successor to the Switch is coming in the near future or not, a 'new' New Super Mario Bros. series would bring the beloved platformer up to date with today's slate of 2D adventures. As more people fall in love with the Mushroom Kingdom across amusement parks and movie theaters, it's only right they get to enjoy how it all started in an updated video game experience.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is available on the Nintendo Switch.
