We all know and agree that it's been far too long since we've gotten a new mainline Mario game, whether it's 2D or 3D. However, there are three other Nintendo characters that haven't seen new entries in their respective franchises for a pretty decent amount of time while Kirby continues to (and rightfully) strive across multiple games on the Switch.
Donkey Kong, who hasn't seen an entry since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze which released on May 4, 2018.
Yoshi, who hasn't seen an entry since Yoshi's Crafted World which released on March 29, 2019
Luigi, who hasn't had a game since Luigi's Mansion 3 which was released on October 31, 2019
Now, I know we've heard rumors about a potential new Donkey Kong game over the years and not much, if anything at all, surrounding Yoshi's ongoing franchise. However, both of these mascots have pretty much been equally dormant for far too long. With the continuous rumors of Nintendo ushering in the next era of the Switch with the long awaited Switch Successor, it's fairly obvious or at least reasonable to think that these three characters are probably next in line to get new games soon whether it's on the Switch this Fall/Holiday right before the successor releases or post-Successor release assuming it releases in 2024.
If I had to guess the fate of each character:
- Yoshi's franchise feels a little more lowkey than Donkey Kong and Luigi, at least in my opinion, so I genuinely don't think it's entirely out of this world that we see Yoshi get a game that's a part of the Switch Successor's launch line up alongside Mario, which we all expect to be the flagship title.
- Donkey Kong seems like he's been due for a new game for far too long and I'm pretty sure we've even heard rumors of a new Donkey Kong game possibly being in development but I really feel like the next time he gets a game, it's gonna be a "moment" for Nintendo. He's gonna get the big blowout treatment with a ton of marketing and hype leading up to that release since it's been so long, which is why I don't really think he's a lock for a launch lineup title for the Switch Successor or as close as we all wish it was.
- Luigi seems like he's always going to be a lock for an October release as Nintendo continues the Luigi's Mansion franchise. As for which October seems more likely, honestly, both October 2023 and October 2024 are entirely believable slots considering it's about to be four full years since Luigi's Mansion 3 as of this year but again I don't see an entry happening until either Octobers
So whether it's a new mainline entry into their respective franchise or a port you've always held out hope for, who do you think gets their next game first: Yoshi, Donkey Kong or Luigi?
