Nintendo Celebrates Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary With Games, Products & More

September 3, 2020September 3, 2020 Craig Majaski 0 Comments NES-SMB, SNES-Super-Mario-All-Stars, Switch-Animal-Crossing, Switch-Mario-Kart-Live, Switch-Super-Mario-3D-All-Stars, Switch-Super-Mario-3D-World, Switch-Super-Mario-Bros-35, Switch-Super-Mario-Maker-2, Switch-Super-Smash-Bros

Although rumored for quite some time, today Nintendo finally lifted the curtain on what it has planned for the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., which released in Japan on September 13, 1985 and in the US sometime between October 18, 1985 and around a month later. Quite a lot was announced in the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Direct, so we recommend watching the video below for full impact!

Are you done watching the video? This is your last chance to avoid having all the surprises ruined for you! OK then, if you’re a Mario fan (and who isn’t?) there’s something to like for everyone. Coming to the Switch later today is Super Mario All-Stars, the 16-bit Super NES game that includes Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, and The Lost Levels with 16-bit graphics and sounds. This is free for Nintendo Switch Online members via the Super NES app on the Switch.

Releasing on September 18, 2020 is Super Mario 3D All-Stars. This game includes Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. All of the games will have higher resolutions and have been optimized for smoother gameplay. A limited run will be made available in stores until approximately the end of March of 2021, so if you’re a collector you’ll want to pounce. The game will also be on the eShop. We’re not fans of limiting the number of games released, but here’s hoping Nintendo makes enough. But, as for the collection of games, talk about a home run! It’ll be fantastic to finally be able to play them on the Switch.

Nintendo has taken the Tetris 99 experiment and turned it into Super Mario Bros. 35! Releasing on October 1, 2020 and lasting until March 31, 2021, this online multiplayer game will be free for Nintendo Switch Online members. 35 players will race through courses trying to defeat as many enemies as possible. The defeated bad guys will be whisked away to one of your competitors’ screens, making their game more difficult in the process. The last Mario standing at the end is the winner!

Coming on October 16, 2020 is Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. And everyone said they wouldn’t release a new Mario Kart on the Switch. Ha! Well, don’t get too excited because although this is really cool, it’s not exactly your typical release. This one uses augmented reality to create a real-life radio controlled racing experience. Along with the game you’ll get either a Mario or Luigi Kart packed in as well as custom gates you put down to race your karts through. The classic items return and this one could be very entertaining, especially for kids. It’ll run about $100.

On November 13, 2020 we get a new Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. edition! This full color LCD portable includes the original Super Mario Bros. and The Lost Levels (Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan) as well as a custom version of Ball featuring Mario. A built in clock and some other easter eggs round out the experience. It’ll cost you $49.99.

One of the best Mario games that you probably haven’t played (unless you owned a Wii U) is Super Mario 3D World and that is now heading to the Switch on February 12, 2021 as Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. This four player co-op game is absolutely fantastic and now the game will be able to be played online with friends (the Wii U version was strictly couch co-op). In addition the video showed off a teaser for Bowser’s Fury, a brand new area of the game that looks dark and moody. Nintendo is holding those details close to its chest for now, but we’re excited to go through the entire game once again! Oh, and nestled away in the press release is news that Cat Mario and Cat Peach amiibo are coming out the same day. Sign us up!

In addition to the game announcements, Nintendo showed off a bunch of merchandise and other tie-ins with the event. Be sure to read the press release below (or watch the video above) for more information. We’re happy to see all the Mario love and can’t wait to dig into the games.

OFFICIAL PR:

Mario has come a long way since jumping on that first Goomba in World 1-1 of the original Super Mario Bros. game. Now, 35 years since the launch of that game in Japan, he is starring in new games on the Nintendo Switch system, lending his likeness to brands like LEGO^®, PUMA and Monopoly, and watching as fans battle it out using Super Mario power-ups in Splatoon 2.

In a new video presentation released today, Nintendo detailed several games, products and in-game events that are all arriving for the 35^th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. This includes games new to the Nintendo Switch family of systems like Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a collection of three Super Mario games of the modern era, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy; Super Mario Bros. 35, a 35-player online battle in the world of the original Super Mario Bros. game; and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, an enhanced version of the Super Mario 3D World game which originally launched on Wii U.

Additionally, the video revealed other Super Mario experiences launching this year, like Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, which brings the fun of the Mario Kart series to the real world using the Nintendo Switch system to control a real-life, physical Kart; the launch of the classic Super NES game Super Mario All-Stars on Nintendo Switch Online later today*; and a new Nintendo product called Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros., a mini gaming device inspired by the retro Game & Watch systems that plays the original Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels and Ball games.

“We look forward to everyone joining us on a Mario journey 35 years in the making,” said Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser. “We are marking this significant milestone with a wide variety of games and experiences that all generations of Mario fans, from here to the Mushroom Kingdom, can enjoy together.”

