For months, Nintendo fans have speculated that the Japan-based gaming giant would announce Super Mario-related news.

With the opening of Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan and the year marking Mario’s 35th anniversary, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the plumber would receive a big celebration in his name. The main rumor going around was that a collection of 3D Mario games including classics like Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy would find their way onto the Switch in one bundled package this year.

Unfortunately, the unexpected COVID pandemic seemingly threw off Nintendo’s release schedule, and after the company reached September with no major Mario announcements, many fans began to lose hope. They resigned themselves to thinking that maybe Paper Mario: Origami King would be the only Mario release this year.

And then it happened. Without any foreshadowing or warning, Nintendo suddenly dropped a Mario-themed Nintendo Direct stuffed with a long list of goodies from the Mushroom Kingdom.

Let’s get the main thing out of the way that you’re probably wondering about: YES. Nintendo is releasing the previously mentioned collection of 3D Mario games (Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy). And, better yet, they’re coming very soon with both limited digital and physical releases on September 18th.

The compilation is appropriately titled Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Super Mario 64 will feature Joy-Con controls (with rumble) and improved picture resolution. Each game in the series will receive a higher resolution treatment, as well as being playable 16:9 screen ratio with Joy-Con compatibility that includes rumble and movement-based controls.

3D All-Stars will also come with digital soundtracks for all three games.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars will retail for $59.99, and once again, it will be available remarkably soon with a release date slated for September 18th, just a little over two weeks away.

Additionally, Nintendo announced the release of fan-favorite Super Mario 3D World on the Switch.

3D World will receive the Deluxe treatment and come bundled with additional content, such as Bowser’s Fury – which will either serve as post-game content or perhaps be mini-sequel of sorts, or alternative version of the game with higher difficulty, or simply additional levels. Honestly, it’s anyone’s guess, but we’re happy to see extra content either way. The game will feature both online and offline multiplayer co-op.

Not only that, but the updated Super Mario 3D World will be compatible with amiibo, including two upcoming amiibo based on the game: Cat Mario and Cat Peach.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury will retail for $59.99 when it is released on February 21, 2021.

Another new title announced Super Mario Bros. 35., a digital online battle game in which 35 players compete to be the last player standing.

Players can activate special items to try and outpace their opponents and defeated enemies will be sent to other players’ courses. Super Mario Bros. 35 launches on October 1 as a digital-only game exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members. It will only be playable until March 31, 2021.

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit was also announced, a spin-off Switch game in the popular racing series that allows players to race using a physical toy kart. The physical kart responds to boosts in-game and in the real world and even stops when hit with an item.

It launches on October 16 for $99.99 with both a Mario and Luigi set.

Nintendo will also celebrate Mario’s 35th anniversary with Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros., which should look familiar to old-school Nintendo fans.

Slated for a November 13th release date with a $49.99 price tag, Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. includes classic games Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels and a special version of the Game & Watch classic Ball with a Mario-themed skin.

Lastly in their games line-up, Nintendo confirmed that upgraded versions of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3 are available via Super Mario All-Stars on Nintendo Switch Online today.

As if that all wasn’t enough, the company also showcased a variety of non-video game Mario products – like the Mario Lego Set, new editions of Mario Monopoly and Mario Jenga, branded apparel from Black Milk Clothing, an officially licensed Mario-themed shoe from PUMA, and more.

Not to mention Mario-themed events in several games, like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Splatoon 2.

Honestly, it was an excellent Direct that gives fans everything they could want and even more. While the year was starting to look barren outside of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Pikmin 3, this definitely hit it out of the park and will be long remembered as a bright spot for 2020.

Nintendo’s full list of Super Mario’s 35th Anniversary announcements can be found below.

• Super Mario 3D All-Stars: Optimized versions of 3D Mario games Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy are coming to Nintendo Switch in one package. In addition to having higher resolutions than their original versions, the games have been optimized for a smooth gameplay experience on Nintendo Switch. Super Mario 3D All-Stars also includes an in-game music-player mode to play the music and songs from all three games. Players can also listen to music on their Nintendo Switch systems when the screen is off. A limited production of Super Mario 3D All-Stars launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch family of systems on Sept. 18 and will be available until approximately March 31, 2021.
  
• Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit: Created in partnership with Velan Studios, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit brings the fun of the Mario Kart series into the real world by using a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite** system to race against opponents using a physical Kart. The physical Kart responds to boosts in-game and in the real world, stops when hit with an item and can be affected in different ways depending on the race. Players place gates to create a custom course layout in their home, where the only limit is their imagination. Race against Koopalings in Grand Prix, unlock a variety of course customizations and costumes for Mario or Luigi, and play with up to four players in local multiplayer mode.*** Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, which is available in a Mario Set or Luigi Set, launches on Oct. 16 at a suggested retail price of $99.99.
  
• Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.: This new collectable device is inspired by the original Game & Watch systems first released in 1980. The original handheld device included a game, and could also be used as a watch to tell time. The original Game & Watch series sold more than 43 million worldwide. Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. features a modern +Control Pad. In addition to playing classic games Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (released in Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2) and a special version of Ball with a Mario makeover, Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. also functions as a clock, with 35 little touches to discover, including some guest appearances from Mario’s friends and foes. Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. launches on Nov. 13 at a suggested retail price of $49.99.
  
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury: Multiplayer mayhem pounces onto Nintendo Switch! This enhanced Super Mario 3D World, which originally launched for the Wii U system, features co-op gameplay both online* and through local multiplayer in a variety of creative levels. Additional details about what new things this game has to offer will be revealed later. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury launches for Nintendo Switch onFeb. 12, 2021. New amiibo figures Cat Mario and Cat Peach will also be released at the same time as the game.
  
• Super Mario Bros. 35: Welcome to Super Mario Bros. … with 35 players! In this competitive online battle game, 35 players will compete to be the last Mario standing … or running. Enemies defeated will be sent to other players’ courses, but that also works the other way around! Players can activate special items to try and outpace their opponents. Super Mario Bros. 35 launches on Oct. 1 as a digital-only game exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members.* The game will be playable until March 31, 2021.
  
• Super Mario All-Stars: The classic Super NES game that includes upgraded versions of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3 with enhanced 16-bit graphics is joining the catalog of games available with Nintendo Switch Online … later today!*
  
• Super Mario Events: From now until March 2021, there are many events to mark the 35^th anniversary of Super Mario.
  • By completing Super Mario related missions on My Nintendo, fans will have an opportunity to earn rewards, including a special pin set. Pins are available while supplies last. This promotion lasts until March 31, 2021. Learn more by visiting the official website.
  • From Sept. 8 at 11 p.m. PT until Sept. 22 at 11 p.m. PT, Mario Kart Tour will have a Super Mario Kart Tour event, with special appearances by Mario (Super NES) and Donkey Kong Jr. (Super NES) from the original Super Mario Kart game.****
  • Historical Super Mario items and 35^th anniversary-themed merchandise will be available for purchase at the Nintendo NY Store and store.nintendo.com during the month of November.
  • A 35^th anniversary-themed Ninji Speedruns course is coming to the Super Mario Maker 2 game in November.
  • Later this year, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will have an in-game online tournament using Super Mario series fighters, stages and items.
  • A Super Mario themed Splatfest is coming to Splatoon 2 on January 2021. Keychains will also be available as a My Nintendo reward closer to the Splatfest.***** In addition, physical Splatfest T-shirts will be available for purchase online later today.The upcoming Splatfest asks the important question: Which Super Mario power-up do you prefer? Supersize with a Super Mushroom or become invincible with a Super Star?
  • In March of next year, Super Mario themed furniture will be available in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game.
• Super Mario Products: In addition to events, many different Super Mario themed products will be hitting store shelves this year.
  • The PUMA RS-Dreamer Super Mario 64 basketball shoes from our collaborative collection will launch tomorrow, Sept. 4. These shoes will be available exclusively at Foot Locker, Champs Sports, PUMA stores and Puma.com
  • Monopoly Super Mario Celebration from Hasbro is now available at retailers worldwide.
  • Jenga Super Mario sets from Hasbro are now available at retailers worldwide.
  • The It’s-a-Me, Mario action figure from JAKKS Pacific is now available at retailers worldwide.
  • Black Milk Clothing inspired by Super Mario will be available at BlackMilkClothing.com starting at 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 5. A lookbook sneak peek will be available on Sept. 29.
  • The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System set is now available exclusively at LEGO stores and LEGO.com, with multiple LEGO Super Mario sets now available at retailers worldwide, including the Adventures with Mario Starter Course.