Editing List of unreleased media

{{distinguish2|[[tech demo]]s, which are rarely intended to be turned into commercial products, or [[pre-release and unused content]], elements from a game that are removed or altered before release}}
Due to various reasons (ranging from being of poor quality, developing a game for a failed or soon-to-be-discontinued system, or the company facing financial or legal woes), a project can end up being '''canceled''' and cease production. Despite their status, concepts present in canceled games and other media can be reused in commercial releases, and some canceled games are repurposed into different projects.

A game in development can also end up becoming '''{{wp|vaporware}}''', a term for projects that are announced and for which development is started, but for similar reasons, were never published.

The following is a list of ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' media that has been canceled, or was never produced or released.

==Canceled games and vaporware==
{|style="text-align:center; width:100%; margin:0 auto 5px; border-collapse:collapse" border="2" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"
|- style="background-color: lightgrey;"
! System
! Game
! Reason/Description
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| rowspan=2 | [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]
| ''[[Return of Donkey Kong]]''
| A follow-up to ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', canceled for unknown reasons.
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[Donkey Kong no Ongaku Asobi]]''
| A music-based spin-off of ''Donkey Kong'', canceled mainly due to copyright issues with the featured songs.
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| rowspan=2 | [[Philips CD-i]]
| ''[[Mario Takes America]]''
| Canceled due to financial issues caused by Philips being unsatisfied by the development's progress. Attempts to rework the title into a ''{{wp|Sonic the Hedgehog}}'' game and even later with original characters fell through, and developer Cigam went 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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[Super Mario's Wacky Worlds]]''
| A successor to ''[[Super Mario World]]'', canceled due to the discontinuation of the CD-i for its drop-in popularity, as well as development requiring a higher budget.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/philipscdi/smww Super Mario's Wacky Worlds]</ref> Three official prototype discs are in circulation.
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| 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 expanding the ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]''-esque mini-game and releasing it as ''[[Mario Clash]]''.<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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| Unknown platform
| ''[[Yoshi Racing]]''
| A 3D platformer starring [[Yoshi]] that was pitched by {{wp|Argonaut Games}} to [[Nintendo]] but was rejected. Argonaut reworked the game into ''{{wp|Croc: Legend of the Gobbos}}'', released for {{wp|PlayStation (console)|PlayStation}}, {{wp|Sega Saturn}}, {{wp|Microsoft Windows|Windows}}, and [[Game Boy Color]]. ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' allegedly resembles its original design.
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| rowspan=4 | [[Nintendo 64DD]]
| [[Mario Artist (series)#Canceled games|''Mario Artist'' series]]
| Of the ''[[Mario Artist (series)|Mario Artist]]'' series, 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 commercial failure. 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'' (Japanese version) 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.
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[Super Mario 64 2]]''
| A sequel to ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', abandoned due to a lack of progress and the 64DD's late release and commercial failure. Certain aspects were carried over to ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. 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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[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.
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| 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, but was not published 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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[Donkey Kong Coconut Crackers]]''
| A puzzle game starring [[Donkey Kong]] that was unfinished 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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| rowspan=2 | ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong#Development|Donkey Kong Plus]]''
| rowspan=2 | A remake of the [[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Game Boy ''Donkey Kong'']] shown at E3 2002 as a proof-of-concept for connectivity between Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube systems; its intended system is unclear, however. Presumably canceled in favor of or otherwise became ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'', an original game based on the classic ''Donkey Kong'' gameplay.<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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| rowspan=5 | [[Nintendo GameCube]]
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[Donkey Kong Racing]]''
| Another follow-up to ''Diddy Kong Racing'' that was unfinished before Rare was bought by Microsoft. After its cancelation in favor of ''[[lylatwiki:Star Fox Adventures|Star Fox Adventures]]'', it was reworked into ''{{wp|Sabreman}} Stampede'' for the {{wp|Xbox 360}}; unlike the aforementioned games, however, this iteration of the title was unofficially canceled.<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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[Yoshi Touch & Go#Development|Yoshi Touch & Go]]''
| Was later reworked into a [[Nintendo DS]] title with the same name.
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| ''[[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>
|- style="background-color: #f2f2f2;"
| [[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>
|}

==Low-information media and rejected pitches==
{{more images|section=yes}}
This section lists rejected pitches (meaning ideas proposed internally or to Nintendo without seriously going into production) and canceled projects, most of which have too little information to warrant their own pages.

