Video game movies are steadily growing in popularity and quality, but companies like Nintendo have only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible by adapting their IPs. For years, video game movies have been cursed, with each adaptation failing to please fans of the source material, and ultimately struggling to fit into the medium of a feature-length project. However, movies like Detective Pikachu And Sonic the Hedgehog Helped turn the tide on how the movies were perceived.
Recognizing the space in the market, the incredibly popular Nintendo games company decided to throw its hat in the ring, and with their first major release, The Super Mario Bros. MovieThey managed to claim the title of highest box office for a video game adaptation of all time. However, while Mario may be the most recognizable and popular icon from Nintendo, the brand has plenty of other video game stars that could be great in their own adaptation.
10
Luigi
First, it is worth looking at some of the letters that can naturally expand on the existing ones Super Mario Movie and Genesis forming a shared universe. Not every new franchise needs its own universe, but in the case of Nintendo, it makes sense for the company to build on the popularity of their titles, and, like the games, expand with new entries that star the supporting characters. And with that, why not start with someone who is potentially the closest to Mario, his brother, Luigi.
Despite the two characters sharing a mustache and overalls in common, the games where each star tends to work in unique and different ways. While Mario became famous for the platform games that take him through the mushroom kingdom, his brother has gained notoriety in his own right for a more spooky style of play. Luigi could star in a solo project, especially considering his involvement in the 2023 movie was limited. And such a title can adapt and explore his Luigi’s Mansion Games.
9
Donkey Kong
Away from the brothers, Donkey Kong is potentially Nintendo’s next most popular character, with the characters history extending all the way back to 1981. While the early games were simple arcade style puzzles where players jumped to avoid barrels, Donkey Kong Kong has evolved to have a family, and several games of his own. The games made the character a much more layered and interesting figure with quite an extended family.
Most notable in this regard, the Donkey Kong Land Games turn DK from a hulking villain in arcade games into a protagonist in his own right. And, Nintendo had already laid the groundwork for such a story to be adapted when they featured Donkey Kong and several other members of his crew in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Donkey Kong is certainly one of Nintendo’s best and most loved characters, so it makes sense to adapt his story to the big screen.
8
Kirby
Next up, Kirby. The little pink morphing creature that looks like a perfect ball of bubbles. In 1992, Kirby broke onto the scene in Kirby’s Dream LandAnd the adorable creature has been a fan favorite ever since. Recent games featuring the character have become infinitely more elaborate and creative than the early entries, and Kirby’s powers and story have only gotten bigger and more layered in the intervening decades, which could mean it’s time for the character to get his own. Movie.
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However, Kirby is one of the figures of Nintendo that did not actually make an appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. This doesn’t make it impossible for the character to appear, but it could mean that there are little or no plans to adapt a Kirby story in the near future. Despite this, Kirby is one of the characters that definitely needs to be adapted for the big screen, because the character is so interesting and visually entertaining.
7
Bowser
Another character that needs to get their own adaptation has to be the arch nemesis of Mario himself, Bowser. The fact that the legendary actor, Jack Black, was cast in the role of Bowser The Super Mario Bros. Movie Just adds to the argument that the character needs a solo story. There is a big trend in Hollywood right now that has seen villains and anti-heroes get a bigger share of the spotlight as their complex stories provide nuance and innovation from traditional hero stories.
Bowser is a villain, and his crimes of kidnapping Princess Peach are inexcusable, but they also appear to be a tortured soul. His pain and desire to be loved can be felt deeply in his touching musical tribute to Peach, and the villain’s story is clearly deep. A Bowser movie could explore his origins, the aftermath of The Super Mario Bros. MovieOr just look at a chapter in his life. All of which would make for an interesting and thought-provoking character story.
6
Yoshi
Yoshi may initially be a strange choice, especially since the character does not tend to speak, but with the long history between Yoshi and Mario, it is worth exploring the history of the characters. in The Super Mario Bros. MovieYoshi’s Island can be seen while Bowser is taking over parts of the kingdom, which clearly means that the characters exist in the existing Nintendo-verse. And in the final moments of the films, a Yoshi-eye could be seen emerging in the sewers under New York, indicating that the character will have a role in a sequel.
