Following some circulating rumors that a Nintendo Direct would release sometime this month, Nintendo unveiled a surprise Direct this morning, where it announced that long-awaited Super Mario 3D All-Stars is already available for pre-order and will be releasing very soon.
Many months ago, a rumor started going around about the Super Mario backlog coming to the Nintendo Switch. The original rumor claimed that it would be happening sometime this summer, though recently, another rumor came around that the Mario Switch remasters would be getting delayed. Though big Nintendo fans received great additions to favorite franchises this year, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and the announcement of Pikmin 3 for the Switch, everyone was still awaiting the moment Nintendo would announce the Mario remasters for the Switch.
And this morning, Nintendo decided to surprise-announce the remastered Mario backlog for the Switch in possibly its biggest livestream conference of the year. Nintendo unveiled a single package of three fan-favorite Mario games. Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy will all be released in one purchasable game titled "Super Mario 3D All-Stars" with higher resolution to fit the more modern aspect ratio. And very shortly, fans will be able to start playing the collection of three games.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars will release very soon on September 18th, much sooner than many fans would've expected. Likewise, the game is already available for pre-order via Nintendo and the Switch eShop for digital downloads. However, anyone wishing to own a physical copy of the game might have to wait a little longer. The Nintendo site page for 3D All-Stars says pre-order is "Coming soon," but navigating to some storefront retailers like Best Buy looks to have the pre-order available now. Also available with the game purchase will be a collection of original music from the games.
As it's Super Mario's 35th anniversary, this is great news that many fans have been waiting all year for. Especially for Super Mario Sunshine, as many Nintendo players' favorite game of the GameCube era. From the 35th anniversary announcements, fans can also look forward to the release of Super Mario All-Stars and a new Mario-themed battle royale titled Super Mario Bros. 35. Still, some fans are disappointed in Nintendo's decision not to include Super Mario Galaxy 2, nor was there an announcement for old Paper Mario games coming to the Switch anytime soon, which many were looking forward to.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars will release September 18, 2020 for the Nintendo Switch.