Nintendo fans had been growing impatient for the company to host a proper new Direct presentation, but the Big N finally delivered. With no prior announcement, Nintendo released a special Super Mario Bros.-themed Nintendo Direct in recognition of the franchise's 35th Anniversary, which included a number of blockbuster announcements.
The Super Mario Bros. Nintendo Direct presentation was relatively short, but it still had plenty of big reveals, and some of the announcements actually took place after the presentation itself was over. Considering this, even some fans that tuned in to the event may not be aware of all the interesting details Nintendo revealed about Mario's future in the Nintendo Direct.
Here's everything that was announced at the Super Mario Bros. Nintendo Direct presentation.
Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo kicked off its surprise Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Nintendo Direct with the reveal of the Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. device. A throwback to Nintendo's old Game & Watch handheld systems, Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. will launch on November 13 in limited quantities and will be discontinued in March 2021. The system features a traditional d-pad instead of the usual Game & Watch inputs, and allows players to play through both Super Mario Bros. as well as Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Plus, the Game & Watch Ball mini-game will also be playable, but with Mario taking on the lead role. And like all Game & Watch devices, it also functions as a watch. Nintendo has teased that there are 35 secrets to discover on the device, so fans will want to keep an eye out.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
Nintendo has been bringing all of the Wii U's big exclusive games to the Nintendo Switch, with a Super Mario 3D World Switch port having been rumored for quite some time. Now the company has finally confirmed Super Mario 3D World for Switch, with the game coming on February 12, 2021 with some added content. In this new version of Super Mario 3D World, players will be able to go through the game in online multiplayer, and not only that, but they can also check out some new levels in the form of the Bowser's Fury expansion. Details on what Bowser's Fury will entail have yet to be revealed, but fans can expect more information as we get closer to the game's February 12, 2021 release date.
Super Mario Bros. 35
The idea of a Tetris battle royale was once absurd, but Nintendo has found great success with the Switch-exclusive Tetris 99. Now Nintendo is taking that concept and applying it to the original Super Mario Bros. game with Super Mario Bros. 35. A Super Mario Bros. twist on the battle royale genre, 35 players will compete to defeat Mario enemies, in turn sending those enemies to their opponents' screens. It looks like it could be a fun concept, but there are a couple of caveats that fans will want to keep in mind. For one, Super Mario Bros. 35 is only available to Switch Online subscribers. And secondly, the game will only be available for a limited time. Those interested will want to be sure to play it once it goes live on October 1 and until it is removed from Switch Online on March 31, 2021.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
Nintendo has been expanding the Super Mario brand with more interactive toys, like the LEGO Super Mario Bros. sets, for example. Now it's doing something completely unique with Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, an augmented reality game that lets players create their own Mario Kart tracks by physically building them around their home, and then racing with toy cars controlled with a Switch console. It's a unique idea that combines remote-controlled cars and video games, and those interested can check it out starting October 16.
Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Events
Nintendo is looking to celebrate the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary across more games and media than just Super Mario titles. For example, people with Nintendo Accounts can complete special tasks to unlock anniversary pins, Mario Kart Tour is getting a special Super Mario-themed event, new Super Mario clothing merchandise is coming to stores, and Super Mario Maker 2 is getting special levels. Splatoon 2 has announced Super Mario-themed Splatfests, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is hosting a Super Mario-themed tournament as well. Nintendo also confirmed that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting Super Mario furniture at some point in 2021.
Super Mario All-Stars
Back in the 90s, Nintendo decided to re-release enhanced ports of the NES Super Mario Bros. games on the Super Nintendo in a collection called Super Mario All-Stars. Now that collection is being made available through the Switch Online subscription service, added to the SNES library today. Fans can replay Super Mario All-Stars with all of the fancy bells and whistles of the Switch Online service.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Easily the biggest announcement during Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Nintendo Direct presentation was the reveal of Super Mario 3D All-Stars. The previously leaked collection of 3D Super Mario games includes visually enhanced ports of Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy for the Nintendo Switch. Gameplay should be the same as fans remember, though Super Mario Galaxy's motion controls will be optional this time around. The catch is that the collection will only be getting a limited retail release, and that both the physical and digital versions will only be available for purchase for a limited time. Super Mario 3D All-Stars launches September 18 and will be pulled from sale in March 2021.