Games Inbox: When will Switch 2 get a new 3D Mario game?

The Thursday letters page tries to predict what will be in today’s Indie World Nintendo Direct, as a number of readers admit to being adult fans of Fortnite.

To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Your 3D Mario is in another castle
In an ideal world the thing to do for the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. is a brand new 3D Super Mario or at least a big budget 2D one. But I don’t see any likelihood of that happening. People have said they’re probably waiting for the new movie next April, but they did exactly nothing for the last one so I’d hardly say that was a dead cert.

And even if they do, I would’ve thought a 2D game was more likely, because that’s what the majority of people going to see the film (aka parents) will be thinking of when they think Mario. There’s also the fact that the 3D Mario team made Donkey Kong Bananza, so either they’re not doing the next game or it’s going to take years and years.

I honestly think it’s the second option and that it’s going to be several more anniversaries until we get a follow-up to Super Mario Odyssey, which is upsetting because it’s going to be nine years old next year. Yes, it’s been that long.
Lupin

Irritating solution
On top of everything else that’s wrong with the games industry at the moment I get the feeling it’s all going to get a lot more… awkward in the future. This GTA Online age checking system is clearly real and I’m sure it’s just the start. Fortnite is technically rated 12, or at least the Battle Royale bit is, but how many parents stick to that? Imagine how irritated they’re going to be when little Johnny constantly wants his dad to do the face check to let him online.

I’m not even saying that online checks aren’t a good idea, the problem is we don’t have the technology to do it conveniently or accurately. It’s easy to cheat and yet it’s going to constantly get in your face, literally. There are bigger problems in the world but it’s the little things that irritate and it’s going to put people off.
Gonk

Indie darlings
So what do we think is going to be at the Indie World Nintendo Direct today? Not Silksong, according to every rumour I’ve seen, but I’d be surprised if Hades 2 wasn’t mentioned and maybe the Slay The Spire 2 early access could come to Switch 2? Maybe Blue Prince too, now that’s blown up quite a bit. Clair Obsur: Expedition 33 too, probably.

As I understand it, most Indie games sold best on Switch 1 so I’m hoping the Switch 2 will be a favourite too, although its sounds like that lack of devkits worldwide isn’t going to help. Maybe that’s why the thing is only 15 minutes long!
Gorko

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New Super Mario All-Stars
I will laugh (well, inwardly chuckle) if Nintendo don’t celebrate the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., after making such an unnecessary fuss about the 35th. Even though we know it’s fake, a compilation of the New Super Mario Bros. games does sound believable, despite them not even being very good games.

My dream would be a modern equivalent of Super Mario All-Stars where you take the original three games and remake them with modern graphics. Except absolutely not the boring New Super Mario Bros. style, but something new and interesting and weird.

I don’t think Nintendo will put that kind of effort into it though, which is a shame. I would be surprised if we don’t get some kind of compilation though. It’s just easy money for them, and right before Christmas.
Tacle

A high tide
Really enjoyed your coverage of Gradius Origins and the… hesitant return of Konami. Although, the 101 Silent Hill games and nothing for Castlevania is super strange, especially as the Silent Hill 2 remake is the only good one so far. I am relatively hopefully about Silent Hill f but a bit worried that it will have more combat in it, apparently to attract more younger players.

That makes me immediately worried, when it’s a game that’s meant to be scary, not an action game. Curious to know if you’ll be previewing it soon and how it’s looking. At the end of the day, the more of their games, no matter what they are, that are successful the more they’ll be willing to do more.
Lambo

GC: We should be seeing it at Gamescom.

First person view
It’s interesting listening to the talk around the Switch 2. I’ve had it since launch with the Mario Kart bundle. I’m not a massive fan of Mario Kart but enjoyed playing for a few hours and will dip in. I’ve just finished Cyberpunk 2077; I’ve really enjoyed it, I don’t usually play first person games but I’ve loved it and it’s made me think I’ve missed out on some other similar great games. Any recommendations on Switch would be welcome.

When the original Switch came out I had a pre-order but cancelled it due to a lack of games, I knew I would play Zelda but felt I’d wait so picked one up a couple of months later. It is without doubt my favourite console ever. The difference for me with the Switch 2 is I already have so many classic games that even if it had a quiet year I had plenty to play, especially with the online.

I’ve got Donkey Kong Bananza to start now and I’m looking forward to Star Wars Outlaws and hopefully Metroid before Xmas and I’ll be well happy for the first year. I agree the that last Direct was poor, the first one I can remember with nothing I was interested in, hopefully the indie one will be better.

It may not sell like the Switch but having access to all those great games, plus most of Nintendo’s back catalogue, suggests it will be my new favourite console, especially when a new Zelda and Mario land. Keep up the great work.
Kineticinduction

GC: Thank you. There aren’t many first person games of note on the Switch 2 yet but Borderlands 4 is out in October and of course there’s Metroid Prime 4 at some point later this year.

Bad influence
In response to Whistler’s question: I will be 40 next week and have not and will never play Fortnite. As far as I’m concerned it and its success are among the worst things to happen to the video game industry.

All it has done is inspire publishers to pressure its once-great studios to try and recreate this garbage and its exploitative financial model. The sooner Fortnite dies the better, but I fear that it will far outlast the rest of the gaming industry.
StellarFlux

Free for all
In response to the email about adults and Fortnite. I would say that there is a fairly substantial adult following. I play and I’m pushing an age I dare not mention, and I play with a various other people from 20 to 50 years old. I initially never got along with it, because of the building, as it was too much for me but always thought it was well supported in terms of updates and skins.

Then a few years back they added the zero build mode and I was encouraged to try, so I did. And since then it’s been my go-to game.

It’s easy to pick up, hard to master and games don’t leave you dead for too long, so when time is a premium you can just pick up and play.

They also pump out skins that appeal to older folks (like RoboCop, Aliens, Knight Rider, and Star Wars) that tugs directly at the wallet.

I would recommend giving it a go, it’s free and fun.
Wayne

Inbox also-rans
I’m a 47-year-old mum of two, aged 10 and 13 years old. I play Fortnite regularly. My husband and I often play together in the evenings. I started in lockdown playing altogether as a family…
Rebecca

Good news. I got on to the open beta for Battlefield 6. Bad news, I’m 21,000 in the queue, which started at 35,000. I don’t think I’m getting on.
Bobwallett

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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

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