The last original mainline title in the Super Mario franchise came all the way back in 2017 with Super Mario Odyssey, which revolutionized the series format for the Nintendo Switch. Since then, the only mainline Mario titles to be released have been games like Super Mario Maker 2 or remakes like Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury.
However, the time for a brand-new Mario title should be on the way sooner rather than later. This new game could improve on the innovations from Super Mario Odyssey, while also adding many new mechanics that fans loved from previous entries in the franchise. These mechanics would definitely excite Mario fans if Nintendo included them in the next title.
10 Movement Techniques
Obviously, speedrunners love to take advantage of Mario's various movement capabilities to exploit the game's glitches and complete it as fast as they can. However, some of these movements also become defining aspects of the game's controls. For instance, Super Mario 64 introduced aspects like the long jump and the triple jump.
However, other Super Mario games have even innovated on this concept that dates back to the series' first title on NES. Super Mario Galaxy introduced the spin jump as a mechanic specific to that series, which many fans would be delighted to see return. Some of Mario's other movement options have included slides, rolls, and the side somersault.
9 Iconic Power-Ups
Of course, it wouldn't be a Mario game without power-ups like the Fire Flower, Mushroom, or Power Star. However, power-ups are often what sets Mario games apart from each other, especially when games are centered around access to one or two unique abilities. Some recurring power-ups in the series include the Super Leaf and Boomerang Flower.
However, many other power-ups from the series only appeared once, but have become among Mario's most popular abilities. For instance, there's the Super Bell, which turns Mario and his allies into their cat personas in Super Mario 3D World. Similar power-ups include Bee Mario from Super Mario Galaxy, or the Double Cherry, which creates a copy of Mario.
8 Cappy's Abilities
Super Mario Odyssey introduced Cappy, who takes on the appearance of Mario's signature hat and becomes his main ally in the game. When partnered with Cappy, Mario is able to perform a variety of unique attacks, using him as a platform between long distances, or slinging him around Mario in a circle that takes out overwhelming enemies.
However, Cappy also allows Mario to capture various enemies and objects, transporting Mario's consciousness into them. For certain levels, Power Moons can only be accessed when Mario captures the right enemy, from Goombas to a sleeping T-Rex. It may be an ambitious ask, but keeping Cappy for Mario's next adventure would delight fans.
7 The Return Of F.L.U.D.D.
Additionally, Cappy's not the only ally of Mario who fans may want to see return. F.L.U.D.D. served as Mario's companion in the fan-favorite Super Mario Sunshine for GameCube, dispensing a stream of water so Mario could help clean goo from Isle Delfino. Additionally, Professor E. Gadd designed several nozzle attachments to utilize different abilities.
Sadly, Super Mario Sunshine is the only mainline appearance of the lovable F.L.U.D.D. At the end of the game, F.L.U.D.D. appeared to die, although Peach had the Toads repair it and reunite it with Mario at the game's ending, though F.L.U.D.D. never returned. However, the device still appears as one of Mario's special moves in the Super Smash Bros series.
6 Flying Mario
There have been several iterations of Flying Mario across the franchise, usually involving various power-ups players could attain. Though it first appeared in the 2D games in the form of Raccoon Mario or Cape Mario, Super Mario 64 introduced the feature of the Flying Cap, which would let Mario sail across the map for a limited amount of time.
The Flying Cap was later replaced in Super Mario Galaxy with the Red Star, which gave Mario a sweet red-and-black design to his iconic outfit. Though other games, like New Super Mario Bros. U, have introduced Flying Squirrel Mario to glide across levels, it'd be cool to utilize a power-up like Flying Mario in a level from Super Mario Odyssey.
5 Teaming Up With Yoshi
There doesn't exist a true fan of the Super Mario franchise who doesn't love Yoshi, Mario's frequent companion. The character first debuted in Super Mario World for the SNES, and later returned in titles like Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and New Super Mario Bros Wii. Recently, Yoshi could be captured by Mario in a bonus level in Odyssey.
It's pretty clear that throwing Yoshi into the mix for a new Mario game would be a great benefit to fans. Plus, fans would be excited to see what power-ups they can give Yoshi via fruits or berries. While Super Mario Galaxy 2 featured some pretty unique Yoshi power-ups, the simplicity of different-colored juices from Sunshine would be nostalgic too.
4 Riding Plessie
A highlight of Super Mario 3D World and its Switch remake are levels where Mario and his allies get to ride Plessie, a Yoshi-like dinosaur. Not only is the character extremely cute, but the levels are a nice shake-up from the usual format of levels in the game. However, Plessie serves an even bigger role in the Bowser's Fury expansion in the Switch port.
In the add-on levels, Mario can transform Plessie into Giga Cat Plessie, imbuing it with the powers of the Super Bell. This Cat Plessie is how Mario is finally able to defeat Giant Bowser, so fans would likely hope to keep the character around for future games. If anything, the levels would continue to invoke memories of the slide levels from Super Mario 64.
3 Co-Op Modes
Super Mario 3D World was the first 3D title in the series to allow for four simultaneous players at the same time. The playable characters call back to Super Mario Bros 2 on NES, consisting of Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Blue Toad. Given the innovations of Super Mario Odyssey, it would be interesting to see co-op become a feature of a game like that.
However, many fans would likely enjoy seeing a more diverse roster of playable characters than 3D World, which also included Rosalina for those who complete the game. Adding in playable characters from former 3D Mario games, like Yoshi or Wario would be fun, as would adding in a completely new character like Nabbit in New Super Luigi U.
2 Kart Racing
Kart racing has been a mainstay of the Super Mario franchise since Super Mario Kart on the SNES. The franchise has become one of Nintendo's most popular spin-off series, continuing onto the Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and even onto smartphones with Mario Kart Tour. However, the gameplay has yet to transition to a mainline Mario game.
However, kart racing could make for a great mini-game or special level in a future 3D Mario title. Particularly with games like Super Mario Odyssey, the idea of getting to race a kart around an expansive area like New Donk City could be thrilling for many fans of Nintendo's franchises. Even The Legend of Zelda seems to be adding it to its next title.
1 Open World Levels
Super Mario Odyssey was unique for the Mario franchise for adding levels that broke from the typical franchise format. In areas like New Donk City or Tostarena, players could navigate a lush and expansive level with lots to discover beyond the necessary Power Moons. However, other levels in the title contained more linear designs familiar to the series.
Hopefully, the next mainline Mario title will take the expansive level design from Super Mario Odyssey's best levels and make those the norm. Getting a Mario game that resembles titles like Breath of the Wild or Sonic Frontiers would be the innovation the series may need over 40 years into its inception, giving players the most bang for their buck.