The Nintendo Switch 2 is on our doorstep, but the next 3D Mario title was noticeably absent.
This is more of an observation than a complaint as Nintendo did scratch that 3D platformer itch as Donkey Kong Bananza will launch a month and a half after the console’s launch.
Still, it leaves some room for wild speculation on what the next 3D Mario game could look like. This is a particularly fun endeavor because each console generation brings a new gimmick.
For the longest time, Super Mario Odyssey 2 seemed to be the go-to when it comes to the next desired 3D Mario game.
The speculation seemed to point to a game that advanced in a similar way that Tears of the Kingdom did for Breath of the Wild. That would be a perfecting of the elements from its predecessor.
Nintendo has done that with Super Mario Galaxy 2, which took what worked in the original and expanded on it. This successful, albeit forgettable, title was a blast to play, but it wasn’t until Odyssey mixed up formula that Mario leaped into the spotlight again.
This is why I think Nintendo would be smart to mix things up rather than perfect it. The challenge is to figure exactly what that could look like.
If Nintendo does opt to mix it up, I could see the mouse feature of the joy-cons coming into to play. Odds are, it would try to highlight unique features of the Switch 2.
Of course, Nintendo could opt to take the Super Mario 3D World route. This is absolutely a feasible route because the company rereleased 3D World alongside Bowser’s Fury on the Switch.
This proved popular and could lead to expansions in this arena, resulting in it being the next major 3D Mario game. I’m not convinced of this route but it is one I think could happen.
Whatever route Nintendo takes, it will be exciting to see, especially since the next 3D Mario game won’t be a launch title for the console.
That leads us to speculate when it will come. Personally, I think we’re looking at some time in 2026 to early 2027 for the next 3D Mario game.
Personally, I would love to see a return of Super Mario Sunshine elements. This means some kind of item being integral to the platforming the same way F.L.U.D.D. was in Sunshine.
This was similar to what Odyssey did with Cappy but I felt like that game’s gimmick was its semi-open world. I think a scaling back would be good for the franchise, one that emphasizes freedom but isn’t so expansive.
Time will tell what direction we will go but the benefit of waiting a bit into the lifespan is Nintendo can settle into what its new console can do. That should make for some fun possiblities.
What about you? What do you think the next 3D Mario title will look like? What elements would you like to see return. Would you rather see a build on Super Mario Odyssey? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: Nintendo (via Epilogue Gaming)
Nintendo Pow Block – A Nintendo Podcast by Boss Rush
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