Celebrating Thirty-Five Years Of Super Mario In Several Ways

Dear Mario, please help lighten things up in late 2020. Nintendo has a special 35^th-anniversary celebration for you [28]. Yours truly, Laura Amy Williams and her fellow Nintendo nerds [72]. That is right, dear gamers! We are finally at the point of celebrating the 35^th anniversary of the release of Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System that has charmed many retro gamers as an 8-bit best-seller since 1985 [30] [58]. Ever since every single announcement that occurred last week, we are all blissfully aware of the epic and highly ambitious celebration lasting from September 2020 to March 2021 [72], even when we heard Gen Hoshino sing “Souzou / Create” in honour of it [7] [79]. It is outstanding how Nintendo has remained proactive and creatively ambitious in preparation for another big spark of hope in the devastation and chaos of 2020 [5] [6]. While many fellow bandicoots are starstrucked by Tawna’s new look and character development from an alternate universe in another preview of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time [8] [44], I hope the moustached man appreciates the small note I have sent him. And no, I have not been held hostage by Bowser…or in the internet’s late 2010s case, Bowsette [10].

The official logo of Mario’s 35th anniversary in motion. [16]

Firstly, a sweet yet healthy dose of nostalgia awaits Nintendo nerds who want to jump into three re-releases on the Nintendo Switch [55]. Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a forthcoming compilation that proudly provides ports of:

•        Super Mario 64 [23]
•        Super Mario Sunshine [23]
•        Super Mario Galaxy [23]

It is too bad a re-release of Super Mario Galaxy 2 could not make it to the compilation [63], but at least we get some rehashes rather than none at all. As someone who has played the original port of Super Mario 64 on a blue Pikachu-themed Nintendo 64 as a child [26] [34], adores the white summer dress that Princess Peach only wore in Super Mario Sunshine and eventually played Super Mario Galaxy on the Nintendo Wii [31] [64], I do not doubt that it seems like quite an honourable trip to 3D Mario Memory Lane that will be available a little later this September, similar to how a re-release of Super Mario All-Stars for the Nintendo Wii was something special to honour the red-hatted hero’s 25^th anniversary in late 2010 [43] [57]. For late 2021, I think there can be an HD re-release of Sonic Colours for the Switch in honour of Sonic the Hedgehog’s 30^th anniversary [47].

Of course, a compilation of three successfully acclaimed games from previous gaming eras ought to consist of higher resolutions and smooth and reliable controls in functional compatibility with the current console [23]. An example of this would be pressing the Y button on the right joy-con or shaking it to make Mario spin in the re-release of Super Mario Galaxy [55]. [23]

Aside from the Super Mario Kart tour in Mario Kart Tour [35], the concept of Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is quite fantastically advanced [28] [32] [39] [57]. The way the view of the cameras built in a toy of Mario or Luigi in a kart is displayed on the screen reminds me of the technology established in Microsoft Hololens that brought a teenaged version of Conker the Squirrel into reality in Young Conker [9] [28] [39] [57] [65]. Unfortunately, there will need to be plenty of space in the room for the racing to remain thrilling when the camera in the toy films the environment for the gameplay. Nevertheless, it is still a creative way to turn your home into a racing track that will be available this October [28] [32] [39] [55]. Since the idea of bringing a platforming adventure from the main Mario games to real life has been covered by some technically advanced LEGO figures modelled after Mario that I like to call “Mariobob Plumberpants” [21] [76], the ambitiously fascinating Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit sets quite a unique idea of bringing a Mario Kart race into reality [28] [32] [39] [57]. If the fascinating concept succeeds in sales, there could be a Peach kart and a Yoshi kart for bringing their perspectives into a live-action course [20].

Are the money-hungry aspects of Mario Kart Tour still getting you down [13]? If so, feel free to put down the smart device and combine Mario Kart racing with reality once you tune into Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit! Just make sure there is enough room in your house or local club! [32]

Alternatively, feel free to take part in the Super Mario Kart tour in Mario Kart Tour if you wish, especially if you remember playing Super Mario Kart [77]. [35]

Aside from a splatfest between Super Mushroom Minions and Super Star Soldiers in an online battle of Splatoon 2 that will take place in January 2021 [28] [61], a way for some Nintendo nerds to compete in October 2020 would be Super Mario Bros. 35 [28] [29] [60], a challenge for a Nintendo Switch owner to play a port of Super Mario Bros. against…thirty-four other players?! Mamma mia! The goal of the event is to be the one remaining 8-bit Mario left to win until time runs out, but it will not be easy as competitors will send enemies to each other’s gameplays. Luckily, an item roulette and a list of four strategies can help increase the chance of winning. While plenty of mid-2000s teens will dine on a fetch limited edition of Toaster Strudel pastries inspired by Mean Girls [67], the quotable 2004 chick flick [12], many of Nintendo Switch Only members in groups of thirty-five will face the wildness and insanity of the competitive twist added to the usual experience of playing the original Super Mario Bros. game [28] [29]. Too bad the event will only last until the end of March in 2021 [60], but it could be re-established again at some point after enough strong demand.

