Rumor: Nintendo to show off new Mario game at E3, releasing this year in Japan

by David Hinkle { May 31st 2009 at 7:00PM }

Coming from Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper, we hear rumblings of a new Mario game destined for Japan sometime this year, and that we should expect to hear about this game during E3 this week. It's a fairly credible rumor, considering Nintendo admitted that the Mario and Zelda teams were working on something last year. Nihon Keizai Shimbun also says this is a title destined for Wii (sorry, DSi fans!).

Considering it's been a year since we've heard what little we have, it would make sense that Nintendo would be ready to unveil something at this year's show.

[Via IGN]

Tags: e3-2009, mario, super-mario

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mabui @ May 31st 2009 7:29PM

First, you'd think they'd have a Zelda ready before another Mario considering it should have been in development longer. Secondly, maybe I'm just jealous and such but it seems sorta obvious that America loves Wii more then Japan does - shouldn't they throw us the bones first?!

David Hinkle @ May 31st 2009 9:34PM

Technically, they do. Spirit Tracks. :)

chriscanberg @ May 31st 2009 11:53PM

Yeah I've been saying that since the very beginning. Okay so Reggie said it last year: Mario teams working, Zelda teams working. People are saying that Nintendo's bringing out a new Zelda game thats supposed to take complete advantage of its system's advancements or something like that. I think Spirit Tracks is that game. I don't think there is a new Wii Zelda ready to show off yet. =\

KIMP @ May 31st 2009 7:37PM

I love my Wii, it made me a HARDCORE gamer again (yeah, hardcore) but I have yet to buy Mario Galaxy... why?! Cause there's already too many games I'm working on finishing before getting new ones... hell, I still have Metroid Prime 3 wrapped and unopened!!!

But I want a new Mario game! Bring it on!
Cant wait for Nintendo's E3.

Joe Cart @ May 31st 2009 9:06PM

DUDE, are u kidding? Go play Mario Galaxy! Its like on of THE best games EVER, definitly a top 3 game on Wii.

But yeah, I am VERY excited about this news. I'm thinking maybe a true Mario 64 sequel or an all out 2D sidescrolling game. I'll settle for either

Fernando Rocker @ May 31st 2009 10:00PM

Super Mario Galaxy is the game of the forever bro... it is truly a masterpiece.

Enjoy the reading:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200503

Fun DMC @ May 31st 2009 7:44PM

That'd be nice.

JD @ May 31st 2009 7:58PM

@Mabui, Its possible that Zelda games take longer to develop. When you compare the Mario universe to the Zelda universe the Zelda games are way more complicated. I'm just hoping they announce them both : ) Better yet I'm hoping for PIKMIN 3!!!!!!!

Feba @ May 31st 2009 8:16PM

Not sure about that. They both had one game on SNES, iirc (LttP and SMW). On N64, there was one Mario (SM64) and plans for another were scrapped; Zelda got two (OoT and MM). On Gamecube, there was again only one Mario (Sunshine), and two Zelda (WW, TP). Unless Nintendo is planning on this being a longer generation than previous ones, it seems unlikely they could get two Wii Zeldas out now. A second Mario is more believable, as Nintendo did say it was in development, but I believe this would be the first time a console has had two Mario games since the NES.

Of course, this could be NPC!Sunshine, too.

Personally, one of the reasons this year's E3 fascinates me (on Nintendo's side) is that we might well see the unveiling of a 'core' game (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, etc. instead of Wii Sports, Wii Fit, etc.) that is truly made from the ground up for Wii, instead of being a hold-over from GameCube development. This would allow for far better use of the controls, and somewhat more importantly would make a great way to show off what the Wii can really do technically.

Surlent @ May 31st 2009 8:38PM

"They both had one game on SNES, iirc (LttP and SMW)."

Feba, you can't forget Yoshi's Island!

Rob @ May 31st 2009 7:59PM

Makes sense seeing as they don't have any big Wii game coming out anytime soon

John @ May 31st 2009 8:02PM

So there's a chance that I can finally have a Mario Ice skating game.

Nook @ May 31st 2009 8:09PM

right, I'd be really suprised if this was a 'mario' game as opposed to some type of sports game or something, new paper mario? mario rpg?

you'd think they'd be showing a new wii zelda, since galaxy was 2007 and tp was a cube game going back to 2004 in development.

time will tell.

John @ May 31st 2009 8:17PM

I was kidding about that, I really don't want to see a Mario game in sometime; He's heading in the same direction of Sonic if he's not there already just let him rest.A Zelda game would be much appreciated.

Feba @ May 31st 2009 8:07PM

Mario Paint, right?

Right?

On another note, Nintendo, just announce Pikmin Trilogy releasing this holiday season and we'll call it even.

Roto13 @ May 31st 2009 9:18PM

I don't see them doing a Pikmin trilogy any time soon. Pikmin 3 alone is a definite possibility for this holiday season, though.

headkicker @ May 31st 2009 8:40PM

@John How is Mario becoming like Sonic? Mario Galaxy was his best game since SMB3. It's not like the spin offs count as real Mario games.

Nicholas @ May 31st 2009 8:41PM

Mario needs a nap for at least a year or more. But Link's next adventure would be much appreciated!

guttertalk @ May 31st 2009 10:05PM

As excellent as Galaxy is, a "Mario" game just doesn't seem like that big of a deal given that we've also had Mario Kart, Paper Mario, Mario & Sonic twice, Mario Sluggers, Mario Strikers, and Mario Party for the Wii so far.

Nintendo has such a rich stable of characters that I'd like to see them focus on a couple of them before another Mario game.

Wii-Lover @ May 31st 2009 10:18PM

Here's my guess...

LoZ: Spirit Tracks for Fall

Super Mario Galaxy 2 for this Holiday

LoZ: ?? for early 10

Pikmin 3 is teased.

2D Metroid (WiiWare?) somewhere in that time period, but that is at their best...

We'll probably get no LoZ: ?? announcement. DX