Mario has been Nintendo’s mascot for decades, starring in many of the company's most popular games, and mainline Mario titles tend to be some of the biggest system sellers. Classic 2D platformers and 3D adventures starring Mario and spin-offs like Mario Kart have all played an important role in Nintendo’s success. While a new console isn't always accompanied by the immediate release of a Mario platformer, it usually tends to at least appear as a promise on the horizon.
Ahead of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the possibility of a future 3D Mario game was a major source of anticipation. Like Mario Odyssey's tease in the 2017 presentation for the original Switch, a 3D Mario platformer would have been the perfect way to showcase the Switch 2. Instead, the launch lineup leans heavily on upgraded versions of older games.
There Won’t Be A New 3D Super Mario Launching Alongside The Switch 2
No New Super Mario Game Is Shocking And Disappointing
While there were some neat reveals for the Switch 2, I was hoping to at least get a glimpse of a new 3D Super Mario game. I was left disappointed when there was no mention of one, and I'm sure I'm not the only fan who was underwhelmed. Nintendo built its reputation on Mario, so skipping a 3D platformer at launch feels like an odd choice.
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While the original Switch didn't have a 3D Mario game right at launch, it had a huge exclusive in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and it briefly teased gameplay snippets of Super Mario Odyssey for later that year. A new 3D Mario could have served a similar role for the Switch 2, giving players a big single-player adventure to look forward to. Instead, the higher price seem less justified.
As of December 31, 2024, Super Mario Odyssey had sold 29.04 million copies, ranking it among the best-selling games on the Switch.
While Nintendo may have something in the works, launching the Switch 2 without a flagship 3D Mario game makes the console’s debut feel incomplete. This isn’t the first time Nintendo has launched a system without a Mario platformer, but given how successful Super Mario Odyssey was, it’s surprising that there isn’t a follow-up ready for release.
Super Mario Odyssey Released 8 Years Ago
It's Been Awhile Since We've Gotten A Mainline Mario Game
Super Mario Odyssey was one of the biggest hits on the Nintendo Switch, but it didn’t launch with the console. The Switch came out in March 2017, while Odyssey arrived in October. The wait wasn’t too long, and players had The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to keep them busy in the meantime.
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Even though Mario didn’t show up on day one, Odyssey was worth it. It introduced Cappy, new gameplay mechanics, and large open worlds to explore, giving 3D Mario a fresh feel. It quickly became one of the most loved games in the series, proving that Nintendo could still bring new ideas to its biggest character.
Super Mario Odyssey includes a multiplayer mode and s virtual reality with the Nintendo Labo kit.
Now, eight years later, fans are still waiting for the next big 3D Mario game. Nintendo has released remasters and spin-offs, but there hasn’t been a real follow-up to Odyssey. With how long it’s been, the lack of a new Mario platformer for the Switch 2’s launch stands out even more. Some fans hoped for an Odyssey sequel, while others just wanted something new. Instead, there’s nothing, at least for now.
Nintendo’s decision to focus on other titles at launch instead of giving Mario the spotlight could be a gamble. While Mario Kart World will undoubtedly sell well, it’s not the same as a fully-fledged 3D platforming adventure. With the Switch 2 now officially unveiled, fans will have to wait even longer for a new Mario game, and that wait is already feeling too long.
Without a 3D Mario game, the Switch 2’s launch feels a little underwhelming. Breath of the Wild carried the original Switch early on, and Odyssey followed soon after to keep the excitement going. Without a big, must-have game at launch, the Switch 2 may not generate the same buzz.
The Switch 2 Launch Lineup Is A Bit Disappointing
There Aren't Enough New Games Launching With The Switch 2
At launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 will only have one major first-party game: Mario Kart World. While a new Mario Kart is exciting and helps carry the Mario torch without a new platformer, it’s disappointing that there isn’t more. Most of the other launch games are just ports or upgraded versions of older titles, like enhanced editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
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Compared to the original Switch launch, the difference is clear. While games like 1-2-Switch didn't make incredible waves at the Switch reveal event in 2017, reveals of games like ARMS, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and Shin Megami Tensei V fleshed out a particularly interesting lineup. Not everything was slated for launch, but the glimpse at an exciting year in the making offered a lot to look forward to.
The Switch 2, however, leans too much on upgrades and re-releases. While Mario Kart World is exciting, it doesn’t make up for the lack of a new 3D Mario or another big first-party title like Zelda or Animal Crossing. Nintendo had a chance to launch the Switch 2 with more than just Mario Kart, but instead, the lineup feels underwhelming.
More games will come later, like Donkey Kong Bananza, and the Switch 2 will likely have plenty of great titles over time. Yet, right now, the launch lineup feels incomplete without a new 3D Mario platformer. For a company known for strong console launches, the Switch 2’s day-one games and the slate revealed for the year so far don’t quite meet expectations.
