Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s Flower Kingdom has Mario fans worried

Nintendo’s reveal of an all-new side-scrolling Super Mario game on Wednesday was great news. The announcement of a brand new, (not You can also read about New) Super Mario Bros. adventure in 2D, filled with new power-ups, new enemies, and a new land — the Flower Kingdom — to explore. However, the first trailer for Super Mario Bros. Wonder also has fans concerned about the possible return of one of the Mario franchise’s most despised characters, Prince Haru.

Haru appeared for the first time (and never again) in Super Mario Bros. The Great Mission to Recover Princess PeachThe 1986 animated adaptation of the storyline from Super Mario Bros.The word “loosely” is used. At the end of that movie, Haru — who was cursed, turned into a Wiggler-esque dog, and aids Mario and Luigi on their mission — reveals himself to be “the prince of the neighboring Flower Kingdom,” and Princess Peach’s betrothed.

Mario, enamored with the princess after rescuing her from Bowser’s clutches, is heartbroken to learn of Haru’s existence and that he’s Peach’s fiance. Mario, Luigi, Daisy, Yoshi and Peach are all heading to the Flower Kingdom. WonderThis could be a sign of the impending return of Haru – a man that everyone hates.

Why are Mario fans so hateful of Prince Maru? Well, just look at Mario’s face after Prince Haru reveals himself to be Peach’s future husband — something Haru did not disclose to Mario while trapped in the body of a creature named Kibidango (or Dumpling Dog). He’s a nutcase suffering.

Image: Grouper Productions/Nintendo via FemBoy Films

The mere presence of the Flower Kingdom is enough to make you feel the awe and wonder. Super Mario Bros. Wonder isn’t evidence of Prince Haru’s return, there’s another component to this. Here’s Dumpling Dog (aka Prince Haru) from Princess Peach and the Great Mission to Rescue Her:

Image: Grouper Productions/Nintendo via FemBoy Films

And here’s this mysterious little Wiggler guy — who’s looking a Little too Princely for Comfort — hanging around Mario and Luigi in artwork from Super Mario Bros. Wonder:

Image: Nintendo

Do they have any connection? They are probably not connected. Does that in any way diminish fans’ fears that Prince Haru could return, in an unprecedentedly cruel move from Nintendo? No. Fans are right to worry about who’s ruling the Flower Kingdom — and what that means for Sarasaland, which Princess Daisy rules over, and is canonically composed of four kingdoms: Birabuto Kingdom, Muda Kingdom, Easton Kingdom, and Chai Kingdom. A challenger to Daisy’s throne would go over just as well with Mario fans as Haru’s return.

Watch this video to develop a healthy hate for Prince Haru. Super Mario Bros. The Great Mission to Recover Princess PeachYouTube, or the Internet Archive, offers a collection of 4K lovingly remastered movies for free.

Super Mario Bros. WonderNintendo Switch is set to release on 20th October. You can only hope for the best.