List of unreleased media: Difference between revisions

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! System

! Game

! Reason/Description

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| rowspan=2 | [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]

| ''[[Return of Donkey Kong]]''

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| ''[[Donkey Kong no Ongaku Asobi]]''

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| rowspan=2 | [[Philips CD-i]]

| ''[[Mario Takes America]]''

| Canceled due to financial issues caused by Philips being unsatisfied with the development's progress. Attempts to rework the title into a ''{{wp|Sonic the Hedgehog}}'' game and even later with original characters fell through, with developer Cigam going bankrupt in 1994.<ref>Monokoma. (September 15, 2014). [http://www.unseen64.net/2014/09/15/mario-takes-america-cdi-canceled/ Mario Takes America [CDI – Canceled<nowiki>]</nowiki>]. ''Unseen64''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref>

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| ''[[Super Mario's Wacky Worlds]]''

| A successor to ''[[Super Mario World]]'', canceled due to the commercial failure of the CD-i.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160314130649/https://sites.google.com/site/philipscdi/smww Super Mario's Wacky Worlds]</ref> Three official prototype discs are in circulation.

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| rowspan=1 | [[Virtual Boy]]

| ''[[VB Mario Land]]''

| A sequel to ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'', otherwise known as ''Mario Adventure''; scrapped in favor of ''[[Mario Clash]]'', based on the ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]''-esque mini-game but with extensive variety.<ref>[http://www.planetvb.com/content/articles/scans/official_nintendo_magazine_uk/01_10/official_nintendo_magazine_uk_01_10_5.jpg Official Nintendo Magazine UK, January 2010]{{dead link}}</ref>

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| [[Mario Artist (series)#Canceled games|''Mario Artist'' series]]

| Originally called ''Mario Paint 64'' and ''Mario Paint 3D'', only ''[[Mario Artist: Paint Studio|Paint Studio]]'', ''[[Mario Artist: Talent Studio|Talent Studio]]'', ''[[Mario Artist: Communication Kit|Communication Kit]]'' and ''[[Mario Artist: Polygon Studio|Polygon Studio]]'' were released; ''Game Maker'', ''Graphical Message Maker'', ''Sound Maker'' (originally part of ''Paint Studio'') and ''Video Jockey Maker'' were canceled, likely due to the 64DD's late release and poor sales. A different iteration of ''Paint Studio'' was in development by {{wp|Software Creations (UK)|Software Creations}}, but it was canceled due to internal politics between Nintendo of America and Nintendo's headquarters in Japan over control of the project.<ref>Monokoma. (April 4 2008). [http://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/04/creator-64dd-unreleased/ Creator / Mario Artist [64DD – Beta / Canceled<nowiki>]</nowiki>]. ''Unseen64''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref> Additionally, ''Paint Studio'' was originally going to feature a [[Mario Artist: Paint Studio#Prototype_.22Gnat_Attack.22|Gnat Attack game mode]], but it was later removed, likely due to it negatively affecting the mouse settings for the main painting mode. According to Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario's face on the title screen of Super Mario 64 actually originated from a prototype of the Paint Studio.

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| ''[[Super Mario 64 2]]''

| A sequel to ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', abandoned due to a lack of progress and the 64DD's late release and low sales. Certain aspects were carried over to ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. It may be related to ''Super Mario 64 Disk Version'', a similarly-unreleased working port of the previous game demoed at Nintendo Space World 1996.<ref>[http://www.gamekult.com/blog/jimmy130/311446/photos-64dd-super-mario-64-disk-version.html Photos of Super Mario 64 disk version, GameKult]{{dead link}}</ref>

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| ''[[List of Donkey Kong 64 pre-release and unused content|Ultra Donkey Kong]]''

| At one point, the Nintendo 64 game ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' was planned as a Nintendo 64DD exclusive.<ref>http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/07/26/donkey-kong-swings-to-64dd</ref>

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| ''[[List of Paper Mario pre-release and unused content|Super Mario RPG 2]]''

| A sequel to ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'', otherwise known as ''Mario RPG 2''<ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/07/30/miyamoto-reveals-secrets-fire-emblem-mario-paint-64 Miyamoto Reveals Secrets: Fire Emblem, Mario Paint 64]. (July 29, 1997). ''IGN''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref> and ''Mario RPG 64''<ref>[http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/papermario/0/1 Iwata Asks: Paper Mario: Sticker Star: "Going All Out with Stickers"]</ref> while in development. Due to complications involving [[Square Enix|Square]], it was reworked into ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and was released as a standard [[Nintendo 64]] title.

