The new Mario trailer promises references, little else | Kaser focus

Nintendo held a special Direct this week to reveal the full trailer for the upcoming Super Mario Bros movie. In the new trailer, we finally see Princess Peach, Luigi and Donkey Kong alongside the main man. We even get to see DK defeat the bejeezus from Mario, as it should. Mario’s portrayal so far seems to be that of the average guy who has to take part in saving the world – fair enough. And the gorgeous Super Mario Bros. themed cover put a genuine smile on my face.

But I don’t know – I’m still not sold. Part of that is that I’m not thrilled with Peach so far. She doesn’t seem too bad Peach to me. I wish the trailer had shown more of her than just giving Mario a pep talk – and Pratt’s Mario is a topic for another day. I’m afraid the movie will be just a collection of scenes that reference Mario Game X. In the trailer, we already have the Smash Bros scene and the Mario Kart scene. If there turns out to be a Paper Mario scene, let me know I called it.

We’ve had good and bad news this week. The bad news is that we got the cancellation of the Smash World Tour. Good news though: we’re getting a new Amnesia game from Frictional – always good to see them. Also, Activision Blizzard employees in Albany have successfully formed another union, so things haven’t been all bleak.

In more personal news, I’m gearing up for The Game Awards, which take place this Thursday, December 8. I’m ready for all the new game talk, all the useless Kojima cameos, the out of place movie trailers, the shockingly good musical performances, and maybe the awards when we have time. I’m also going to play The Callisto Protocol, because the sun sets early these days and I want some cold, dark ghosts. I haven’t really been scared of a game since Alien: Isolation, and I challenge Glen Schofield to let me break my streak.

What to play this week

[I will include last week’s games as well, since I didn’t do a Kaser Focus.]

What’s new:

• The Callisto Protocol
• Marvel’s Midnight Sun
• No need for speed
• Evil West
• Gungrave GORE
• The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retaliation
• Warhammer 40,000: Dark Tide
• Ship of fools
• Soccer Story
• Just dance 2023
• The knight witch

New on subscription services:

• Insurgency: Sandstorm (Xbox Game Pass)
• Eastward (Xbox Game Pass)
• The Walking Dead: The Final Season (Xbox Game Pass)
• Fully Reliable Delivery Service (Xbox Game Pass)
• Colt Canyon (Xbox Games with Gold)
• Crysis 2 Remastered (GeForce Now)
• Crysis 3 Remastered (GeForce Now)
• Fort Triumph (GeForce Now)
• Battlefield 2042 (GeForce Now)
• Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop (GeForce Now)
• Stormworks: Build and Rescue (GeForce Now)
• Dead Cells+ (Apple Arcade)