Nintendo announces new side-scrolling 3DS Mario game

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 27 January, 2012

Out after March 2012 and before April 2013.

Nintendo has announced a new side-scrolling Mario game for 3DS.

Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata described it as a "totally new side-scrolling action Super Mario in 2D".

It's a "key title" for the Nintendo 3DS, and launches in the next fiscal year - at some point after March 2012 and before April 2013.

The announcement came as part of a discussion of the Nintendo 3DS in 2012, and how it will continue its impressive sales momentum.

Iwata highlighted a number of 3DS games set for launch this year, including Luigi's Mansion 2, Mario Tennis and Paper Mario, saying "we intend to release these various titles without any extreme interruptions".

He added: "A number of titles unannounced from third-party developers will be available.

"With the fulfilment of software, we are confident that we will be able to make the Nintendo 3DS active for the full year as the mainstream platform in the video game market."

Iwata said the 3DS communication features, such as StreetPass and SpotPass, will be "increasingly attractive" as the handheld becomes more popular. Nintendo is increasing the number of places you can SpotPass to help.

Nintendo also plans to "significantly" expand its digital business. The internet-connection ratio of the 3DS in Japan and the US is around 60 per cent, Iwata revealed - the highest among Nintendo's handhelds. The eShop is proving popular too.

"We are still in the first stage, but we are building the foundation little by little to expand our digital business."

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (45) Latest comment 4 weeks ago

  • Okamiwolf #1 4 weeks ago

    Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario. Any cow milked too much eventually dies.

  • George-Roper #2 4 weeks ago

    Oh just fuck off Nintendo, your lack of originality is really embarrassing....

  • lucky_jim #3 4 weeks ago

    @Okamiwolf
    In theory I agree with you. But I bought Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D land on the same day last weekend, and they're simply two of the best games I've ever played. Similarly, I've yet to play any variant of the Mario RPG series that I haven't enjoyed immensely.

    Nintendo seriously wind me up sometimes, I'm still seething that they region-locked the 3DS for example. But their first- and second- party games just seem to hook me in, pretty much every time.

  • roz123 #4 4 weeks ago

    Not surprised by this news as they are going to make a loss this year and 2D Marios for them must be like a real life free money cheat.

  • CrispyXUK #5 4 weeks ago

    Grow up you two

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #6 4 weeks ago

    Super Mario 2D on the 3DS :)

  • Buenos_Estente #7 4 weeks ago

    Well I wasn't expecting that *cough*

    should be good though... wonder if they can add anything new to the Wii and DS versions?

  • abigsmurf #8 4 weeks ago

    Please model it on Super Mario World rather than Super Mario bros 3 this time.

    I missed the complexity and sense of exploration you got from that. Finding new paths and new levels is much more fun to me than searching for star coins or red coins.

  • StolenGlory #9 4 weeks ago

    @Okamiwolf @George-Roper Yeah, because their lack of originality is really embarassing when it consistently results in some of the best and most innovative platform games ever made.

    Get a clue.

  • RawShark #10 4 weeks ago

    snoooooooooooooooooooze...

  • kirankara #11 4 weeks ago

    @lucky_jim ignore the troll.he's been slagging of nintendo all morning.
    Couldn't care less how many Mario games they release, as they continuously are beyond superlatives.nintendo first party games rarely disappoint.

    Abigsmurf,i.preferred Mario land over Mario 3 too, so sounds great to me, although have loved every moment of Mario 3ds so far.

    Okami just wants to convince world that vita is best thing ever and nintendo will fail. Sony fan boys are embarrassing.all fan boys are embarrassing, but they make me ashamed to own my ps3

  • djkiller14 #12 4 weeks ago

    @ Okamiwolf What proof have you of these bovine lactation fatalities???!?!?

  • kirankara #13 4 weeks ago

    @StolenGlory

    Throw in the acclaim for skyward sword recently and Zelda series as whole, and those two series must be the most acclaimed in gaming.
    A pikmin 3ds now that would be a nice touch though.

  • kirankara #14 4 weeks ago

    @djkiller14 certainly not call of duty, which seems to be the cow that keeps on giving

  • Jay1983 #15 4 weeks ago

    Come on Mario World 2

    (yes, Yoshis Island is Mario World 2, but im not gonna count that)

    :D

  • elaniel #16 4 weeks ago

    With me it's Mario = awesome, so I'll pick this up.

  • Whitster #17 4 weeks ago

    @Okamiwolf Except Mario games still sell millions and make dollar for Nintendo every time, so go figure?

  • Octoroc #18 4 weeks ago

    No mention of a hardware revision... no surprise, but I'd buy a 3DS tomorrow if I didn't have a niggling doubt about that.

  • super_monty #19 4 weeks ago

    I have never got anything of Street Pass, looks like I need to visit Japan.

    If this is only for 3ds without 3d that's fine for me, I want to see the extra power goes into the game.