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| rowspan=3 | [[Game Boy Advance]]

| ''[[Diddy Kong Pilot]]''

| A follow-up to ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'', featuring planes as the only vehicle. The [[Diddy Kong Pilot (2001)|first iteration]] was shown at E3 2001 and planned for March 4, 2002,<ref>[http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/6577/ Nintendo's New Release Dates - Nintendo World Report]</ref> but was unpublished by the time [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]] was bought by {{wp|Microsoft}} in 2002. The [[Diddy Kong Pilot (2003)|second iteration]] in 2003 was reworked into ''{{wp|Banjo-Pilot}}'' and released for the Game Boy Advance.<ref>[http://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/07/diddy-kong-pilot-banjo-pilot-beta/ Diddy Kong Pilot [GBA – Beta / Canceled<nowiki>]</nowiki>]. (April 7, 2008). ''Unseen64''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref>

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| ''[[Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers]]''

| A puzzle game starring [[Donkey Kong]] that was planned for December 7, 2001,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/GBX-Magazine-Print-Collection/04%20GBX%20October%202001/page/10/mode/2up GBX Magazine Game Boy Xtreme issues 4 (October 2001)], page 10.</ref> but was unpublished before Microsoft purchased Rare. It was reworked into ''{{wp|It's Mr. Pants}}'', also released for Game Boy Advance.<ref>[http://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/07/its-mr-pants-donkey-kong-coconut-crackers-gba-beta/ Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers [GBA – Canceled<nowiki>] (It’s Mr. Pants [GBA – Beta]</nowiki>)]. (April 7, 2008). ''Unseen64''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref>

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| rowspan=2 | ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong#Development|Donkey Kong Plus]]''

| rowspan=2 | A remake of the [[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Game Boy version of ''Donkey Kong'']], replaced by ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'', an original game based on the classic ''Donkey Kong'' gameplay. Although the game was shown at E3 2002 as a proof-of-concept for connectivity between Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube systems, its intended system is unclear.<ref>[http://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/08/donkey-kong-plus-gba-beta/ Donkey Kong Plus [GBA – Canceled<nowiki>]</nowiki>]. (April 8, 2008). ''Unseen64''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref>

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| rowspan=5 | [[Nintendo GameCube]]

| ''[[Donkey Kong Racing]]''

| Another follow-up to ''Diddy Kong Racing'' that was unfinished before Rare was bought by Microsoft. Following its cancelation in favor of ''[[lylatwiki:Star Fox Adventures|Star Fox Adventures]]'', it was being reworked into ''{{wp|Sabreman}} Stampede'' for the {{wp|Xbox 360}}, but this iteration of the title was canceled due to a lack of focus and Rare's unfamiliarity with the hardware; however, a ''Donkey Kong''-themed racing game, ''[[Donkey Kong Barrel Blast]]'', would eventually be released for the [[Wii]] in 2007.<ref>[http://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/08/donkey-kong-racing-gc-canceled/ Donkey Kong Racing [GameCube – Canceled<nowiki>]</nowiki>]. (April 8, 2008). ''Unseen64''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref>

| ''[[Yoshi Touch & Go#Development|Yoshi Touch & Go]]''

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| ''[[List of Donkey Kong Barrel Blast pre-release and unused content|DK Bongo Blast]]''

| A ''Donkey Kong'' racing game that would have used the [[DK Bongos]]. Was reworked for the Wii as ''Donkey Kong Barrel Blast'', replacing the bongo controls with motion controls.<ref>[http://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/09/donkey-kong-bongo-blast-gc-unreleased/ Donkey Kong Bongo Blast [GC – Unreleased<nowiki>]</nowiki>]. (April 9, 2008). ''Unseen64''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref>

