Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Direct Drops!

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As is penchant for Nintendo during this pandemic, the gaming company shadow dropped big gaming news. This latest themed direct is related to the Super Mario Bros. 35^th Anniversary. This Direct focused on all things Mario people can expect in the coming year.

Without further ado, here’s all that was announced:

Mario Game & Watch

Although the original Super Mario Bros. game has stood the test of time and been played by many generations of gamers, it has never been played on a Game & Watch system until now! This limited edition Mario Game & Watch comes with the original game as well as Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Additionally, as it is a Game & Watch game system, it will function as a clock with 35 special features in honor of Mario’s 35^th. Finally, the original Game & Watch juggling game will be playable, but it will feature Mario instead of the system’s titular character.

This Mario Game & Watch will come out November 13^th.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Super Mario 3D World, known for its multiplayer mayhem, will make its way to Switch. 3D World is a fan favorite given its easily accessible platform mechanics, multiplayer features, and creative powerups. But like many games on the Wii U, it didn’t gain much popular traction because the console install base was so low.

In addition, it will not simply be a port to Switch. It will come with what looks to be a darker, more sinister area called Bowser’s Fury. It is unclear how Bowser’s Fury will extend the original game or be its own unique adventure.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury will come out February 12^th, 2021. To note, this may be later than it was originally supposed to release, but may have been pushed back because of the COVID pandemic.

Super Mario Bros. 35

Battle Royale meets Mario in Super Mario Bros. 35. Thirty-five players will go through Mario levels trying to be the last one standing. Unlike the fan-made Mario battle royale, the official Nintendo version uses the Tetris 99 style where each player plays on their own screen with individual actions affecting other players. For example, defeated enemies are sent to other people depending on factors like most coins or randomly assigned.

Super Mario Bros. 35 will be an exclusive digital-only game for Nintendo Switch Online members. It will be playable from October 1st, 2020 to March 31st, 2021.

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (10/16)

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is essentially Mario Kart with remote control carts. Players will be able to control physical Mario characters and vehicles with their Switch. Each kart comes with a camera and interacts with the real-world environment and other karts. It is unclear how courses are exactly made, but some tracks shown in the trailer were incredibly fancy, weaving in, out, and around household objects.

Super Mario All-Stars

Some of the original and best 2D Mario platformers will be available in the Super Mario All-Stars collection. The games included in this collection are: Super Mario Brothers, Super Mario Brothers 2, Super Mario Brothers 3, and Super Mario Brothers: The Lost Levels. Each will come with upgraded visuals and audio. The game will be available on the Super NES Nintendo Switch Online platform.

In addition, Super Mario 3D All-Stars featuring Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy will release September 18^th.

Finally, there were some more smaller announcements largely based on cross-overs:

• From now through March 31^st, 2021, there will be Mario related missions online. One such reward is an exclusive Mario 35th pin set.
• Mario Kart Tour will have Donkey Kong Jr., Mario from the first Mario Kart game in their original pixelated form.
• Branded merchandise will be available at both the NY Nintendo store and online.
• Mario Maker 2 will have a special Ninji Speedrun based on Mario’s 35th.
• Nintendo will host a Super Smash Bros. Mario themed tournament. Mario characters and stages will be heavily featured.
• A Mario themed Splatfest will make its way to Splatoon 2. There will also be themed keychains and t-shirts based on this Splatfest.
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons will have new Mario themed furniture.
• Mario themed products have already released and will continue to release throughout the year. These products include shoes, clothing, games, Legos, etc.

Mario fans sure have a lot to expect for the remainder of the year!