Mario Paint on Switch 2? Nintendo shows off feature that may lead to new sequel

A new feature in Donkey Kong Bananza has fans speculating about a modern day Mario Paint game on Switch 2.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 feels ripe for a Mario Paint sequel. The new upgraded console supports USB mice and its JoyCon controllers can be tilted sideways and converted into a makeshift mouse cursor, with built-in sensors simulating those of a computer mouse. It even supports the original Mario Paint mouse that released on the Super Nintendo in 1992.

Nintendo has been tight-lipped on any possibility of a Mario Paint on Switch 2, but we've now had a glimpse of what that might look like, at least on a conceptual level. The new Donkey Kong Bananza game on Switch 2 features an interesting new creation toolset called DK Artist mode, where gamers can paint, mold, and customize digital 3D creations in a kind of studio environment.

If you're older, you might remember stretching Mario's face in the Super Mario 64 startup screen in the N64 days. DK Artist Mode is a lot like that little goofy mini-game, but much more in-depth.

"Outside of the main game there's a mode where you can carve stone using mouse controls called DK Artist. Rotate to paint, carve material, or add some back on. You can even change the lighting and add delectable banana effects."

• Creative Game Modes: Get ready to explore new game modes and ways to play Donkey Kong Bananza. This includes Photo Mode, where you can change the in-game camera angle and adjust other settings to snap your ideal pic. And in DK Artist, you can use the Joy-Con 2 mouse controls to take a break from the action and carve designs into stone. You can even change the lighting and add banana effects to give your masterpiece its finishing touches.

Maybe one day Nintendo will announce a new Mario Paint, but for now it certainly seems like the company is testing the waters for artistic user-generated content in its games--even on a mini-game level, these assets serve a vital purpose in creating buzz, social awareness, and more connection to the game itself.