===Archie Comics ''Mario'' comic pitch===
[[File:Archie Mario comic - cover (color).jpg|thumb|100px|Tentative cover art for the pitch]]
{{main|Archie Comics Mario comic}}
Comic book publisher {{wp|Archie Comics}} (which has published other comics based on famous video game properties including ''{{wp|Sonic the Hedgehog (comic series)|Sonic the Hedgehog}}'' and ''{{wp|Mega Man (Archie Comics)|Mega Man}}'') pitched a ''Super Mario'' comic book series to [[Nintendo]], but it was rejected, as confirmed by writer {{wp|Ian Flynn}}.<ref>Lamoreux, Ben. (November 2, 2015) [http://www.gamnesia.com/news/archie-comics-pitched-a-super-mario-comic-but-nintendo-rejected-it Archie Comics Pitched a Super Mario Comic, But Nintendo Rejected It]. ''Gamenesia''. Retrieved April 15, 2016.</ref><ref>rawmeatcowboy. (November 2, 2015). [http://www.gonintendo.com/stories/245998-archie-pitched-nintendo-a-super-mario-comic-but-it-was-shot-down Archie pitched Nintendo a Super Mario comic, but it was shot down]. ''Go Nintendo''. Retrieved April 15, 2016.</ref> The concept art for the pitch was drawn by Archie artists {{wp|Tracy Yardley}} and Ben Bates.
{{br}}

===Boss Game Studios' ''Mario'' game pitch===
[[File:Boss game studios concept art.jpg|thumb|150px|The concept art]]
Sometime during the late '90s, {{wp|Boss Game Studios}} pitched a ''Mario'' game to Nintendo of America. The only known proof of its existence is a storyboard, drawn by Patrick Michael Clark, bought in an online auction showing [[Mario]] stepping on a wooden plank, following by the wooden plank sprouting legs and walking in Mario's direction. According to a Boss Game Studios employee, "''The Mario thing I think was for a proposal. I’m not sure if we were trying to get the license from Nintendo to produce a Mario game, or if they approached us to do one. Either way, I think it died on the vine after they saw the concept art''"<ref>Nintendo Player. [http://www.nintendoplayer.com/art/super-mario-storyboard/ Super Mario Original Presentation Storyboard]. ''Nintendo Player''. Retrieved February 14, 2017.</ref>

===CD-i ''Donkey Kong'' game===
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 RSP. 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.

===''DDR MARIO 2''===
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>

===''Diddy Kong Racing Adventure''===
{{main|Diddy Kong Racing Adventure}}
''Diddy Kong Racing Adventure'' was a pitched sequel to ''Diddy Kong Racing'' being developed by {{wp|Climax Group|Climax}}. It was never announced to the public in any capacity and only became known after an amateur video game archivist acquired the prototype and published a video about it in November 2016.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6d5IbpzFtw</ref>

===''Donkey Kong IV''===
''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>

===''Donkey Kong Country 4''===
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>

===''Donkey Kong'' parking attendant arcade game===
In 1983, before creating the game show ''{{wp|Catchphrase (U.S. game show)|Catchphrase}}'' and producing ''[[Hotel Mario]]'', entertainment producer Steve Radosh was involved in developing an arcade game starring Donkey Kong as a parking attendant for [[Sega]], as the company had rights to the property at the time.<ref>Hilliard, Kyle (December 29, 2016). [http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/29/meet-the-man-who-put-mario-and-zelda-on-the-philips-cd_2d00_i.aspx Meet The Man Who Put Mario And Zelda On The Philips CD-i]. ''{{wp|Game Informer}}''. Retrieved January 06, 2017.</ref> The game was canceled when {{wp|Gulf and Western Industries}}, the American conglomerate which at the time was {{wp|Paramount Pictures}}' corporate parent, sold its ownership of Sega's U.S. assets to pinball machine maker {{wp|Bally Manufacturing}}.