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| ''[[List of Super Paper Mario pre-release and unused content#Early iteration|Super Paper Mario]]''

| At one point, the game was considered for release on both the Nintendo GameCube and Wii,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20091209140126/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=153491&site=ngm Wii Preview: Super Paper Mario]. NGamer Magazine (January 5, 2007). Retrieved July 17, 2016.</ref> but it was ultimately pushed to the Wii exclusively.<ref>[https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/09/super-paper-mario-gc-cancelled/ Super Paper Mario [GC – Canceled<nowiki>]</nowiki>]. (April 9, 2008). ''Unseen64''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref>

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| [[Wii]]

| ''[[Super Mario Spikers]]''

| A volleyball-wrestling hybrid game that was being developed by [[Next Level Games]], canceled in favor of ''[[Punch-Out!! (Wii)|Punch-Out!!]]'' due to aspects of the game clashing with Nintendo's code of honor.<ref>Tamaki. (August 6, 2011). [http://www.unseen64.net/2011/08/06/super-mario-spikers-wii-prototype/ Super Mario Spikers [Wii – Canceled<nowiki>]</nowiki>]. ''Unseen64''. Retrieved May 18, 2015.</ref>

A [[Donkey Kong (series)|''Donkey Kong'' game]] was in development for the [[Philips CD-i]]. The only known report of it is the [http://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianjonesgames LinkedIn resume] of programmer Adrian Jackson-Jones, which states the game was in development during the 1992-1993 period at Riedel Software Productions. Jackson-Jones "designed and implemented the game engine" for the project<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190718105126/http://cdii.blogspot.com/2010/12/rsp-say-they-worked-on-donkey-kong-on.html RSP say they worked on Donkey Kong on CD-i]. Interactive Dreams (December 13, 2010). Archived from the original on July 18, 2019, 10:51:26 UTC via Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 9, 2011.</ref>. Jackson claims he worked on the game alongside programmer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-flatley-2552083a Owen Flatley] and that he has no surviving assets left of the game. These claims were corroborated in an investigation by ''Time Extension'' writer John Szczepaniak, who contacted both Jackson-Jones and RSP founder Michael J. Riedel. Riedel stated that the company had a habit of junking cancelled projects' assets, while Jackson-Jones was able to confirm his involvement in spite of a memory disorder, stating that he still recalled the experience of programming the game. According to Jackson-Jones, a prominent challenge during development was the limited memory of the CD-i, which he overcame by only loading in on-screen elements based on the player's movement.<ref>[https://www.timeextension.com/features/like-zelda-and-mario-donkey-kong-was-supposed-to-get-a-philips-cd-i-game-what-happened Like Zelda And Mario, Donkey Kong Was Supposed To Get A Philips CD-i Game - What Happened?]</ref>

According to a leaked internal Nintendo spreadsheet, a game labeled as ''DDR MARIO 2'' - presumably an abbreviation for ''Dance Dance Revolution Mario 2'' - was planned to be released on the Wii. The game was to be developed by Konami. However, the document mentions that development had not started yet; it may have never gotten past the concept stages.<ref>https://www.resetera.com/threads/update-super-mario-64-and-oot-source-leaked-massive-nintendo-data-leak-source-code-to-yoshis-island-a-link-to-the-past-f-zero-and-more.254724/post-69882678</ref>

''Donkey Kong IV'' is a rumored final title in the original ''Donkey Kong'' series. The game is stated to have only been test-marketed in arcades, never getting a full release. It was only ever reported in issue #13 of {{wp|Mean Machines}} magazine (October 1991), and was possibly the result of a misconception or confusion for another game (a likely candidate being Ocean's ''{{wp|Kong Strikes Back!}}'').<ref>"Finally, in 1984 came Donkey Kong IV, a return to the traditional platform and ladders action of the original [...] During its testing period is wasn't deemed sophisticated enough to wow punters, and the machine never made mass circulation." https://twitter.com/retrogamegeeks/status/859415398772596736</ref>

