Nintendo dropped a surprise Nintendo Direct dedicated entirely to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and it was far more than a routine trailer reveal. Hosted by Shigeru Miyamoto, the presentation delivered a new trailer, multiple character debuts, and meaningful updates on how close the film is to release.
The biggest moment was simple and instantly memorable. Yoshi is finally here. And this time, he talks. Beyond that headline reveal, the Direct leaned heavily into Galaxy-era nostalgia and deep Mario lore, offering the clearest look yet at how Nintendo and Illumination are expanding the Mario movie universe.
Here’s what stood out.
/1. Mario and Luigi Return to the Sand Kingdom
The presentation opened with extended footage of Mario and Luigi riding motorbikes across a vast desert. Fans quickly recognized the setting as the Sand Kingdom from Super Mario Odyssey, complete with its iconic inverted pyramid looming in the background.
The brothers are sent to investigate a malfunctioning Warp Pipe buried underground. Powering up with Fire Flowers, they descend into classic Mario-style tunnels as familiar underground music plays. What they find inside isn’t an enemy at all. It’s Yoshi.
/2. Yoshi Officially Joins the Movie (And He Talks)
Rather than a dramatic monster reveal, Yoshi is introduced as nervous and shy, unsure of Mario and Luigi at first. That hesitation doesn’t last long. Later scenes show him racing, battling, and adventuring alongside the group.
The reveal pays off a tease from the first movie’s post-credits scene, which showed a green Yoshi egg cracking open. This time, we finally hear his voice. Not full dialogue, but expressive mumbling mixed with Yoshi adorably calling out his own name. Nintendo also released official artwork of Mario riding Yoshi, signaling that he’s a major character in the sequel, not just a cameo.
/3. Birdo, Mouser, and Lakitu Make Their Movie Debut
The trailer quickly shifts into a fast-paced montage packed with deep-cut characters from Mario's history. Birdo appears first, firing explosive eggs at Princess Peach, who blocks them with her parasol. In the same sequence, Mouser, the classic boss from Super Mario Bros. 2, is briefly spotted, hinting that Peach’s storyline may explore Subcon or a dreamlike alternate world.
Then comes Lakitu, hovering overhead and launching projectiles as Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi sprint through chaos-filled environments. It’s Lakitu’s first appearance in a Mario movie, a clear nod to longtime fans.
/4. Frog Suit Luigi, Giant Cheep Cheep, and Castle Chaos
Another standout moment shows Luigi wearing the Frog Suit, diving into water to rescue a Toad who’s just been swallowed by a massive Cheep Cheep. Elsewhere, Mario and Peach infiltrate a lava-filled fortress that looks pulled straight from a Bowser castle level, complete with collapsing platforms and fire hazards.
The trailer is packed with callbacks, not just to Super Mario Galaxy, but to decades of Mario games across multiple generations.
/5. Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, and a Very Strange Final Shot
The final moments of the trailer take a surreal turn. Yoshi is shown holding what looks like a weapon modeled after the SNES Super Scope. Toad is seen carrying Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, confirming that the baby versions of the brothers are returning after their appearance in the first film.
Then the group comes face-to-face with a T. rex that looks lifted directly from Super Mario Odyssey’s Fossil Falls. Nintendo offers no explanation. Whether it’s a flashback, time travel, or a dream sequence is left unclear, adding another layer of intrigue.
Louis Eriakha
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Is Nearly Done
After the trailer, Miyamoto shared a brief look back at Yoshi’s history before bringing in Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri for key production updates.
Meledandri confirmed that animation is fully complete and the film is now in post-production. He also revealed that music from the Super Mario Galaxy games is being re-recorded with a full 70-piece orchestra. Given how beloved Galaxy’s soundtrack is, that detail alone signals how heavily Nintendo is leaning into emotional nostalgia.
Despite Yoshi speaking in the trailer, Nintendo didn't confirm who's voicing him. Rosalina and Bowser Jr. were also absent from this Direct, even though both featured prominently in previous movie presentations.
What we do know is that the returning cast remains unchanged, including Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek. Previously announced additions Brie Larson as Rosalina and Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr. are still confirmed, even if they didn’t appear in today’s footage.
Nintendo also announced a slight schedule change. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will now hit theaters on April 1, two days earlier than previously planned, aligning with international release windows.
Conclusion
This Direct felt less like a standard movie promotion and more like Nintendo pulling back the curtain on a growing Mario cinematic universe. Between Yoshi’s long-awaited debut, deep-cut characters like Mouser and Lakitu, and the full orchestral treatment for Galaxy’s music, the sequel is shaping up as both a love letter to longtime fans and a major blockbuster for new audiences.
If this trailer is any indication, Nintendo and Illumination aren’t just making a sequel. They’re building out a much bigger Mario world. And honestly? April can’t come fast enough.
Emmanuel Umahi