===Film adaptation of ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''===
Director {{wp|Seth Gordon}} planned to release a film adaptation of ''Super Paper Mario'', but has not had the opportunity to talk to Nintendo about it.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080126114909/http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/14249/Super_Paper_Mario_The_Movie.html ''Gameworld Network''] (archive) (Accessed on 6_9_09)</ref>


===Fleetway ''Mario'' comic pitch===
[[File:Fleetway mario comic pitch.jpg|thumb|200px|The pitch.]]

In the mid-90's<ref name="UltimateFrieza">Sonic The Comic Reviews (September 25, 2015), [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlYkTu0bxyU Mario The Comic? The Official Nintendo Comic that nearly came to be]. ''YouTube''. Accessed August 25, 2022</ref>, Nintendo, seeing the success of {{wp|Fleetway Publications}}'s ''[[SonicRetro:Sonic The Comic|Sonic The Comic]]'', approached the company with an offer to make a similar title based on Nintendo characters. To this end, artist Richard Elson and writer Nigel Kitching produced a mock-up,  featuring a cover and a short story showing Mario and Luigi arriving in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]], fighting [[Koopaling]]s and [[Boo]]s, coming to face with a monstrous [[Donkey Kong Jr.]], and finally escaping in a [[Warp Pipe]]. Nintendo ultimately passed over the idea after taking multiple years to make a decision<ref name="UltimateFrieza"></ref>.

Reflecting on the comic, an unnamed source explained that Nintendo was a more "regulated" and "hands-on" company than [[Sega]] and that having to wait for approval for a regular publication such as a comic would have been a "nightmare"<ref name="UltimateFrieza"></ref>. Though the pitch was rejected, Fleetway would ultimately produce a comic for Nintendo, the ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special]]''.


===Kinoppe spin-off manga===

In the author notes of his self-published ''doujin'' book ''Kinoppe-Chan Forever vol 2'', the author of [[Super Mario (Kodansha manga)|Comic BonBon's ''Super Mario'' manga]], Kazuki Motoyama, states that a former editor had pitched him a spin-off manga starring  the manga's mascot character [[Kinoppe]]. These plans were halted when Nintendo unexpectedly pulled ComicBonBon's Mario manga license in 1997.

===''Mario'' American football game===
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 due to Retro Studios focusing all development on 2002's ''[[metroidwiki:Metroid Prime (game)|Metroid Prime]]''.<ref>https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/08/football-retro-studios-gc-tech-demo/</ref>

===''Mario Factory''===
[[File:Mario Factory.jpg|thumb|150px]]
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 ''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-''Mario''-branded software in the final product. This is unrelated to the Mario Factory arcade center in Japan.

===''Mario Motors''===
''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 Paint 3D''===
''Mario Paint 3D'' was an unreleased ''Mario Paint'' game planned to be released for the [[Nintendo 64]]. According to [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], Mario's head on the title screen of ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' actually originated from a prototype of this game.<ref>[https://shmuplations.com/mario64/ Super Mario 64 – 1996 Developer Interviews]. ''shmuplations''. Retrieved January 27, 2022.</ref>

===''Mario/Rabbids'' crossover adventure game===
[[File:Scrapped rabbids crossover.jpg|thumb|150px]]
In 2010, [[Ubisoft]] Paris had explored proposing a crossover between the ''Mario'' franchise and its own ''{{wp|Raving Rabbids|Rabbids}}'' franchise.<ref>Liam Robertson (June 12, 2017). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21oZewbY0j4 Mario + Rabbids: The Lost Adventure Game Concept]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 14, 2018.</ref> The game was conceptualized as a "''subversive, self-aware take''" on the ''Mario'' franchise and concept art was produced depicting [[Rabbid]]s kidnapping [[Bowser]] as Mario chased them. According to an anonymous Ubisoft employee, the pitch was possibly rejected by Nintendo before it was formally shown. According to Ubisoft employee Davide Soliani, this attempt is unrelated to ''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]''.<ref>https://twitter.com/DavideSoliani/status/890940460587462656</ref>

===''Mario's Castle''===
''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''===
''Mario's Mission Earth'' 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 Hill 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>

===Sony Pictures ''Mario'' film===
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 ''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 ''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.

