Nintendo Needs to Let Super Mario Break This One Rule

written by Craig Ellison

May 9, 2026 4:35 pm

Nintendo Needs to Let Super Mario Break This One Rule — Image credit: Legion-Media

The Super Mario movies have stacked the roster with Nintendo greats, but one chaotic wildcard is still missing: Wario. With buzz building around The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, breaking a self-imposed Nintendo rule to unleash him as the next antagonist could be the franchise’s game-winning move.

Let’s talk about the big, garlic-scented hole in the Super Mario movie universe: Wario. If you’ve watched both recent Mario films and thought, 'Where’s the purple menace?', you’re not alone. There’s been a lot of chatter about his absence, and surprisingly, it all comes down to a specific Nintendo house rule with some pretty interesting consequences.

So, Why Hasn’t Wario Crashed the Party?

When the rumor mill started spinning about a possible Super Mario Galaxy Movie, plenty of fans expected Wario to show up as the villain. Makes sense—he’s literally Mario’s anti-Mario, with all the bad attitude (and body odor) to match. But Wario never made his grand entrance, and now we know why: Nintendo’s got a particular approach to these movies, and they’re not budging. Yet.

In a recent chat with Crank In, Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination boss Chris Meledandri pulled back the curtain on their process. The main takeaway? These films are made for kids—kids who aren’t treated like toddlers, but also aren’t the target audience for bathroom humor.

Miyamoto: 'I think of children as adults; they just don’t have as much knowledge yet. That’s why I don’t want to make them laugh with dirty jokes, and I’ve even given Chris a ban on dirty jokes. Oh, that doesn’t mean Wario won’t be in it, though.'

Wario’s Vibe: Why He’s Tricky for Nintendo

Let’s be honest: Wario’s never been the model of good taste. His games are packed with gags that lean, uh, “earthier” than anything you’ll see from Mario. If Nintendo’s no-dirty-jokes rule stays in place, squeezing Wario into a PG-friendly mold might be a challenge. People want the real deal, not some defanged knockoff.

That said, Miyamoto’s comments hint Nintendo isn’t totally slamming the door. The trick, apparently, is focusing on action over risqué jokes—a classic Wario brawl or wild chase scene can do plenty to show off his chaotic spirit without breaking any family-friendly rules.

Miyamoto again: 'Action is something that both adults and children can understand equally, so I think if we make it with action as the main focus, we can create a film that won’t be boring.'

What Needs to Happen for a Great Wario Appearance

Don’t water him down: Wario’s messy energy is what makes him a perfect foil for Mario. Toilet humor isn’t required, but don’t turn the guy into Mario with a different mustache.
Go big on action: Outrageous stunts and mayhem? Yes please. Jokes about bodily functions? Maybe not.
Keep the chaos: Wario’s a villain mostly because he’s unpredictable, selfish, and causes trouble—there are plenty of ways to show that off without crossing into “adult” territory.

Bottom line: Nintendo’s got their rules, but the door’s still wide open for Wario to barge in—maybe as soon as the next movie. If Universal and Nintendo can lock down that perfect blend of mayhem without the bathroom humor, fans just might get the anti-hero showdown they’ve been wanting. Frankly, the Mario franchise could use a little more mayhem these days.