According to Rare employee Paul Rahme, it was internally suggested at Rare to make a new ''Donkey Kong Country'' game for the [[Nintendo DS]], as remaking the trilogy for the [[Game Boy Advance]] gave the developers experience and a good basis for making a sequel. The pitch ended up not getting much traction internally and was dropped.<ref>[http://www.dkvine.com/?p=1654 DK Vine: Donkey Kong Country 4: Here Comes [REDACTED PUN<nowiki>]</nowiki>!]</ref><ref>[http://www.dkvine.com/features/stamped_dkcgba.html DK Vine: The Donkey Kong Country GBA Trilogy]</ref>

In 1994, a Nintendo patent was created for a device that could create basic games for the SNES, likely intended for use in schools.<ref>https://patents.google.com/patent/US6115036?oq=inassignee:%22Nintendo+Co+Ltd%22</ref> The program for creating said games was titled ''Mario Factory'', and featured loose adaptions of the ''Super Mario'' characters.<ref>[https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/4b/1a/bf/29a5fe6c45bf11/US6115036-drawings-page-9.png]</ref> It is known that the patented machine itself had been released in Japan at some point, being used with the "Game Processor RAM Cassette".<ref>https://twitter.com/luigiblood/status/1109479153747804160</ref> It is possible that ''Mario Factory'' was actually completed and used for this machine, but nothing has ever proved this, and it may have been a non-''Super Mario''-branded software in the final product. This is unrelated to the Mario Factory arcade center in Japan.

''Mario Motors'' was a pitch made by game designer {{wp|Yoot Saito}} for a [[Nintendo DS]] game. The game had players "''shaving and sculpting out of a chunk of metal to make a cylinder [which then] decides the ability of your engines.''". Saito also considered having the player blow in the DS's microphone to "''learn how acceleration works''" but scrapped it because the mechanic could have been too demanding for children. Despite initial interest from both [[Satoru Iwata]] and [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], the project never got off the ground with Saito stating, "''I can’t tell you why, but please guess.''"<ref>Jordan Devore (April 21, 2018). "[https://www.destructoid.com/yoot-saito-worked-on-mario-motors-a-canceled-ds-game-about-building-engines-499705.phtml Yoot Saito worked on Mario Motors, a canceled DS game about building engines]". ''Destructoid''. Retrieved April 21, 2018.</ref>

''Mario's Castle'' was a game announced for the canceled "Project Atlantis" portable system. The only known report of it was in an issue of the gaming magazine ''{{wp|Electronic Gaming Monthly}}''<ref>LSuperSonicQ (January 21, 2017). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b9WopN5Og4&feature=youtu.be&t=233 The Mystery of Project Atlantis & Mario's Castle (Canceled Nintendo Projects)]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 14, 2018.</ref>.

''Mario's Mission Earth'', also known as ''Mario's Planet Quest'',<ref>@Borman18 (July 6, 2021). ''[https://twitter.com/Borman18/status/1412208320694337539 Twitter]''. Retrieved January 20, 2023.</ref> was a canceled SNES edutainment game from The Software Toolworks, which would have likely been similar to ''[[Mario is Missing!]]'' and ''[[Mario's Time Machine]]''. The only evidence of the game's existence is a brief mention on composer {{wp|Mark Knight (musician)|Mark Knight}} (who also worked on the SNES port of ''Mario's Time Machine'') list of works on his personal webpage<ref>https://www.gamesounds.co.uk/projects.php</ref>, which was later reiterated on a post for a 2017 {{wp|Kickstarter}} campaign.<ref>https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yousee3d/the-commodore-story-changing-the-world-8-bits-at-a/posts/1811659</ref> It is unclear how far the game got into development.

