Super Mario Turns 40 in 2025—Here’s What Fans Can Expect From the Iconic Plumber

Let’s be honest—when you hear that iconic coin sound or the cheerful jingle when Mario grabs a power-up, something exciting sparks within you, doesn’t it? For countless fans spanning generations, Super Mario isn’t simply a game; he’s a cherished childhood companion, a hero in overalls, and a joyful ambassador of the gaming world. As we approach 2025, we’re gearing up to celebrate a remarkable milestone: 40 years of jumping, stomping, and rescuing Princess Peach.

That’s not just nostalgia—that’s legacy!

As we prepare for a year filled with celebrations, reboots, and hopefully some exciting game announcements, let’s explore the most thrilling rumors, confirmed plans, and delightful possibilities stirring within the Mushroom Kingdom.

🎂 Celebrating 40 Years of Mario

Picture this: the year is 1985. A humble plumber bursts onto the NES screen, facing off against Koopa Troopas, leaping over bottomless pits, and changing the face of gaming forever.

Fast forward four decades, and the Super Mario franchise boasts an endless list of iconic moments—battles with Bowser, kart racing with Yoshi, and galaxy adventures with Rosalina.

The year 2025 signifies a significant celebration: the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. Understandably, Nintendo isn’t going to let this moment pass quietly. Rumors are swirling, and fans are on edge, anticipating major announcements. We may see new titles, collector’s editions, global events, and possibly—even just possibly—a groundbreaking new console that elevates the Mushroom Kingdom experience.

🍄 Anticipating a New 3D Mario Game

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—the clamor for the next big 3D Mario title.

The last mainline 3D adventure, Super Mario Odyssey, debuted in 2017. Although it still captivates players’ hearts (seriously, the Sand Kingdom shouldn’t be that intriguing), the gaming landscape has evolved. A full console generation has come and gone.

The timing for a surprise announcement couldn’t be better, especially with the 40th anniversary fast approaching.

Is it Super Mario Odyssey 2? Or perhaps an entirely new concept that introduces world-hopping mechanics? Speculation abounds, with some theories suggesting a unique blend of platforming and open-world elements, or even a co-op adventure that surpasses the beloved Super Mario 3D World. Regardless, fans are eagerly awaiting a fresh experience packed with intricate level design and boundless joy.

🏁 Mario Kart: Always Accelerating

While we cherish Mario for his platforming skills, let’s not overlook his iconic racing career.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has dominated sales charts consistently since its 2017 launch on the Switch, earning rave reviews and a devoted player base. However, even with its extensive DLC offerings, fans are yearning for more—new tracks, characters, and gameplay features that redefine competition.

The anticipation for a new Mario Kart title on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 feels more like a certainty than a mere wish. Could we expect exciting crossover characters, dynamic weather patterns, or even a build-your-own circuit mode? One fan theory suggests the return of a story mode reminiscent of Diddy Kong Racing. Now, that would certainly rev up the excitement.

🎮 Reviving beloved Spin-offs

Let’s not forget that Mario isn’t the only character in this franchise—his friends have had their own remarkable journeys and deserve the spotlight too.

Yoshi, Luigi, and Wario have all captured hearts in their distinctive ways. As we approach 2025, we might witness a revival of some of these beloved sub-series.

• Could a new Paper Mario showcase the Mushroom Kingdom through quirky humor and innovative mechanics?
• What about Wario re-entering the business world through chaotic mini-games?
• And where in the world is Captain Toad? The little adventurer deserves a second chance at a grand adventure!

Fans are buzzing about the potential revival of these spin-off titles to complement the 40th-anniversary festivities. Players might not just dust off their Switch consoles—they could even consider upgrading to experience the celebration to its fullest.

🧩 The Nintendo Switch 2: What’s on the Horizon?

A lingering question stirs excitement among the gaming community: what about the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2?

Set to launch in 2025, this next-generation console promises to shape the landscape for upcoming Mario titles.

What can we expect? Will new Mario titles be cross-gen releases? Might we see classic games remastered for enhanced performance? Some speculate thrilling features such as shared saves, quicker load times, ray tracing, or even 4K visuals for our favorite plumber.

But if there’s one lesson from Nintendo, it’s that they excel at blending nostalgia with innovation. Whatever the console offers, anticipation is high for exciting surprises!

🧠 The Mario Community Speaks: Fan Desires

No discussion about Mario feels complete without hearing from the community. Across forums, YouTube channels, and social media, passionate fans have shared their wishes for the future.

Here are some recurring dreams from the Mario fandom:

• A narrative-driven Mario adventure starring Bowser as an unlikely hero
• More interconnected worlds—imagine a Breath of the Wild-style open Mushroom Kingdom
• Expanded cooperative options—how about full campaigns for 2 to 4 players?
• A revival of Mario RPG elements infused with charm, humor, and quirky villains like Fawful

While some of these ideas may appear ambitious, history shows us that Nintendo has a penchant for transforming wild concepts into beloved realities.

Conclusion: Mario’s Timeless Legacy

Here’s the reality: Mario has never truly left us. Beyond video games, he’s made appearances in LEGO sets, animated films, and even theme parks. However, 2025 feels uniquely special. This year won’t solely focus on nostalgia; it promises to celebrate everything Mario has been, is, and could become.

Whether it’s a brand-new 3D adventure, exhilarating kart races, or the reintroduction of classic characters on a next-gen console, the world’s most renowned plumber still has numerous challenges and worlds to explore ahead.

40 years in, and that iconic mustache continues to symbolize joy and adventure. Wouldn’t you agree?

FAQs

Will there be new Mario games in 2025?

Absolutely! 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. and is likely to bring exciting new titles across various genres.

Is Super Mario Odyssey getting a sequel?

While not officially confirmed, the expectation is high for either a sequel or a brand-new 3D Mario title, especially given the time since Odyssey's release.

Are we getting a new Mario Kart game?

Given that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been around since 2017, the anticipation for a next-gen Mario Kart is strong, especially with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

Will classic characters get new games too?

This seems quite possible! Fans are hopeful for new spin-offs featuring beloved characters like Luigi, Yoshi, and Wario, including a potential new Paper Mario or revival of classic RPG elements.

What role does the Nintendo Switch 2 play in all this?

The forthcoming console expected in 2025 could enhance the upcoming Mario experience, offering better graphics and gameplay while still supporting earlier titles from the first Switch.

Get ready to relive your childhood while boosting your gaming skills, as Mario prepares to make 40 look like the new 20—complete with more warp pipes, exciting worlds, and captivating adventures!