===''Super Donkey''===
[[File:Super-donkey-dk-sprites.png|thumb|200px|A ''Super Donkey'' Donkey Kong sprite sheet, found in a separate file from the ''Yoshi's Island'' source code.]]
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>

At first glance, the game itself features a generic protagonist and no connection to Mario. However, various graphic scratchpads (scattered across other files) confirm that at some point, the game starred Mario, with Donkey Kong appearing as well. This strongly implies that the game was originally a ''Donkey Kong'' title, which was never formally announced or shown to the public.

===''Super Mario Bros. Christmas Show''===
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>

==={{wp|Tesla}} ''Mario Kart'' game===
According to {{wp|Elon Musk}}, a ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' game that would be played on Tesla vehicles was proposed to Nintendo. Nintendo did not give them a license.<ref>Liz Lanier (November 30 2018). [https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/elon-musk-mario-kart-for-teslas-1203063715/ Elon Musk Claims Nintendo Wouldn’t License ‘Mario Kart’ for Teslas]. ''Variety''. Retrieved March 25, 2019.</ref> 

===''VB Mario Kart''===
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.

===''Wario Pool''===
[[File:Scrapped wariopool intro.gif|thumb|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.

==Unreleased ports==
{{more images}}
These games were planned ports of already existing ''Mario'' titles to different consoles, which went unreleased for various reasons.

===3DS version of ''[[Virtual Boy Wario Land]]''===
[[File:Virtual Boy Wario Land 3DS.png|thumb|The mockup]]
On December 15, 2013, independent developer Jools Watsham of {{wp|Renegade Kid}} posted a mockup of a colorized version of ''[[Virtual Boy Wario Land]]'' for the [[Nintendo 3DS]].<ref>https://twitter.com/JoolsWatsham/status/412463614302240769</ref> In a 2016 episode of IGN's NYC podcast, Watsham revealed that he had made a formal pitch to Nintendo to make colorized versions of ''Virtual Boy Wario Land'' and Nintendo's other [[Virtual Boy]] games for the 3DS, but the pitch was rejected for unknown reasons.<ref>IGN (April 02, 2016). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=639&v=OwpPhy0j3UA Mutant Mudds' Developer Made a Wario Demo - NVC]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.</ref> He speculated this was because Nintendo did not want to remind people of the Virtual Boy.

===''Donkey Kong'' Arcade1UP products===
In 2018, a picture from the factory that produces Arcade1UP machines was leaked. This picture showed many previously unannounced models, one of which was ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]''. This was likely a mock-up machine pitched to Nintendo, which ended up being rejected.<ref>Picture showing the Donkey Kong machine (5th from the right): [https://i.ytimg.com/vi/L1flEbriteE/maxresdefault.jpg]</ref>

At CES 2020, Arcade1UP demonstrated a miniature ColecoVision console, featuring a small "television set" as its screen. The console showed ''Donkey Kong'' running on its screen; oddly, it appeared to be playing the Famicom/NES version rather than the real ColecoVision port.<ref>https://youtu.be/EcHsMsey2KM?t=1396 (at timestamp 23:16)</ref> The console was never released, and is unclear if the product was ever officially approved; as many products at the booth were labeled as "pending licensor approval".

===''Donkey Kong'' for TRS-80===
In 1982, a port of ''Donkey Kong'' for the {{wp|TRS-80}} line of microcomputers was being developed by game designers Wayne Westmoreland and Terry Gilman. The port was eventually finished, but never received an official release as the duo could not get permission from Nintendo.

