Most people have seen one or more of the Nintendo Switch / Reggie / Miyamoto videos from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The live debut of the system was a highlight, as was the sight of Miyamoto-san and Bill Trinen in the audience.
The whole thing was a bit of a GIF gift, too:
Some attention has also been on Shigeru Miyamoto's awesome t-shirt, which has a 'Samurai Mario' and a handsome design.
It's easy to be dismissive of any excitability about it, but then Bill Trinen went and tweeted with a nudge and wink; he knew exactly what he was doing.
Some believe it points to a theme in the 3D Mario game coming to Switch, some wonder whether it references a Dynasty Warriors / Mario tie-in along the lines of Hyrule Warriors. Others think it's just a rad shirt commemorating an aspect of Japanese culture. Polygon also reports that Miyamoto-san wore it again at another press event, but that might just mean he forgot to pack an extra shirt.
It seems it could also be an elaborate pun related to Super Mario Run, which would make sense as the app was the main reason for Miyamoto-san's visit to the US.
There are a lot of theories bouncing around, but it's worth not cynically disregarding it all. For example, a piece of art for The Last of Us evidently teased the upcoming 'Part Two' back in September, and no-one knew it at the time.
What does Miyamoto-san's Mario t-shirt mean? Go wild with your theories in the comments.
Comments (83)
...Super Mario Warriors is happening isn't it? lol
Could be a different theme in the next 3D Mario game, alongside the Mexican theme. Maybe these are the themes of the "worlds" in that 3D Mario game - one Japanese, one Mexican, one Greek, one Egyptian, etc.
Samurai Mario > Cat Mario
Could be a new power up in the next 3D Mario?
This is Sony teasing taken to the next level!
MARIO WARRIORS AND GOTTA KILL ALL THESE TOADS WOULD BE SO MUCH FUN !
@Joeynator3000 Admit it, that would be dope.
That'd be an awesome powerup.
Yeah what with the out-of-the-ordinary design of the shirt, Miyamoto specifically showing it off on Jimmy Fallon, coupled with Bill Trinen's comments, it's definitely bound to be something regarding the new Switch-bound Mario game. I mean, besides Run, that's the only major Mario game we know of (even though it's very little), and I doubt Nintendo would release a bunch of different Mario games together, nor spread out interest in them. It's all Mario Run right now, but early next year should be all about Mario Switch.
Mario kills rabbids with samurai weapons?
Super samurai bros.?
dat first tweet doe
@Joeynator3000 I wish. Would be really different but good
Probably just the "Run" thing, Super Mario Warriors would be... interesting.. I think, I don't know...
But what I found most interesting was that Reggie kept saying "Super Mario Br-- Run, Super Mario Run" during the interview, like he wanted to say the title for the upcoming Mario game, but stopped himself.
I hope it's Mario Warriors! This would be awesome! I loved Hyrule Warriors!
Mushroom Kingdom Warriors - Switch Exclusive!
Another Warriors game hell yeah .
@GreenMonkie Sounds epic fighting armies of koopalings.
What should he wear instead? Nothing? Honestly, I hate it when people take the most random aspects into consideration in their search (for Switch info). I think it's but a rad shirt and would love to have one myself. Wouldn't wanna see a Mario Warriors, though, just feels weird. But a Pokemon Warriors on the other hand - just imagine the land being split into 18 nations each ruled by a different type and are constantly at each other's throats and you get to experience the ensuing war from the viewpoint of the Grass, Fire and Water Nations with the war's outcome depending on the choices you make as you climb up the ranks. That'd be so awesome!
I believe @DiscoGentleman gets the NL award for spotting the pun, but as for what it means specifically... I can't think of anything more productive than wild speculation.
And with that in mind, I propose we all make a big deal out of the fact that δΉ± is the central kanji in DairantΕ Smash Brothers (ε€§δΉ±ιγΉγγγ·γ₯γγ©γΆγΌγΊ), the Japanese title for Super Smash Bros. (lit. Giant-Brawl Smash Brothers).
Isn't that amazing?
Probably not.
Let's go wild anyway!
EDIT: Too late. The man himself already turned up 30 seconds earlier.
Would be great it if Koei and Nintendo made "Nintendo Warriors", but that's probably asking for too much. One can dream!
It implies a Mario runner on mobile devices! Yippee!!
Probably Mario power ups based on different countries. The new game seemed to have a level based on mexico, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a cactus or sombrero Mario to go along with a Japanese samurai Mario power up.
Maybe that's how he'll deal with those pesky Rabbids?
@DiscoGentleman To be fair, Bill must have known that he was going to stir up (inevitably wild) speculation by firstly bringing the T-Shirt, and then following on with a cheekily vague comment about "the first layer of the punion".
