Another Nintendo Direct has concluded without any announcement of a new 3D Mario game, leaving owners of the Switch 2 without a major entry in the franchise to mark its 40th anniversary. This comes despite widespread anticipation and rumors from industry insiders suggesting a reveal was imminent. The absence of a new 3D Mario title represents a significant departure from Nintendo's traditional console launch strategy, where a flagship 3D Mario game often serves as a system-defining title. Historically, titles like Super Mario 64 launched with the Nintendo 64, while Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario 3D Land, and Super Mario Odyssey all arrived within the first year of their respective console lifecycles. Even the Wii U's Super Mario 3D World released just over a year after the console's debut. Thus far, Switch 2 owners have received only ports and a tennis game, alongside a free update to Mario Kart World that adds SNES courses to its Versus mode. While the update allows players to revisit classic tracks, it does not constitute a new experience for the anniversary. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie achieved significant box office success, but this entertainment milestone has not translated into new gameplay for console owners. Nintendo did acknowledge the anniversary with titles like Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, yet these games do not feature Mario as a central character. This stands in contrast to other major Nintendo franchises, with Zelda fans receiving a full remake of Ocarina of Time for their series' 40th and Kirby celebrating its 35th with a new 3D title. Even Metroid fans have seen recent releases. While it is expected that a mainline Mario game will eventually be developed, the current lack of a 3D entry, potentially with a successor to Super Mario Odyssey not arriving for a decade, casts a shadow over a momentous anniversary for Nintendo's most iconic character. The development cycle for major video games is notoriously lengthy and complex, but Nintendo appears to have been underprepared for such a significant anniversary for the beloved plumber.