Later, in 1995, Westmoreland released all of their TRS-80 titles to the public domain, including the unreleased port of ''Donkey Kong''.<ref>http://www.trs-80.org/donkey-kong/</ref>

===''Donkey Kong 3'' for Mini Classics===
A planned [[Mini Classics]] version of ''[[Donkey Kong 3 (Game & Watch)|Donkey Kong 3]]'' was in the works, but never got released. In a stock image, it is mislabeled as ''Donkey Kong Junior''.<ref>https://www.forevergeek.com/get_nintendo_classic_games_on_your_keyring/</ref>

===''Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushū'' for FM-7===
An unknown video game company pitched an idea to Nintendo to port ''[[Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushū]]'' to the {{wp|FM-7}}. They purchased the rights and produced it, but it went unreleased.<ref>[http://fm-7.com/museum/softhouse/hudsonsoft/500790300.html Oh!FM-7]</ref>

===''Donkey Kong Jr.'' Coleco Tabletop (early version)===
The tabletop arcade version of ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' by {{wp|Coleco}}, released in 1983, was a rebranded version of the [[Donkey Kong Jr. (Game & Watch)|Game & Watch Tabletop]] version. However, early promotional images show a machine more in line with Coleco's other tabletops, with a completely different port than the released model (which looks closer to the original arcade game).<ref>Pre-release image showing the early machine w/ screenshot: [https://www.picclickimg.com/d/w1600/pict/123630864158_/Coleco-Perma-Power-Adapter-Sealed-w-Donkey-Kong.jpg]</ref> A mock-up machine has been found, but it contained the original ''Donkey Kong'' inside.<ref>http://www.geekvintage.com/coleco-tabletop-donkey-kong-jr-hardware.php</ref>
{{dead link}}

===''Donkey Kong Jr.'' for BBC Micro===
A port of ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' for {{wp|BBC Micro}} by {{wp|Atarisoft}}, who also developed the {{wp|Atari 8-bit family|Atari 8-bit}} port, was created but ultimately unreleased.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNKgk68RirA</ref>

===Enhanced ''Donkey Kong'' and ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' ColecoVision ports===
In the early 2000s, incomplete prototype versions of ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' for {{wp|ColecoVision}} were discovered. Both cartridges actually postdated the ColecoVision releases and were seemingly ports of the versions from the {{wp|Coleco Adam}} computer, which featured more levels and cutscenes. The games were re-compiled into hacked ROMs titled "Super DK!" and "Super DK Junior" respectively; the unaltered ROMs were never released.<ref>Article from the ROM dumper: http://www.digitpress.com/reviews/superdonkeykong.htm</ref><ref>AtariAge forum with more information: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/219923-super-donkey-kong/</ref>

===''Famicom Mini Collection''===
{{main|Classic NES Series#Famicom Mini Collection}}
A multicart of [[Family Computer|Famicom]]/[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] games ported to the [[Game Boy Advance]], planned to be released in China by [[iQue]]. It featured ''Mario Bros.'', ''Super Mario Bros.'', ''Wrecking Crew'', ''Dr. Mario'', ''Donkey Kong'', and ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' (Japan), in addition to ''Clu Clu Land'', ''Ballon Fight'' [sic], ''Metroid'', ''Excite Bike'', and ''Ice Climber''.

===''Game & Watch-e''===
[[File:Game-watch-gallery-e-package.jpg|thumb|100px|Planned card packaging]]
As early as the North American launch of the [[e-Reader]], Nintendo had unveiled plans to release a series of [[Game & Watch]] cards for the e-Reader device. However, the only card ever released was a promotional card for ''[[Manhole (Game & Watch)|Manhole]]'' (bundled in with the e-Reader itself), with the full set never being produced. The card packs, officially titled ''Game & Watch-e'' or ''Game & Watch-e Collection'', were to feature three versions of games: classic, color, and collector. The classic versions were the original games, while the color versions were similar to the "Modern" modes in the ''Game & Watch Gallery'' series (featuring the ''Mario'' characters). The exact details of the collector versions remain unknown, though the card packaging artwork showcases it with a black-and-white Luigi.

