TOKYO – Nintendo released a surprise software update on Tuesday for Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a title famously removed from sale over four years ago, with patch notes indicating performance enhancements specifically for the company's new Switch 2 console. The move has delighted players who own the game but has also revived discussions around Nintendo's controversial "limited-time" digital sales strategy.

The update, Version 1.1.3, became available for download yesterday, as first reported by gaming news outlet Nintendo Life. According to Nintendo's official patch notes, the update "improves overall gameplay experience" and provides "stability enhancements when played on Nintendo Switch 2 hardware."

While the notes are vague, players on social media and gaming forums are reporting tangible benefits on the new console, which launched last month. These include significantly faster loading times between levels in all three included titles—Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy—and a more consistent frame rate, particularly in visually demanding sections of Super Mario Sunshine.

A Controversial History

Super Mario 3D All-Stars was originally released in September 2020 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Super Mario franchise. From its announcement, Nintendo stated the game collection would only be available for a limited period. True to its word, the title was removed from the Nintendo eShop and physical production ceased on March 31, 2021.

This decision created a firestorm of criticism at the time, with many accusing the company of creating artificial scarcity to drive sales—a tactic often referred to as "fear of missing out" (FOMO) marketing. The delisting led to a surge in prices on the second-hand market, with sealed physical copies commanding significant premiums.

The release of a new patch years after its discontinuation is highly unusual. For many owners, the update is a welcome, if unexpected, bonus. However, for those who missed the initial purchase window, it serves as a fresh reminder of their inability to buy the game, even as Nintendo continues to support it.

"On one hand, it's great that Nintendo is ensuring its legacy titles run well on new hardware," said Julian Midwinter, a technology analyst at Giga Data. "It shows a commitment to the Switch 2's backwards compatibility. On the other hand, actively patching a delisted product is a strange look. It pours salt in the wound for anyone who can't purchase the game digitally and now sees it getting better for those who can."

A Glimpse into Switch 2 Strategy

The update for 3D All-Stars is part of a broader pattern. Since the Switch 2's launch in June 2025, Nintendo has pushed out a series of small updates for its major first-party titles, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Metroid Prime Remastered. These patches have primarily focused on leveraging the new console's more powerful hardware to offer minor performance boosts, such as improved resolution scaling and stability.

This strategy suggests that Nintendo views robust backwards compatibility as a key feature for its new platform. By enhancing the existing, vast library of Switch games, the company can provide immediate value to early adopters of the Switch 2 while its slate of exclusive, next-generation titles continues to build.

This approach contrasts with past console generations, where backwards compatibility was often limited or non-existent. For current players, it means their digital and physical libraries retain their value and, in some cases, are even enhanced.

Yet, the case of Super Mario 3D All-Stars remains an outlier. While other patched games are still available for purchase, this update is exclusively for a shrinking pool of existing owners. Nintendo has not commented on whether it plans to re-release the collection, but this new development has fueled speculation that the company may be reconsidering its stance on limited-run digital games in the era of the Switch 2. For now, the update stands as a complex gesture: a reward for loyal fans and a stark reminder of one of gaming's most debated marketing campaigns.