Nintendo Denies That Mario Is Overexposed

Video game publisher Nintendo is not relying too much on Mario as a franchise and the company is trying to make sure that each game that uses the iconic character does so in new and innovative ways.

Reggie Fils-Aime, who is the president of Nintendo of America, has told GamesIndustry International that, “Our developers, starting with Mr. Miyamoto and going through the entire EAD development organization, they understand the power of our franchises, and they understand that the only reason these franchises have the power that they do is that they have to make sure that each subsequent edition is unique, different and offers something new.”

Traditionally, Nintendo has launched one high profile Mario game for each of its new hardware platforms.

He added, “They know that if they don’t do that, we’ll kill the golden goose that lays the golden egg. So it’s something they are highly cognizant of, and even the executives on the business side, we hold that IP very dearly to make sure that every edition in the series is foundationally sound.”

New Super Mario Bros. U marks a change to the traditional formula of the series as Bowser and the Koopalings drop their plans of kidnapping Princess Peach and instead invade Castle Toadstool.

Mario and Luigi need to make their way back to the castle and battle their familiar enemies.

The game offers support for four gamer cooperative play and will introduce a number of new power-ups and options in addition to those seen in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

New Super Mario Bros. U will be launched at the same time as the new Wii U home console and will be the big initial sales driver for the home console.

The Wii U is set to arrive on November 18 in North America, on November 30 in Europe and eight days later in Japan.