Super Mario Galaxy’s Back-to-Back Announcements Might Just Be a Stepping Stone to Something Bigger

by

The latest Nintendo Direct was highly anticipated for a couple of key reasons. It was the longest Direct presentation ever, clocking in at a full hour – second only to the one focused on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Also, it took place on Friday, September 12th, just before the 40th anniversary of *Super Mario Bros.*, which originally launched in Japan on September 13, 1985. The timing of the Direct made it clear Nintendo had some kind of Mario-related announcement planned.

Nintendo used this moment to heavily promote a new Mario movie, simply called *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*. Fans are excited about a movie inspired by the *Super Mario Galaxy* games, much like the upcoming season of *Fallout* on Prime Video is drawing from *Fallout: New Vegas*. With *Super Mario Galaxy* and its sequel now available on Nintendo Switch, there’s renewed interest in the series, and Nintendo should consider making a new *Galaxy* game while the hype is up.

Super Mario Bros.’ 40th Anniversary Was a Galaxy Celebration Above All Else

The biggest news from Nintendo’s September 12 presentation was the announcement that *Super Mario Galaxy* and *Super Mario Galaxy 2* are coming to Nintendo Switch. Players who already own the games can upgrade to a Switch 2 version separately through the eShop, or purchase both games together as a physical copy titled *Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2* on October 2nd. Given the recent *Super Mario Galaxy Movie* heavily featured these games, it’s notable how the 40th anniversary of *Super Mario Bros.* quickly shifted the focus to the *Galaxy* titles.

The *Super Mario 3D All-Stars* collection included *Super Mario 64*, *Super Mario Sunshine*, and *Super Mario Galaxy*. Luckily, those who bought that collection can also purchase *Super Mario Galaxy 2* as a separate digital download for the Nintendo Switch.

It’s no surprise that all of this has sparked a lot of conversation about Mario games, including speculation about whether *Super Mario Galaxy 3* is being made. Beyond the announced release dates for *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* (April 3, 2026, and April 24, 2026, in the US and Japan, respectively) and the upcoming *Super Mario Galaxy* games on Nintendo Switch, here’s what else Nintendo revealed on September 12th:

  • Mario Tennis Fever, the newest Mario Tennis sports game
  • A Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder with “new multiplayer-focused additions”
  • Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 amiibo figures and Rosalina’s Storybook “with an illustrated hardcover edition”

Super Mario Galaxy 3 May Not Have Been Revealed, But It’s Not Off the Table

Nintendo Switch owners have enjoyed several 3D Mario games, including *Super Mario Odyssey*, *Super Mario 3D All-Stars*, and *Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury*. While fans have been eagerly waiting for a sequel to *Super Mario Odyssey*, it hasn’t happened yet. Some consider *Donkey Kong Bananza* to be similar in spirit to *Odyssey*.

Given Nintendo’s clear focus on the *Galaxy* series, a likely strategy would be to release updated versions of *Super Mario Galaxy* and *Super Mario Galaxy 2* before a potential *Super Mario Galaxy* movie. This could then be followed by a brand new *Super Mario Galaxy 3* designed specifically for the next Nintendo Switch console. There’s also a growing feeling that more *Galaxy* games are on the way. The trailer for the re-release of *Super Mario Galaxy* and *Super Mario Galaxy 2* ends with a quote that suggests this…

“Goodbye to those we met on this journey. I will cherish the memories forever.

And to those we will meet on the next journey, hello.”

The quote at the end of the trailer might be hinting at *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*, but it could also be an exciting tease for a possible *Super Mario Galaxy 3*. While people are debating whether it’s foreshadowing for the third *Galaxy* game, the evidence isn’t evenly matched – some arguments are stronger than others.

The ‘Copium’ Case for Nintendo Teasing a Super Mario Galaxy 3

  • To release a movie called The Super Mario Galaxy Movie without any plans to revive the games’ franchise would be bewildering, to say the least.
  • The trailer’s quote being such a focal point would suggest that Nintendo wants fans to keep their eyes peeled for some future announcement concerning the Galaxy series.

The Case Against Nintendo Teasing a Super Mario Galaxy 3

  • Super Mario Galaxy 2 is 15 years old, and if Nintendo wanted to make a new Galaxy game, it could have by now.
  • Super Mario Galaxy 3 would’ve made a massive splash at the September 12 Nintendo Direct in tandem with a movie inspired by the Super Mario Galaxy games, and no news of it there could suggest that there isn’t hope for a threequel.
  • Super Mario Odyssey, if anything, is expected to be what Nintendo follows through on for a new 3D Mario game, rather than substantially exhuming Super Mario Galaxy.
  • If pricey Nintendo Switch ports were guaranteed precursors of an installment or series revival, the argument could also be made that a Sunshine sequel should be on the horizon, thanks to its inclusion in Super Mario 3D All-Stars.

The Nintendo Direct on September 12th would have been a great opportunity to announce a new game, especially since that presentation heavily featured the *Galaxy* series. However, if this game is real, it’s likely still a long way off, and might be relying on the buzz from the upcoming *Super Mario Bros.* movie to build excitement. Regardless, *Super Mario Galaxy* is clearly back in the spotlight, and it will be interesting to see if anything more comes of this beyond the movie and the recent Nintendo Switch ports.

Read More

2025-09-15 03:35