    Both 3D specific and 2D for this great handheld is fine by me. *goes back to playing 3d Ridge Racer*
    Edited by 1 at 27/01/12 @ 10:18

  • matsumoto #20 4 weeks ago

    "We are still in the first stage, but we are building the foundation little by little to expand our digital business."

    They　have been in the first stage for decades now, a shame.

  • kinky_mong #21 4 weeks ago

    There are only two certainties in life; death, and clueless idiots complaining about milking when Nintendo announce a new game.

  • udders #22 4 weeks ago

    Erm hello?? What about Animal Crossing 3DS?? Im waiting to here about that. Surely u should make more 3D games for the 3DS and not going back to 2D?

  • lolercopter #23 4 weeks ago

    I always giggle when Nintendo say "totally new".

  • kirankara #24 4 weeks ago

    @udders 3d can be added into giving level design more depth of view, rather than a straightforward 3d view I suppose??
    They usually are pretty spot on in their choices regarding gameplay mechanics, whether its new actions, or suits, or game views etc, so im not fussed whether its 3d in sense of mario galaxy or just added depth to make it all look prettier.

    They will no doubt have another first party game that utilises 3d in making

  • the_dudefather #25 4 weeks ago

    Will be interesting to see what they do with it, multiplayer aside (which was a riot on the wii game), the 2D platform games on the Wii and DS felt like really stock Mario games with no stand out features while the galaxy and land games felt really fresh

  • natureboy #26 4 weeks ago

    I always have a soft spot for Nintendo and i love their innovations. This will be just as good as their past attempts. I hope they release a side scrolling Final Fight or even better Axelay http://www .youtube.com/watch?v=V3F3l-SiN78

  • anthonypappa #27 4 weeks ago

    been itching to play a 2D mario game. this will make me buy a 3DS.

  • wizlon #28 4 weeks ago

    I'll be here waiting Nintendo.

  • darkmorgado #29 4 weeks ago

    @super_monty

    I live in Northampton, hardly a bustling urban environment, and when I take my 3DS out with me I get about 3 or 4 streetpass hits each time.

    Pro tip - take it with you on a trip into Game or CEX, you're bound to get a couple hits there.

  • Britler #30 4 weeks ago

    Does this OkamiWolf guy actually comment on articles that aren't about Nintendo? I really can't see how he'd have the time. He must have a google alert for "eurogamer nintendo mario" or something, and then just copy+paste one of his five standard foaming-at-themouth-Nintendo-hate comments.

    Was he personally wronged by Nintendo in some way? Did they demolish his childhood home to build a SNES factory? Honest to god, dude is more obsessed with Nintendo than any ten Nintendo fans I know.

    Meanwhile, on the *outside* of the asylum...

    I'm calling it right now that this game is gonna have a significantly different art style than the NSMB games. Like, Yoshi's Island different. Write it down, folks!

  • Sniper_007 #31 4 weeks ago

    Damn it Nintendo.... why do you keep pulling me back in? I was happy with the Xbox, I tried to be happy with the PS3, and the Wii... well I finally forgave you for that after Skyward Sword.

    And now after being certain that I never wanted another handheld console, that the iPhone and iPad would be enough for the far too few hours of free time I have when on the move you tell me this!

    Super Street Fighter 4 3D was almost enough, and then Mario Kart 7 looked amazing at the Eurogamer Expo and now with Zelda, Star Fox, Mario Land the list just keeps growing and my excuses are running thin. I keep saying I want to wait until they release the inevitable twin stick model, but I'm not sure I can wait now! Next they'll announce an F-Zero 3D and I'll be in heaven :)

  • Raiko101 #32 4 weeks ago

    Where has the ignore button gone? It's articles like this that bring in the idiots and make it so easy to ignore them all in one go. :confused:

    Anyhow, good to hear another Mario platformer is on the way. First guess is that its another New Super Mario Bros title, but who really knows. It could be based on Super Mario Bros 2 and I could be the happiest man on the planet.

  • anthonypappa #33 4 weeks ago

    so, for someone who has been away from nintendo since the N64, what is the difference between super mario bros and NEW super mario bros?

  • Zomeguy #34 4 weeks ago

    For all those people bitching about originality, I would be interested in knowing when the last time they played a 2D Mario game was?

  • Zozzilla #35 4 weeks ago

    Paper Mario or GTFO.

    Edit: Oh, it says they're doing a Paper Mario - I need to stop skim-reading stuff at work while my boss isn't looking.
    Edited by 1 at 27/01/12 @ 11:46

  • andywilkie35 #36 4 weeks ago

    Cannot wait for Paper Mario. Enjoyed the Wii one but wasn't as good as the N64 and Gamecube ones and this one looks much more like those.

  • iago71 #37 4 weeks ago

    @abigsmurf

    I would second that. As great as the Mario Bros 3 'theme' of 3D Land is I for one am still more keen on SMW. I love them both but I think SMW is still my fave..... Ive kept my old DS just to have the GBA SMW cart in there. Exploration across the map is just frickin great in that game.

