Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury recently released, giving fans an opportunity to play the classic Wii U title that combines 2D and 3D platforming on the Nintendo Switch. The new features in Super Mario 3D World allow players to play online with friends using a Nintendo Switch Online account, play together through the new Bowser's Fury adventure, and even join up for the Captain Toad levels. Super Mario 3D World's playable characters include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, and Rosalina, but now one fan has found evidence that Toadette may have been intended to be a playable character as well.
According to Twitter user Nickolox, a number of files for Toadette exist in the Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury game files. After doing some digging through the files, the fan found over 200 player animations and even a voice line for her character selection. Although they were unable to rip the voice line directly, they were able to get the file to load in-game on the character selection screen despite it displaying Luigi.
The player animations and voice line found in the game files suggests that Toadette may have been planned to be added as an unlockable character, or perhaps used in the Captain Toad levels. Toadette is not in the final game, but maybe modders could add her to the playable roster.
Thanks to the modding community, a mod currently in progress allows players to substitute Luigi for Yoshi, although it is purely cosmetic and does not add any abilities. However, the mod does include Yoshi audio cues and an icon for the HUD, so it seems it would be possible for modders to add Toadette into the game.
It is possible that Toadette's voice line and animations could be used in a future DLC, although Nintendo has not announced any DLCs for the title. However, the game has only been out for less than a week, so additional content can be announced and added. With a Nintendo Direct stream right around the corner, fans can tune in to see if any Super Mario 3D World announcements may turn up.
Many fans are hoping for new Nintendo Switch announcements during the Nintendo Direct, and it is expected that fans will be in for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate news, as well as possibly an announcement for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. Now that Toadette has been found in the Super Mario 3D World game files, she may even make an appearance in the stream as an added character, but fans may not want to get their hopes up too much.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is out now, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.