Everyone is waiting. Honestly, the tension around the successor to the most successful console in Nintendo's history is getting a bit ridiculous at this point. We’ve all seen the rumors. We’ve heard the "leaks" from various corners of the internet. But when you strip away the fluff, the conversation always circles back to one specific thing: what is the new 3D Mario Switch 2 project going to look like?
It has been a long time. Super Mario Odyssey launched back in 2017. Since then, we’ve had Bowser’s Fury, which was brilliant but short, and a whole lot of silence from the EPD Tokyo team. Nintendo doesn't just make sequels; they reinvent the wheel every time they move Mario into a three-dimensional space. If the history of the N64, GameCube, and Wii tells us anything, it’s that a new console launch and a new 3D Mario are inseparable partners in a dance that defines the next five years of gaming.
Why 3D Mario Switch 2 is the actual "make or break" for the hardware
The hardware itself matters, sure. People want 4K DLSS and better battery life. But Nintendo sells software. Specifically, they sell the feeling of perfect movement. The next 3D Mario Switch 2 title isn't just a game; it is a technical showcase designed to prove why you need to drop $400 or $500 on a new machine.
Think about Odyssey. It pushed the original Switch to its limits with sprawling kingdoms and dense NPC crowds. Now, imagine that scale but with the rumored 12GB of RAM the new console is supposed to house. We aren't just talking about prettier textures. We are talking about complexity. We are talking about physics engines that don't have to compromise.
Kinda crazy to think about, right?
The gap between Odyssey and now is the longest we’ve ever waited for a flagship 3D entry. That suggests something massive is cooking. Nintendo’s EPD Tokyo is notoriously perfectionist. Rumors from established insiders like NateTheHate and Midori (who has been prolific, if controversial, in the leak space) suggest that this next entry is an open-world or "open-zone" evolution. It makes sense. Bowser’s Fury felt like a tech demo for exactly that. It was a seamless transition between islands, no loading screens, just pure momentum.
The "Open World" Misconception
When people hear "open world," they think Ubisoft. They think map markers and towers.
That would be a disaster for Mario.
Mario is about the "toy box" feel. You want a world that reacts to your triple jump, not a 50-mile stretch of empty digital grass. The 3D Mario Switch 2 game will likely iterate on the "seamlessness" of Bowser’s Fury but on a scale that actually justifies the jump to the next generation. Imagine a world where the transition from a desert biome to a lava biome isn't a loading screen or a world map, but a physical journey you parkour through.
The industry calls this "seamless play."
There is also the "Cappy" problem. How do you top the capture mechanic? It was so fundamental to Odyssey that going back to just jumping feels like a regression. Nintendo usually pivots rather than iterates. If Galaxy was about gravity and Odyssey was about possession, the next gimmick—if you can even call it that—will likely involve the environment itself. Some patent filings from Nintendo have surfaced recently regarding advanced liquid physics and object manipulation. It's subtle stuff, but it points toward a world that is much more "malleable" than what we’ve seen before.
Looking at the technical leap (The boring but necessary stuff)
Let's get real for a second. The current Switch is powered by a chip that was basically old when it came out in 2017. The Nvidia Tegra X1 is a fossil. The move to the T239 chip (which is what most reputable supply chain analysts, like those at Digital Foundry, believe is happening) is a generational leap.
- Ray Tracing: Will Mario have ray-traced reflections? Probably not in the way Cyberpunk does. But global illumination? That’s where the magic happens.
- Asset Density: No more "pop-in." You won't see a Goomba materialize ten feet in front of you.
- Visual Fidelity: We are looking at a jump from 720p/1080p to a crisp 1440p upscaled to 4K via DLSS.
It’s gonna look like a playable Pixar movie. Truly.
But it’s not just about the eyes. The CPU jump is actually the bigger deal for a 3D Mario Switch 2 experience. Better AI, more complex platforming puzzles that rely on physics rather than pre-baked animations, and a world that feels alive. Imagine a forest kingdom where every leaf reacts to your spin jump. That’s the level of detail we’re potentially looking at.
What the insiders are saying vs. what we know
Nintendo is a vault. They don't leak unless they want to. However, the production cycles tell a story.
Super Mario Odyssey was finished in 2017. Even with a small team working on Bowser’s Fury, that leaves a massive gap of nearly eight years. In the world of game development, that is an eternity.
