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Nintendo has announced that they are collaborating with Illumination Studios on a new Mario movie. They chose March 10th, also known as Mar10 day, to make the announcement. Unfortunately, due to the Oscars taking place on the same day, the news did not receive much attention. The previous Mario movie, released last year, was a huge success, earning $1 billion and putting an end to the disappointing trend of video game film adaptations. It’s no surprise that another movie is in the works for release in April 2026.

What is unexpected is that the next film may not necessarily be a direct follow-up. The original team, including co-directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and writer Matthew Fogel, will be returning. However, both Nintendo and Illumination have not officially confirmed that the upcoming film will be a sequel. In a video presentation introducing “a new animated movie inspired by the universe of Super Mario Bros,” Mario’s creator Shigeru Miyamoto stated: “This time around, we are considering expanding Mario’s world even more and the storyline will be lighthearted and entertaining.”

Although the Mario movie gained widespread popularity, it failed to impress movie critics, many of whom were incredibly harsh towards it. Jack Black, who gave a spirited performance as Bowser (unlike Seth Rogen’s portrayal of Donkey Kong), defended the film in a recent interview with Total Film magazine. Despite enjoying the movie during a pre-release screening, Black was puzzled by the negative reviews it received upon its release.

I found the movie to be acceptable – a safe, mainstream, mildly unexciting family-friendly production that, to its credit, did not significantly harm the reputation of the video games it was adapted from. It’s nowhere near terrible, and I say this as someone who has endured more low-quality video game movies than most. However, there is still room for improvement, and I hope that a potential follow-up film will focus on expanding the first movie instead of overusing familiar Mario imagery and nostalgic sound effects until they lose their impact.

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The first film did not include characters like Yoshi, Wario, and Birdo from the extended Mario universe. However, for the next film, it is not necessary to have a parade of new characters and references. It would be more interesting to see a storyline similar to that of Detective Pikachu, where the recognizable world of Pokémon is utilized but with its own creative twist.

Mario is not typically praised for its storyline – as a game, it relies heavily on its atmosphere, and the game’s creator, Miyamoto, has always been wary of implementing cinematic techniques into the game. However, the lack of background information in the Mario universe could work in favor of filmmakers, as it offers the opportunity to create something unique and tailored to a linear medium. Many unsuccessful video game adaptations have fallen victim to trying to include too much plot and details that gamers have already experienced in the game itself. With Mario, this is not an issue, and it is possible for Illumination and Nintendo to craft a compelling story in the Mario world without relying on introducing a large number of obscure characters in a short period of time.

It is also conceivable to remove Mario from Mushroom Kingdom, as seen in just the games: a potential movie inspired by Mario Galaxy would provide a stunning visual experience. Nevertheless, there is still much to discover within Mario’s familiar territory. Given the enormous success, I am cautiously hopeful that they will be more daring in their next venture.

What to play

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This week, Keith has suggested something to me, as I am currently engrossed in a project that I am unable to disclose.

The person states: “Are you tired of driving games that require you to speed recklessly? If so, then Expeditions: A Mudrunner Game is the perfect simulation game for you. Through this game, you can drive different sturdy off-road vehicles through swampy woods and muddy marshes, adjusting your tire pressure or using a winch for better traction. Unlike the previous two games in Saber Interactive’s series, this game is not just about completing fetch quests. Instead, you will explore vast terrains and try to avoid getting stuck in deep bogs. It can be challenging at times, but it is also enjoyable and fulfilling, offering a more strategic challenge than typical arcade racing games.”

This can be accessed on: computer, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox consoles, and Nintendo Switch.

Estimated playtime: 30+ hours

What to read

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• Bobby Kotick, former CEO of Activision, is reportedly attempting to form an investor group to acquire TikTok if US authorities require its Chinese owners to divest. Can’t a positive leader ever be in control of major methods of public communication?

• A team of employees at Toyota has created a functional, real-world version of a Pokémon. Unfortunately, their replica of Miraidon, the motorcycle-shaped character from Pokémon Scarlet, is not anticipated to be mass produced. However, its design resembles a vehicle from a 90s cartoon.

• This year’s Bafta games awards nominees have been announced: 2020 had a strong lineup, with expected titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (pictured), and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 receiving multiple nominations. Smaller games like Dave the Diver, Viewfinder, and Cocoon also made an appearance.

What to click

• A review of WWE 2K24 – a fighting game that commemorates 40 years of Wrestlemania with exaggerated and humorous performances.

• “The unusual and frightening tool responsible for the music in Alan Wake 2 appears to have a mind of its own.”

• Ten years have passed since Gamergate, urging the gaming industry to confront far-right internet harassers. It’s time to take a stand. -Keza MacDonald

• Ahoy PlayStation gamers! Rare’s pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves has now set sail for a new platform.

• “I was surprised by the abundance of games centered around pets, making Downpour a refreshing alternative to mindlessly scrolling through negative news.”

• Can you be disloyal to the 1990s megacorporation with Orwellian ideals?

Question Block

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John, our reader, has an inquiry about Sony and Microsoft. This is in relation to the recently discussed matter on Pushing Buttons regarding the competition between the two gaming console giants.

The number of exclusive games on PS5 far outweighs those on Xbox, limiting the gaming options for players. Despite this, Microsoft is often criticized for being a greedy corporation while Sony is not.

Sony is a large corporation with numerous business divisions. Ultimately, companies are not friends, regardless of how devoted their fans may be. Their main goal is to generate profit, and as consumers, we want them to achieve this through creating exceptional and successful products that provide both artistic and entertainment value. When comparing Microsoft and Sony, the determining factor for me is their size and reach.

Sony has a total business value of $109 billion, of which the games business is a subset. For comparison, Nintendo’s total value is $65 billion, with their sole focus on games. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s value exceeds $3 trillion, providing them with a significant advantage in terms of being able to withstand losses or acquire competitors on a larger scale than any of their rivals. This dynamic also applies to other industry giants like Meta, Amazon, and Google, any of whom have the financial capacity to disrupt the balance of an industry, whether it is creative or otherwise.

If you have any inquiries for Question Block, or any other feedback regarding the newsletter, please reply or send us an email at [email protected].

Source: theguardian.com