As Nintendo approaches the announcement of its highly anticipated successor to the Nintendo Switch by the end of this fiscal year, excitement is building around the potential software lineup for the new console. Based on the trends observed in the final releases for the Switch, fans of the Mario franchise’s RPG spinoffs can look forward to promising developments that may elevate their gaming experience significantly.

Mario has become a cornerstone of the gaming world for good reason; his adventures extend well beyond the platformers he is typically associated with. From thrilling kart racing games to lively party experiences and even engaging in various sports, Mario has done it all. His journeys in the role-playing genre are particularly cherished among fans, although these titles have not always received the level of respect they deserve from Nintendo. Fortunately, signs indicate that this trend is shifting positively, especially following the events we witnessed in 2024.

Reviving the Classic: How The Thousand-Year Door Remake Reshaped Paper Mario

A Reawakening for the Struggling Series

The Paper Mario series launched with great success, beginning with the original N64 title in 2000, but it was the second installment, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, released on GameCube, that truly defined the series. Despite TTYD‘s exceptional reviews, subsequent entries failed to capture the same acclaim, as critics pointed out the series’ shift away from the RPG elements that made the first two installments beloved classics. This divergence left fans longing for a return to the series’ original charm.

For a time, it seemed the Paper Mario series would never return to its beloved roots. However, in a surprising move, Nintendo announced a remake of Thousand-Year Door for the Switch in September 2023. This remake was celebrated for enhancing an already incredible game, ultimately outselling its predecessor. To many fans, this remake felt like a long-overdue acknowledgment from Nintendo that prior entries had not quite hit the mark. Playing a Paper Mario game that truly captured the essence of what the series was meant to be was both refreshing and encouraging.

Revitalizing a Legacy: Mario & Luigi: Brothership Breathes New Life into the Series

The Impact of Commercial Failures and Studio Closures on Series Continuation

The Mario & Luigi series, which shines a light on both Mario and his timid brother Luigi, began its journey on the Game Boy Advance and continued to thrive on Nintendo’s handheld consoles, including the DS and 3DS. These RPGs were beloved for their fast-paced battle mechanics and quirky humor, quickly becoming a staple of Nintendo’s offerings. Fans eagerly anticipated each new installment, expecting the series to remain a constant in the gaming landscape.

Sadly, the series faced significant challenges when AlphaDream, the original developer, began remaking older entries for the 3DS. Competing against the Switch, these remakes did not perform well enough to recoup their development costs, leading to AlphaDream declaring bankruptcy in 2019. With the studio that brought the series to life now closed, many feared it marked the end of any future Mario & Luigi adventures.

However, those concerns were alleviated earlier this year when Nintendo surprisingly announced the release of a new entry in the series, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, launched for the Switch in November 2024. Many key members from AlphaDream returned to help develop this installment, ensuring that the essence and charm of the original games would continue. Brothership was warmly received, reviving a series that many thought was lost and instilling hope for more Mario & Luigi games in the future.

The Future of Mario RPGs: Anticipating a Major Comeback on Switch 2

Signs Indicate a New Wave of Mario RPGs is on the Horizon

The simultaneous release of two new titles in the Mario RPG sub-franchises within a single year clearly demonstrates that Nintendo is finally recognizing the value of these games in a way that has been long overdue. This observation is further supported by the successful launch of the 2023 remake of Super Mario RPG. The pattern is becoming evident; as the saying goes: once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, and three times suggests a trend. This developing trend signals that Mario RPGs may very well be poised for a major resurgence on the upcoming Switch 2.

There exists a robust catalog of games that are ripe for rem