Nintendo released a Direct presentation surrounding the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros today, and they had plenty in store with regards to new announcements. From new games to wild new toys, check out our top four favorite announcements from Nintendo’s Super Mario direct.
- Super Mario 3D All-Stars
This 3-in-1 remaster bundle for the Nintendo Switch includes three massively popular classic Super Mario games: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. While these three titles span across multiple generations of gamers and consoles, all three are verified landmarks in the 3D platformer genre. The collection will be available as both a digital download and in a limited-edition physical retail edition from September 18th, 2020 until the end of March next year.
- In-game Super Mario events
Nintendo announced a wide array of in-game events commemorating Super Mario’s anniversary that span from this week until early 2021. First up is Nintendo’s popular Mario Kart Tour app, which will be getting a retro-themed set of characters starting on September 8th. November will see a 35th anniversary-themed speed run course in Super Mario Maker 2, and a Super Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament themed around Super Mario will occur at some point later this year. In January of next year, Splatoon 2 will get an in-game Splatfest themed around Super Mario Power-ups, and the event will be rounded out by a set of Super Mario furniture added to Animal Crossing: New Horizons next March.
- Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
This wild new mashup of augmented reality gaming, RC cars, and Mario Kart will see players controlling a Mario Kart race throughout their own homes. The game involves a Switch-controlled physical Kart with a camera, and players are ostensibly shown live footage of the Kart as it makes its way through a course defined by physical gates placed on the player’s floor. The Kart physically reacts to boosts, attacks, and in-game objects; for example, hitting an on-screen boost pad will actually speed up the car in real life. Super Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is set to release in both Mario and Luigi versions on October 16th for $99.99 each, and players who purchase both sets can race them against each other on the same track.
- Super Mario Bros 35 Battle Royale
This digital-only title will pit classic Super Mario players against each other in a Tetris 99-style battle royale game. Obstacles cleared by players can be sent to other players’ courses to knock them out, and the last Mario standing claims victory. Strangely, like 3D All-Stars, the game is set to be playable exclusively from October 1st to March 31, 2021 (and requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership).
You can watch the Super Mario 35th Anniversary Nintendo Direct in full down below. Stay tuned for more updates on each of these products as their respective release dates draw nearer.