====Retro Studios' Boo project====

Former [[Retro Studios]] artist Sammy Hall revealed that a “cancelled [[Boo]] project” was in pre-production from 2006 to 2007. One sketch titled “tiny stuff for tiny handheld resolutions” suggests that it was a [[Nintendo DS]] title. The Boo art also includes sketches titled “possession powers” depicting a [[capture]]-like gameplay mechanic and new witch creatures called “Broomies”, alongside a potential world map. One sketch titled “Deep in debt at Haunt University” seems to depict a storyline involving a professor version of [[King Boo]]. The “Haunt” post containing the Boo project artwork, along with Sammy Hall's posts for a “cancelled ''{{wp|The Legend of Zelda|Zelda}}'' project” starring [[Sheik]], was taken down from ArtStation on May 7, 2020.<ref>Shinesparkers (May 5, 2020). [https://shinesparkers.net/concept-artwork-surfaces-for-rumoured-sheik-and-boo-titles-by-retro-studios/ Concept Artwork surfaces for rumoured Sheik and Boo titles by Retro Studios]. ''Shinesparkers''. Retrieved May 7, 2020.</ref> Sammy Hall later clarified that the cancellation of both projects was due to ex-leads Mark Pacini, Todd Keller, and Kynan Pearson leaving Retro Studios.<ref>Skrebels, Joe (May 8, 2020). [https://www.ign.com/articles/cancelled-zelda-sheik-boo-game Concept Artist Discusses Retro's Cancelled Zelda and Mario Spin-Offs]. ''IGN''. Retrieved May 9, 2020.</ref>

In July 2020, a large amount of Nintendo-related source code and prototypes were leaked and released to the public. Among this leak was the source code to ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'', which included many prototypes that were greatly different from the final product. However, two files are so early that they have virtually no connection to the game at all - "''super_donkey_1''" and "''super_donkey_2''". These games presumably served as the basis of what became ''Yoshi's Island'', though most elements of ''Super Donkey'' were eventually scrapped.<ref>Sebastian (July 24, 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrhkv47Vdag Super Nintendo Leaked Demos - super_donkey_1.bin]. ''YouTube''. Retrieve July 24, 2020.</ref> Among the recognizable elements are [[Melon Bug]]s, apes that may be an early version of [[Ukiki|Grinder]]s, and a dog enemy that may have been the inspiration for [[Poochy]].<ref>Sebastian (July 24, 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3IShS_ThPI Super Nintendo Leaked Demos - super_donkey_2.bin]. ''YouTube''. Retrieve July 24, 2020.</ref>

During the early years of [[Retro Studios]], plans were underway for an American football game featuring Mario for the GameCube. At the request of Nintendo, the project was reworked early on to turn it into a generic, realistic football game (known as both ''NFL Retro Football'' and ''Retro Studios Football''). Its Mario-less incarnation was ultimately canceled as well, reportedly in favor of 2002's ''[[metroidwiki:Metroid Prime (game)|Metroid Prime]]''.<ref>https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/08/football-retro-studios-gc-tech-demo/</ref>

The German magazine ''Big N'' claimed that a Virtual Boy installment of the ''Mario Kart'' series, tentatively named ''VB Mario Kart'', was in development<ref>[[Media:Big N Magazine (Germany) VB.jpg|Big N magazine (Germany), July-August 2000, pg. 19]]</ref>. The only known media report of it is Big N's August 2000 issue, which listed it among various other canceled Virtual Boy projects. As such, ''VB Mario Kart'' ended up being canceled due to the discontinuation of the Virtual Boy for its poor sales.

[[File:Scrapped wariopool intro.gif|thumb|left|The mockup]]

In 2001, a Game Boy Color billiards game titled ''Wario Pool'' was pitched to Nintendo by veteran game developers {{wp|Nick Pelling}} and Jeff Ferguson. The pitch was ultimately rejected, and the game was modified and released as ''3D Pocket Pool'' instead.<ref>"Retro Gamer" issue #26, pg. 84</ref> Nick Pelling later posted the mock-up intro to the game on his website.

Following their successful collaboration with [[Nintendo]] on ''[[lylatwiki:Star Fox (game)|Star Fox]]'', British game developer {{wp|Argonaut Games}} pitched a 3D platformer starring [[Yoshi]] left unnamed, with a message board post by an Argonaut employee naming the game "''Yoshi Racing''" and describing it as a character racing game,<ref name="NeoGaf">inpHilltr8r (December 29, 2016). http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=227362239&postcount=351</ref> and made a prototype for it.<ref name="Eurogamer">[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-07-04-born-slippy-the-making-of-star-fox Born slippy: the making of Star Fox] (Retrieved July 5, 2013)</ref> However, Nintendo did not follow on the offer, with one Argonaut employee speculating that this was because the company did not want to let third-party companies use its characters.<ref name="Yoshi">In "Born slippy", Jez San is quoted as saying: "''The end came when we pitched to do a 3D platform game, the likes of which had never been done before. We mocked up a prototype using Yoshi. It was essentially the world's first 3D platform game and was obviously a big risk - Nintendo had never let an outside company use their characters before, and weren't about to, either. This is the moment the deal fell apart.''"</ref> Following this setback, Argonaut decided to retool the prototype as an original IP, ''{{wp|Croc: Legend of the Gobbos}}''.

