Summary
Nintendois already making plans for developing more role-playing games, as suggested by one recently surfaced survey. Specifically,Nintendocurrently appears to be brainstorming ideas for new RPGs based on theSuper Mariofranchise.
RPGs starring Nintendo’s mascot have been around for nearly three decades. Three such games have hit the market since 2020:Paper Mario: The Origami King,Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, and thecritically acclaimedSuper Mario RPGremake. Another such title will soon reach the Switch in the form of a remake ofPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
But Nintendo already appears to be thinking about what comes next, having implied as much in a recent survey sent to some of its customers. The questionnaire, shared by Twitter user Aspharon (viaComicBook), asks fans to vote on their favorite elements from theMario and LuigiandPaper Marioseries, among others. It also solicits cast opinions by specifically asking fans whether they prefer to seenew or familiar faces inSuper MarioRPGs. Reading between the lines, it would appear that the Japanese group is currently in the process of deciding where to take its role-playing games next.
The notion of even moreRPGs based on theSuper MarioIPbeing in the works sounds well within the realm of possibility; Nintendo has greenlit 20 such titles sinceSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Starswas first released to critical acclaim and player adoration. The company’s RPG spin-offs also haven’t been more than three years apart since the ’90s.
3DS
June 12, 2025
Puzzle & Dragons Z + Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition
June 12, 2025
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey (remake)
Switch
June 18, 2025
The newly surfaced survey may also inspire confidence among the fandom that Nintendo hasn’t forgotten about theMario and Luigiseries. While this RPG franchise has been treated to two remakes since the Switch hit the market, neither actually ended up on the popular hybrid console, but was instead released as a 3DS exclusive. The last original entry in the franchise wasMario & Luigi: Paper Jam, which is already pushing ten.
Much like the end of the 3DS life cycle was largely focused on reimaginings of some Nintendo classics,2024 is projected to be the year of the Switch remakes. Specifically, some industry watchers are expecting that Nintendo will hold off on releasing many original AAA projects until the Switch 2 is out, which is rumored to happen circa March 2025. Any yet-to-be-announced RPGs that Nintendo may currently be working on are hence likely to be Switch 2 exclusives. In the meantime, the remake ofPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Dooris scheduled to launch on May 23.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024)
WHERE TO PLAY
Join Mario and friends on an epic paper adventure: A classic story unfolds on the Nintendo Switch system.Collect the Crystal Stars before the bad guys do: The X-Nauts are after the treasure behind the Thousand-Year Door! With a map from Princess Peach—and the help of a few locals—Mario must journey through a colorful world made of paper to find it first.Surprises abound in this deep and engaging tale, where everyone’s got something to say and it’s often not what you’d expect! Here are just a few of the colorful characters you’ll encounter along the way.Master your badges and timing-based attacks to impress the audience in a theatrical twist on turn-based RPG combat. Make use of all the abilities that come with being cursed—er, conveniently made of paper—like folding into a plane to cross big gaps or turning sideways to slip through narrow openings.