That's not the sort of comment you make if you want to shut down speculation. If Shrek has taught the world anything, it's that onions have layers - potentially lots of layers - so it's no wonder than people are reading into this as though it has boundless depth.
If the internet loses its mind about what turns out to be a very shallow pun, Bill has to shoulder some of the blame for his cheeky onion metaphors. Onions have layers, man. Onions are deep.
@NinjaWaddleDee That would be pretty sweet, though I guess Nintendo would need to be careful to not offend folks if things are inaccurate or go into stereotyping territory
Sake and tequila powerups for samurai attire and sombrero confirmed. #Irrefutable
Anybody remember when Ntinedo said they weren't working on DLC for SSBU, before we got over $100 worth of it?
"However, I think there might be criticism that we are cutting up content to sell characters one by one, or that we are adding things later that should have been there from the start."
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-19-nintendo-isnt-planning-any-paid-dlc-for-super-smash-bros
This is just setting us up for DLC costumes in SMR. And yes, I know they said $9.99 was for the whole game, but SSBU was supposed to be the whole game for $59.99 too, until it wasn't.
The samurai mario shirt is probably hinting towards the next mario having some japan-inspired levels.
If you zoom in you can see in small letters printed either side that say "Mario Run".
@DiscoGentleman You are correct in the pronunciation, however, it Cound still mean A samurai Mario warriors game lol. Miyamoto is THAT cheeky lol.
Besides the kanji reading "ran", the words Super Mario Run are explicitly written next to it, and there's even the Super Mario Run logo in the bottom left corner. It's just a pun I think.
My goodness, I never thought of anything really when I saw the shirt, except that it was hard to see..
Definitely could hint at something..
@Joeynator3000 I hope not. Hyrule Warriors was a fun diversion....but I surely don't want it to become a habit for Nintendo.
Maybe it was laundry day.
@GoldenGamer88 what you said is spot on... if Bill Trinen didn't tweet about it afterwards. That alone ups the suspicion ante.
Bill, you monster!
I'm guessing Mario Warriors or a tie-in with the rumored 3D Mario. It could also be nothing to get too excited over.
Less likely are a Mario Conquest game, or Mario is a warlord-like villain in an upcoming DK title.
@Moshugan This is important; it's SPECIFICALLY a 'Super Mario Run' T-shirt, which the words and logos make clear.
They've just used 'δΉ±' - a Japanese homophone of 'run' - taken its theme, and, err... run with it.
As well as a more general meaning of 'chaos' and 'disorder' (as references in the Twitter post), it can also mean 'revolt' and 'rebellion' as associated with the feudal period of Japanese history when Samurai were most prominent.
The famous period filmmaker Akira Kurosawa directed a film titled 'δΉ±', although I think this was set at a time when the traditional idea of samurai poncing around with swords was coming to an end (due to the introduction of firearms). I'd have to actually watch it. I did wonder if the imagery could be in reference to that (he was noted for his samurai films), but now it seems less likely.
Anyway, T-shirts, eh? Hours of fun.
I guess Mario Warriors could make sense... But possibly just a new Mario skin? Mario Takamura Castle?
@Joeynator3000 Don't give me a boner lol
@GoldenGamer88 that's actually an awesome idea! Love the way you think.
That helmet is pretty much identical to Yukimura Sanada's in some of the Samurai Warriors games, so it must be a new Koei warriors game!
My crazy out-there prediction is Super Mario Chaos, basically a take on the top-down brawler. The roster will consist of Nintendo, Tecmo Koei, and other 3rd party characters with the ability to equip your own armor and weapons.
@GoldenGamer88 Not sure if you've seen this?
It's a tactical RPG rather than an open field hack'n'slasher, but it was developed with Tecmo Koei and shares a lot of themes with the Warriors games. I haven't played it. I don't think a huge number of people have. But I think it was fairly substantial, which is why it's surprisingly that it's slipped under so many people's radars.
@mjharper Samurai Cat Mario>All
It's probably for the 3D game, but Mario Warriors does sound oddly fun...
Could also be a Romance of the three Kingdoms x Mario game
(Singing Super Samurai by Jun Karashima- DDR Hottest Party)
I'm a Samurai comin' to NYC
I'm a Mario comin' from Osaka
I'm Samurai Mario Nintendo
From Nintendo, from Nintendo
Oopsie...
Well, it would be very nice to see Mario in different disguise.
Btw, by eating Katana Flower, Mario will transform into Samurai Mario. With 'Masamune' as his weapon, he strike all enemies with his legendary "Zantetsuken" or "Zanmato". XD
Um...maybe my imagination was too quirky...
New Fire Emblem Fates DLC, replaces Ryoma with Mario and Takumi with Luigi. Obv.
@Maxz @DiscoGentleman Thanks for the interesting info!
Mario Ran/Run.
