Summary
- Mario Paint, the 1992 Mario-themed creation suite, might be making a comeback on the Nintendo Switch 2.
- The SNES classic is still influential today, with games drawing inspiration and references appearing in modern titles.
- The Switch 2's capabilities make it an ideal home for Mario Paint, given its Joy-Con 2 controllers' mouse function.
A new rumor suggests that the Super Nintendo classic Mario Paint could be making a comeback on the Nintendo Switch 2. Released in 1992 as a showcase for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System’s Mouse peripheral, Mario Paint is less of a traditional game and more of an early creation suite themed after the Super Mario franchise. As its title suggests, players can paint their own artwork in Mario Paint’s graphics editor, as well as create Mario-themed animations and compose music using 15 different instrument samples.
Mario Paint ultimately became one of the best-selling games on the SNES system, and is still regarded today as one of Nintendo’s most novel game ideas. Later games like Earthbound and the WarioWare series have drawn influence from Mario Paint, and there have been a few references to the game in such titles as Super Mario Odyssey and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Some gamers continue to play around with Mario Paint’s creation tools, even making impressive covers of the Succession theme music and other famous songs.
Xbox Games Reportedly Coming to the Nintendo Switch 2
According to reports, Microsoft is considering putting Xbox titles on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 system as part of its multiplatform approach.
Nintendo recently released an assortment of new Switch Online icons themed after classic Nintendo consoles and peripherals. As noted by Nintendo Life, one of these icons is of the SNES mouse, fueling past speculation that Nintendo could be looking to add games utilizing the peripheral to the Nintendo Switch Online library. Mario Paint is the most prominent game to make use of the old Nintendo mouse, so much of this discussion is naturally centered around it.
Mario Paint Could Be Coming To Switch Online
The original Mario Paint was never rereleased on any platform, and the few sequels it received in Japan were never sold elsewhere. The closest thing fans have gotten to an official Mario Paint follow-up outside of Japan was Super Mario Maker, which was initially developed on the Wii U as a sequel to the 1992 classic before being retooled into a Super Mario level editor.
The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console could be an ideal new home for Mario Paint, as its Joy-Con 2 controllers have a special mouse function that would be perfect for content creation suites. Of course, the SNES Mouse Switch Online icon could just be Nintendo’s way of acknowledging its popular 90s peripheral without necessarily indicating anything else. What is known for sure is that Nintendo Switch Online users will be able to unlock the SNES Mouse icon alongside the rest of the “Nintendo Classics” Wave 3 set from June 3 to June 10.
- Brand
- Nintendo
- Operating System
- Proprietary
- Storage
- 256GB internal / MicroSD
- Resolution
- 1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)
- App Store
- Nintendo eShop
- Wi-Fi
- Yes