Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Trending
  • Gamescom 2025 schedule
  • Gamescom
  • Battlefield 6
  • New Games for 2025
Don't miss these
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Animated Movies Nintendo and Illumination are "working hard" on Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, with Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto saying the idea for the sequel is an "interesting" one
A screenshot from Super Mario Odyssey showing Mario throwing Cappy in New Donk City.
Super Mario A 3D Mario game for the Switch 2 could be "many years away" as former Nintendo marketing leads also speculate Donkey Kong Bananza is being made by the Super Mario Odyssey team
Metroid Prime 4 screenshot of Samus grasping purple energy
Metroid Metroid Prime 4 has been rated by the ESRB, sparking hopes Nintendo is announcing a release date soon
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond key art featuring Samus in her suit with her hand outstretched using purple psychic powers
Games After smashing through Donkey Kong Bananza I've run out of things to play on my Nintendo Switch 2 – so here are 5 games that better get release dates at Gamescom 2025
Metroid Prime 4 screenshot of Samus grasping purple energy
Metroid My Nintendo Direct hopium grows as Switch 2 big hitters Metroid Prime 4 and Hyrule Warriors get rated abroad
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Animated Movies Nintendo wants to "expand the number of people" who have access to its franchises, and that means it's working on "various" post-Legend of Zelda movie projects
Metroid Prime 4
Games Former Nintendo marketing lead says rumors of a Direct later this month "make a lot of sense" due to the lack of a Metroid Prime 4 release date
Borderlands 4 screenshot of new Siren Vex
Borderlands Borderlands 4 boss Randy Pitchford says "Nintendo just had the most successful new console launch in the history of video game consoles" with the Switch 2, so of course he wants to "bring more games to it"
Mario admires a painting in Mario Paint
Games After 33 years, Nintendo finally brings back the Super NES mouse game that's perfect for Switch 2, and even lets you plug a USB mouse into a Switch 1 to play it
Donkey Kong Bananza DK and Pauline after she is released from purple rock
Donkey Kong 26 years after Donkey Kong 64, Nintendo finally wants to establish "two separate branches" of Donkey Kong with the Switch 2's Bananza: 2D and 3D "just as we did with Mario"
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond screenshot showing Samus Aran in a hero pose after disembarking her ship
Metroid Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Everything we know so far about the upcoming Switch game
Best Mario games
Super Mario The 15 best Mario games of all time
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
Strategy Games After 2 underrated tactical RPGs on Switch, Mario + Rabbids developer Ubisoft Milan's pitch for another game was apparently turned down, which may explain why it's now working on Rayman
Pikmin 3 Deluxe
Strategy Games No Pikmin games got Switch 2 upgrades, and fans say Pikmin 3 Deluxe is "borderline broken" thanks to crashes, bizarre visual bugs, and screen flickering
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Super Mario Super Mario 3D All-Stars just got a new update to "improve gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2," so it sure is a shame you can't actually buy it anymore
  1. Games
  2. Platformer
  3. Super Mario

Super Mario 4 - What we want to see

Features
By Henry Gilbert published 13 April 2012

Is Nintendo planning a new 2D Mario? If so, we hope they include this

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Nintendo reveals totally new 2D Super Mario for 3DS

Super Mario 4 domain nabbed by Nintendo

If that's the case and Mario is going to try to return once more to the retro 2D style he perfected, Nintendo will have some very big shoes to fill. Just how can the publisher pull it off? We've got a few ideas...

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
It must (and almost certainly will) be 2D

It must (and almost certainly will) be 2D

For many reasons Super Mario 4 will almost certainly be a 2D game. First off there's Nintendo revealing totally new 2D Super Mario for 3DS in 2012, which is likely Mario 4. Second, we'd bet most consumers expect 2D graphics from the name "Mario 4." And lastly, the previous two core Marios were Galaxy 2 and 3D Land, meaning that Nintendo is probably itching to return to 2D Marios that will hopefully be as profitable as New Super Mario Bros.

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
A finely tuned, portable experience

A finely tuned, portable experience

As with the previous slide, Nintendo more or less confirmed a 2D Mario is coming to the 3DS soon, and it makes sense for that type of game anyway. The bite-sized 2D levels fit for limited play time on a handheld, just as the smaller 3D stages worked in Mario 3D Land. Couple that with the smaller investment developing on handhelds as Nintendo shifts much of its funds to the Wii U and it makes even more sense.

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
...Or the premiere Wii U launch title

...Or the premiere Wii U launch title

If for some reason Nintendo decides to shock us all, Super Mario 4 could end up on the Wii U. It certainly would be a standout launch title, but is it big enough to be retail? Perhaps Super Mario 4 will be one of the first downloadable games for Wii U, with Nintendo making a strong early move to prove it can compete with PSN and XBLA. We know, it's fairly unlikely, but we can dream.

