Rumors and speculation are rampant when it comes to the Nintendo Switch’s successor. After it was reported that Nintendo’s third-party partners had development kits for the new system, rumors of the Switch 2 have not stopped. And with every new console comes the list of launch titles. And now after the Zelda hype with Tears of the Kingdom, it seems like a certain red plumber could launch with the new system instead of Link. So, let’s discuss.
Part One: The Mario Drought
First off, not only has Nintendo recently released new titles in their biggest series, including games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Pikmin 4, and Pokemon Scarlet & Pokemon Violet, but we haven’t gotten a new Marrio game in a while. Aside from Bowser’s Fury in 2021, the last 3D Mario title we got was Super Mario Odyssey back in 2017, the same year the Switch launched. So, yeah, it’s been a while. Now, even though we haven’t gotten a brand 3D Mario in a while, we are getting a brand new 2D Mario this October in the form of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. We also have Super Mario RPG coming in November, which is sure to also cause a buzz. But for 3D Mario, it has been a while.
Part Two: Where Has the Plumber Been During Launches?
Want to hear a fun fact? Since Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64 back in 1996, no Nintendo console since has launched with a 3D Mario, and the Wii U is the only console since the N64 to launch with a mainline Mario game at all with New Super Mario Bros. U. Plus, Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D Land are the only 3D Mario games since Super Mario 64 to launch within the same year as its system’s launch, as every other 3D Mario game has launched the following year, including Super Mario Sunshine (2002), Super Mario Galaxy (2007), and Super Mario 3D World (2013). I think it’s time for the red plumber to debut with a new game again.
Part Three: Could Mario Be Overshadowed by Other Upcoming Games?
At E3 2017, Nintendo announced that Metroid Prime 4 was in development for Nintendo Switch. However, the game hasn’t been really discussed at all since. At this point, if the rumors that the Switch 2 will launch in late 2024, it seems more likely that Metroid Prime 4 would be ported to that system or at least cross-gen released. There’s also the brand new Princess Peach game revealed in the recent Nintendo Direct. While it didn’t look particularly next-gen, very little of the title was shown, and Nintendo didn’t even give any information on the plot, gameplay, or even a name. They also only said that it and the Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon remaster would release in 2024. There is a possibility this new Peach game could be a next-gen game. So, that begs the question. If Metroid Prime 4 and/or the new Princess Peach game released on the Switch 2, would a new 3D Mario just get caught in the middle?
Part Four (Final Thoughts): Will the Switch 2 Launch With a New 3D Mario?
The way I see it, I think that the new Princess Peach game will be released in the first half of 2023, or possibly be a summer title, meaning it will release only on the Nintendo Switch. Metroid Prime 4 is going to be cross-gen released, meaning it will release simultaneously on the Switch and Switch 2 (unless of course the Switch 2 is backward compatible). This opens a great spot for a new 3D Mario to come in, whether or not Metroid Prime 4 is cross-gen released. If this is the case, I think Mario has a big chance to also launch with the Switch 2. It has been a hot minute since Mario launched with a new system, especially 3D Mario, and it’s currently been 6 years since the last 3D Mario (other than Bowser’s Fury). So, yeah, I think it’s a pretty safe bet that you’ll see the red plumber on the shelf with a box holding Nintendo’s next system inside.