Mario Hoops Superstars (Crakabo)

Mario Hoops Superstars (Crakabo)

Developer(s)

Square Enix
Lazy Studios

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Platform(s)

Nintendo Switch 2

Genre(s)

Sports

Series

Mario Kart

Release Date(s)

January 31, 2026

Mode(s)

Single-player, Multiplayer, Online

Age Rating(s)

ESRB: Everyone
PEGI: Three years and older
CERO: All ages
USK: Six years and older

Mario Hoops Superstars, titled Mario Basketball Superstars in Europe, is a 2026 sports game developed by Lazy Studios and Square Enix, and published by Nintendo for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The game acts as a sequel to Mario Hoops 3-on-3, and a follow up to Mario Sports Mix, with players controlling various Mario and Square Enix characters to compete in basketball with two competing teams of three characters.

Gameplay[]

Mario Hoops Superstars plays similarly to its predecessors, utilizing traditional basketball controls and rules. Each game is played between two teams of three characters. The goal is to amass the most points by the end of each period by shooting the ball into a raised net on the opposing team’s side of the goal.

All matches start at half court, with each team the center preparing to jump for the ball that Lakitu will release at the start. The player who successfully catches the ball first obtains possession of it. While in possession of the ball, the player has various options. Players can move around with the ball and pass it to their teammates. At any point, players can attempt to shoot the ball into the hoop, but can also charge the shot to increase its accuracy and speed. If players run up to the basket and perform a shot, they will dunk the ball into the hoop. You can also charge the dunk, spinning and earning up to 5 coins before landing the shot, increasing the points you get at the cost of leaving you wide open. If the ball rebounds from the backboard, players can jump up and dunk the ball in to ensure the ball goes through the net. If a player attempts to block or steal the ball while you’re performing a dunk, you can instead perform a lay-up to toss the ball over their heads. Holding the pass while your team has possession of the ball allows you to perform an alley-oop, having you and another teammate run up to perform a combo dunk. Two points are earned when the player scores a basket, and three points are earned when the player scores from beyond the three-pointer line. However, the team on offense cannot hold the ball for the entire period, as a twenty-four second shot clock will activate whenever a player has possession of the ball. If they do not shoot it before time runs out, the other team gets possession of the ball.

On defense, players can attempt to steal the ball from their opponents. When the offensive team is passing the ball, players can intercept passes by either walking in front of their opponent or jumping to retrieve high passes. Jumping can also prevent shots at the basket from being made, and it can be used to grab shots that are rebounded from the basket rim. Players can block the dribbling player, creating a forcefield between the dribbling and defensive player. When enough time passes, the shield turns red, allowing players to perform a more powerful Smash Steal that has more range and is more powerful. When a player is attempting a dunk, they can either perform a steal to hit them and take the ball, or perform a jump cut to prevent any lay-ups. Players can also perform a drop steal, jumping in the air and performing a ground pound to cause their opponent to drop the ball.

Scattered around the court are Item Panels that players can walk over. When walked over, they give players an item. The team on offense obtains more support-oriented items, like Mushrooms, Stars and Coins. Coins are useful as they add to your score each time you land a basket, with players able to hold up to 10 at a time. Every time a team makes a basket, their coins are reset to zero. Getting hit, either from items or other players, results in some of the player's coins scattering on the field, which can be picked up by anyone, including the character who lost them. The team on defense obtains more attack-oriented like Bananas, Bob-Ombs and Shells, which they can use to take out the opposing team and try to knock the ball off of them.

As players pass the ball between eachother, make baskets, collect coins, and use items, their Special Meter fills up. Once it is fully charged, you can have one of your characters perform their Special Shot. Each character has a different Special Shot with different effects. If a Special Shot lands in the basket, the team earns 5 points.

Matches, by default, are played in two periods, each lasting two and a half minutes. At the end of each period, each team switches baskets, their coins are reset to 0, and another jump ball occurs at half-court. Once all the periods are over, the team with the most points wins.