I never thought it would be possible for an online competition to be that ambitious when it comes to getting another taste of side-scrolling nostalgia! [60]

Other than that, many Mario makers ought to get ready for a special Ninji Speedruns event in Super Mario Maker 2 this November, along with a Mario-themed tournament in Super Smash Bros Ultimate [61]. [29]

Even though this surprise will be available at some point in Early 2021 [25] [56], its announcement is still associated with Mario’s 35^th anniversary, so let us discuss the details of it too. Super Mario 3D World, a 3D platforming adventure that was released for the Nintendo Wii U back in late 2013 will be ported to the Switch [24] [25]. Surprisingly, a twist titled “Bowser’s Fury” will be available as content exclusively for the port [56]. I have a bad feeling about it as Bowser’s name is in the exclusive content’s title. Apart from that, the exclusive content reminds me of how the special Switch port of New Super Mario Bros. U introduced Peachette, a fusion of Toadette and Princess Peach that is summoned when Toadette wears a Super Crown [70] [71]. Alongside with it, the Switch port of Super Mario 3D World will also provide compatibility with amiibos as it will also be released with amiibo figures of Cat Mario and Cat Peach [38]. It looks like amiibos will not be going out of style just yet [2]. I will be more than interested to find out what will be exclusively featured in Bowser’s Fury in the first half of 2021 [25] [56].

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUUN [11]!!! [25]

Meow! [38]

A special edition of the Game & Watch, Nintendo’s first handheld gaming system that was a predecessor to the Game Boy looks beautifully nostalgic with its colourful screen [16] [34] [37] [49]. I like how a control pad has been added for make it more comfortable for our fellow 2000s kids who were infatuated with games for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS [68]. It is also interesting how there is a clock system [16] [34] [37], similar to the Animal Crossing clock and the Mario clock for DSiWare [3] [15] [17] [52]. And for old time’s sake, there is a chance to play as Mario in a new version of Ball [48]. Nintendo nerds who are up for a more advanced and daring challenge better brace themselves if they wish to play Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels, otherwise known as the true Super Mario Bros. 2 [34] [37] [62]! Coming to sales this November, plenty of game collectors better be cautious that it will only be available until March 2021 [49], yet I am still up for a special 2020s edition of the Game Boy called “Game Girl” that features a colourful screen like the Game Boy Color [50], along with possibly a built-in camera for taking photographs like the Nintendo DSi [1] [41] [45] [46] [69].

The amazing early 2020s edition of Game & Watch at least seems more necessary than the Game Boy Micro from 2005 and would be far more likely to sell better for its special anniversary-exclusive features [40] [49]. It looks like the 30th anniversary of Game & Watch is being celebrated too [37]! [16] [34]

Last but not least, there is also a range of merchandise in association with Mario’s 35^th anniversary, including:

•        New plushies [22]
•        T-shirts [22]
•        Mugs [22]
•        Drink flasks [22]
•        Fabric carrier bags [22]
•        Super Mario-themed Splatoon 2 T-shirts [61]
•        Super Mario-themed Splatoon 2 keychains [61]
•        A watch range from Alba in Japan [36]
•        RS-Dreamer Super Mario 64-themed basketball trainers [50]
•        Pins that each represent a different main Mario instalment [50]

Plenty of our Nintendo nerds ought to stay fashionable with T-shirts, pins and carrier bags that have been designed to honour the plumber’s 35^th anniversary. I can see many content creators giving voices to any of the new Mario plushies in their videos in the near future, such as Matthew Montane who is also known as “LuigiFan00001” on YouTube [14] [22] [66]. As for our animal crossers who have spent a good portion of 2020 building their islands in Animal Crossing: New Horizons [4], plenty of them can say that its forthcoming update for March 2021 technically counts as expanding on the merchandising for the anniversary as it will consist of Mario-themed items for an animal crosser to place in their home [28] [61]. Any amount of merchandising is great for celebrating the anniversary of a successful video game franchise outside of the gaming.

