by Chloe Samson
The Super Mario Bros. universe has always felt huge, but right now it feels bigger than ever. Following the record-breaking success of the original, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie hit cinemas earlier this year and has surpassed the $1 billion mark at the global box office. Below, we take a look at what’s new in the world of Super Mario Bros. that fans new and old will find interesting and exciting.
A Bigger Cast And A Cosmic Setting
The sequel borrows its name from the 2007 video game release, a title revealed during a Nintendo Direct show celebrating 40 years of the original Super Mario Bros. Expectations have always been high, especially since the 2023 film became the highest-grossing video game adaptation ever, earning over $1.36 billion. Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key and Kevin Michael Richardson all return. This time, the story splits into two parts. A Luma sent by Rosalina draws Peach and Toad into space, while Mario, Luigi and Yoshi stay behind to guard the Mushroom Kingdom and attempt to rehabilitate Bowser. Newcomers include Rosalina herself, and in a delightful surprise, Star Fox pilot Fox McCloud.
Wart’s Casino: The Showstopper
The most inventive stretch unfolds beneath the Gateway Galaxy, where Wart, the final boss of Super Mario Bros. 2, now runs a casino as a slightly off-kilter crime lord. Visitors can walk on any wall, so the venue wraps around the inside of a giant cube, yet it still captures the buzz of a real gaming hall: rows of glowing slot machines, Koopa Troopas in black bow ties, and enemies circling around mini-game tables. The centrepiece is a colossal roulette wheel, and the way it spins feels similar to wheels seen in live roulette games online, only here the ball is big enough to flatten a crowd of henchmen.
Peach Takes Centre Stage
Armed with little more than the parasol Mario gave her, Peach defeats Wart’s lieutenants Birdo, Mouser and Clawgrip, then faces an entire army of Ninjis. Birdo adds to the chaos by firing eggs at her, forcing Peach to shield herself with that parasol. She even uses the roulette ball to knock several Ninjis out of the fight. The scene ends with a cheeky nod to the old games, as Peach silences Wart by stuffing a turnip into his mouth, exactly as players beat him back in Super Mario Bros. 2. It’s a confident moment that shows how far the princess has come from the damsel of early adventures to taking centre stage.
Critics, Cash And The Road Ahead
Reviews were a lot cooler than the overall ticket sales. Many critics felt that the film leans more on references than it does on the story. However, audiences turned up in droves regardless, which is why Universal has already scheduled an untitled Illumination and Nintendo event film for April 12, 2028. That would shrink the gap between films from three years to around two. Nothing is confirmed as yet, but a Donkey Kong spinoff is most people’s guess.
Conclusion
For now, it’s fair to say that the Mario universe is in rude health. The latest Galaxy movie proves that Nintendo’s heroes can still find fresh ground, whether they’re chasing stars or, in Peach’s case, taking on a casino full of villains.
