One of Nintendo’s Most Beloved Characters Debuted 35 Years Ago Today (And Their Next Game Is Coming Soon)

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Nintendo has created some of the most iconic characters in video game history. Even people who don’t play games often would likely recognize Mario, and characters like Luigi and Princess Peach are also very well-known. However, not all popular characters from the Mario universe have been around since the very beginning. One particular fan favorite didn’t actually appear until five years after the original Super Mario Bros. game came out.

It might surprise you to learn that Yoshi didn’t appear in a Nintendo game until Super Mario World in 1990. This fifth game in the Super Mario series introduced the charming green dinosaur to players for the very first time. Released on November 21st, 1990 for the Super Nintendo, Super Mario World allowed the world to meet Yoshi. Interestingly, his original appearance was quite different from the version we know today, the one who would go on to star in his own fun Mario spin-off games. Now, as we celebrate Yoshi’s 35th birthday, let’s take a look back at the history of this beloved Nintendo character.

Yoshi’s First Debuted as Mario’s Dinosaur Mount, But Became a Core Nintendo Star

When Yoshi first appeared in Super Mario World, it’s unlikely anyone imagined he’d become such an iconic Nintendo character. He started as a helpful companion in the game, a dinosaur Mario could ride on. While the original Yoshi was green, players could also find and unlock Yoshis in different colors.

Yoshi made his video game debut as a helpful companion to Mario. He lets Mario ride on his back and conveniently eats enemies, sometimes gaining new powers like flying or shooting fire in the process! Although it took a few games for Yoshi to appear, the idea for him was actually part of the original Mario concept. The technology just wasn’t available until the Super Nintendo allowed for a rideable dinosaur to become a reality.

Although many characters in video games are appealing but don’t become stars, Yoshi was always meant to be special. Players instantly loved the adorable green dinosaur, and he quickly became a central part of the Super Mario Bros. series. His popularity even led to a sequel, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, which allowed developers to expand on his story. But Yoshi wasn’t limited to just Mario games. He became a regular character in games like Mario Kart and Mario Party, and even starred in his own series of platformer games.

While Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island is often seen as the first Yoshi game, it was still closely tied to the Super Mario series. The first truly independent Yoshi adventure came with Yoshi’s Story on the Nintendo 64. This game featured a storybook setting and let players use Yoshi’s special ability to eat enemies and turn them into eggs. Since then, there have been several games where Yoshi takes center stage, and Nintendo is planning to release another new Yoshi game in 2026.

In 2026, We’re Getting the First New Yoshi Game in 7 Years

Yoshi may not be as well-known as Mario, but his games are definitely popular. The original Yoshi’s Story received mixed reviews because it was simpler than most Super Mario games. However, it had a warm and inviting feel that fans enjoyed, and several new Yoshi games have been released since then.

Yoshi games are known for having distinct art styles, different from the typical 3D Mario games. Previous titles like Yoshi’s Story had a storybook feel, while Yoshi’s Woolly World was made to look like it was crafted from yarn. The next Yoshi game appears to be going back to that storybook aesthetic.

Nintendo revealed Yoshi and the Mysterious Book as a launch title for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, planned for release in 2026. Since the announcement at the September Nintendo Direct, details about the game have been limited. We know Yoshi will be exploring a world inside a storybook, and the game will feature a unique stop-motion animation style.

Okay, so I’m super excited! Nintendo just announced a new Yoshi game, and it’s going to be one of the first ten games they release for the Switch 2 in 2026. It’s been seven years since the last one, Yoshi’s Crafted World, which came out in 2019 and everyone really liked. Honestly, I was hoping for a new Mario game, but a new Yoshi adventure is a fantastic alternative. I’m definitely looking forward to this!

Who’s your favorite character from the Mario games besides Mario himself? Share your pick in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-21 17:16