Nintendo to re-release Mario games in 35th anniversary year

TOKYO, Sept 3- Nintendo Co Ltd said on Thursday it would re-release classic titles featuring popular character Mario for a limited time on its hit Nintendo Switch console to mark 35 years since the launch of landmark game “Super Mario Bros”. Three titles featuring the moustachioed plumber- 1996′ s “Super Mario 64”, 2002′ s “Super Mario Sunshine” and 2007′ s “Super Mario…

By Sam Nussey

TOKYO, Sept 3 (Reuters) – Nintendo Co Ltd said onThursday it would re-release classic titles featuring popularcharacter Mario for a limited time on its hit Nintendo Switchconsole to mark 35 years since the launch of landmark game”Super Mario Bros”.

The release will help bolster the Switch device’s baregaming pipeline ahead of the key year-end shopping season andcould provide some succour to investors who have long lamentedthe Japanese company’s reluctance to take greater advantage ofits back catalogue of hit titles.

Three titles featuring the moustachioed plumber – 1996’s”Super Mario 64″, 2002’s “Super Mario Sunshine” and 2007’s”Super Mario Galaxy” – will go on sale from Sept. 18 under thetitle “Super Mario 3D All-Stars”.

Enthusiasm for the package, which includes Mario’s firstforay into 3D platform gaming in what was seen as a major stepforward for the industry, may be tempered by the disclosure itwill only be on sale until the end of March.

Nintendo’s shares are trading at 12-year highs as it seeshuge demand for the Switch device and titles like “AnimalCrossing: New Horizons” from consumers who have flocked togaming during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Kyoto-based firm also said it will release a “MarioKart” toy that can be controlled via the Switch, reflecting itstoymaker origins, along with a version of the handheld Game &Watch device that will feature “Super Mario Bros”.

(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Susan Fenton)