Why is Mario 35 gone?
When Nintendo suddenly discontinued access to Super Mario Bros. 35 on March 31, 2021, fans were distraught over the loss of this creative competitive experiment. Mario 35 provided a unique clash of retro 2D platforming and modern battle royale intensity. Unfortunately, its removal after merely 8 months left many questioning why Mario 35 couldn‘t remain a permanent fixture of the Switch ecosystem.
Intent Was Never for Mario 35 to Stay
According to Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, Mario 35 and other celebratory releases were specifically produced for Mario‘s 35th anniversary festivities during 2020. Bowser stated the company wanted these experiences across remasters, re-releases and new games to feel special by only being available for a limited time.
While disappointing for fans, this approach echoes Disney‘s tactics in keeping certain films locked away in the "vault" to drive nostalgic demand upon re-emergence. Nintendo used FOMO (fear of missing out) to attract participation in Mario 35 before March 2021 arrived.
Metrics and Maturity Likely Factors Too
Nintendo is notoriously selective over sharing exact performance data on titles. However, Mario 35 was not topping monthly Switch eShop charts following launch. Engagement often dries up quickly for online games without progression hooks or meta updates too. Mario 35 lacked features for skill expression seen in leading battle royales like weapon skins or high skill techniques outside fundamentals.
Its simplified rule set and mechanics likely struggled to sustain competitive hardcore players alongside casual fans long term. Nintendo perhaps recognized doubling down on resources for events, updates and server costs wasn‘t viable given lukewarm reception.
Mario 35‘s Life Cycle in Comparison
| Game | Duration | Player Base | Updates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario 35 | 8 months | Small | None |
| Fortnite (Battle Royale) | 5+ years and still active | Very Large | Frequent |
What Could Have Kept Mario 35 Alive?
If intent was to make Mario 35 last, Nintendo had options for sustaining engagement. Taking inspiration from ongoing competitive games, introducing season resets, new modes/rules and custom lobbies over time may have helped. Collaborations with streamers on tournaments and challenges could have maintained visibility too.
Turning Mario 35‘s availability into an annual tradition similar to Splatoon‘s Splatfest events was another potential angle. This would let the title remerge every 35th anniversary to capture nostalgia. Tieing it in as a preorder bonus for certain games was also plausible.
What Fans Can Hope to See Next
While Mario 35 is gone, Nintendo rarely gives up on creative concepts and game styles with potential. Many fans continue campaigning for its return or evolution into a new experience. Applying similar competitive multiplayer chaos to franchises like Mario Kart or Metroid could emerge down the road.
For now, the loss of Mario 35 serves as a lesson for Nintendo on sustaining niche game concepts that resonate with fans. With the right steady content and community engagement, Mario 35 could have mirrored long-running hits like Smash Bros. and Splatoon 2. Never say never on Mario, Luigi and Toad battling elimination style again someday.
