Nintendo Turns to Film for Mario as Console Growth Stalls

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has outperformed any single game in the franchise, and the upcoming Mario Galaxy Movie seems set to follow suit. This raises an interesting question: what does the franchise’s creator think about the fact that many newcomers will meet these beloved characters through films rather than the original games? Shigeru Miyamoto has expressed that this was part of his vision for Mario’s cinematic comeback.

Miyamoto shared in a recent interview that Mario has always evolved with digital media. “As we develop Mario games, I realize that our reach through Nintendo’s systems and consoles is somewhat limited. With the rise of digital streaming and the vast potential of current technology, I see this as a fantastic opportunity to engage with Mario in new ways and continue to evolve alongside digital media.”

Nintendo has already announced a live-action Zelda movie and has been releasing animated shorts for Mario and Pikmin online. It’s easy to envision the company and its iconic characters branching out beyond their traditional gaming roots. Last fall, there was speculation about what a dedicated media app or streaming platform might look like if envisioned by Nintendo’s game designers.

This evolution comes at a time when the console market seems to have plateaued. Devices like the Switch and PS5 appear to have reached their maximum potential, with new generations not selling significantly more than their predecessors. In response to this reality, Nintendo, like many gaming companies, is embracing transmedia projects.

Miyamoto noted, “We want to expand beyond just having a connection with Nintendo through our consoles. We aim to allow fans to engage with Nintendo characters across various media. Instead of asking, ‘What kind of game will Nintendo create next?’ I hope they start thinking, ‘What kind of world will Nintendo expand into next?’”

While there are no plans for a Smash Bros. version of the MCU just yet, it’s clear that Nintendo is broadening its identity beyond just a video game or toy company. So far, the company’s new worlds have primarily been developed for consoles. It remains to be seen whether the next original franchise will debut with the Switch 2 or if a new Nintendo IP will first emerge in a different medium like streaming.