The year 2025 is a landmark year in gaming history: the 40 Years of Mario Bros., the game that single-handedly defined the platforming genre and arguably saved the video game industry. Nintendo, famous for its grand, milestone celebrations, has used this occasion not only for nostalgia’s sake, but also as a launchpad for the next generation of its cinematic and gaming future. The major announcements made during the highly anticipated Nintendo Direct in September 2025 confirmed years of rumors, revealing a strategic focus on expanding the beloved Super Mario Galaxy sub-franchise across both consoles and the silver screen.
The celebration is a carefully orchestrated mix of high-definition remasters, brand-new sports and spin-off titles, and a blockbuster movie sequel, strategically placed to bridge the current Nintendo Switch console era with the expected arrival of its successor, Nintendo Switch. It’s more than an anniversary; It’s a declaration of Mario’s enduring cultural dominance.
The Cinematic Apex—The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
The highest-profile announcement of the anniversary year is, without a doubt, the confirmed sequel to the 2023 box-office juggernaut, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Officially titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the film marks a massive expansion of Mario’s cinematic universe, pushing the Mushroom Kingdom crew into the vast, beautiful, and dangerous reaches of outer space.
A galaxy-spanning adventure
Super Mario Galaxy Movie is scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on April 3, 2026. This timeline places it perfectly after major game releases and places it as one of the major entertainment events of the next year. The film will again be a co-production between Illumination and Nintendo, with the creative team behind the first film returning: Aaron Horvath and Michael Zelenick as directors and Matthew Fogel as screenwriter.
The decision to adapt Super Mario Galaxy is a strategic one, taking advantage of the game’s reputation as one of the most artistically ambitious and critically acclaimed entries in the entire franchise. The original Wii game offered a sprawling, non-linear adventure across galaxies filled with miniature planets and stars, offering a visual spectacle perfect for a major animated feature.
Returning Cast and New Faces
The voice cast that contributed significantly to the first film’s success is confirmed to return:
- Chris Pratt as Mario
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
- Charlie Day as Luigi
- Jack Black as the show-stealing Bowser
- Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
- Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
The film’s central theme, centered on a journey through the universe to save Princess Peach (and potentially the entire universe from a black hole, mirroring the game’s plot), required the introduction of previously unseen fan-favorite characters to the screen. The most anticipated debut is that of Rosalina, the supernatural guardian of the universe and Lumas. Rosalina’s emotionally resonant backstory is central to the Galaxy narrative, and her cinematic interpretation is expected to provide the emotional core of the sequel, which could potentially tie into the expanded lore found in the game’s re-release.
Additionally, industry rumors and early translated summaries point to a “wider scope” that includes new competitors or rivals. Despite being unconfirmed by Nintendo, speculations suggest the possible introduction of characters like the mischievous Wario or Bowser Jr., hinting that Mario’s cinematic troubles are about to grow into the stars. The move solidifies Nintendo’s ambition to create an enduring, multi-film franchise that explores all corners of Mario lore.
Return to the Cosmos—Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 Re-releases
To perfectly complement the film’s announcement, Nintendo revealed the long-awaited return of the games that inspired the film: Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2. These two masterpieces of 3D platforming will be released as an integrated package, marking the first time that Galaxy 2 has been made widely available since its original Wii debut, being conspicuously absent from the 2020 Super Mario 3D All-Stars Collection.
The release date of October 2, 2025, makes the games a perfect fit for the holiday season and kicks off the primary gaming celebration for the 40th anniversary.
Technical Enhancements and Accessibility
Nintendo is treating these re-releases as much more than simple ports, providing substantial technical and accessibility upgrades:
- Enhanced Resolution: Games will run at 1080p resolution on the original Nintendo Switch. Importantly, they will support a free upgrade to Nintendo Switch 2, enabling stunning 4K resolution in docked mode, showcasing vibrant cosmic scenes in unprecedented clarity.
- Improved Control Options: Keeping in mind the frequent requests of fans, the game will have improved and expanded control options. Players will be able to choose between basic motion controls (using the Joy-Cons) or traditional button and stick control schemes, offering flexibility for both purists and those who prefer a more traditional setup.
- Quality of Life Features: A new Assistive Mode has been included for accessibility, and an in-game music player allows fans to enjoy the universally acclaimed orchestral soundtrack at any time.
Expanded Lore and Movie Tie-in: Rosalina’s Storybook
The most interesting thing for dedicated lore enthusiasts is the addition of additional pages to Rosalina’s storybook in both re-released titles.
In the original Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina’s story book provided a powerful, emotional, and often nostalgic background for the character and the origins of the Comet Observatory and Lumas. Nintendo has confirmed that the new, expanded lore within this in-game storybook will contain content that directly connects to and foreshadows events in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
This unique synergy – where an updated game serves as complementary, mandatory reading to the film sequel – reflects Nintendo’s desire to create a true multimedia narrative experience. Fans looking for the darkest references to the 2026 film will be encouraged to explore these 2025 re-releases, effectively blurring the lines between gaming and cinema.