The game ports appear to be unique from ''[[Game & Watch Gallery 4]]''; a few advertisements show a screenshot of the color version of ''[[Fire]]'', which has a more basic background (e.g. the grass and sky) compared to the Modern ''Gallery 4'' version. Additionally, a few advertised games did not receive other Game Boy Advance ports at all; namely, ''[[Spitball Sparky]]'' and the color version of ''[[Vermin]]'' (featuring Yoshi).<ref name="nintendo-world-report">[https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=32861.0 "Game and Watch-e: What was meant to be" (Nintendo World Report)]</ref>

In an August 2003 brochure from Walmart, it was stated that the cards were planned to launch in October of that year. The short release window implies that the ''Game & Watch-e'' line was effectively completed before it was abruptly canceled.<ref name="nintendo-world-report" /> Its cancelation was most likely due to the failure of the e-Reader on the North American market, though no official reasoning is known.

<gallery>
Game-watch-gallery-e-sellscan.jpg|Advertisement showcasing several cards
</gallery>

===''Mario Bros.'' Apple II port===
''Mario Bros.'' was ported to the {{wp|Apple II}} in 1984 by {{wp|Atari}}, but was never officially released. Despite this, its code was leaked (possibly by an actual Atari employee) and was widely distributed in the 1980s via piracy.<ref>https://twitter.com/forestillusion/status/1005351467085991936</ref> There was even a bootleg Russian arcade version of ''Mario Bros.'' based on the Apple II prototype known as ''Kuzmich-Egorych'' (''Кузьмич-Егорыч'').<ref>http://adb.arcadeitalia.net/?mame=kuzmich</ref>

===''Mario Bros.'' Atari 8-bit port (1984 version)===
In 1984, Atari planned to release ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' for their Atari 8-bit computer line (400/800/XL/XE). This port was identical to the previously released Atari 5200 version of the game. For unknown reasons, the game was canceled despite being fully finished. ''Mario Bros.'' would eventually receive an Atari 8-bit release in 1988, but this port was completely different than the 1984 prototype.<ref>http://www.atariprotos.com/8bit/software/mariobros/mariobros.htm</ref> 

===''Mario Bros.'' Commodore 64 port (1984 version)===
Yet another ''Mario Bros.'' port that went unreleased was the {{wp|Commodore 64}} version, once again planned for a 1984 release. This version was to have been published by Atari, but was developed by two programmers from Designer Software.<ref>https://games.greggman.com/game/atarisoft-mario-bros-c64/</ref><ref>YouTube comment from developer: "...my friend Gregg Tavares and I created (from scratch) for the Commodore 64 for Atarisoft (indirectly through a company called Designer Software)." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCtYtrTLR28</ref> A completely different (and rather bizarre) port for the Commodore 64 would later be released by Ocean in 1987.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5-lBLXDh78</ref>

===''Mario Party'' and ''Mario Party 2'' for 64DD===
The first two ''[[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party]]'' games were among many announced titles for the [[Nintendo 64DD]],{{ref needed}} but the peripheral was a commercial failure. This resulted in all ''Mario'' games for the system being canceled, except for four ''[[Mario Artist (series)|Mario Artist]]'' games.

===Other Atarisoft computer ports===
In several magazine publications, an advertisement from Atari was run stating that ''Mario Bros.'' and ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' would release for the Commodore 64, IBM PC (DOS), and Apple II. None of these ports were ever released, but as aforementioned, the Apple II and Commodore 64 versions of ''Mario Bros.'' have been found. The flyer also lists several never-released ports of ''Crystal Castles'', ''Typo Attack'', and ''Track & Field''.<ref>[http://66.media.tumblr.com/9f004219a5401ccf315bf744d84fd790/tumblr_puvhrau9Nl1tg94xho1_1280.jpg]</ref>

According to [https://www.digitpress.com/faq/atarisoft.htm The Atarisoft FAQ], the following ports were also planned:
*''Donkey Kong'' for the BBC Micro and {{wp|IBM PCjr}}.
*''Donkey Kong Jr.'' for the {{wp|Commodore VIC-20}} and {{wp|ZX Spectrum}}
*''Mario Bros.'' for the Commodore VIC-20