Controls[]

Common Controls
Move
Sidestep
Jump
Use Item
Swap characters
Offense Controls
Pass
High Pass	while jumping
Alley-Oop	Hold
Shoot
Jump Shot	while jumping
Charge Shot	Hold
Dunk	while running near the basket
Charge Dunk	Hold and release while performing a dunk.
Lay-up	while performing a dunk
Special Shot	+
Defense Controls
Steal	or
Dash Steal	or during a sidestep
Block	Hold or
Smash Steal	Hold and release or
Jump Block
Jump Cut	while jumping
Jump Steal	while jumping
Drop Steal	while jumping

Game Modes[]

Tourney[]

In Tourney Mode, players choose a team of three characters and compete in a set of matches in six different tourneys. Each tourney is structured in a traditional tournament bracket, with eight teams competing over three rounds against one another until only one team is left. When a team wins, they move on to the next round, while their opponent is eliminated. If the player loses a match, they are given the opportunity to retry as many times as they’d like.

There are six tourneys for the player to participate in: the Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Shell Cup, Boomerang Cup, Star Cup, and Rainbow Cup. At first, only the Mushroom Cup will be available, but upon winning a tourney, they’ll unlock the next one. Once they beat the Rainbow Cup, the staff credits roll, and the player unlocks each tourney’s hard mode versions, where the opposing players are more difficult, and each tourney’s courts are played in a random order.

This mode is available in both singleplayer, and local co-op with up to two other players.

Exhibition[]

Exhibition Mode acts as the game’s versus mode. The player chooses a team of three players, as well as any courts they played and won on in Tourney Mode. Players can also change some of the settings before a match:

COM Difficulty: Amateur, Novice, Intermediate, Expert, Pro, Master
Time per Period: 1:00 to 5:00 in 30-second increments
Periods: 1 to 5
Shot Clock: On / Off
Special Shots: On / Off
Hazards: On / Off
Items: Turn on and off specific items. If all items are turned off, ? Panels will not appear.

Online[]

Online Mode allows players to connect to the Internet to participate in basketball matches against another player.

Quick Match: Quick Match allows players to quickly search for another player to compete against.
Online Tourney: Online Tourney allows players to compete in an online tourney, structured similarly to the standard tourney (2 periods of 2:30 each).
Lobbies: Lobbies allows players create custom lobbies for them and other players to play.

Characters[]

Mario Hoops Superstars features thirty-six playable characters. Twenty characters are available for play at the start, with the other sixteen needing to be unlocked. Ten of the characters originate from various Square Enix franchises, with Ninja, White Mage, Black Mage, Moogle and Cactaur from Final Fantasy, and Slime from Dragon Quest, returning from previous games, and Chocobo, Charlotte from Trials of Mana, Robo from Chrono Trigger, and Geno from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, making their debut. Similar to previous games like Mario Tennis Aces and Mario Golf: Super Rush, Mario Hoops Superstars gives every character unique basketball uniforms that act as their default outfits.

Each character is categorized into one of five types, with each character type having their own pros and cons. Each character also possesses their own Special Shot, which can be performed by filling up your Special Meter.

Character types

All-Around: All-Around characters are well-rounded. They possess no high or low stats, making them versatile players.
Technical: Technical characters have good aim, allowing them to make easier baskets from farther away. However, they lack speed and power.
Speedy: Speedy characters have good speed, allowing them to move more quickly around the court. However, their shots lack power.
Powerful: Powerful characters have powerful shots, and are great at defending and stealing the ball from the opponents. However, they are very slow.
Tricky: Tricky characters have one large stat, but their other stats are low. Their sidesteps are fast and travel a farther distance than other characters.

Starting Characters[]

