Switch 2 Mario Game LEAKED?! Release Date SHOCK!

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As the Nintendo Switch 2 presentation approached in April, one of the unannounced games generating the most anticipation among fans was a fresh 3D Mario game. After all, our beloved Italian plumber has been featured in numerous titles over the past few years, but it’s been quite some time since he starred in a traditional 3D platformer. The last major 3D Mario game was Super Mario Odyssey, which hit shelves back in 2017, nearly 8 years ago now. Given that this is the longest gap between new releases in the franchise’s history, it wasn’t too much of a stretch to think an Odyssey sequel might be unveiled during the Switch 2 Direct.

At the unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2, the company presented numerous exclusive games from its own brand. Among these were an open-world version of Mario Kart, a new 3D Donkey Kong title, the third part of the Hyrule Warriors series, a long-awaited sequel to Kirby Air Ride, a basketball game featuring wheelchairs in teams of three, and a mini-game collection themed around the Nintendo Switch 2. However, contrary to expectations, no new 3D Mario platformer was announced, though there’s speculation about when or if a follow-up to Super Mario Odyssey might be released.

A New 3D Mario Game for the Switch 2 is Likely in Development

Doug Bowser Told Fans to “Stay Tuned” for the Next 3D Mario Game

In an interview with CNN, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser hinted at the possibility of a fresh 3D Mario game for the Switch 2. When asked about the potential release date, he subtly suggested to wait for more updates by saying “stay tuned.” Moreover, he mentioned that Nintendo boasts an extensive collection of intellectual properties that will undoubtedly appear on the platform in the future, providing a glimmer of hope for Mario enthusiasts. While these comments don’t reveal many specifics, they do imply that work is underway on a new 3D Mario platformer.

If Bowser hinted at a future installment of Super Mario Odyssey without any specific release date being announced, it’s likely that the game is nearing completion. Since Nintendo didn’t reveal any details about their next 3D Mario game during the Switch 2 Direct, we can only speculate about its launch window. However, examining the pattern of release dates for previous 3D Mario games might give fans a clue as to when the upcoming title may be released.

Mario Games Are Often Launched Within a Year of a Nintendo Console’s Release

As a dedicated gaming enthusiast, I can proudly say that I was there when Super Mario 64, the pioneering 3D platformer in the legendary Mario series, graced the Nintendo 64 consoles worldwide, marking its launch across all regions it was distributed. Contrary to widespread assumption, Super Mario 64 was uniquely the initial original 3D Mario game to be released alongside a new Nintendo console. The subsequent significant installment in this epic saga, Super Mario Sunshine, made its grand entrance on the Nintendo GameCube on July 19, 2002, approximately ten months following the GameCube’s debut in Japanese territories.

After the debut of “Super Mario Sunshine”, Nintendo unveiled two principal 3D “Mario” games for the Wii: “Super Mario Galaxy 1” and “2”. The initial “Galaxy” game was launched nearly a year to the day after the North American release of the Wii in 2006, while its sequel emerged approximately 4 years later. Following a similar schedule, the Wii U’s successor to the “Super Mario Galaxy” games, “Super Mario 3D World”, was released on November 21, 2013, just days after the first anniversary of the Wii U. Lastly, the most recent 3D “Mario” game, “Super Mario Odyssey”, made its appearance on Nintendo Switch roughly 7 months following the global launch of the console.

The Next 3D Mario Game May Come Out in the First Half of 2026

Based on Nintendo’s past patterns, it appears likely that they will introduce a new 3D Mario game for the Switch 2 within a year of its launch. Given that Nintendo’s 2025 schedule is quite busy, it seems unlikely that they will announce and release a successor to Super Mario Odyssey before the end of this year. Thus, it seems reasonable to expect the next major 3D Mario game to be launched sometime between early and mid-2026.

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2025-04-28 18:36