Several of these have also been confirmed by other sources.<ref>Donkey Kong Jr. (ZX Spectrum) listed in a magazine: "That Just leaves ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' swinging onto the Spectrum 48K at €14.99." https://archive.org/details/04-big-k-magazine/page/n5</ref><ref> Donkey Kong (BBC Micro) blog from the developer: https://www.guv1.com/atariblogs/2014/8/22/donkey-kong</ref>

===Super Game Module ''Donkey Kong'' games===
The Super Game Module was a canceled peripheral for the ColecoVision, which took unique cartridges. Among its planned games were ''Super Donkey Kong'' and ''Super Donkey Kong Junior''; these may be related to the "enhanced" ''Donkey Kong'' and ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' ColecoVision ports seen above.<ref>http://colecoboxart.com/faq/FAQ02.htm#c33</ref>

===''Super Mario 64'' for 64DD===
Another canceled game for the [[Nintendo 64DD]] was a version of ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. This canceled port is unrelated to ''Super Mario 64 2''. A prototype has been dumped.<ref>http://gamingafterhours.com/2014/06/24/super-mario-64DD-version-discovered-in-japan/</ref>
{{stub|section=yes}}

===''Super Mario Bros.'' Firebird pitch===
In the 80s, a company called Firebird pitched an idea to Nintendo to port ''Super Mario Bros.'' to the Commodore 64 and got the rights, but production never got finished.<ref>[https://youtube.com/watch?v=k3f2bNBFv3w]</ref>{{dead link}}

===''Super Mario Bros.'' Orpheus Software pitch===
In 1986, small subsidiary developer Orpheus Software planned a short, one-level demo of ''Super Mario Bros.'' for the Commodore 64 and attempted to pitch it to Nintendo for an official release, with Nintendo later rejecting the project<ref>https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/super-mario-bros/</ref>. A Lemon64 thread from 2005 claims that user NYCeguy24 may have owned a copy, but this is likely speculation<ref>https://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15774</ref>.

===''Super Mario Bros. 3'' id Software pitch===
In 1990, in its infancy, video game company {{wp|id Software}} developed a demo for the {{wp|IBM Personal Computer|IBM PC}} titled ''Dangerous Dave in Copyright Infringement'', which was a recreation of the first level of ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj4HJkeQSg0</ref> It was then decided to rework the demo into an actual port of ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' for PC; the game was then pitched to Nintendo, which they ended up rejecting. The ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' demo was later extensively modified and turned into ''Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons'', which was released on December 14, 1990.<ref>[http://polygon.com/2015/12/14/10123754/john-romero-super-mario-bros-3-pc-demo] Doom dev shares rare Super Mario Bros. 3 PC demo (update) - Polygon</ref><ref>Gameplay video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YWD6Y9FUuw</ref>

In July 2021, a copy of the id Software pitch was donated to the Strong National Museum of Play, and is currently held in the museum's archives.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/07/museum-obtains-rare-demo-of-id-softwares-super-mario-bros-3-pc-port/</ref>

===''Wario Land'' for NES===
In the November 1993 ''Nintendo Power'' "Official Game Pak Directory", ''[[Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3|Wario Land]]'' is listed as an upcoming NES game (while also being listed for Game Boy); this may have been done in error, however.<ref>https://twitter.com/frankcifaldi/status/1595188030595166208</ref>

===''Yoshi's Cookie'' on Wii U Virtual Console===
''[[Yoshi's Cookie]]'' was originally slated for release on the [[Wii U]] [[Virtual Console]], but was ultimately never released.<ref>Nintendo (April 17, 2013). [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6V5NJ9ZKfPo Nintendo eShop - Wii U Virtual Console Sizzle Reel]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved August 17, 2019.</ref> Its cancellation was likely due to a copyright issue (either with Biox or [[Bullet-Proof Software]]), which is further evidenced by the [[Wii]] Virtual Console version being delisted from the [[Wii#Wii Shop Channel|Wii Shop Channel]] around the same time.

==References==
<references/>

{{unreleased media}}
{{Pre-release and unused content}}
[[Category:Unreleased media|*]]
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