When Was Super Mario Bros. Discontinued?
Super Mario Bros. is a beloved video game franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo. Since its first release in 1985, the franchise has been a staple in the world of gaming, entertaining and challenging gamers of all ages. However, despite its enduring popularity, not all Super Mario games are available for play. So, when was Super Mario Bros. discontinued?
New Super Mario Bros. Series
The first question we need to address is that Super Mario Bros. as a series has not been discontinued. The most recent game in the New Super Mario Bros. series is New Super Mario Bros. U (2012) for the Nintendo Wii U and Wii. However, Super Mario Bros. 35, a spin-off of Super Mario Bros., was discontinued on April 1, 2021.
Release and Discontinuation Dates for Super Mario Games
| Game Title | Release Date | Discontinuation Date |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros. | September 13, 1985 | 1989 ( cartridges re-released in 2009 as part of Virtual Console) |
| Super Mario World | November 21, 1990 | Ongoing |
| New Super Mario Bros. | May 15, 2006 | Ongoing |
| New Super Mario Bros. Wii | November 15, 2009 | Ongoing |
| New Super Mario Bros. 2 | July 28, 2012 | Ongoing |
| New Super Mario Bros. U | November 18, 2012 | Ongoing |
| New Super Mario Bros. 2: New Power-Ups | March 27, 2013 | Ongoing |
| New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | January 11, 2019 | Ongoing |
| Super Mario Bros. 35 | October 29, 2020 | Discontinued on April 1, 2021 |
Reasons for Discontinuation
As per an interview with Nintendo President Doug Bowser, Super Mario Bros. 35 was discontinued due to it being a celebration that was intended to be unique and exclusive to the game. Additionally, the game did not have a consistent sales level, which also led to its discontinuation.
Future of the Series
The future of the Super Mario Bros. series looks bright, with rumors circulating about a new Super Mario game in the works for the Nintendo Switch. There have been several patents and trademarks filed for New Super Mario Bros. 3D and Super Mario 64 Remastered, although neither game has been officially confirmed. In the meantime, players can still enjoy classic games in the series or revisit updated versions through virtual consoles or re-releases.
Conclusion
While the Super Mario Bros. franchise has seen the discontinuation of some of its spin-offs, the core series remains ongoing, with new games and updates continuing to be released. Super Mario Bros. (1985), New Super Mario Bros. (2006), New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009), and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (2019) are just a few of the many games that continue to entertain and challenge players today.