Shigeru Miyamoto Reflects on Mario's Legacy and Teases the Next Super Mario Galaxy Movie

In a recent feature with Japanese publication Casa Brutus, iconic Nintendo developer Shigeru Miyamoto offered valuable insights into the enduring legacy of the Mario franchise.

As the Mario series proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary, Miyamoto provided both a retrospective look at its history and an optimistic outlook on what lies ahead, particularly regarding the eagerly anticipated Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Since the early days of Nintendo’s hardware innovations—including milestones like Super Mario World on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64—Shigeru Miyamoto’s creative vision has defined the company’s platforming legacy.

While Miyamoto has stepped away from direct game development in recent years, his influence on the Mario franchise remains significant.

"Currently, I rely on a talented team to nurture the Mario universe, but I always make it a point to personally play through the first 30 minutes of each new title, meticulously checking the user interface to ensure it maintains that unmistakable Mario feel," Miyamoto shared during the interview. The conversation also turned to the highly awaited Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Following the worldwide success of The Super Mario Bros.

Movie, which debuted in 2023 and became one of the highest-grossing animated titles on the global box office, fan anticipation for the next cinematic adventure is at an all-time high.

Miyamoto, who is actively involved as a producer, reiterated his commitment to capturing the series’ sense of wonder.

"Producing the previous film was possible because of the unwavering collaboration of so many contributors.

Watching the team operate so smoothly and hearing how many expressed interest in returning to the next project tells me that we achieved something special," he explained.

"As for the next movie, as the title suggests, it journeys into the galaxy.

We are in the final stages of production, and I believe viewers can expect a genuinely fun experience.

I always say I'll keep working until it's truly enjoyable, which should give a sense of my confidence." Reflecting on Mario's evolution, Miyamoto reminisced, "By the end of Super Mario World, it felt like we had pushed Mario's 2D adventures as far as possible.

Transitioning to 3D with Super Mario 64 brought back memories from my own childhood and opened new creative pathways." The influence of Mario now extends far beyond video games.

With successful expansions into theme parks and animated movies, the franchise continues to capture the imagination of new audiences.

"Thanks to the passionate efforts of many outside Nintendo, Mario has found new life in places like Universal Studios and on the big screen.

I am truly excited for what the future holds," Miyamoto said. With the Nintendo Switch platform pushing the boundaries through titles like Super Mario Odyssey, Miyamoto acknowledges the team’s accomplishment: "I feel we've explored nearly every avenue available on the Switch.

Every time Nintendo introduces a new hardware platform, launching a Mario title is always both a challenge and an opportunity.

It’s inspiring to consider how the current team will embrace that tradition." As Mario marks 40 years of platforming excellence, Miyamoto closed with a hopeful message: "Perhaps someday I’ll simply observe from a distance, but what matters most is remaining healthy and energetic as we look ahead to Mario’s 50th anniversary."

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