I bet some Nintendo nerds would fancy a game of Monopoly or Jenga with some Mario vibes later this year [61]. [27]

Besides that, y’all ought to stay trendy and have fun when collecting coins and throwing fire balls [30]! [22]

In conclusion, as someone who has been proactively discussing forthcoming events with the red-hatted plumber since the releases of some trailers for Mario Party: The Top 100 back in late 2017 [18] [19] [73], I wish him, his brother and his royal sweetheart a happy 35^th anniversary in late 2020 after so much conflict many of us have been through [5] [6]! Of course, this is quite like how many Pac-players and I have wished Pac-Man a happy 40^th anniversary [74] [75]. I also still hope that the Mario Party series will not become stale by the time there is an instalment of it titled “Mario Party 64” [71]. While plenty of Xbox players are looking forward to getting their hands on an Xbox Series S [78], this motivating occasion hosted by Nintendo is quite like Mario’s 25^th anniversary in 2010, his 30^th anniversary in 2015 and the Year of Luigi in 2013 all over again [42] [59] [61]. I may never want to live in a year like 2020 ever again, but here is to another decade of Super Mario mayhem, including the 40^th anniversary of the franchise in 2025, my dear fellow gamers! Koopa shells up as we all propose a toast!

Cheers! For thirty-five years of rescuing the princess [30]! [27]

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Ratchet & Clank Are To Rift Apart On The PlayStation 5

The PlayStation 5 has finally been officially revealed [22], along with several announcement trailers for upcoming video game instalments for the system, from Spider-Man: Miles Morales to Sackboy: A Big Adventure [6] [7] [21] [24]. The trailer I have chosen to analyse is the one for Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart [29]. Since 2002, a courageous lombax who would wield his wrench and an adorable robot who would always have his back...and be on it have won the hearts of many PlayStation players for voyaging through empowering gameplay and humourous moments [30] [32]. I still love the movie based on the successful re-imagining of how the duo first met from 2016 [26], despite how negatively received it was and how it was a box-office bomb [5] [28]. After many PlayStation players shed tears of joy as they watched the showcase for the PlayStation 5 [6] [7], I am more than thrilled to analyse the announcement trailer and gameplay trailer for a brand new Ratchet and Clank game and explain some theories with you all [13] [23], even as someone who has previously discussed what to expect in an anime series based on the franchise due to its popularity in Japan [10] [41] [42].

I am delighted to see yet another addition to the Ratchet and Clank franchise [30]. [23]

The duo will strive through different dimensions [23] [29]?! No way! I can tell that Dr. Nefarious is responsible for the dimensions colliding chaotically as it turns out that he has already ruled one of them. After all, he and Chairman Drek were the crooks behind the foul deed of destroying other planets to build only one in the re-imagining [34]. The variety of different dimensions the adventurous lombax and the well-mannered robot soar through in the trailer for Rift Apart include:

•        A city that looks very similar to Aleero City [23]
•        A canyon consisting of species that resemble dragons [23]
•        Another city set in the night [23]
•        A stormy ocean travelled across by pirates on their ships [23]

The premise ultimately leads to my theory that it could take place at some point before the events of PlayStation Move Heroes, the crossover spin-off that also started Jak, Daxter, Sly Cooper and Bentley and was released in 2011, but not very well received [25]. The reason for my theory is that the premise of PlayStation Move Heroes features all three duos being sent to another planet from their universes [14], similar to how Rift Apart will be about Ratchet and Clank trying to save multiple dimensions [23].

The idea of the galactic duo travelling through different dimensions sounds quite refreshing [23]. Do not get distracted by the pretty purple auras! [29]

Let us look a little deeper into the premise of Rift Apart. I can tell that it will take place at some point after the events of the re-imagining of the first game and the movie based on it [23] [26] [34]. As for the title of the instalment, the term “Rift Apart” is a sign of the duo being tragically separated during their quest, not some sexual innuendo like “Up Your Arsenal” or “Quest For Booty” [30]. Quite unfortunately, Clank looks up and states that they were “too late” away from Ratchet’s presence at some point in the trailer [23]. This sudden conflict is quite similar to how Elsa and Anna got eventually separated once again at some point in Frozen II and how Clank was taken by the Zoni in the ending of Tools of Destruction [12] [15]. Nonetheless, there will be strong hope that the furry mechanic and the pint-sized gentlebot will reunite like how they did in Ratchet and Clank: A Crank in Time [35]. A good title for a new instalment of the franchise must fit a primary aspect of the premise. For example, the “galaxy” in Super Mario Galaxy fits the premise of Mario roaming in various galaxies [18].