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
Hand drawn graphics

Hand drawn graphics

If the series returns to 2D, we have a very selfish request: return to hand drawn graphics. Unlike the polygonal characters on a 2D plane, retro sprites and worlds have so much more character. Above you'll see just how gorgeous 1995's Yoshi's Island was, we can only imagine what could be pulled off today. Perhaps it's a lost art within Nintendo, but last year's Rayman Origins proves it can be done if the creators really want it.

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
Super Mario 4 should be to Mario World as 3D Land was to Mario 3

Super Mario 4 should be to Mario World as 3D Land was to Mario 3

One of the reasons we loved Super Mario 3D Land so dearly was seeing all the winks and nods to Super Mario 3. Why not keep a good thing going and have Mario 4 embrace everything that's still memorable about Super Mario World 20 years later? In fact, in Japan Super Mario World was even officially called Super Mario Bros 4. And the first tribute we want to see...

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
Bring back the cape!

Bring back the cape!

For the last 20 years or so we complained, cried, and pleaded for Nintendo to bring back Marios adorable Tanooki power-up. Now that that wish has been fulfilled, weve already moved on to our next most desired power-up: Marios yellow cape! Though it might not be as cute as raccoon ears, the cape was better from a gameplay standpoint, as flight controls took more attention than mashing a button as fast as you can. We'd love to see just what updates the devs could make to it just as they did with the raccoon tail in 3D Land.

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
Bring back other lost power-ups too

Bring back other lost power-ups too

But why should we stop with the cape? There are dozens of forgotten Mario powers that deserve a second chance. What about Mario Land 2's rabbit ears, or Metal Mario's invincible exterior? However, if we were forced to pick only one, it's without question Kuribo's Shoe from Mario 3. In fact, why not make it the focus of the game? Call it "Super Mario Bros 4: Kuribo's Shoe Strikes Back".

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
The return of Birdo

The return of Birdo

Birdo definitely hasn't been forgotten, as she's appeared in dozens of Mario spin-offs in the last decade, but we wouldn't mind seeing her return to the main games. After getting her start as a boss in iconic 2D adventure Super Mario 2, she'd be a great nostalgic throwback for Mario 4. Though who says she has to be a bad guy? Maybe she can help Mario along the way, maybe even be a playable character.

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
16-bit style soundtrack

16-bit style soundtrack

As long as we're demanding a return to 16-bit style graphics, why not a soundtrack to match it? Back in the day, few developers could match Nintendo's music and unforgettable themes. We'd love to hear a new soundtrack from Nintendo's great stable of songwriters, with chiptunes created by the likes of Hip Tanaka and Koji Kondo.

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
Online co-op that makes sense

Online co-op that makes sense

Though we weren't in love with the four player co-op in New Super Mario Wii, it proved that Mario doesn't have to be a solo experience. Super Mario 4 will no doubt have multiplayer options, but we hope it embraces online in some way. Aside from drop-in/drop-out co-op, you could also do asynchronous adventure, measuring your progress in the game against a friend's via WiFi.

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
Don't make the same mistakes as Sonic 4 and Mega Man 9

Don't make the same mistakes as Sonic 4 and Mega Man 9

Mario returning to its original numbering wouldn't be all that new for gaming, as two of Mario's contemporaries have already done it. But Nintendo needs to take a long, hard look at Sonic 4 and Mega Man 9 to learn how those fell short of greatness. Sonic 4 goofed by ditching the classic physics and animation, while MM9 seemed to think everyone loved Mega Man 2 because it was challenging, making 9 painfully difficult. Based on past history, we'd like to think Nintendo won't make the same mistakes.

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
What do you want to see?

What do you want to see?

As we wait and see just how this Super Mario 4 business shakes out (hopefully we'll know by E3), we're curious just what you want to see from Mario 4. Why not share your ideas in the comments?

Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
CATEGORIES
Wii-u Nintendo Platforms
PRODUCTS
New Super Mario Bros New Super Mario Bros Wii Super Mario 3D Land
Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert
Social Links Navigation

Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts. 

