Nintendo marked the Super Mario 40th anniversary, first released in Japan on September 13, 1985, with a wide range of announcements during a recent Nintendo Direct 2025. Shigeru Miyamoto opened the presentation and shared the ways Nintendo plans to celebrate the milestone with several Super Mario Bros 40th anniversary announcements.
Highlights include the release of Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 together on Nintendo Switch starting October 2. The package will feature improved UI, motion or stick and button controls, a built-in music player, new Storybook content, and enhanced resolution. On Nintendo Switch 2, the games will also support 4K resolution, making them some of the most exciting Nintendo Switch Super Mario releases in years.
Nintendo also revealed The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, an animated film scheduled for worldwide release on April 3, 2026. As part of the Super Mario 40th anniversary celebrations, the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto will showcase a special light display, new ticket designs, pixel art, and illustrations.
What the Games Look Like: Upcoming Titles
A wide mix of new Nintendo Switch games is planned for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, many of which will launch in 2025 and 2026. These were among the biggest upcoming Nintendo Direct game reveals. Key announcements include:
Mario Tennis Fever will release on February 12, 2026, on Switch 2. It will feature 38 playable characters, motion controls, a new Adventure mode, and a set of special “Wonder effects.”
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book is planned for spring 2026 on Switch 2.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, with new multiplayer features and enhancements, will also arrive in spring 2026, marking another highlight in the Nintendo Switch Super Mario releases.
Other Adventures: DLC and New Titles
Nintendo also unveiled several titles and expansions outside the Mario series during Nintendo Direct 2025.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave will launch in 2026 on Switch 2 with a new story and turn-based tactical gameplay.
Pokémon Pokopia will introduce a new adventure in which players control a transformed Ditto to restore and build a world filled with Pokémon. The release is scheduled for 2026.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to launch on December 4 for both Switch and Switch 2. It will introduce psychic powers, new traversal tools, and an entirely new planet called Viewros.
Additional announcements included DLC for Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush.
Other Big Titles and Releases
Several other significant titles and updates were highlighted during Nintendo Direct 2025.
Hades II is scheduled to release later this month for Switch 2.
Resident Evil Requiem, playable on both Switch and Switch 2, will release on February 27, 2026.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection will arrive on March 13, 2026, offering monster-raising, exploration, and turn-based battles.
Classic and indie titles were also featured, such as Stardew Valley for Switch 2, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, PowerWash Simulator 2, Little Nightmares III, and Persona 3 Reload.
What This Really Means
Nintendo is using the Super Mario 40th anniversary as an opportunity to honor its history while strengthening its future. The decision to enhance older games like Super Mario Galaxy with 4K support and modern features reflects an effort to bring timeless classics to new players. At the same time, the introduction of original titles and expansions underscores Nintendo’s focus on innovation and long-term growth.
For fans, these Super Mario Bros 40th anniversary announcements represent both nostalgia and novelty: beloved games returning with updates, new adventures to experience, and even a film to enjoy. For newcomers, the lineup of new Nintendo Switch games and upcoming Nintendo Direct game reveals may serve as an invitation to join one of gaming’s most enduring universes. And for long-time players, the mix of innovation and tradition in the Nintendo Switch Super Mario releases reaffirms why this franchise continues to thrive even four decades later.