  • iago71 #38 4 weeks ago

    @matsumoto

    Maybe they have but lets face it they do what they do very well as far as Mario goes. (I mean proper mario btw)

    Also their handhelds in Japan have a different vibe about them. I remember travelling around in Tokyo on the subway and opening up my DS and pretty much automatically having a fully manned race with others in MarioKart.

    I don't think they really care that much about outside of Japan in that respect. The two cultures are very different. I seem to remember always being on a train and going somewhere thus the need for a handheld. Not so sure about where it will go now Apple/Droid have stepped up. I hope we don't lose them though. People lament Sega and I think if Nintendo went belly up the case would be the same. Maybe Im just old-fashioned.

    NB. For the record Im not a fanboy I just enjoy their games. Have all consoles btw.

    EDIT: Bring on More fucking Mario NOW!!!!!!
    Edited by 1 at 27/01/12 @ 12:34

  • benfresh76 #39 4 weeks ago

    Very pleased to hear it...new Mario is always welcome in my book. My one request however is that they revert to using sprites instead of 3d models on a 2D plain for their 2D Mario's; the geometry doesn't have the same charm as the old 2D style, and it would look super on the 3DS.

  • MrVengeance #40 4 weeks ago

    Even as a lifelong Nintendo fan, I'm effing sick of Mario this and Mario that. I such... I agree with the first two commentators where were negged to buggery.... Please give us something new for once Nintendo!!!

  • iago71 #41 4 weeks ago

    @MrVengeance

    As much as I love Mario I have to agree that it would be great to see something new from them as well. Its been ages since we saw anything that was not an established IP from them.

    Get Miyamoto San back to the drawing board!

  • Mister-Wario #42 4 weeks ago

    Okay, I can see why people are slating the likes of Okamiwolf. Mario is a good series. But not everyone is rabidly enamoured with it. Maybe some people have grown tired of that world, and is that a bad thing? Are they somehow at fault? I'm not going to criticise someone for wanting something else, just as I'm not going to criticise someone for wanting something they know will work.

    I imagine there are people here grew up with the NES and as such Mario holds some allure to them. Which is fine, but maybe some of us had a Master System or missed out on that era. Maybe we just don't like Mario. The point is not everyone in the world is going to shout Mario's praises from the rooftops. It's just a game. An influential, imaginative game, but a game nonetheless.

    This Christmas, I got Rayman Origins. I could have gotten Zelda, or Ratchet and Clank, but I got Rayman instead. I think it's a good game, if not a great one: I think the early level designs are bit lacklustre, although the later levels, though not that imaginative are very challenging and, of course, fun. And you know what? I don't regret my purchase at all. It was a world which was new and memorable and one I could share with friends. And on a side note, it had a water level which didn't make me want to tear my hair out: it was executed really well. That has to count for something. It wasn't perfect, but it tried to be a bit different, and I think that matters.
    Edited by 1 at 27/01/12 @ 14:37

  • kirinnokoshin #43 4 weeks ago

    @Mister-Wario

    Totally agree that not everyone is going to like any one particular game or series of games, but that still doesn't excuse blatant, childish, poisonous trolling.

    If said individuals had something worthwhile to add, like explaining why they are baffled at a games' popularity with valid observations i.e. not 'childish rubbish' or 'company x relies on sad fanboys' etc - then they might get a warmer reception.

    Unfortunately too often we get this sad, pathetic, juvenile garbage which wastes space on message boards and lowers the tone of not only online discussion, but discussion about video games in general.

  • Abdu@EG #44 4 weeks ago

    Typical, huh?

    Mario, Mario, Mario...Kirby, Mario...another Kirby...Zelda (at last)...(something very new yet laughable/casual)

  • SpaceMonkey77 #45 4 weeks ago

    Good God, Nintendo. Another Mario game?? They've lost the plot.

    Grow a pair and produce something original, or give us something from your vast back catalogue you haven't touched recently.

    And in response to those who don't dig the negative opinions of Nintendo, you've failed to read between the lines of why some make posts like this. To assume that we have daggers out for Nintendo, may be close to the mark, but for many its justifed.

    To see Nintendo in such a creative bankrupt ditch pains us all, and them pulling out another Mario game, does little to get rid of such a problem. The harsh truth is that Nintendo put themselves in this position, and have abandoned much of their castle to other formats. I think there's must be a lack of young staff coming through at Nintendo too, because I've yet to see anything from them that gives me hope to a brighter future for them.

    Gamers literally have to cry from rooftops, for another F Zero or Blastcorps game, but all fall on deaf ears. Kid Icarus is a step in the right direction, but where's the rest? Go look at Nintendo's history to see what else they made, before you ring off another list of their upcoming games for lame defense.

    Nintendo could buy a developer, but with the creative freedom that devs enjoy, especially online, few would want to backpeddle down draconian Nintendo alleys, to their shack of a gimp console.

    Overall, as much as I love their games, I feel Nintendo will write themselves out of games by their own hand. They are too cheap, too slow to listen and too slow to respond and react, don't know how to talk to their fans and yearn for times past.
    Edited by 1 at 28/01/12 @ 01:17