Mystery solved. Pay me in Stars.
nintendo musou all-stars should start with the cast of smash, including the dlc, especially bayonetta, and including her supporting cast. then add the senran kagura girls, splatoon squids, ice climbers, etc.
I do quite like the idea of a Samurai Mario powerup/suit in the next 3D Mario game. I can see the Hammer Bros as the Samurai Bros too, which would be pretty sweet.
Wait.... waaaaaait............
I got it!
.....that guy....Miyamoto.....
...he's a fan of Mario's?!
@Maxz I actually did play through Conquest quite a bit. Had to import it from the UK as translators couldn't be bothered to translate it into other languages for a wider european release and as Mama Merkel knows: If it ain't in german, it can't be released here. It isn't as if we didn't get English lessons in school starting in second grade so once old enough to play the game, our knowledge of the english language wouldn't be big enough so we'd understand what was going on in the game or anything. Sorry about the little rant here but come on, who doesn't speak the english language these days? Anyway, Pokemon Conquest was a nice game - for a SRPG anyway - though my vision for a Pokemon Warriors wouldn't include trainers. The nations are led by Pokemon, you play as Pokemon against Pokemon.
@HeroOfTime32 And because Lord Bill tweeted about it I am enclined to take every word that comes out of his mouth absolutely serious and packed with Switch hints? Yes, his tweet made the speculations in regards to Miyamoto's choice of fashion a lot more important and note-worthy, though, as the second tweet in the article and @DiscoGentleman pointed out, it's highly likely nothing but a promotion for Super Mario Run. And whether deliberately done by Bill or not, this has led us once again on a wild goose hunt scraping the bottoms of every last bin for Switch information. Honestly, I can't wait for January. Not because of the load of Switch news but because all these speculations will be - for the most part - over.
@Maxz
Thanks for being the only one actually mentioning Kurosawa. Ran is based on Shakespeare's King Lear.
@rjejr
Liar. You (or your corrector) still get Nintendo wrong
@sinalefa I think only my tablet auto-corrects it, not my PC. Or the other way around. One of them does but not the other. Maybe my phone?
My wife and kids keep telling me to buy a new keyboard b/c this one doesn't work well, it's 4 years old and full of crumbs, half the keys stick, so maybe things will type better on the new one? Though probably not when I buy a cheap $10 one I suppose.
Don't think I've ever seen Ran somehow, maybe while under the influence during the 80's when it released so I've forgotten, seen a few of his others, Kurasawa is awesome.
@DeltaPeng
Shigeru Miyamoto is the creator of Mario.
MUSHROOM KINGDOM HEARTS CONFIRMED.
the thing is, he wants this to be spread around for speculation.
its a freaking shirt.
Super warrior Bros!
Super Mario Samurai would be so cool!
@rjejr
Yes but at the time they weren't working on any DLC for the game. And at launch Smash had the largest roster to date, so no one in their right mind could rightfully accuse the game of having cut content.
If you're complaining about getting $70 of optional, post-launch developed DLC on top of an already-loaded-with-content game, I can't say I sympathize.
The shirt clearly confirms Half Life 3 for Switch.
How do you all not see that?
Gosh you all are worse speculators than Neopets players about maybe possiblies !
Maybe... ? It is just a cool shirt. And we all know Trintroll yeah?
I honestly didn't even pay attetion to it first, but mr. asked right away "why Miyamoto has Samurai Mario shirt?"
@DiscoGentleman "The shirt bviously means that you get a Samurai Mario figurine with your purchase of Super Mario Run, and the Switch is a 4K / 1080p handheld made entirely out of recycled PlayStation and Xbox plastics, and it retails for $200 and it has every third party game ever, including new exclusives."
Sssshhhh....Player Essence and Supermetaldave will do a 20 minute vid based off stuff like that.
@JaxonH Less complaining, more matter of fact. Nintendo had never really done DLC before Smash. Then they got way carried away, putting out more DLC than the price of the full game. So now, when they say SMR is $9.99 for the full game, well some people are going to take them at their word that it's the "full game" and act all surprised when they announce DLC for SMR. So I'm just cutting those people off at the pass before they start complaining.
Think of it as a public service.
@JaxonH @rjejr I have zero problem with Smash having a lot of DLC, but the pricing is bunk. 7 euros for one character and stage? Sheesh no thank you!
@Moshugan "7 euros for one character"
And don't forget paying $13 for the amiibo which does NOT unlock the character in the game. Only Nintneod could make a toys-to-life figure that does not actually bring the toy to life in game unless you pay another $7 for the DLC.