Name	Character Type	Special Shot
	All-Around	Fire Shot Mario jumps into the air and spins, coating the ball in fire before tossing it towards the hoop. Though it can be stolen, the defending player will need to mash the steal button, as otherwise the ball will overpower them and knock them away.
Mario
	All-Around	Poltergust Shot Luigi pulls out the Poltergust G-00, using it to suck in the basketball as well as all nearby enemy players. Any players that get close to Luigi while he is pulling them in will be trapped. After some time, Luigi will eject the ball, as well as any caught players, launching it straight into the hoop.
Luigi
	Technical	Heart Shot Peach floats into the air, launching hearts that fly in a spread pattern. Any players that get hit by the hearts will be stunned. After some time, she will then toss the ball as it is coated in heart energy straight into the hoop.
Peach
	Technical	Flower Shot Daisy floats into the air, as a patch of flowers grows around the enemy’s goal, slowing down any players that walk in it. She then tosses the flower as it is coated in petals.
Daisy
	All-Around	Rainbow Shot Yoshi tosses the ball into the air before eating it, laying an egg. Yoshi then kicks the egg, as it bounces along the ground and leaves behind a rainbow trail. Attempting to steal the ball is possible, but difficult due to the egg’s erratic movement. Once the egg reaches the hoop, it bounces high into the air before dropping straight in.
Yoshi
	All-Around	Egg Shot Birdo puts the ball in her mouth before spitting it out as an egg towards the hoop. As it flies, it goes through several hearts, which break and create an explosion when they pass through them, knocking out anyone nearby.
Birdo
	Speedy	Shroom Shot Toad summons two large mushrooms that move around the court and bounce around players. Then, he bounces high into the air and tosses the ball into the hoop.
Toad
	Speedy	Tunnel Dunk Toadette pulls out a Super Pickax and begins digging through the ground. As she digs her way towards the hoop, she’ll stun any players that run into her path. Once she reaches the end, she’ll jump into the air and dunk the ball into the hoop.
Toadette
	Speedy	Shell Shot Koopa Troopa tosses the ball into the air as he retracts into his shell and slides across the court at high speeds. Any players that run into Koopa as he is sliding around will be stunned. After some time, he’ll bounce into the air and grab the ball before tossing it into the hoop.
Koopa Troopa
	Technical	Thunder Shot Shy Guy transforms into a Spear Guy and does a dance, spinning a spear as it begins to charge with electricity. As he does so, lightning will rain down on the enemy’s side of the court, knocking out them if hit. After some time, Shy Guy will launch the ball towards the hoop as it is coated in electricity.
Shy Guy
	Tricky	Thriller Dunk Boo floats toward the hoop. As he does so, he’ll begin disappearing and reappearing in different locations. Once he reaches the hoop, he’ll dunk the ball.
Boo
	Tricky	Comet Shot Rosalina holds the ball in a gravitational pull, spinning it around her as she gathers icy energy. As the ball spins around her, it will freeze any players that touch it. After some time, she’ll launch the icy ball towards the hoop.
Rosalina
	Powerful	Music Shot Pauline floats into the air before forming a trail of notes, which the ball follows straight into the enemy’s goal. Attempting to steal the ball is possible, but difficult due to the note trail’s winding layout.
Pauline
	Speedy	Sneaky Shot Nabbit rummages through his bag and pulls out three bombs painted to look like basketballs. He’ll begin throwing them one by one at the hoop, each bomb creating an explosion. Pressing the shoot button or waiting until all the bombs are thrown allows Nabbit to then toss the ball into the hoop.
Nabbit
	Powerful	Move-It Dunk Wario eats a clove of garlic before rushing forward with a shoulder bash. Though the ball can be stolen, the defending player will need to mash the steal button, as otherwise Wario will overpower them and knock them away. Once he makes it to the hoop, he’ll jump into the air before dunking the ball into the hoop.
Wario
	Technical	Twister Shot Waluigi pulls out a rose and begins to spin around at high speeds. As he does so, he’ll launch tornadoes around him, which will curve around and stun any players they touch. After some time, he then launches the ball into the hoop as he strikes a pose.
Waluigi
	Powerful	Quake Dunk Donkey Kong starts by tossing the ball into the air. He follows up by slamming the ground, creating an earthquake that stuns all nearby players that are touching the ground. He launches himself into the air where he catches the ball and slams it straight into the hoop.
Donkey Kong
	Speedy	Jet Dunk Diddy Kong pulls out his Rocketbarrel and Peanut Popguns. A reticle appears on the ground and the player is given the opportunity to fire exploding peanuts for a few seconds, knocking out players nearby. Once enough time has passed, Diddy Kong will rocket straight towards the hoop and dunk the ball.
Diddy Kong
	Powerful	Bomber Dunk Bowser charges up as a reticle appears on the ground. After some time, he’ll launch a fireball that explodes on impact, knocking out anyone nearby. He then leaps into the air before slamming the ball into the hoop, creating a pillar of fire.
Bowser
	Speedy	Graffiti Shot Bowser Jr. pulls out his Magic Paintbrush, swinging it around and covering the enemy’s side of the court in paint. This paint will cause players to slip and slide when running on it. Then, he launches the ball as it is coated in paint towards the goal.
Bowser Jr.

