It's hard to believe we're still getting new Yoshi game in 2026, especially given how different the series is compared to Super Mariobut it is what it is, and I'm not necessarily upset about it. The Yoshi games offer something unique which Super Mario doesn't, and I personally think it should continue, even though it's largely meant to appeal to younger audiences. But it is none the less downright crazy to Switch 2 already got a new one Yoshi games in 3D Mario is still nowhere to be found – and it's something I don't quite know how to feel.
When I got the chance to do a hands-on preview of the Yoshi and the Mysterious Book before the launch of the Switch 2 earlier this year I was instantly charmed and didn't even think about the fact that it was coming before we even got a glimpse of a new 3D Mario game. It had everything I wanted in a cozy new Nintendo title, and I was subconsciously convinced I wouldn't have to Mario as long as I had Yoshi. But that has changed, and it didn't take long either, as I now reflect on how long it's been since we got a proper new 3D Mario game and how that period of time compares to the even shorter drought between Yoshi game.
Somehow Yoshi came back before 3D Mario
Between Mario and Yoshi franchise, Mario That's obviously the big deal, and yet everyone's favorite green dinosaur got preferential treatment over the iconic plumber that has defined Nintendo's legacy. Again, get a new one Yoshi title in itself is not a bad thing, but it still makes the gap between 3D Mario games that are much harder to ignore. Specifically, while we only had to wait a little over 7 years to get a new one Yoshi games, 3D Mario the drought is now approaching the 9-year mark, and is likely to be longer than that, as a new grant has yet to be announced.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Start
Guess the games from the emojis.
Light (120s) Medium (90s) Hard (60s)
Before the last one Yoshi game, Yoshi and the Mysterious Bookarrived came Yoshi's created worldwhich launched on March 29, 2019 for the Nintendo Switch. Yoshi and the Mysterious Bookhaving launched on May 21, 2026, that makes the gap just over 7 years, which is understandable considering Yoshis status as a minor series for Nintendo. While the gap between the previous Yoshi games have historically been shorter, it's still worth admitting that most Nintendo fans are probably waiting for a new 3D Mario the game before a new entry in Yoshi series.
Comparing the differences between 3D Mario and Yoshi Games
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Yoshi's Crafted World (29 March 2019) and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (21 May 2026) – 7 years, 1 month and 22 days
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Super Mario Odyssey (October 27, 2017) and today – 8 years, 8+ months
3D Marioon the other hand, has not existed since Super Mario Odyssey launched on the Nintendo Switch in 2017. At the time of writing, that drought has officially broken the record for the series, with the previous record holder being the 5 years and nearly 11 months between Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. But it also means that the record was broken a long time ago, as we've now gone almost 9 years without a new 3D Mario game.
In addition, given that a new 3D Mario game hasn't even been announced yet for Switch 2, it's possible that the current drought could eventually double the length of the previous record, unless we somehow get a new 3D Mario title until the end of August 2029. As crazy as it sounds, I wouldn't count it out, simply because if we've already waited this long, why not wait even longer? I realize I'm skeptical at this point, because Nintendo would be furious to allow 3D Mario drought extends over 4 years into the Switch 2's lifespan.
Between Mario and Yoshi franchise, Mario That's obviously the big deal, and yet everyone's favorite green dinosaur got preferential treatment over the iconic plumber that has defined Nintendo's legacy.
At the same time, that's actually why it's worth comparing the gap between Yoshi game to the gap between 3D Mario game. Strictly between Yoshi and Mario, Mario has been the one to establish new Nintendo hardware, with Yoshi to bring up the rear. Sure, you can count Mario Kart World as one Mario game if you wanted, but Mario Kart World is a racing game, not a traditional 3D Mario game. It makes sense that Nintendo would at least include Mario in a Switch 2 launch title, but to say that gamers want a Mario racing game before a brand new 3D Mario the game doesn't read the room very well.
To adequately seal this argument and ensure that each point is airtight, I am happy to address Bowser's Furywhich many might argue technically counts as a new 3D Mario games for the Switch 2. That doesn't count, however, no matter how you look at it. Bowser's Fury on the Switch 2 is simply an improved version of the spin-off that originally launched on the first Nintendo Switch console. Yes, it's nice to be able to play a 3D Mario games that take advantage of the Switch 2's hardware, but it's not a new entry in the series. It would be like saying Breath of the Wild and The tears of the kingdom considered new Zelda game on the Switch 2, simply because they both received upgrades to the console.
It makes sense that Nintendo would at least include Mario in a Switch 2 launch title, but to say that gamers want a Mario racing game before a brand new 3D Mario the game doesn't read the room very well.
Everything in its entirety means none of this Yoshi and the Mysterious Book shouldn't exist, because I'm glad it does, and I really hope Nintendo continues to find room for Yoshi between its major releases. But the fact that Yoshi has now got a brand new Switch 2 game before 3D Mario has even been announced is the kind of Nintendo timeline that only gets weirder the longer you sit with it. If nothing else, it's painfully clear that whenever Mario finally makes a proper appearance on Switch 2, he can't just be good, because after such a long drought, he'll have to remind everyone why he should have hit Yoshi to the punch in the first place.
