Sorry folks, but Nintendo is sticking to its plan to stop selling a number of games linked to Mario’s 35th year of existence. It contains both physical and digital copies of games such as Super Mario 3D All-Stars for Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo reminds fans of this Japanese Twitter account today that they have until March 31 to buy 3D All-Stars – which contains the bundle Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, of Super Mario Galaxy.
People who bought the games will of course have access to them, but Nintendo plans to stop the game and take it out of the Switch eShop. It is possible that some physical copies will remain in stores after March, but the bundle will be formally discontinued at the end of the month.
Similarly, Mario fighting royal game Super Mario 35 will be discontinued, and Nintendo will discontinue production of its small retro handheld, Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros..
The announcement weakened expectations as some fans hoped that Nintendo would make a similar decision as with the NES Classic, and would later revive production of the product. However, this now seems less likely.
In an interview with Polygon, Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, explained why the company decided to discontinue the games. According to Bowser, Nintendo added these games as part of a celebration. As such, they were meant to be part of a special moment for the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.
Asked about players buying a Nintendo Switch after March, Bowser said: ‘Yes, at this point the decision has really been made about the celebration and aspect of the celebration. I can not talk to plans at the end of March. ”
Although fans in particular find the decision frustrating – especially since the company can keep a digital version of the game on the Nintendo eShop – Bowser emphasizes that limited releases will not be a commonly used strategy by the company, but it’s just one. [Nintendo] the thought was very unique to the actual commemoration. ”