Just like a Mario game, the trailer is full of secrets.
Nintendo/Universal Pictures
Against all odds, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is looking good. Its second trailer is packed with sneaky homages to Nintendo history, some subtle and some as obvious as an 800-pound gorilla.
The trailer opens with Mario meeting Donkey Kong. They get along about as well as they did in the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game.
Nintendo/Universal Pictures
The stage they fight on even looks like a Donkey Kong level.
It would be a stretch to call this an intentional reference, but the surprisingly brutal beatdown DK gives Mario does look a lot like his Super Smash Bros. ground pound.
Mario’s humiliation continues as he gets clowned on by a Cheep Cheep, the flying fish that have been part of the series since Super Mario Bros.
when he gets his hands on the Tanooki Suit, the best powerup in Super Mario World (or at least the cutest).
Nintendo/Universal Pictures
In addition to her dress, we see Princess Peach suit up for battle in her Mario Kart biker suit.
Peach’s throne room is complete with a stained glass window pulled straight from Super Mario 64.
On the more adorable side, we see a field full of frolicking Yoshis, which feels reminiscent of both Yoshi’s Island and the Yoshi stampede in Super Smash Bros. Melee’s intro.
Funky Kong also puts in an appearance as part of the Fury Road-esque caravan tearing up Rainbow Road.
Nintendo/Universal Pictures
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is clearly catering to fans, unlike the last time a Mario movie was attempted. It’s scheduled to debut on April 7, 2023.