Unlockable Characters[]

Name	Character Type	Special Shot
	Tricky	Launch Shot Luma calls upon other Lumas, as they form multiple Launch Stars to send the ball into the hoop. Attempting to steal the ball is possible, but difficult as the balls are launched very quickly, and they can’t be stolen while inside the Launch Stars.
Luma
	Technical	Bone Shot Dry Bones tosses the ball into the air and begins to hurl a flurry of bones towards the goal, knocking out anyone he hits. As the ball falls back to the ground, he pulls out a large bone and swings it at the ball, launching it to the hoop.
Dry Bones
	Tricky	Hex Dunk Kamek hops on top of his broom and pulls out his magic wand, cursing the enemy players by shrinking them. Then, Kamek will fly to the hoop and dunk it in.
Kamek
	Speedy	Chopper Shot Wapeach pulls out her axe and spins it before tossing it. The axe will sweep around the court, knocking out anyone it hits. After some time, Wapeach launches the ball into the hoop.
Wapeach
	Technical	Barrel Shot A barrel cannon drops in from the sky as Dixie Kong hops on top of it, launching Bananas onto the opponent’s side of the court. After some time, she’ll fire the ball into the hoop.
Dixie Kong
	Powerful	Gunk Shot Petey Piranha flies into the air and spews gunk onto the court. Piranha Plants will pop out and bite at any players that come near them. Then, Petey eats the ball before spitting it back out into the hoop.
Petey Piranha
	All-Around	Clone Shot Ninja creates two copies beside him before rushing the goal. These copies are illusions, so attempting to steal from them won’t do anything. Once he reaches the hoop, he dunks the ball into the hoop.
Ninja
	Technical	Holy Shot White Mage floats into the air as a large reticle appears on the ground. For a few seconds, the player gets to control a giant ray of light, moving it across the court to damage enemies. After some time, White Mage coats the ball in light energy before launching it into the hoop.
White Mage
	Tricky	Meteor Dunk Black Mage floats into the air as meteors begin to rain down from the sky, knocking out any players they hit. After some time, he’ll launch the ball as an orb of energy straight into the hoop.
Black Mage
	Speedy	Chocobo Rush Chocobo calls out as a group of Chocobos run across the court, knocking out anyone in their way. After some time, Chocobo will fly towards the hoop and dunk it in.
Chocobo
	Tricky	Moogle Dance Moogle tosses the ball as it is coated in magic. Alongside it, two fake balls will appear alongside it. Only one of the balls is real, and attempting to steal the fake ball will do nothing, phasing through players.
Moogle
	Speedy	1000 Needles Cactuar leaps into the air, spinning around and firing off needles in all directions, stunning any nearby players. Cactaur then flies into the air before heading the ball into the hoop.
Cactuar
	Speedy	Slime Shot Slime summons three Slimes, which will follow players and stun them if they touch them. Slime then tosses the ball into the air, and performs an Elasto Blast to launch the ball into the hoop.
Slime
	Technical	Twinkle Shot Charlotte dances as a sparkly rain falls from the sky, causing the opposing team to be slowed down. She then tosses the ball into the air as it falls down onto the hoop, encased in a large spike ball.
Charlotte
	Powerful	Rocket Dunk Robo flies into the air and fires a rocket punch at each of the players, acting as homing projectiles that knock out anyone they hit. He then rockets toward the hoop and dunks it in.
Robo
	All-Around	Star Shot Geno's hands turn into guns as he fires ricocheting star projectiles in all directions, knocking out anyone they hit. Then, Geno transforms into a cannon and fires the ball into the hoop.
Geno

Alternate Costumes[]

TBA

Courts[]

Mario Hoops Superstars features eighteen playable courts, each split between one of six cups, with three courts in each.