Is it Mario Kart 9? No. That’s a different team.
Is it a new Donkey Kong? Maybe, but EPD Tokyo’s primary focus has always been the plumber.
The most credible theories suggest the game has been "content complete" for some time and is being held back to ensure the Switch 2 has the strongest possible launch lineup. Nintendo learned their lesson with the Wii U. You cannot launch a console without a "must-have." Zelda: Breath of the Wild saved the Switch at launch. Mario is tasked with doing the same for the sequel.
The Donkey Kong factor
There’s been a persistent rumor that the next 3D Mario Switch 2 might actually be a "Mario vs. Donkey Kong" style 3D adventure, or at least feature DK as a primary playable character. While we saw a remake of the puzzle game recently, the whispers of a full 3D DK platformer from the Mario team won't go away.
Personally? I think it’s more likely we see a shared universe approach.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a colossal hit. It grossed over $1.3 billion. In that movie, the chemistry between Mario and DK was a highlight. Nintendo isn't stupid. They know that bridging the gap between their cinematic universe and their games is a license to print money.
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Don't be surprised if the next 3D game features a playable cast. Luigi, Peach, and Toad have already proven they work in 3D (thanks to 3D World), but bringing that into a fully 360-degree, open-environment Mario game would be a huge selling point for the new hardware.
Handling the Hype
We need to talk about expectations.
Every time a new console is on the horizon, the internet creates a version of the game that no developer could ever build. People are expecting a 100-hour epic. Mario games aren't usually that. They are tight, polished, and infinitely replayable.
The brilliance of 3D Mario has always been "easy to learn, hard to master." If the 3D Mario Switch 2 goes too far into the "Open World" genre, it risks losing that tightness. But Nintendo is the master of "invisible tutorials." They teach you how to play through level design, not dialogue boxes.
A lot of people think the game will be a direct sequel to Odyssey. Odyssey 2.
I’d bet against that.
Nintendo rarely does direct sequels in the 3D space, with Galaxy 2 being the lone exception. They usually want a brand new "hook." Whether that’s a new companion, a new way of moving, or a shift in perspective, expect the unexpected.
Why the launch window matters
If Nintendo misses the holiday 2024 or spring 2025 window, the pressure on this game doubles. Every month the Switch 2 is delayed, the expectations for the launch title grow.
The current Switch is still selling, but the software sales are finally starting to dip. The "Great Transition" is happening. This 3D Mario Switch 2 isn't just a game; it's the bridge. It has to appeal to the 140 million people who own a Switch while convincing them that their old hardware is now obsolete.
That’s a tall order.
Actionable Steps for the Mario Fan
While we wait for the inevitable Nintendo Direct that breaks the internet, there are a few things you can do to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the next generation.
First, don't sell your current Switch library yet. All signs point to the Switch 2 being backwards compatible. This means your copies of Odyssey, 3D World, and even the 3D All-Stars collection will likely work on the new machine—and they might even get a "boost mode" patch to run at higher resolutions or frame rates.
Second, pay attention to the EPD Tokyo staff credits. Keep an eye on names like Koichi Hayashida and Yoshiaki Koizumi. When these guys start appearing in interviews or Nintendo Treehouse segments, you know the reveal is imminent. They are the architects of Mario's 3D movement.
Third, revisit Bowser’s Fury. If you haven't played it, or if you skipped it because it was tied to the 3D World port, go back and play it now. It is the clearest roadmap we have for where Mario is going. The way the camera handles, the way the world is structured, and the way the "Giga Bell" mechanic integrates into the environment—it’s all a massive hint.
Finally, manage your budget. New hardware is expensive, and Nintendo rarely discounts their first-party games. If the 3D Mario Switch 2 launches alongside the console, you’re looking at a significant investment. Start stashing away that "Mario Fund" now.
The jump to the next generation is always a special time in gaming. There’s a certain magic when you see a Mario game running on hardware that can finally match the developers' imagination. We’re almost there. The rumors are peaking, the supply chain is moving, and the red cap is ready to be thrown again. Whatever it ends up being, you can bet it will be the most polished thing you play all year.
Stay skeptical of "leaked" renders on Twitter, but stay excited for the reality. Nintendo is at their best when they have something to prove.