Let us not forget about Clank’s solo gameplay [32] [35]. That has to return in Rift Apart to fit the premise and title, right? [23]

The graphics and gameplay, along with sharp dialogue appear to be very faithful to what made the re-imagining of the first game that was simply amazing back in 2016 [13] [34]. The battling between the duo and their enemies looks chaotic as shown in some footage that heavily resembles the gameplay in Aleero City from the fantastic re-imagining [26] [34]. There seems to be a weapon called the “Rift Tether” that Ratchet can use to swiftly bring Clank and himself to where shattered orange rifts are seen [13], which is a sign of the game offering something new to make the experience fresh. Other weapons include:

•       The Shatterbomb [13] [29]
•        The Topiary Sprinkler [13] [29]
•        The Enforcer [13] [29]

The witty dialogue from the protagonists, which is essential for maintaining the charm of the Ratchet and Clank formula is also there to balance the chaos and a bit of humour as a sign that the franchise will still be the futuristic video game equivalent of Danger Mouse [11] [13] [30] [36]. Just by witnessing an outstanding example in the gameplay trailer, I knew the developers and writers at Insomniac Games can provide such exceptional aspects for a new Ratchet and Clank game for the first half of the 2020s.

There seems to be a familiar element of self-empowerment from using a variety of different weapons for the final outcome of Rift Apart [13]. [29]

Looks like there will be a new ally who will assist Clank as a white lombax [23]. Could this mean that Ratchet will finally reunite with his species [35]? I can tell that the new adventurer is a female due to her feminine voice, along with how her tail looks very different compared to Ratchet’s tail. Oddly enough, Angela Cross, the female lombax who appeared in Going Commando had smaller ears and no tail at all [27] [33]. I suppose the character designers at Insomniac Games wanted to establish some different sexual dimorphism in the alternative timeline that was established in the re-imagining [27]. Nevertheless, the new character in Rift Apart could be a subspecies or different breed of the lombax race. Remember how the Nintendogs games for the Nintendo DS consisted of one fairly small variety of different dog breeds each [17] [19]? On the other bomb glove, my third theory about the new character is that she could be transsexual or transgender, similar to how many Catherine crusaders suspected that Rin was transsexual or transgender a year before the release of Catherine: Full Body in Japan [8] [9] [39] [40]. No matter which of the three theories will be the truth, will the new ally be likeable?

This new character also has a robotic right arm, meaning she must have lost her previous right arm during a tragic event [23]. Since female lombaxes were originally supposed to lack tails and have smaller ears [27], could she be a different lombax breed or transgender? [29]

The franchise’s logo appears to have been updated for the galactic duo’s next big steps for the PlayStation 5 [13] [23] [29]. I have nothing against changing a franchise’s logo as there is always room for improvement. The same small grey bolt by Clank’s same with the light blue “&” from the re-imagining’s logo is still there for the familiar stylising from the previous logo [16]. The font of the new logo is faintly wider and its 3D effect is greatly reduced, making it more bold and readable [29]. However, it is a shame that the previous symbolism, which was the “C” in Ratchet’s name resembling the end of a wrench and the “C” in Clank’s name resembling a bolt since the first game from 2002 has been replaced with simply the shape of a bolt in each “C” [16] [29]. But ultimately, quite similar to how the logo for the introduction of the proposed reboot of Angela Anaconda can be beneficial for dyslexic viewers with different detail and more readability [4] [37] [38], the new Ratchet and Clank logo can be approved by many consumers for providing the same redeeming qualities.

The previous logo for the masterpiece from 2016 [34]. [16]

The new logo for a new Ratchet and Clank game. [29]

The official design of the PlayStation 5 and its unexpected digital edition are beautifully futuristic [7] [22], which could make either of them and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart a match made in Nerd Heaven, even though we do not know if the game will be available digitally or not. I yearn to find out how the new female lombax copes in a dimension temporarily ruled by Nefarious. I would also like to witness a brand new instalment of the Spyro franchise that is heavily inspired from his reignited trilogy and a new Crash Bandicoot game that could be classified as the official “Crash Bandicoot 4” that is possibly under inspiration from his N-Sane trilogy for the PlayStation’s new era [1] [2] [3]. I also do no doubt that those adorable robots will cute plenty of PlayStation players out in Astro’s Playroom while plenty of survivors of the Resident Evil franchise cautiously play Resident Evil 8: Village under advised discretion in a new era of the PlayStation [20] [31]. The official release date of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart may not have been announced yet, but here is to a new galactic adventure for a noble community of Ratchet’s rangers and Clank’s comrades soon [23] [29].

Look at these beauties! It was worth the wait. [22]

“Ready for our next adventure, pal?” [29]

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