Mario fans were left twiddling their mustaches after Nintendo’s Doug Bowser teased a “major game reveal,” only to follow up with a foggy “stay tuned.” With Nintendo’s showcase spotlighting Zelda and raising eyebrows over the $80 Mario Kart World price, longtime Mario loyalists wondered if their favorite plumber took a wrong warp pipe. The absence of any concrete 3D Mario announcement sparked disappointment and meme-worthy memes—curious about what’s next for the Mushroom Kingdom? The answer might be closer than you think.
Even with all eyes glued to Nintendo’s recent game reveals, Mario fans were left feeling like someone hit the pause button on their excitement. While The Legend of Zelda stole the spotlight, Mario seemed to be taking an extended coffee break. The buzz wasn’t lost on fans—online forums and social media lit up with disappointment, as players wondered if their favorite plumber had been sent to the wrong level.
One reason for the muted reaction? High hopes, thanks to hints from Nintendo’s Doug Bowser and others, weren’t exactly matched by new game confirmations. Fans expected at least a hint of a new 3D Mario adventure, especially with Switch 2 rumors swirling, but all they got was a vague “stay tuned.” Not exactly the power-up they wanted. Many fans had been hoping for justification for the $80 price point for Mario Kart World, but the Direct left most of those questions unanswered.
Fans hoped for a new 3D Mario reveal, but all they got was a vague “stay tuned”—hardly the power-up they wanted.
Instead, attention drifted toward Donkey Kong and, oddly enough, the pricing of Mario Kart World. The game’s cost left more than a few wallets wincing, and the mixed reactions weren’t just about the price—some players felt the game didn’t deliver on Nintendo’s promises. It’s a classic case of nostalgia versus sticker shock, and right now, the Koopa shells are flying.
Nintendo’s approach to managing expectations has come under fire, with former marketing leads criticizing the company’s communication strategy compared to past practices. Communication, too, has been a sticking point. Former Nintendo insiders have pointed out the importance of managing expectations, but lately, it seems Nintendo’s strategy is more about mystery than clarity. No major Mario title confirmed for Switch 2? That’s like serving spaghetti with no sauce.
Critics are quick to note the risk: with no big Mario news, Nintendo could lose its edge against rivals who keep their fans better informed (and maybe a bit more hyped). While the company’s game catalogue is impressive, the lack of transparency around new releases and pricing has left fans feeling a bit… ghosted.
For now, Doug Bowser’s teasers are the only glimmer of hope. But unless Nintendo brings Mario to the main stage soon, even the most loyal fans might start looking for their next adventure elsewhere—or at least, somewhere a little more affordable.