The Lack Of Mainline Mario Games On The Nintendo Switch Is Disappointing

The Nintendo Switch has a great library - I don't think anybody would argue against that. It has platformers, strategy games, adventure titles, and so much more. There's so much stuff to play for basically everyone. But what it doesn't have is enough mainline Mario games.

- Jon Wilson

Super Mario Odyssey is the last original 3D platforming adventure released for the Nintendo Switch, and we've gone even longer without a brand new 2D entry in the series. We have New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, but those are ports, and Bowser's Fury is a very short game coming in at around three hours if you want to complete it. So why is there no Italian plumber right now? It is nice to see some variety on the Switch, especially after the Wii U, which had too many Mario games and was severely lacking in its representation of Metroid and Kirby. It's also worth noting that variety is vital in the video game industry, and overindulging in a particular franchise is bad for everyone, not just the fans. But it could also be argued that Nintendo has been milking its series on its current platform as it used to, just not the usual candidates. The Switch has had many Kirby and Fire Emblem games in recent years, and that's great for fans of those series. However, for people like me, who love Mario, it's disappointing, and with something very special on the horizon, it's also a mistake on Nintendo's part.