Mario Paint was never a conventional platformer, yet its blend of drawing, music and simple animation made it one of Nintendo’s most distinctive Mario spin-offs. More than three decades after its debut, the concept remains a strong candidate for a modern revival on Switch 2.
A creative SNES experiment
Released for the Super Nintendo in 1992, Mario Paint sold just under 2.5 million copies worldwide. That placed it among the top 20 best-selling SNES games, ahead of Super Mario RPG and below Chrono Trigger.
Rather than offering a traditional adventure, the package provided an approachable digital art studio. Players could create drawings, compose music, edit pixel art and make basic animations. The game shipped with the SNES Mouse and a plastic mousepad, both of which were required for play.
The sequel that mostly never arrived
Despite that commercial success, Nintendo never released a direct follow-up internationally. Japan did receive Mario no Photopi for Nintendo 64 in 1998. The Japan-only title let players import digital-camera photos, then decorate them with frames and stamps inspired by Print Club photo-booth stickers.
Optional clip-art packs expanded the possibilities with characters and imagery from Hello Kitty, Bomberman, Yoshi and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It was a very different direction from Mario Paint, but it showed how Nintendo could connect its characters with everyday creativity.
Nintendo moved from making art to making games
Nintendo’s later creative projects focused more heavily on game design. WarioWare DIY launched for Nintendo DS in 2010, asking players to create five-second microgames through custom artwork, animation and simple rules. It also included a basic music-composition tool and the ability to draw four-panel comics.
Super Mario Maker, released for Wii U in 2015, took the idea in a more ambitious direction. Instead of drawing scenes, players built their own Mario platforming levels. The toolset helped fuel the Kaizo community, whose creators specialise in exceptionally difficult stages designed to push players’ precision and patience.
Those demanding courses also became a source of popular streaming and video content, as players repeatedly attempted stages built around near-impossible traps. Super Mario Maker received a Game of the Year nomination at the 2015 Game Awards, ultimately losing to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Why a simpler Mario Paint would work today
The appeal of Mario Paint was never technical depth. Its menus and tools were deliberately relaxed, offering a low-pressure alternative to challenging games such as Super Metroid or lengthy role-playing adventures including Final Fantasy VI. It was something to pick up for a few minutes, whether that meant colouring a Mario and Yoshi scene, making a short tune or experimenting with a small animation.
That focused simplicity would suit portable play particularly well. A modern version could be ideal for a flight, a train trip or a quiet break without requiring the commitment of a full campaign. Nintendo would not need to turn it into a complex creation suite; the charm lies in making the first result easy and enjoyable.
A Switch 2 version should resist feature overload
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream contains a related creative spirit through its customisable characters, clothing, food and buildings. However, shaping those elements can be a more intricate process than the immediate, uncomplicated interaction offered by Mario Paint.
A new release could provide colouring pages and character art inspired by Nintendo properties such as Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave. A music mode could similarly use sound effects associated with games including Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Donkey Kong Bananza. The key would be a welcoming toolkit rather than an intimidating editor.
For players who enjoy hands-on gaming spaces, the same emphasis on accessible creativity is part of what makes a compact bartop arcade appealing. Those considering a larger setup can also explore RETROCADE’s arcade machine range or learn how to choose an arcade machine for their room.
Would players pay for it?
There is an understandable reluctance to pay full price for lightly updated older games. Even so, a fresh Mario Paint could make a persuasive case for itself by offering a distinct, relaxing experience rather than simply reproducing a familiar platformer.
A new version would not need elaborate progression, competitive systems or an enormous content list. A well-designed collection of drawing tools, stamps, sounds, animation features and Nintendo-themed scenes could be enough.
The original remains playable
There is no confirmed new Mario Paint in the supplied information. For now, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can play the original through the SNES games library, with compatibility for Switch 2 mouse controls.
That modern access highlights how little the core idea needs to change. Give players a responsive pointer, friendly tools and a handful of playful creative options, and Mario Paint could once again occupy a space between a game, a toy and a digital sketchbook.
For arcade enthusiasts interested in building their own creative setup, RETROCADE also offers DIY arcade kits and arcade parts for custom projects.
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