Super Mario Extravaganza!

According to the most recent "Iwata Asks" interviews (part one can be read here, while part two can be read here), that's what the developers responsible for Super Mario All-Stars--Super Mario Collection in Japan--first called their 16-bit Mario anthology.

It's really too bad they didn't stick with Super Mario Extravaganza! (Note: I took it upon myself to add an exclamation point to the end of the title.)

I mean, they could have promoted it with commercials showing Mario and his cohorts doing jazz hands while the athletic theme from Super Mario Bros. 3 played in the background. Can you imagine anything cooler than that? I sure can't.

(Via tinycartridge.com)

Normally I'd ask if this is coming to the States ...

... but in the case of Nintendo's Super Mario Collection Special Pack, I don't really care.

Why? Well, I've never been a fan of Super Mario All-Stars--and that game serves as the backbone of this soon-to-be-released (in Japan only, as of now) "special pack."

Of course, said pack--which will retail for about $25--also will contain a booklet that chronicles the 25-year history of the Super Mario Bros. franchise and a soundtrack CD that culls tunes from the series' first entry all the way through Super Mario Galaxy 2.

As fabulous as that sounds, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed that the game portion of this "special pack" doesn't include the original versions of Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, 3 and USA rather than Super Mario All-Stars' 16-bit re-imaginings.

Watch: Japanese Super Mario Collection Special Pack commercial

(Via andriasang.com)