Anniversary: Super Mario First Went ‘New’ 20 Years Ago On The DS
New Super Mario Bros. reached its 20th anniversary this week, marking two decades since the Nintendo DS game launched in 2006 and became a landmark title for the Mario franchise. The game represented a major revival moment, delivering the first new side-scrolling Mario platformer since the SNES era—closing a significant gap since Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island.
At the time of its release, New Super Mario Bros. successfully reintroduced the classic 2D platformer formula to audiences new and old. The title bridged generations of Mario fans, giving longtime players who grew up with the original NES and SNES games a fresh take on familiar mechanics, while simultaneously introducing younger audiences to the series’ side-scrolling roots. This broad appeal established New Super Mario Bros. as a cultural touchstone and launched an entire sub-series under the “New” branding that would span multiple Nintendo platforms.
The game’s success demonstrated Nintendo’s mastery of the handheld gaming space during the DS era. Its contribution to the console’s expansive library was instrumental in establishing the DS as one of Nintendo’s most successful systems. Two decades later, New Super Mario Bros. remains a defining moment in Mario’s legacy, with its influence evident in Nintendo’s continued prioritization of 2D platformer experiences. The game’s enduring impact underscore its role as a turning point that helped reshape gaming for millions of players worldwide.