Nintendo Updates Super Mario Logo, Sparking New 3D Mario Game Speculation

Nintendo’s refreshed Mario logo and character renders have sparked speculation about what the company could reveal next.

Nintendo has quietly updated the official Super Mario logo, giving the renowned brand an exclusive new look. The new design has the words side-by-side instead of stacked one on top of the other. The 3D lettering and color gradients make the logo look more current.

Nintendo has also updated a number of official Mario renders along with the logo. Mario's clothes, hair, mustache, gloves, cap, and shoes are all more textured and detailed. Fire Mario has similar graphical upgrades, and Bowser Jr. has improved texturing and updated metal items.

The changes have inevitably led to speculation that Nintendo could be working on a new Mario game. However, the changes aren't necessarily indicative of an upcoming unveiling, as Nintendo is known for changing up its character models. But the scenario gets more interesting when the franchise changes its main logo.

Nintendo did the same with Donkey Kong before announcing Donkey Kong Bananza. Before the game was announced, the character was given a new official design and appeared in Mario Kart World before his new adventure was announced. The speculation is also related to allegations from insiders, who believe that a new 3D Mario game is in the works for next year.

Nintendo’s Mario rebranding has us wondering what’s next.

Other sources have corroborated the possibility, too, but Nintendo has not revealed the game. Another sandbox might not be enough for the next Mario adventure. One big question mark is what Nintendo will do with the next 3D Mario. The research reveals that a mere linear 3D platformer simply isn’t ambitious enough, almost a decade after Super Mario Odyssey.

Donkey Kong Bananza has also brought up the topic of Mario venturing into a whole different framework. So that means a 3D open world Mario is on the table. Bowser’s Fury has been described as a possible prototype for a larger, interconnected Mario experience; however, Nintendo has never confirmed such a project.

Things get a little more tricky, though, as Kirby might be working on a fully open-world 3D platforming game. If Kirby and Mario both receive huge 3D worlds next year, their launches might be eerily similar, especially if both are focused on exploration and platforming.

Nintendo could be releasing two open-world platformers in under a year. The source ties this possibility to Nintendo pairing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey in 2017. The games provided very different experiences, although open-world Kirby and open-world Mario might have more in common.

Nintendo has not announced any new 3D Mario game or whether the new logo and character models are tied to a new project. Maybe it's just business as usual, but with word of a 3D Mario game in 2027, fans have one more thing to watch out for as Nintendo reveals what's next.