Developed by Nintendo themselves, Princess Peach: Showtime! joins a large roster of Super Mario spin-off titles that have seen the characters turn into paper, become kart racers, and even go to space - twice.
It's hard to believe that the last time Princess Peach was the star of her own video game, the year was 2005. The release date is on the horizon, and fans are eagerly awaiting information to keep the hype growing in the months leading up to it. In this article, we'll explore everything we know about Princess Peach: Showtime! Speculation, rumours, and confirmed features will be shared. Don't worry - when showtime comes and the curtain rises, you'll be ready.
For more on the latest upcoming titles, read up on everything we know about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. We've also got some Elden Ring 2 speculation, plus our hopes for Bloodborne 2.
When is the Princess Peach: Showtime! release date?
Princess Peach: Showtime! has a confirmed release date, and is currently scheduled to release on March 22, 2024. A six-month wait may sound daunting, but there's plenty of games and new releases to enjoy until then.
Additionally, the six-month wait means we're all but guaranteed to get another Nintendo Direct during that time. There's a good chance more footage and details will be revealed in a future direct as we get closer to release, too.
Princess Peach: Showtime! release date
What platforms is Princess Peach: Showtime! on?
Princess Peach: Showtime! is confirmed to be releasing for the Nintendo Switch exclusively. Sorry, Xbox and PlayStation fans, the Princess knows what she likes - and crossovers are reserved for Smash Bros.
Everything we know about Princess Peach: Showtime!
Princess Peach: Showtime! was first teased in June 2023, with Peach finally stepping back into the spotlight during the September 2023 Nintendo Direct. If everything in the thrilling trailer can be believed, players are in for an exciting adventure!
Venturing beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, Peach visits the Sparkle Theater and quickly discovers that all is not as it seems. Most interestingly, it seems Bowser has nothing to do with this threat - if he's in the game at all. The mysterious new villain known as 'Sour Grape' is Peach's rival, and her Sour Bunch sound like a suitable threat.
As mentioned earlier, the stage play theme was part of Super Mario Bros. 3 all the way back in 1988. I feel confident saying that it's used to full effect in the gameplay shown so far, though, as the environments look delightful with their cardboard props and 2D backdrops.
There's more to Peach than meets the eye, as she's seen transforming several times throughout the trailer. Swordfighter Peach wields a fencing sword that can cut through some nasty-looking thorns, and there's some exciting combat shown to firmly set Peach's gameplay apart from Mario's. Individual enemies don't look too challenging, but I, for one, hope the bosses can be of equal or better quality to the ones found in Mario Galaxy.
Other transformations and frequent setting changes bring a touch of Mario 64; Detective Peach can be used to track clues and solve mysteries, while Patisserie Peach is seen completing a cake-decorating mini-game. The variety is impressive, and the game could quickly become overwhelming if the changes happen as frequently as they do in the trailer, it's seemingly got Metroidvania elements in its DNA.
What are Peach's power-ups in Princess Peach: Showtime?
While there's likely plenty more power ups in Princess Peach: Showtime, we've currently seen quite a few, listed below. These are all provided by her new friend Stella who protects the theater and gives Peach a magical ribbon to make each transformation possible.
- Swordfighter Peach
- Detective Peach
- Patisserie Peach
- Kung-Fu Peach
The trailer also holds some secrets for keen-eyed viewers. A Wild West-themed play and power-up are hinted at by a door at 2:25, and a Japanese Kunai hints at a more ninja-focused or stealthy play on its left. Peach won't be the first princess to put on a Ninja costume - Zelda saw to that - but it'll be interesting to see how these transformations act in-game.
What are the levels in Princess Peach: Showtime?
Like power-ups, there are plenty of levels that haven't been shown yet. Despite some levels only being shown briefly, there's plenty on offer.
- Sparkle Theater, likely the hub world
- Fantasy play, featuring a village, forest, castle, and plant boss
- Mystery play, featuring a museum
- Sweet play, featuring giant kitchens and cake-themed buildings
- Kung Fu play, featuring temples and pole-jumping platforming
- Wild West play, unseen
- Ninja play, unseen - may even be part of the Kung Fu play
How much will Princess Peach: Showtime! cost?
As seen on the game's store page, pre-ordering the game will cost $59.99 / £49.99. Pre-ordering will also let you pre-load the game on your Switch, making sure it's playable as soon as the release date rolls around.
That's all we know for now - rest assured, if new information becomes available in the coming months we'll update you ASAP!