Surprise Release: Mario Paint Now Playable on Switch Online, Featuring Mouse Support

Nintendo just surprised us with something special. Nintendo Switch Online has Classic Mario Paint, which was made in 1992. For the first time, it comes with full mouse support. This game once turned our TV screens into an art desk. We drew, made music, and even animated simple scenes. Now, decades later, we can do it again, but on a modern console.

This release matters for two reasons. First, it revives one of Nintendo’s most creative titles. Second, it keeps the original tools intact, letting us experience them as fans did in the ’90s. For gamers new to Mario Paint, this is a chance to see how Nintendo started blending play with creativity long before Super Mario Maker.

What Is Mario Paint?

Mario Paint debuted on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992, developed by Nintendo R&D1 and Intelligent Systems. The game contained drawing, animation, music, and mini mini-game called the Gnat Attack. It came bundled with the Super NES Mouse peripheral, launching in North America in August 1992 and selling over 2.3 million copies by early 1993. Even now, it remains one of the all-time best sellers of the SNES.

Details of the Switch Online Release

Mario Paint was among the Nintendo SNES Classics that Nintendo Switch Online members could play. The release revived the full suite of original features, drawing board, animation mode, music composer, coloring book, and Gnat Attack training mini‑game. There are no major modern upgrades, but performance on both Switch and Switch 2 is smooth and faithful to the SNES experience.

Mouse Support on Switch

Another outstanding aspect in this release is the support for the mouse. On Switch 2, we use the built‑in Joy‑Con 2 mouse mode (no external device needed). On the original Switch or OLED, we can plug in any compatible USB mouse to access full mouse control. This restores the original precision of dragging, stamping, coloring, animating, and music‑making as designed in the 90s.

Nostalgia and Legacy Factor

Mario Paint shaped many creative minds. The game made drawing and music creation accessible years before game‑making tools like Super Mario Maker. It sold 2.3 million copies and inspired later titles like WarioWare D.I.Y. and Mario Artist. Even game designers today cite it as a formative experience. Its minimalist design remains forever.

Modern Relevance and Creative Possibilities

We see a unique blend: retro charm plus modern toolset. The suite lets us draw, animate, and compose music in short sessions. Nintendo also added the game’s 19‑track soundtrack (about 28 minutes) to the Nintendo Music app, free for subscribers. On Switch, we can easily capture screenshots or video clips of creations and share them online. It’s a canvas for casual creativity that feels fresh even now.

Future Implications for Nintendo’s Retro Strategy

This release signals that Nintendo sees value in mouse‑based SNES titles. Other classics, such as Mario Super Picross and Nobunaga’s Ambition, also allow the use of mouse input on Switch Online. We might expect more SNES games with optional mouse support to join the catalog. It also enhances the base subscription, showing that even without the Expansion Pack, the main tier continues to grow in value.

Conclusion

Mario Paint’s surprise release brings a creative legend back to life. We can relive its tools with mouse control, again on Switch hardware. It’s a rare piece of Nintendo’s history restored in full. For anyone curious about how Nintendo blended play and creativity in the 1990s, this is a golden chance. And with other mouse‑support games coming to SNES Classics, this may just be the start.

FAQS:

Disclaimer:

This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Always conduct your research.