Nintendo has given the Super Mario franchise a new look. The company swapped the franchise logo on its official website, and it happened without any announcement, trailer or blog post attached to it. If you didn’t go looking, you probably missed it entirely.
The first logo change since 2011
The new logo is sleeker and glossier than what came before, while keeping the colorful character of the previous versions. It also ends a long run: the original Super Mario franchise logo, introduced in 1996, stayed in use until 2011, and the version that replaced it served from 2011 all the way to 2026. A post on X placed the old and new logos side by side so you can compare them yourself.
A logo refresh on its own doesn’t guarantee a game announcement is around the corner. Still, for a brand as carefully managed as Mario, any visual change is worth noting – and we keep track of everything around the plumber in our Super Mario news hub.
Switch 2 still has no mainline Mario
The timing stands out because Switch 2 is approaching Year 3 of its life without a mainline Super Mario game. Normally Nintendo lines up a flagship Mario title within a year of a console’s launch, sometimes on day one, but this hardware generation has broken that pattern. Some fans expected the long-rumored 3D Mario to finally show up at the most recent Nintendo Direct, and that presentation ended without a single mention of it.
What the leaks say
Leaks point to the next mainline Super Mario game arriving at some point in late 2027, with chatter suggesting an open world structure in the vein of Bowser’s Fury. None of that is confirmed by Nintendo, so treat it as rumor.
If a fall 2027 release is the plan, an announcement could land at a future Nintendo Direct or at an event like The Game Awards in December. The more likely scenario, though, is that Nintendo holds off until the launch window is much closer – similar to how the Ocarina of Time remake was revealed at the June Nintendo Direct and arrives just five months later in November.
Spin-offs and movies keep the brand busy
Even without a mainline entry, Mario isn’t going anywhere. Switch 2 already has its own Mario Kart and Mario Tennis, while Mario Golf hasn’t shown up yet, and there’s been plenty of fan demand for a new Super Mario baseball game. More spin-offs in 2027 look like a safe bet.
On the film side, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, which makes a third entry in the movie series a near certainty. Nintendo is currently occupied with The Legend of Zelda movie, but more Mario films are almost certainly in the pipeline.
What it means for you
- Nothing changes inside any game – this is a branding update on Nintendo’s website.
- There’s still no announced mainline Super Mario title for Switch 2.
- A fresh logo often shows up ahead of a new era for a franchise, so keep an eye on upcoming Directs.
FAQ
Nintendo updated the Super Mario franchise logo on its official website. The new version has a sleeker, glossier look while keeping the colorful style of the older logos.
The logo it replaced was used from 2011 to 2026. Before that, the original franchise logo introduced in 1996 ran until 2011.
Not necessarily. Nintendo made no announcement alongside the logo change, and a rebrand on its own isn’t confirmation of anything.
Leaks point to late 2027, with rumors of an open world design similar to Bowser’s Fury. Nintendo has not confirmed the game or any release window.
Nothing is official yet, but The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has passed $1 billion worldwide, making another film highly likely. Nintendo is currently working on The Legend of Zelda movie.