Argonaut's Jez San believes that the refusal to pick up the ''Yoshi'' pitch was the final blow to Nintendo and Argonaut's relationship, which was previously damaged by the cancellation of the nearly completed ''[[lylatwiki:Star Fox 2|Star Fox 2]]''.<ref name="Yoshi"/><ref name="Apology">In "Born slippy", Jez San is quoted as saying: "''Miyamoto-san came up to me at a show afterwards and apologized for not doing the Yoshi game with us and thanked us for the idea to do a 3D platform game. He also said that we would make enough royalties from our existing deal to make up for it. That felt hollow to me, as I'm of the opinion that Nintendo ended our agreement without fully realizing it. They canned Star Fox 2, even though it was finished and used much of our code in Star Fox 64 without paying us a penny.</ref> San further claims that the prototype influenced ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', stating that ''"[[Shigeru Miyamoto|Miyamoto-san]] went on to make Mario 64, which had the look and feel of our Yoshi game - but with the [[Mario]] character, of course"''. Jez San also recalls an occurrence where Shigeru Miyamoto came to him and apologized for not picking up the ''Yoshi'' game.<ref name="Apology"/>

While the game itself has not yet been found, a 3D model of Yoshi was leaked in July 2020, found mixed in with ''Star Fox''-related source code.<ref>Sacha Vaillancourt (July 24, 2020). [https://twitter.com/Azelf89/status/1286867261698056193 Twitter post asking Dylan Cuthbert about the Yoshi model found among ''Star Fox'' assets]. ''Twitter''. Retrieved July 26, 2020.</ref>

Internal emails leaked to the public by proxy of the 2014 {{wp|Sony Pictures hack}} detailed negotiations between {{wp|Avi Arad}} and Nintendo to have {{wp|Sony Pictures}} produce a ''Super Mario'' movie. The email exchange between Avi Arad and Sony Pictures executive {{wp|Amy Pascal}} showed photos of Arad meeting with [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] and [[Satoru Iwata]]; Pascal would later forward one of the emails to another executive with the comment "Avi closed Mario brothers" (Arad would later state to the press the deal had in fact not been closed after the emails were made public by the hack)<ref>Adam B. Vary (December 11, 2014). [https://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/sony-nintendo-mario-bros-movie?utm_term=.hu3d1Gx83#.sc8kGraDl Movie Rights From Nintendo, Leaked Emails Show]. ''Buzzfeed''. Retrieved March 13, 2018.</ref>. Although no information beyond what is found in the leaked emails was made public, it seems the talks broke down as Nintendo would officially announce in 2018 that [[The Super Mario Bros. Movie|a ''Super Mario'' film]] would be produced by [[Illumination]], an animation company owned by Sony Pictures' rival {{wp|Universal Pictures}} best known for the ''{{wp|Despicable Me (franchise)|Despicable Me}}'' franchise.

Among the trademarks present in the document "Action man & 67 other titles; musical compositions." filed by [[DIC Entertainment]] and {{wp|EMI Music Publishing}} is one for the ''Super Mario Bros. Christmas Show''.<ref>[https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/doctitles.cgi?V3384P251 Action man & 67 other titles; musical compositions.] ''United States Copyright Office''. Retrieved January 8, 2021.</ref> Additionally, the document "SMC 60 second theme; musical compositions." filed by [[Andy Heyward]] and his wife contains a trademark for the ''Super Maria{{sic}} Bros. Christmas Show''.<ref>[https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/doctitles.cgi?V9905D835 SMC 60 second theme; musical compositions.] ''United States Copyright Office''. Retrieved January 8, 2021.</ref>