Nintendo Switch 2’s Reported Mouse Functionality Could Give Some Forgotten Mario Classics New Life

Do you recall the game Mario Paint? Recently, I’ve been reflecting on Mario games that haven’t made their way onto Nintendo Switch Online yet. This one particularly stood out to me as it holds a special place in gaming history. It was a groundbreaking classic that encouraged creativity among many children, but it hasn’t been re-released due to its reliance on the Super NES Mouse. In a similar vein, the game Mario & Wario, which also demands mouse functionality and has never been released in North America, has slipped into obscurity. Despite the Super NES Mouse seeming like an overlooked piece of Nintendo’s past, there’s an opportunity for them to breathe new life into it with the potential release of Nintendo Switch 2.

It’s being speculated that the Nintendo Switch 2 may incorporate mouse-like functionality based on a recent reveal trailer where two Joy-Cons are depicted racing in a manner reminiscent of a mouse. Although we haven’t seen many games demonstrating this function yet, the assumption is that the Switch 2 will indeed offer some unique and entertaining mouse capabilities. This could potentially pave the way for Nintendo to reintroduce classic games like “Mario Paint” on its future consoles, possibly through emulation, remakes, or new titles inspired by the original.

1992 saw Nintendo’s release of the Super NES Mouse, which came bundled with the innovative title, “Mario Paint”. This early example demonstrated Nintendo’s enthusiasm for discovering novel methods to engage players and offer unique experiences beyond conventional console gaming. “Mario Paint” served not only as a video game but also as a creative tool, possibly inspiring many young SNES users to delve into art or music production.

The Super NES Mouse became capable of running various other games, including “Mario & Wario,” educational titles like “Mario’s Early Years,” early console adaptations of simulation games such as “Sid Meier’s Civilization” and “SimAnt.” Despite its incompatibility with personal computers and a limited game library, it gradually became less prominent over time. However, there are clear links between this hardware and later Nintendo innovations, such as the motion-controlled pointer system on the Wii or the interactive touchscreens found on the DS, 3DS, and Wii U.

It appears that Nintendo is returning to an old concept by enabling the Switch 2 Joy-Cons to work as computer mice. This could lead to a revival of some of their Super NES Mouse projects. One simple method to achieve this would be through emulation. If Nintendo manages to make this mouse functionality compatible with its SNES emulator on Nintendo Online, it would pave the way for classic games like “Mario Paint” and “Mario & Wario” to become available in their retro game library.

Nintendo might choose to completely redesign these games for their latest platform too. Since Mario & Wario was exclusively released in Japan, a remade version of it would essentially be a new game for most parts of the world. The possibility of a revamped edition of Mario Paint arises, offering players more intricate art and music creation options. However, the likelihood of a Mario Paint remake becomes uncertain when taking into account the Super Mario Maker series.

The Super Mario Maker series draws inspiration from the Mario Paint game, acting as its successor in spirit and encouraging creativity. If the rumored Switch 2 includes mouse support, it could pave the way for more games like those on the Super NES to be successors in spirit. I’d be thrilled if there was a Super Mario Maker 3 that enabled players to compose their own music and design artwork for the levels they create.

With Nintendo reintroducing mouse support on one of their consoles, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to overlook their history with this technology, especially since it’s so closely linked to Mario, their iconic character. Given that today is Mario Day, these thoughts have been swirling around in my mind. This speculation underscores the anticipation I feel for the potential capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2, considering we’re still in the dark about many of Nintendo’s plans for its next gaming system.

That April Nintendo Switch 2 Direct can’t come soon enough.

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2025-03-11 06:39