Mushroom Cup[]

Court	Description
?	A large basketball stadium, complete with stands, and a large set of screens in the middle, and banners on the sides featuring various sponsers. An audience of Toads, Koopa Troopas, Shy Guys and Goombas can be seen surrounding the stadium, cheering for the players. A basic court with no gimmicks or hazards, Mario Stadium is great for players who want a pure basketball experience.
Mario Stadium
?	A court taking place on the beach in a tropical island resort, complete with a Koopa-themed hotel in the background. Koopa Troopas, Piantas and Nokis can be seen in the background, either watching the game or relaxing. Occasionally, the tide will come in from the right side of the court, slowing down players who step in the water. During this, Cheep Cheeps and Urchins may also wash-up on shore. Cheep Cheeps will flop around, and if you run into one, you'll get a Coin. However, if you touch an Urchin, you'll be knocked out and drop the ball.
Koopa Beach
?	A court taking place in the courtyard in front of Peach's Castle, the castle itself being seen in the background. Various Toads, including Toadsworth, can be seen watching the game on bleachers installed on the side of the court. Each team's basketball hoop is surrounded by a set of fountains, which will occasionally activate and spray water. This water will not only knock out any players that touch it, but also block the ball from entering the hoop, preventing any baskets from being scored.
Peach's Castle

Flower Cup[]

Court	Description
?	A court taking place on a large wooden raft drifting down a river in the middle of a jungle. Some smaller rafts with bleachers can be seen floating beside the raft, with Kritters being seen watching the game. Occasionally, the Kritters will mess with players, tossing Bananas onto the court to slip up players. Alongside that, when rumbling occurs, barrels will drop down on the court and begin to roll along it, knocking out any players in their way.
DK Jungle
?	A court taking place the foyer of Luigi's Mansion. Throughout the game, the lights will suddenly turn off as Greenies, Hammers and Hiders will appear and begin floating above players. and will snatch up the basketball if it touches them mid-flight, passing it to a member of the opposing team. The lights will then turn back on after a period of time, or when a Lightning item is used, causing the ghosts to disappear. Boos can also be seen around the court, spectating the game.
Luigi's Mansion
?	A court taking place in a large greenhouse filled with colorful flowers. Instead of hoops, the player has to throw the basketball into the mouths of giant Piranha Plants, with one being on each side of the court. The Piranha Plants will bite at any players that get too close to them, knocking them out and preventing players from scoring points by dunking the ball. However, if the Piranha Plants fall asleep, you can freely dunk the ball into their mouths.
Daisy Garden

Egg Cup[]

Court	Description
?	A court taking place in a public basketball court in New Donk City. The court is surrounded by various buildings, with Toads and New Donkers spectating the game. Traffic cones can be found in different formations around the court, and will act as walls that will block off any players that touch them. However, you can hit them or use items to break them, causing them to disappear. After a basket is made, the traffic cones will reappear, but in different locations.
New Donk Streets
?	A court taking place in a Yoshi's Island-themed amusement park. Various carnival rides can be seen in the background, with Toads, Shy Guys, Bandits and Ukikis, some holding egg-shaped balloons, in the background watching the game. The main hazard of this court is the Egg Coaster, which will occasionally pass through the court, either between the half court line or down the middle, temporarily blocking off the court and knocking out anyone in its way. When this happens, the turntable in the middle of the court will rotate, moving players who are standing on it.
Yoshi Park
?	A court taking place in some ruins in the middle of an arid desert. Various structures like pyramids and a Yoshi Sphinx can be seen in the background, with Shy Guys and Little Mousers surrounding the court and watching from afar. Throughout the game, a Tweester may occasionally form and will move around the court, sending players, or the ball, into the air if they touch it. Pokeys can also appear from Item Panels, knocking out anyone that touches them, but they will fall apart when hit by an item.
Shy Guy Desert

Boomerang Cup[]

Court	Description
?	A court taking place on a snowy iceberg, surrounded by a frozen lake. Penguins and Toads in puffy jackets can be seen watching the game, as an aurora can be seen shining in the night sky. The icy surface of the court has very little traction, and as a result the players will slide around when moving, and will trip and fall if they attempt a running steal and miss. Freezies appear as special items exclusive to this court, acting similar to Green Shells, but freezing players when they are hit.
Sherbet Land
?	A court taking place in a land of sweets and confections, atop a large mountain made out of cake, complete with waffle cone windmills and a soda waterfall. Toads, Paragoombas and Paratroopas can be seen in the crowd, watching the game. Randomly on the ground, Bonus Cookies will appear on the ground, and if you land a basket while standing on them, they'll add additional points, or multiply the amount of points obtained. Watch out for Bowser Cookies however, because if you land a basket while standing on one, you'll lose points instead.
Sweet Sweet Mountain
?	A court taking place in a Japanese dojo floating high in the sky. Shy Guys, Ninjis and Lakitu can be seen watching the game, taking place in the courtyard in front of a large pagoda. Occasionally during the game, the skies surrounding the court will darken, as harsh winds will begin to erupt. These will push players, as well as the ball if it is mid-flight, in the direction it's blowing. Thunder Clouds appear as special items exclusive to this court, and after being thrown, will hover in the air and strike lightning on any player that walks under it.
Sky Dojo

