Full disclosure. I did absolutely nothing special for my milestone 40th birthday. No one joked "lordy lordy, he's 40", nor did they buy me a cane, and sign me up for an AARP membership. It was uneventful. I think I definitely turned up the heat on birthday number 42, but that may be besides the point.
Much like my friends and family thought it was going to be THE event, we thought Nintendo was going to come in Fire Flowers blazing. We thought we could get a new 3D Mario, or at the very least, the permanent return of the amazing Super Mario 35. Neither one of these things happened. I'm not mad, just...
Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 was announced, and they will release together, and separately, on October 2nd. Nintendo promised new visuals, and more pages to the in game story book. There will also be a physical Story Book, exclusively sold at the MyNintendo Store. If you already have 3D All Stars, then the only thing you have to grab is Super Mario Galaxy 2. In line with this, the new movie will be titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, with all the main voice actors from the first movie returning. There were two Amiibo announced as well, coming next year.
Mario Tennis: Fever was then announced, boasting 30 characters, and the ability to use the joy-cons as Tennis rackets. Fans familiar with the series will be able to pick it right up, but there are new additions, like Trial Towers and full on Adventure Mode, starring the baby Mario Brothers. The Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive releases February 12th.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is getting DLC via a Nintendo Switch 2 edition. The DLC is titled Meetup at Bellabel Park, and will offer competitive and co-op experiences. No word if it will include online features, which it should at least via game chat. We didn't get a lot of info, but it won't release until Spring 2026. This is also in line with a physical, non conversing Talking Flower. While it will just talk when it wants to, it doesn't respond to you, nor is it triggered. A Talking Flower assistant like a Amazon Echo would've made this a day one purchase. Moving on.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book will be available in Spring as well. There wasn't much given on this title. A Book named Mr. E has enlisted the help of Yoshi to navigate through the book and investigate unusual creatures. Sporting a different art style, as Yoshi games do, this felt like more of an announcement, and less informative.
Even Donkey Kong Bananza has DLC coming. Titled DK Island and Emerald Rush, it's more of an expansion on the endgame. Once you finish the game, you can be hired by Void Inc to go Emerald hunting. As you're smashing through the terrain, you'll receive rogue like powerups to get helpful skills. These perks reset for every run, and you will be able to for each layer in the game. Rewards include statues to decorate the island with, as well as more outfits and colors for DK and Pauline.
I suspect this can't be it for Mario's 40th. We have to be getting something else. I mean if the Virtual Boy can come back, we can't get Super Mario 40!? I'll pay good money for it!
Happy 40th, Mario. I'm sure there are more presents for us. Maybe in the closet? In the basement perhaps?
