Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe announced for Nintendo Switch

It is Nintendo tradition that for every new Nintendo console, there is an accompanying new “Super Mario game.” Well, the Japanese company has been announcing a whole slew of new titles for their upcoming gaming system, the Nintendo Switch, and one of them is—you guessed it— a game starring everyone’s favorite portly plumber.

“Super Mario Odyssey” will be the next major entry in the “Super Mario” franchise, and it looks fabulous… if a little jarring.

The 3D is crisp and clean, the action looks exhilarating, and it seems the game will have Mario exploring vast open worlds (an exciting mechanic which is entirely new to the series). But parts of the game also take place in the real world – one populated by realistically proportioned humans. Which begs the question: if Mario looks so different from these “normal” human beings… is he even human to begin with?

Mario’s as agile as ever, scaling buildings and ricocheting off walls. He can now even interact with his hat, which functions like a springboard. It seems said hat has also gained some sort of sentience.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a “Super Mario” game without Bowser and a kidnapped Princess Peach.

“Super Mario Odyssey” will be released during the holidays.

Additionally, “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is coming to the Nintendo Switch.

This game is an enhanced port of “Mario Kart 8,” which was originally released for the Wii U in May 2014. The new version features all the original’s DLC content, as well as additional courses and items. New characters are also introduced, including Bowser Jr., Dry Bones, King Boo, and “Splatoon’s” Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy.

The Battle Mode has also been improved with new maps and the ability for the racers to carry two items simultaneously.

“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” will be out in April.

The Nintendo Switch is launching this March 3. — TJD, GMA News