Nintendo says that Mario games are going away on March 31, 2021 because they are ‘celebrating’ the anniversary

‘This is your celebration’

Recommended Videos

Ask tough questions, get tough executive answers!

This week, Polygon interviewed Nintendo of America president and Reggie-replacement Doug Bowser: who has remained relatively quiet during his tenure at the publisher. Just recently though he broke that silence by speaking to a number of Nintendo topics, like the destruction of some Mario games on March 31, 2021.

When asked why Nintendo was going with the vaulting strategy, Bowser replied: “Yeah, I think I use a simple word: celebration. It just — this is a celebration of Mario’s 35th anniversary. And we wanted to celebrate in unique and different ways, and we’ve done that through games like Super Mario 3D All-Stars, or we will be doing that through future releases, such as Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.”

Bowser also says that there are “various” other ways in which they’re celebrating too, with releases like Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. But that “with some of these titles, we felt it was an opportunity to release them for a limited period of time. They’ve done very, very well. Super Mario 3D All-Stars has sold over 2.6 million units in the US alone.” He later clarifies that it’s “not a strategy [they’re] going to be  using widely.”

Of course, there’s something else to take away from this. Bowser never mentioned whether or not the eventual removal of Fire Emblem NES from the Switch eShop was a “celebration” too. Also, “they’ve done very, very well” and “not using widely” is telling. They’ve already expanded the strategy outside of the confines of Mario, and if it’s doing “well,” they can probably push the controversy boundaries a bit and do it once or twice per year.

We’ll see!

Doug Bowser on Nintendo’s obsession with March 31, plus Joy-Con drift and the Switch Pro rumors [Polygon]


Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Celeste dev’s Earthblade no longer coming out in 2024, but progress is being made
Earthblade
Read Article The next big Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter update is on April 12
What to expect during FFXIV LLXXX
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Related Content
Read Article Celeste dev’s Earthblade no longer coming out in 2024, but progress is being made
Earthblade
Read Article The next big Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter update is on April 12
What to expect during FFXIV LLXXX
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Author
Chris Carter
Managing Editor - Chris has been enjoying Destructoid avidly since 2008. He finally decided to take the next step in January of 2009 blogging on the site. Now, he's staff!