I'm really really hoping that SSBSwitch gets all of those Mii costumes and 5 non-character stages free in game, and then the characters can be sold for $4.99 each but they also have a Switch line of amiibo for the DLC characters that unlock the character in game. It would explain why Cloud, Corrin and Bayonetta arne't out yet. I think Roy, Lucas, Meowth and Ryu are the others, so that makes 7, which I think is a decent number to release at once. Of course if Nintneod wants to include $70 worth for DLC in the port that's fine too.
Edit: Added DLC link.
http://www.smashbros.com/us/dlc/
My approach might be a bit backwards if you will, but I highly doubt an appearance on TV would include a tease. It's already amazing they're devoting part of a late night talk show to a console, as gaming still isn't exactly as mainstream as it should be. E3 and similar events are more like the place to do a tease, but I would take any "tease" on live TV with a grain of salt.
@GreenMonkie yes like how hyrule warriors was a wiiu exclusive
Mario 3D World 2: Time Switch.
With Mario travelling through different time periods to save Luigi. Prehistoric, samurai, pirates, ancient Rome. Spoiler: Peach is playable.
First online MP Mario platformer, with fully 3D arenas, like the Nintendo Land minigame with combat.
@AlexSora89 gaming is huge.
TV doesn't focus on it because the networks own music and movie interests, and obviously other TV shows. They like that kind of entertainment because people's hands are free to consume the food that their sponsors are peddling.
The most common image of gamers are the ones who eat while gaming. Mountain Dew stained shirt, nacho cheese wiped on their sweat pants.
Miyamoto might be a genius and a beloved icon, but he looks like a nerd.
Miyazaki, who's like Ghibli's Miyamoto, is the opposite. He speaks with a translator, despises most 'popular' media, dresses well and is a fairly attractive man.
Having Disney on their side doesn't hurt either.
One last thing about Nintendo approaching 'mainstream' media for attention: games on MS and Sony consoles are very cinematic, positioning themselves as an alternative to traditional entertainment. Nintendo is the exact opposite, positioning their games as a sort of companion piece, games that can be enjoyed by all types of consumers. MS wants the X1 to be a replacement device, and Sony iss moving toward streaming and a purely digital interface.
Nintendo keeps other media seperate and I think they're fine doing so. Companies should play to their strengths, something Ghibli does by relying on traditional animation and Nintendo does by relying on distinctive gaming experiences. By seperating themselves, they allow other companies to flourish, including not excluding their partners and competitors.
Put a Super Mario Warriors in my hands and I will play the hell out of it! In a manner befitting a gentleman of course.
I think it's more likely a nod towards the Super Mario Switch game, as there was a snippet of footage in the Switch reveal trailer of Mario running around in a Mexican-like designed level. So maybe there's a Japanese-like level there too?
@DiscoGentleman I just checked it out.
Old characters like Lucas, Roy and Mewtwo are 4 or 5 euros each. New first party characters like Corrin are 5 or 6 euros. Third party characters are the steep 6 or 7 euros a piece!
I bought Ryu and the Mario Maker stage out of novelty but haven't been able to justify paying any more due to them being so much individually. The bundles are stupid too, and it's bonkers that you can't customize them, or even buy a certain bundle if you already own something included in it! So if I were to buy Cloud and Bayo (which I would want more than Ryu) that would be 12 euros! No way JosΓ©...
@rjejr Gotta agree about the Amiibo. ;p On the surface it's a cool idea, but there hasn't really been much of any actually good uses for them to justify the price.
I have Woolly Yoshi, 8-bit Mario and Wolf Link, but those came as pack-ins. Woolly Poochy and 8-bit Link would make for good pairs for the others though... omg I'm getting caught in the maelstrom too!
@locky-mavo Mexican Samurai? Well, that would certainly be a new one.
@GoldenGamer88
If he was actually shirtless, I guess you could say it would be...
Ahem. puts on sunglasses
Miyamoto Hotness.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/05/rumour_nintendos_next_generation_handheld_is_codenamed_mh
@Flauber
He was probably going to say Super Mario Breath of The Mushroom.
It will connect with Breath of The Wild to unlock Ta-
@NodesforNoids

Of course, I never doubted Nintendo approaching mainstream media per se; rather, the thought of mainstram media being used for a tease is what got me raising my eyebrows.
And speaking of eyebrows and teases... anyone remembers the PS4 launch trailer?
Yep, this never came to fruition until the announcement of Crash Bandicoot: N-Sane Trilogy a few days ago - namely, this hardly counted as a tease at all, and this was in a trailer probably not even meant for TV...
Punion lol. Super Samurai Bros? I'd play that.
It's probably a power-up in Super Mario Run that we don't know about yet. I doubt it means that it'll be a new one in the Switch game. Yes, I hope I'm dead wrong and it's an awesome power-up we get to use in the upcoming 3D Mario game or that it's an allusion to the Switch getting a Mario Warriors game.
Haha, this thing became a costume in mario Odyssey
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