See more Nintendo Features
Read more
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Nintendo and Illumination are "working hard" on Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, with Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto saying the idea for the sequel is an "interesting" one
A screenshot from Super Mario Odyssey showing Mario throwing Cappy in New Donk City.
A 3D Mario game for the Switch 2 could be "many years away" as former Nintendo marketing leads also speculate Donkey Kong Bananza is being made by the Super Mario Odyssey team
Metroid Prime 4 screenshot of Samus grasping purple energy
Metroid Prime 4 has been rated by the ESRB, sparking hopes Nintendo is announcing a release date soon
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond key art featuring Samus in her suit with her hand outstretched using purple psychic powers
After smashing through Donkey Kong Bananza I've run out of things to play on my Nintendo Switch 2 – so here are 5 games that better get release dates at Gamescom 2025
Metroid Prime 4 screenshot of Samus grasping purple energy
My Nintendo Direct hopium grows as Switch 2 big hitters Metroid Prime 4 and Hyrule Warriors get rated abroad
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Nintendo wants to "expand the number of people" who have access to its franchises, and that means it's working on "various" post-Legend of Zelda movie projects
Latest in Super Mario
A screenshot of Mario in the Super Mario 3D All-Stars release of Super Mario 64 holding a baby penguin next to its mother.
I've been playing Super Mario 64 for nearly 30 years and I somehow never noticed the 1/256 Easter egg when Mario jumps out of the water, which at one point in development created a "bountiful fountain of fish"
Screenshot from New Super Mario Bros. Wii showing Mario sliding around in a Penguin suit power-up.
Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto spent an entire New Super Mario Bros. Wii test demo just sliding around with the Penguin power-up, former Nintendo marketing leads recall: "That's all he was doing"
Mario Kart World screenshot for Switch 2 showing Wario blasting ahead with a host of characters right behind him in a desert biome
I finally got to play Mario Kart World after hundreds of hours in Mario Kart 8, but Knockout Tour was so stressful that I immediately went back to its predecessor
Mario Kart 64 image with Bowser, Mario, Peach, and Toad.
Mario Kart 64 just got an unofficial Dreamcast port in the year of our lord 2025, which somehow feels like perfect timing after Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World banana snipers beware: that MKTV helicopter watching you race can apparently obliterate your chances at winning
The Super Mario Bros NES box
"How do you even do this to a leaderboard of a popular game like Super Mario Bros?": Speedrunner beats the platformer's world record by 5 seconds, the biggest jump in over a decade
Latest in Features
The Outer Worlds 2 character holding bottle and glass, with the GamesRadar+ Big Preview frame and Reaction sticker
Channeling big Fallout energy means The Outer Worlds 2 could be the Starfield I always wanted
Cropped key art for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles shows two characters stood side by side.
45 minutes of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has me certain that Square Enix "rebuilding" the remaster after losing the original source code was worth the effort
Battlefield 6 multiplayer screenshot
I'm still concerned about Battlefield 6's map sizes, but there's no denying it gets chaotic urban warfare right
Where Winds Meet hands-on preview
I played Where Winds Meet and fell in love with the RPG's open world so fast I could barely pay attention to any of the missions
Borderlands 4 screenshot shows someone holding a weapon forward towards the camera.
"We tend to commit to the bit": Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford talks Borderlands 4, the evolution of looter-shooters, and $80 game discourse
Valor Mortis
Ghostrunner devs abandon parkour for Valor Mortis, a first-person soulslike that might explain why the rest of the genre follows Dark Souls' lead
  1. Kaser clad in black and Victor in white clash swords in Lost Soul Aside
    1
    Lost Soul Aside review: "We (don't) have Final Fantasy Versus 13 at home"
  2. 2
    Hell is Us review: "The lack of waypoints and explicit objectives is a double-edged magical sword that pulls me deep into its harsh world"
  3. 3
    Shuten Order review: "The Danganronpa creator's new multi-genre mystery feels like a forgotten DS cult classic I would have been obsessed with"
  4. 4
    The Rogue Prince of Persia review: "I roguelike but don't roguelove this freerunner – there's just not enough to stand out"
  5. 5
    Shinobi: Art of Vengeance review: "So close to being to a pitch-perfect revival of a classic series, but just can't quite line up the killing blow"
  1. Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Ben Wang and more in The Long Walk
    1
    The Long Walk review: "One of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made"
  2. 2
    Frankenstein review: "A classy, if somewhat safe, adaptation"
  3. 3
    Weapons review: "A twisted fairytale that bests Barbarian"
  4. 4
    The Fantastic Four: First Steps review: "An occasionally thrilling heroic adventure that sits safely within a B-tier MCU range"
  5. 5
    Superman review: "A triumphant reinvention and a promising start for the DCU"
  1. John Cena as Peacemaker holds a gun to the head of a different John Cena as Peacemaker in Peacemaker season 2.
    1
    Peacemaker season 2 review: "Darker and sadder than the first year, but there's still a lot of fun to be had with the 11th Street Kids."
  2. 2
    Wednesday season 2 part 1 review: "Complex and exciting but weighed down by too many subplots"
  3. 3
    Alien: Earth review: "Arguably the franchise's strongest outing since James Cameron's Aliens"
  4. 4
    King of the Hill season 14 review: "Hank Hill himself has evolved into a much more open and accepting person"
  5. 5
    Eyes of Wakanda review: "A creative premise shortchanged by the runtime and Marvel bloat"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...