In what appears to be an accidental reveal, NBCUniversal may have unveiled the title for the highly anticipated sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie—and it’s a name that will send a wave of nostalgia through longtime fans. According to a press release briefly published on May 14, 2025, the upcoming film is listed as Super Mario World. The reference was quickly removed from the official document, but not before it was spotted and captured by fans and media outlets alike.
While neither Nintendo nor Illumination has confirmed the title, the removal of the listing only adds fuel to the speculation that “Super Mario World” was indeed the intended name, perhaps revealed prematurely. The leak has quickly made waves across gaming and entertainment communities, with many pointing to its significance as a nod to one of Mario’s most iconic adventures: the 1990 Super Nintendo classic Super Mario World.
What the Title Suggests About the Sequel’s Story
If the sequel does bear the title “Super Mario World,” it opens the door to a major thematic and narrative shift for the animated franchise. The original SNES game is set in Dinosaur Land, a lush, sprawling world that introduced several now-beloved elements to the Mario universe—most notably, Yoshi. This aligns perfectly with the post-credit scene from the first film, which teased Yoshi’s appearance via a hatching green-and-white egg and his signature “Yoshi!” chirp.
“Super Mario World” also introduced the Koopalings, alternate routes, secret exits, and flying capes—mechanics and characters that could lend themselves well to the cinematic format. The game’s colorful, semi-open world structure could give the filmmakers a chance to go bigger and more diverse in terms of settings and tone. This would build on the foundation laid by the first film, which explored the Mushroom Kingdom and introduced audiences to Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and Donkey Kong in animated form.
Confirmed Details About the Sequel
- Release Date: April 3, 2026 (theatrical)
- Returning Team: Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, screenwriter Matthew Fogel, producers Chris Meledandri (Illumination) and Shigeru Miyamoto (Nintendo)
- Production Studio: Illumination Entertainment
- Distribution: Universal Pictures
The sequel comes on the heels of enormous success. The Super Mario Bros. Movie grossed over $1.36 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time and one of 2023’s biggest box office hits. Its success proved that video game movies, particularly animated ones with respect for their source material, can resonate with audiences worldwide.
What Could Be Included in “Super Mario World”?
While details remain under wraps, the following elements are strong possibilities if the title is indeed “Super Mario World”:
- Dinosaur Land: A richly varied world that could visually expand the scope of the sequel.
- Yoshi: Likely to play a major role as Mario’s companion, potentially with multiple color variations or a whole Yoshi village.
- The Koopalings: Seven of Bowser’s minions, each with distinct personalities and boss battles.
- Flying Capes and Power-Ups: New gadgets and mechanics to spice up action scenes.
- More Princesses: With Peach already established, Daisy or Rosalina could make their debut.
Community Reactions and Expectations
The leak has set off a wave of discussion across Reddit, YouTube, and gaming forums. Many fans see this as a natural and exciting progression, and some speculate that the film could lay the groundwork for a larger Nintendo Cinematic Universe—perhaps setting up future spinoffs for Donkey Kong, Luigi’s Mansion, or even The Legend of Zelda.
While no voice cast has been officially confirmed, it’s expected that Chris Pratt (Mario), Charlie Day (Luigi), Anya Taylor-Joy (Peach), and Jack Black (Bowser) will return. Fan speculation is also swirling around possible new cast members for Yoshi or other key characters from the SNES classic.
Accidental or Intentional Hype?
The temporary inclusion of the title “Super Mario World” in NBCUniversal’s press release may have been a slip-up, but it also serves as a well-timed bit of hype generation. Given the success of the first movie and the nostalgic power of the SNES game, this title—if confirmed—could elevate expectations for the 2026 sequel to unprecedented levels.
Until an official reveal arrives from Nintendo or Illumination, fans will have to wait. But if the leak holds true, Super Mario World may soon become more than just a beloved game—it could be the next big leap in Nintendo’s cinematic adventure.
A Look Back At Super Mario Party Jamboree
Super Mario Party Jamboree officially launched on October 17, 2024, bringing with it the most expansive Mario Party experience to date. Available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, the game includes a record-breaking 110+ minigames, seven dynamic game boards, and a massive expansion of multiplayer features—including a 20-player online mode that sets a new bar for the franchise.
Praised for its creative gameplay and fresh innovations, Jamboree became a standout party title in the Switch’s later life cycle. Among its unique highlights are the Koopathlon mode, an online competition that pits players against each other in a fast-paced minigame gauntlet, and Motion-Control Minigolf, which takes full advantage of the Joy-Con’s motion sensors.
Nintendo rolled out Version 1.1.1 in November 2024 to address bugs in the Minigame Bay mode, reinforcing their commitment to ongoing support for the game. The update improved gameplay stability and resolved issues with tag minigames, ensuring smoother online performance.
With its release now behind us, fans are already looking toward the future. A special version, Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV, is set to release on July 24, 2025, bringing visual upgrades and exclusive features to Nintendo’s upcoming next-gen platform.
Key Takeaways
- Release Date: October 17, 2024 (Nintendo Switch)
- Upcoming Re-Release: July 24, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2
- Features over 110 minigames—the largest in Mario Party history
- Seven boards, including returning classics like Western Land
- Online modes support up to 20 players with Koopathlon competition
- Motion-Control Minigolf introduces skill-based Joy-Con gameplay
- Extensive character roster and unlockables enhance replayability
- Patch Version 1.1.1 fixed Minigame Bay bugs and improved stability
Super Mario Party Jamboree represents a high point for the franchise, revitalizing the series with new technology, bigger multiplayer ambitions, and broader gameplay variety. It’s a must-play for Mario Party veterans and newcomers alike—and with a Switch 2 version on the way, the party is far from over.
