Mario Turns 40: Nintendo Hints at Big Surprises for the Switch 2

Nintendo is quietly getting ready for a significant Mario milestone. As the plumber's 40th anniversary approaches this September, people are talking about it because of a strange find: an "official" anniversary account that was created in July 2020. Fans are quick to compare this to Mario's 35th anniversary celebrations, which also left a trail of online breadcrumbs.

If history is any guide, many announcements could be coming soon. The timing couldn't be better since a new Mario movie is coming out next year. So, what could Nintendo offer? One popular idea is that Super Mario Galaxy 2 will return. People were confused when it wasn't included in the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection.

There are rumors that it could come back with more than just better graphics—maybe a full high-end remaster with better textures, more details, and possibly new content. Some people are interested in a possible New Super Mario Bros. collection that would appeal to the nostalgia of millions of people who played the DS and Wii games as kids. The idea isn't wild, given how many copies the series has sold.

Nintendo's old games might be the key to its plans for its anniversary. There are rumors that Super Mario All-Stars could come back for Switch 2, along with Galaxy 2 and New Super Mario Bros. It would be optimized for 60 frames per second and work better with the new hardware. The first version of the Switch caused a lot of problems because it was hard to find, but a re-release could keep these classic games in circulation for good.

Some people are also hoping that Mario 35, the crazy online battle royale where dozens of Marios raced through courses until only one was left, will come back. The first one didn't last long, but a second run, with some new twists, could help Nintendo's online offerings. Still, the most exciting news would be a brand-new 3D Mario game made for the Switch 2, which could be one of the console's most significant releases in 2026.

Nintendo's 3D Mario games have always been big news, and insiders think a new game could be announced during the anniversary celebrations. Even though the company has been busy with other franchises lately, it has a history of keeping multiple teams busy so that Mario never stays out of the spotlight for long. The Switch 2 will be a year old in the middle of 2026, so it's time for an announcement. The September events could be the perfect place to make it.

The anniversary, the new Mario movie, and Nintendo's push into next-gen hardware all coming together make for a great time to make a big announcement. Even though we don't know much about it yet, history shows that the company rarely lets significant events go by without something newsworthy happening.

Nintendo's newest console, on the other hand, isn't slowing down. The rumors that demand for Switch 2 has "dried up" don't seem to be true. Sales are still going strong, partly thanks to Donkey Kong Bonanza. Since Amazon started selling Nintendo hardware and first-party games directly again, the jungle-themed platformer has been the number one new release game on the charts.

This success makes people worry less about fake scarcity. Nintendo isn't limiting supply; instead, they are keeping production steady, which keeps both scalpers and shortages at bay. This move not only makes customers feel better about the company, but it also makes sure that new games like Donkey Kong Bonanza can reach a lot of people right away.

Sales data from Amazon and other bestseller lists make it clear that Switch 2 is doing very well. Nintendo is keeping the launch momentum going much longer than usual by pairing popular new games with readily available hardware. The success of Donkey Kong Bonanza also shows that Nintendo's other leading franchises, besides Mario and Zelda, are still popular. This gives the Switch 2 a sound library of games early on in its life.

If Nintendo can keep this up until the Mario anniversary, the second half of the year could be a huge hit. The Switch 2 would be a strong contender in the next-gen console race if it had a lot of nostalgic re-releases, new Mario games, and continued strong hardware sales.

September is going to be full of announcements. Fans are excited to see how Nintendo will celebrate the mustachioed hero's 40 years in gaming, whether it's a remaster of Galaxy 2, a new 3D Mario adventure, or surprise online multiplayer games. Nintendo looks like it will have another record-breaking year, especially with the Switch 2's growing success and Donkey Kong Bonanza's chart-topping run.

Now all we want to know is how far the company will go for Mario's big 4-0. Will it rely on nostalgia, move boldly into the future, or try to do both at the same time? September might have the answer, and fans all over the world are ready to find out.

Would you like me to add the "Donkey Kong Bonanza" sales trend information to a short global performance section to make the piece more comprehensive? That might make it feel even more finished.