Star Cup[]

Court	Description
?	A court taking place in a large factory owned by Wario. Various Shy Guys can be seen watching the game, which takes place on a large rising elevator. On each side of the court is a set of conveyor belts, which will move all players who are standing on them in the direction they are moving. However, special On/Off panels appear on this map, switching the belts directions if a player stands on them. Alongside that, when the elevator stops, crates will move along the conveyor belts and act as obstacles. If the are destroyed, they'll let out Coins and other items.
Wario Factory
?	A court taking place in a large casino and hotel, owned by Bowser Jr. The court itself takes place in the middle of a rooftop pool, with Toads and Bowser's minions relaxing or watching the game. The special Slot Coin item appears as special items exclusive to this court. If you land a basket, you’ll roll the slot machine behind the hoop. Depending on which picture you get a row of, you may get an increase in points, or lose some. The more Slot Coins you use when landing a basket, the more chances you have of lining up pictures for big points.
Bowser Jr. Boulevard
?	A court taking place in Bowser's Castle. The court takes place on a metallic court, suspended via chains above a massive pit of lava. Podoboos will pop out from the lava pit below, acting as hazards and lighting players on fire if they touch them. Thwomps can also appear from Item Panels, hovering in the air before dropping down, shifting the weight of the court briefly.
Bowser's Castle

Rainbow Cup[]

Court	Description
?	A court taking place in a giant futuristic pinball machine owned by Waluigi. Bright and colorful lights can be seen throughout, and a large glass ceiling reveals a futuristic city outside. The large mechanical Waluigi on the side of the court will occasionally spit out large pinballs, which will bounce around the court and knock over any players in their path. Bumpers will also occasionally pop up out of the ground, which away the pinballs, and any players, that make contact with them.
Waluigi Pinball
?	A court taking place on a haunted pirate ship in the middle of a storm. Dry Bones and Boos can be seen watching from various parts of the ship, while the massive Gooper Blooper appears in the background. Using his tentacles, he'll tilts the stage left and right, causing the boxes on the court to slide back and forth. These boxes will knock out any players they hit as they’re sliding, but if they’re hit with an item, they’ll break, revealing items.
Ghastly Galleon
?	A court taking place on an airship flying through space. The ship flies by various constellations, galaxies, and even the Comet Observatory and Starship Mario. Unique to this stage is the Summon Materia, which appear from Item Panels. These Summon Materia are held onto by players, and are knocked out when hit similar to Coins. If a team manages to gather three Summon Materia, Bahamut will appear on the stage and attack the opposing team, firing blasts of energy at them.
Galaxy Ship

Items[]

Similar to the Mario Kart series, players can obtain items by stepping on Item Panels that appear on the court.

Name	Description
	Adds a coin to your team's coin count, increasing the amount of points you get from a successful basket. Getting hit will cause you to drop Coins, allowing opposing team to pick them up.
Coin
	Increases the user’s speed for a short time.
Mushroom
	Follows the player with possession of the ball, and reduces their speed for a short time when touched.
Poison Mushroom
	Trips up any player who slips on it.
Banana
	Disguises itself as an Item Panel, tripping up any player that steps on it.
Fake Item Box
	Flies in a straight line, bouncing off of walls, and knocking out any players they hit.
Green Shell
	Targets the player who currently has possession of the ball, knocking them out on contact.
Red Shell
	Targets the player who has possession of the ball, creating an explosion on impact that knocks out them and other nearby players.
Spiny Shell
	Explodes after a short time, knocking out any nearby players.
Bob-Omb
	Increases the user's speed and makes them invincible for a short time.
Star
	Creates lightning that will strike the opposing team's players, knocking them out.
Lightning

Trivia[]

This game marks the first appearance of Wapeach, a character previously scrapped from the Mario Tennis games, in a Lazy Studios Mario game. Lazy Studios would make a statement online that they had taken an interest in bringing back the character after her creator, Fumihide Aoki, posted concept art of the character to his Instagram, finding her character to be a fun additional to the Mario cast.