(Update 2/22 2:00pm): Pre-orders for the Super Mario Encyclopedia Hardcover Book are now down 20% at $23.99 shipped.
Publisher Dark Horse and the folks over at Nintendo have been quite successful with the trilogy of Zelda reference guides. The Zelda Encyclopedia features hundreds of pages detailing the titular hero, the princess of time and Hyrule itself through the ages. Needless to say, it is a must-own for hardcore Legend of Zelda fans and now it looks like Super Mario and friends will be getting the same treatment.
The new The Super Mario Encyclopedia is essentially the Mario version of the aforementioned Zelda guide. It details roughly 3 decades of Mario in the form of concept art, guides, level design and much more. It covers everything from 1985’s Super Mario Bros. right up until Super Mario 3D World in 2015.
Unfortunately, it looks like Super Mario Odyssey didn’t quite make it in there (it does have its own guide though). But nonetheless, we are looking at 256-pages of Mushroom Kingdom history.
You can also expect to find detailed level layouts and guides to help you find all the collectibles. While this kind of information is certainly readily available for free on the internet at any time, the gorgeous coffee table-style hardcover book really does it in style.
Super Mario Encyclopedia is jam-packed with content from all seventeen Super Mario games–from the original Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario 3D World. Track the evolution of the Goomba, witness the introduction of Yoshi, and relive your favorite levels. This tome also contains an interview with producer Takashi Tezuka, tips to help you find every coin, star, sun, and mushroom–even explanations of glitches! With information on enemies, items, obstacles, and worlds from over thirty years of Mario, Super Mario Encyclopedia is the definitive resource for everything Super Mario!
The standard edition Super Mario Encyclopedia is set for release on October 23rd for $39.99. In fact, pre-orders are already up on Amazon.
Just keep in mind, Dark Horse has a tendency to announce special edition versions of the books shortly after the standard edition. While we have no direct confirmation for that on the new Super Mario Encyclopedia, chances are it is going to happen.
Hopefully we will get a trilogy of books like the Zelda line with something like the Hyrule Historia and the Art & Artifacts guide. It would also be pretty cool if we got some kind of incredible SE version like the NES cartridge looking Zelda Encyclopedia Deluxe Edition.
FTC: 9to5Toys is reader supported, we may earn income on affiliate links
Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!
