Mario Spinoff Series’ Major Comeback Expected in Switch 2

Nintendo is poised to unveil a successor to the Nintendo Switch by the close of its current fiscal year, signaling exciting developments for fans of the beloved gaming platform. As the company gears up for this significant launch, its software strategy for the new console is taking shape, particularly benefiting those who adore the Mario franchise’s role-playing game (RPG) spinoffs.

The iconic Mario character has transcended the realm of platformers to become a household name in gaming. From kart racing to party games and sports, Mario has done it all. His adventures in the RPG genre hold a cherished place in the hearts of many gamers. Despite some past inconsistencies in how Nintendo has treated these titles, recent trends indicate a renewed commitment to the RPG aspect of the franchise, especially in the year 2024.

The Thousand-Year Door Remake: A Return to Form for Paper Mario

The Struggling Series Found Its Way Again

Paper Mario scene with a giant paper dragon

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Cover Art

Paper Mario: The Origami King boss fight

The Paper Mario series launched with great success in 2000 with the original game for N64, but it truly thrived with the release of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for the GameCube. While this sequel received critical acclaim, subsequent titles were met with varying levels of enthusiasm, often criticized for straying from the RPG essence that defined the first two installments.

Game	Metacritic Rating
Paper Mario	93/100
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door	87/100
Super Paper Mario	85/100
Paper Mario: Sticker Star	75/100
Paper Mario: Color Splash	76/100
Paper Mario: The Origami King	80/100

For a time, it appeared the Paper Mario series might not return to its roots, but in a surprising announcement from September 2023, Nintendo revealed a remake of The Thousand-Year Door for the Switch. Celebrated for its enhancements over the original game, the remake proved to be a resounding commercial success, selling even more than its predecessor. This development felt like a heartfelt acknowledgment from Nintendo regarding the shortcomings of previous titles and allowed fans to relish a Paper Mario experience that aligned with what they had longed for.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership Revived a Dead Series

Commercial Failures & Studio Closure Seemed Like a Death Blow

Character scene from Mario & Luigi: Brothership

In addition to the Paper Mario series, the Mario & Luigi RPG spinoffs also captured players’ hearts by showcasing Mario alongside his timid brother, Luigi. Starting on the Game Boy Advance, this series thrived on Nintendo’s handheld devices, marked by engaging battle mechanics and a whimsical sense of humor that endeared it to fans.

However, challenges for the series emerged when its developer, AlphaDream, attempted to remake the older games for the 3DS while facing fierce competition from the Switch. These remakes struggled to meet their production costs, leading AlphaDream to declare bankruptcy in 2019. With the original creators gone, it seemed the Mario & Luigi franchise was doomed to rest in obscurity.

Fortunately, those worries were alleviated earlier this year when Nintendo made headlines by announcing a new entry in the beloved series, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, which launched for the Switch in November 2024. With many of AlphaDream’s original staff returning to develop this installment, the game successfully captures the essence of its predecessors, reviving excitement for a franchise many thought lost.

Mario RPGs Could Make a Major Comeback on Switch 2

The Stars Are Aligning for a New Wave of Mario RPGs

Mario holding a star with other characters in a scene from Super Mario RPG

The simultaneous release of two new games from the Mario RPG sub-franchises in a single year strongly suggests that Nintendo is once again prioritizing these beloved titles. Coupled with the successful launch of the 2023 remake of Super Mario RPG, a clear pattern emerges—often regarded as a sign that further developments are on the horizon. This pattern suggests that we may witness the renaissance of Mario RPGs on the upcoming Switch 2.

There remains a wealth of titles ripe for remastering or reinventing, such as the original N64 Paper Mario or other installments from the Mario & Luigi series that are currently confined to outdated platforms. As Nintendo prepares its digital storefronts for older hardware’s eventual closure, the urgency to preserve these classics has never been higher.

Perhaps even more promising than remakes is the possibility of entirely new Mario RPG adventures on Switch 2. The last new release for the Paper Mario series occurred in 2020, while the Mario & Luigi franchise’s previous non-remake was in 2015. With both series due for fresh content, if the Nintendo Switch 2 delivers on this potential, it could become the ultimate destination for fans of Mario RPGs.

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