New Horizons for the Franchise
Beyond the proverbial celebration, the 40th Anniversary Direct laid out a clear road map for the Super Mario franchise’s continued expansion into spin-offs and 2D platforming, with a heavy emphasis on titles designed to showcase the Switch 2’s capabilities.
1. Mario Tennis Fever (Switch 2 Exclusive)
The popular Mario Tennis spin-off franchise is getting a major revival with Mario Tennis Fever, which is scheduled to release on February 12, 2026, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. This new entry is designed to take a significant technological leap forward, harnessing the power and features of the new console.
- HUGE ROSTER: The game boasts the largest roster of the series to date, featuring 38 playable characters drawn from the vast Mario universe.
- New Gameplay Mechanics: It introduces new motion-controlled power shots and the “Wonder Effects” system, which radically alters the behavior of the court and ball mid-match, adding a layer of unpredictable chaos and excitement reminiscent of Super Mario Bros.. Wonder.
- Adventure Mode: A robust new Adventure Mode is promised, allowing players to take a character through a full narrative campaign with RPG elements and boss battles, a welcome return for fans of the earlier entries.
2. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (Switch 2 Exclusive)
Mario’s faithful dinosaur companion, Yoshi, will star in an all-new, unique 2D platformer called Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, scheduled for Spring 2026.
The game relies heavily on a whimsical arts-and-crafts aesthetic, similar to previous titles such as Yoshi’s Woolly World, but with a distinctive, hand-drawn and stop-motion styled visual flair. The main premise involves Yoshi jumping into the pages of a magical book, with the goal of “filling” the book with details about the various flora and fauna of the Mario world. This imaginative concept promises the return of engaging, exploratory 2D platforming, utilizing unique traversal mechanics and new power-ups specific to the book-world setting.
3. Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
One of the last major titles for the original Nintendo Switch is getting a powerful overhaul. Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is set for release in Spring 2026, promising upgraded resolution and performance that will make the imaginative world of the Flower Kingdom pop with even more detail.
The re-release will feature the new, highly anticipated Meetup in Bellabell Park expansion. This content focuses entirely on multiplayer interaction, offering competitive and cooperative challenges where players can participate in various platforming races, coin-collection competitions, and other challenges, significantly boosting replayability for those looking for dedicated multiplayer Mario action.
Cultural Legacy and Collector’s Items
The 40th anniversary celebration goes beyond game and film announcements to acknowledge Mario’s status as a global cultural icon. Nintendo has planned several initiatives to celebrate the legacy for both fans and collectors.
Museum and Marathon Celebrations
In Japan, where Super Mario Bros. first debuted in September 1985, the company is connecting the anniversary to its physical legacy:
- Nintendo Museum (Kyoto): The newly opened Nintendo Museum will have a special 40th anniversary annual exhibit starting in late 2025. Attendees will receive special edition, anniversary-themed tickets and can see a unique light display showcasing decades of concept art and pixel illustrations.
- Kyoto Marathon: Nintendo will sponsor the 2026 Kyoto Marathon, integrating Mario themes and characters into the event, a move that connects the energetic spirit of the games to a major public event.
Exclusive Collectibles
The anniversary features two major collectible lines directly related to the Galaxy Focus:
- Super Mario Galaxy amiibo: A new series of amiibo figures is scheduled to launch on April 2, 2026, including a Mario and Luma figure and a Rosalina and Lumas figure. These figures are expected to provide in-game bonuses in the Galaxy re-release and potentially other future titles.
- Physical Storybook: A high-quality, hardcover edition of Rosalina’s original in-game storybook is planned to be released. While it won’t include new, film-related lore updates exclusive to the digital game versions, it serves as a beautiful collector’s art piece that celebrates one of the franchise’s most dynamic pieces of world-building.
Conclusion
Mario’s 40th anniversary is shaping up to be one of Nintendo’s most ambitious celebrations ever. By centering the entire event around the majestic and expansive Super Mario Galaxy universe, Nintendo has successfully tied together its past, present, and future. The strategic release of the 4K-enhanced Galaxy 1 and 2 in late 2025 serves as a perfect prelude, allowing millions of fans to re-experience or discover the source material. This wave of nostalgia culminates in 2026 with the cinematic spectacle of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which promises to canonize the beloved space-faring hero on the global stage. With new Switch 2 titles like Mario Tennis Fever and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, the anniversary showcases Nintendo’s commitment to fostering innovation while honoring the foundational magic of the plumber that started it all. For fans, it’s not just a celebration of the leap of four decades, but an exciting preview of the golden years to come.