Super Mario 3D World: Shadow Puppet Theater Is True Artistry

In a promotion video for their newest entry in the Super Mario universe for Wii U, Super Mario 3D World, Nintendo has released an incredible display of shadow puppetry which acts as a trailer for the game.

The video begins with shadow likenesses of Mario and Bowser jawing at one another and then pans up to the iconic question mark block. From there we are taken through a series of versions of Mario and Bowser, culminating with the, again iconic, “M” flag which symbolized the end of a level in the original Mario game.

Again, bear in mind that this entire video is comprised of hand puppetry. Not only is it a very unique brand of promotion on Nintendo’s part, but really whoever is behind these puppets is a true artist. And even better, shadow puppetry is relevant to this new Mario Game, as there is a level in the game named “Shadow Play Alley” where you will play as Mario’s shadow.