However, Yoshi is a character who has enough history to lead into his own story. He is so much more than a temporary mount and helper for Mario, who has a family and his own story that can be seen in the Yoshi Island Video games that began releasing in 1995, as part of a Super Mario Sequel, before the character started leading his own titles. These games could easily be used as the premise for the next Super Mario Bros movieBut Yoshi’s story could be expanded beyond Mario.
5
Peach
In the games, it’s true that Peach has a history of being a damsel in distress who needs saving, however The Super Mario Bros. Movie assured that Peach was not a victim. Instead, she became a warrior queen who ruled the Mushroom Kingdom and helped train Mario to become a hero in his own right. However, it might be worth giving Peach a solo story that builds on this new story, and establishes her as the tough and battle-ready version of the character.
It also doesn’t hurt that she’s a strong female character, and Nintendo doesn’t have a huge selection of characters to choose from. By building up Peach’s story, it can build on the existing universe of The Super Mario Bros. MovieBut also put the focus on the magical mushroom kingdom. Mario was a guest to the world, but Peach is a part of it, and she could be the perfect character to expand the story.
4
Wario
While still linked to Mario, Wario is a very different character, who, in some ways, is the antithesis of Mario. Wario is a villain, and he is often portrayed as Mario’s enemy who tries to steal treasure. However, the character has also appeared in a handful of games as an antihero. Considering the trend again, Wario could be a fun character to give his own story and explore a very different style of storytelling in Nintendo’s multiverse.
Giving Wario a solo story would also be a great way to build up the character before any conflict or confrontation with Mario. Bowser has already had a chance to star as the bad guy in one story. It is worthwhile to mix the letters and build the character for the future of the stories. Wario is a character designed to be a contrasting figure to Mario, and this could make for a really intriguing rivalry.
3
Link
While Mario may be Nintendo’s most universally loved character, another franchise is one of its most celebrated with a dedicated fanbase and an ever-growing library of games. The Legend of Zelda Games provide a more free-flowing and expansive version of the base story that could be found in Mario Games with the hero, Link, trying to save the princess, Zelda from the forces of evil. The story is bigger, the world is more vast, and everything takes on another layer of fantasy.
Bringing Hyrule to the big screen would make for a fascinating new branch of the teased Nintendo Cinematic Universe, and the character of Link is central to the stories. This would mean that Nintendo could explore more fantasy-rooted stories, create a branch that is distinct, both visually and narratively, from Mario, and get a whole other fan enthusiastic about their adaptations. And, due to the more complex nature of the stories, it would likely appeal to a slightly older audience, capturing a different demographic for Nintendo.
2
Fox Mclud
From fantasy to sci-fi, another exciting set of Nintendo stories is set in the depths of space, following the incredible Star Fox team. The games are set in the Lilith system, where many of the planets are populated with various species of beings that often resemble humanoid versions of Earth’s animals. However, while Lillat was typically peaceful, a greedy and ambitious scientist raised an army to try and take control of the entire system.
Against this tyrant, there stands a small group of mercenaries hired to pilot incredible ships known as Arvings and fight back against the terrible Andross. Leading the team, Fox McCloud stands out as the hero and protagonist of the first game, and together with his team, they become heroes who protect their solar system from tyrannical rule. This would make for another exciting corner of the Nintendo universe that could overlap or exist independently of the Mario stories.
1
Samus
Finally, with another deep space sci-fi story, but one that has a distinctly different tone, the Metroid Games are another set of popular titles from Nintendo. In the action adventure games, Samus Aran often stands alone as a bounty hunter who fights various alien threats as she finds tools and upgrades that improve her suit and give her new abilities. These games are about exploration, and with an ominous setting, they offer something different from everything else on this list.
On another note, these games have a strong female lead, and as mentioned above, those can sometimes be few and far between in Nintendo games. Samus stands out as one of the most impressive and adventurous female protagonists in any game, on a similar level to Tomb Raider, but without the overt sexualization of the character. As a result, it would be worth Nintendo’s time and money to give this character, who stands out as one of their best, a movie highlighting them.