The full video presentation can be viewed by visiting http://supermario35.com/. Highlights of the video include the following:

Super Mario 3D All-Stars: Optimized versions of 3D Mario games Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy are coming to Nintendo Switch in one package. In addition to having higher resolutions than their original versions, the games have been optimized for a smooth gameplay experience on Nintendo Switch. Super Mario 3D All-Stars also includes an in-game music-player mode to play the music and songs from all three games. Players can also listen to music on their Nintendo Switch systems when the screen is off. A limited production of Super Mario 3D All-Stars launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch family of systems on Sept. 18 and will be available until approximately March 31, 2021.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit: Created in partnership with Velan Studios, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit brings the fun of the Mario Kart series into the real world by using a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite** system to race against opponents using a physical Kart. The physical Kart responds to boosts in-game and in the real world, stops when hit with an item and can be affected in different ways depending on the race. Players place gates to create a custom course layout in their home, where the only limit is their imagination. Race against Koopalings in Grand Prix, unlock a variety of course customizations and costumes for Mario or Luigi, and play with up to four players in local multiplayer mode.*** Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, which is available in a Mario Set or Luigi Set, launches on Oct. 16 at a suggested retail price of $99.99.
Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.: This new collectable device is inspired by the original Game & Watch systems first released in 1980. The original handheld device included a game, and could also be used as a watch to tell time. The original Game & Watch series sold more than 43 million worldwide. Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. features a modern +Control Pad. In addition to playing classic games Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (released in Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2) and a special version of Ball with a Mario makeover, Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. also functions as a clock, with 35 little touches to discover, including some guest appearances from Mario’s friends and foes. Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. launches on Nov. 13 at a suggested retail price of $49.99.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury: Multiplayer mayhem pounces onto Nintendo Switch! This enhanced of Super Mario 3D World, which originally launched for the Wii U system, features co-op gameplay both online* and through local multiplayer in a variety of creative levels. Additional details about what new things this game has to offer will be revealed later. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury launches for Nintendo Switch on Feb. 12, 2021. New amiibo figures Cat Mario and Cat Peach will also be released at the same time as the game.
Super Mario Bros. 35: Welcome to Super Mario Bros. … with 35 players! In this competitive online battle game, 35 players will compete to be the last Mario standing … or running. Enemies defeated will be sent to other players’ courses, but that also works the other way around! Players can activate special items to try and outpace their opponents. Super Mario Bros. 35 launches on Oct. 1 as a digital-only game exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members.* The game will be playable until March 31, 2021.
Super Mario All-Stars: The classic Super NES game that includes upgraded versions of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3 with enhanced 16-bit graphics is joining the catalog of games available with Nintendo Switch Online … later today!*
Super Mario Events: From now until March 2021, there are many events to mark the 35^th anniversary of Super Mario.

By completing Super Mario related missions on My Nintendo, fans will have an opportunity to earn rewards, including a special pin set. Pins are available while supplies last. This promotion lasts until March 31, 2021. Learn more by visiting the official website.
From Sept. 8 at 11 p.m. PT until Sept. 22 at 11 p.m. PT, Mario Kart Tour will have a Super Mario Kart Tour event, with special appearances by Mario (Super NES) and Donkey Kong Jr. (Super NES) from the original Super Mario Kart game.****
Historical Super Mario items and 35^th anniversary-themed merchandise will be available for purchase at the Nintendo NY store and store.nintendo.com during the month of November.
A 35^th anniversary-themed Ninji Speedruns course is coming to the Super Mario Maker 2 game in November.
Later this year, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will have an in-game online tournament using Super Mario series fighters, stages and items.
A Super Mario themed Splatfest is coming to Splatoon 2 in January 2021. Keychains will also be available as a My Nintendo reward closer to the Splatfest.***** In addition, physical Splatfest T-shirts will be available for purchase online later today. The upcoming Splatfest asks the important question: Which Super Mario power-up do you prefer? Supersize with a Super Mushroom or become invincible with a Super Star?
In March of next year, Super Mario themed furniture will be available in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.

Super Mario Products: In addition to events, many different Super Mario themed products will be hitting store shelves this year.

The PUMA RS-Dreamer Super Mario 64 basketball shoes from our collaborative collection will launch tomorrow, Sept. 4. These shoes will be available exclusively at Foot Locker, Champs Sports, PUMA stores and Puma.com.
Monopoly Super Mario Celebration from Hasbro is now available at retailers worldwide.
Jenga Super Mario sets from Hasbro are now available at retailers worldwide.
The It’s-a-Me, Mario action figure from Jakks Pacific is now available at retailers worldwide.
Black Milk Clothing inspired by Super Mario will be available at BlackMilkClothing.com starting at 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 5. A lookbook sneak peek will be available on Sept. 29.
The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System set is now available exclusively at LEGO stores and LEGO.com, with multiple LEGO Super Mario sets now available at retailers worldwide, including the Adventures with Mario Starter Course.

For more information about all these games, products and events, visit the Super Mario 35^th anniversary website.

Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/.

* Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online

** Nintendo Switch Lite plays all games that support handheld mode.

*** Additional games, systems and karts required for multiplayer mode. Systems and karts sold separately. Game download required and available as free download on Nintendo eShop.

**** Free-to-start; optional in-game purchases available. Persistent Internet, compatible smartphone and Nintendo Account required. Data charges may apply.

***** A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem My Nintendo points. Terms apply. https://accounts.nintendo.com/term_point.

Craig Majaski

Craig has been covering the video game industry since 1995. His work has been published across a wide spectrum of media sites. He’s currently the Editor-In-Chief of Nintendo Times and contributes to Gaming Age.