Does New Super Mario Bros. 3 Exist? Unraveling the Mystery

The short answer is: it’s complicated. There’s no official “New Super Mario Bros. 3” released by Nintendo. However, the legacy of Super Mario Bros. 3, coupled with Nintendo’s penchant for revisiting classic franchises with “New” iterations, has led to persistent rumors, fan speculation, and even misinterpretations about such a game. To understand this fully, we need to dissect the landscape of Super Mario games, understand the “New” sub-series, and explore the possibility of a future release.

The Legacy of Super Mario Bros. 3

Super Mario Bros. 3 is undeniably a cornerstone of video game history. Released in 1988 (Japan) and 1990 (North America) for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), it revolutionized platforming with its expansive world map, innovative power-ups like the Super Leaf (giving Mario the Raccoon Suit), and challenging level design. It’s consistently ranked among the greatest video games of all time, and its influence can still be felt in modern platformers. The game was so groundbreaking that it even appeared in the film The Wizard, solidifying its place in popular culture. It was later ported to various consoles, including the Wii Virtual Console, Wii U Virtual Console, 3DS Virtual Console, and NES Classic Edition, ensuring its continued accessibility to players of all generations.

The “New” Super Mario Bros. Series: A Retrospective

The “New” Super Mario Bros. series began with New Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo DS in 2006. This title revitalized the 2D side-scrolling Mario gameplay with updated graphics, enhanced multiplayer features, and a mix of familiar and new power-ups. It was a commercial success and spawned several sequels:

• New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009): This was the first Mario game to allow four-player simultaneous play on a home console, adding a chaotic but fun dynamic to the classic formula.
• New Super Mario Bros. 2 (2012): Released on the Nintendo 3DS, this installment focused heavily on coin collecting, with a goal to amass a million coins.
• New Super Mario Bros. U (2012): Initially for the Wii U, this title was later ported to the Nintendo Switch as New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, adding accessibility and further content, including New Super Luigi U.

Given the success of these games, it’s natural for fans to wonder if a New Super Mario Bros. 3 is on the horizon. The series, while popular, began to face criticism for its perceived lack of innovation compared to its predecessors. This might have influenced Nintendo’s decision to move away from the “New” moniker for future 2D Mario titles.

Why No New Super Mario Bros. 3 (Yet)?

Several factors could contribute to the absence of an official New Super Mario Bros. 3:

• Brand Fatigue: The “New” series, while initially successful, might have run its course. Nintendo may have felt that the formula had become stale and decided to explore different avenues for 2D Mario games.
• Shift in Development Focus: Nintendo has increasingly prioritized innovative 3D Mario experiences like Super Mario Odyssey, which offer a drastically different and arguably more ambitious gameplay style.
• Re-releases and Remasters: Instead of creating entirely new “New” games, Nintendo has focused on porting and remastering existing titles, like New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Super Mario 3D All-Stars, which includes Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy.

The Future of 2D Mario

While a direct New Super Mario Bros. 3 might not be in the works, the spirit of classic 2D Mario lives on. Super Mario Maker 2 provides players with the tools to create and share their own Mario levels, effectively offering an endless stream of new 2D Mario content. Furthermore, Nintendo could always surprise us with a new 2D Mario game that doesn’t carry the “New” branding, perhaps experimenting with a different art style or gameplay mechanics.

Understanding the Mario Universe

The Mario franchise is vast and ever-evolving. From the original Super Mario Bros. to the open-world adventures of Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo constantly reinvents the plumber’s world. Spin-offs like Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Mario RPG further expand the universe, catering to different gameplay preferences. This diversity is a key reason for the franchise’s enduring appeal.

Many educational initiatives have been created around the franchise, and to explore the pedagogical power of games, resources like the Games Learning Society ( GamesLearningSociety.org ) offer valuable insights.

15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Did Super Mario Bros. 3 happen? Yes, Super Mario Bros. 3 is a real and highly acclaimed game released for the NES in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It’s considered a classic.

2. Do they have Mario 3 for Nintendo Switch? While there isn’t a standalone Super Mario Bros. 3 release on the Nintendo Switch, it’s available through the Nintendo Switch Online service, which offers a library of classic NES games.

3. Will there be a new Super Mario game in 2024? Yes, there is a reported new 3D Super Mario game reportedly releasing in 2024 and will be Open World.

4. What is the new Mario Party game in 2024? Mario Party Superstars 2 is scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch on July 12th, 2024.

5. Nintendo Has Plans To REMAKE Super Mario Bros. 3 SOON There is no official confirmation from Nintendo on remaking Super Mario Bros 3. However, many fans are eager for this.

6. Is Bowser in Super Mario Bros 3? Yes, Bowser is the final boss in Super Mario Bros. 3.

7. What can I play Super Mario 3 on? You can play Super Mario Bros. 3 on NES Version, Wii Virtual Console, 3DS Virtual Console, Wii U Virtual Console, Classic NES Edition, Wii Super Mario All-Stars, and Wii U [GBA].

8. Where is new Super Mario Bros 3? Currently, there is no official New Super Mario Bros. 3.

9. Will there be a 4th Luigi’s Mansion? Given the success of the series, it’s likely that Next Level Games is working on a fourth Luigi’s Mansion game.

10. What Super Mario games are coming out in 2025? A new New Super Mario Bros. game, titled New Super Mario Bros. Extreme, is rumored to be released in 2025.

11. Is Mario 26 years old? While some sources have stated Mario’s age as 26, this is not generally considered canon. Nintendo has never officially confirmed Mario’s age.

12. Is Mario Luigi older? Luigi is portrayed as the younger brother of Mario.

13. Why did Super Mario Bros 35 end? Super Mario Bros. 35 was a limited-time celebration of the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. and was discontinued as planned.

14. Is there a female Bowser? Bowsette is a fan-made character, a gender-swapped version of Bowser inspired by the Super Crown power-up.

15. Is Mario Party 3 rare? Mario Party 3 is considered one of the more rare and expensive Nintendo 64 games due to its limited print run.