Super Mario Bros. 35 Hosting A New Limited-Time Event [Last Chance]

A new Special Battle event is now underway in Super Mario Bros. 35, the free-to-play battle royale-style Mario game for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. This one is called Frantic Fight Against Exceptional Enemies, and it has players contending with some of the game's trickiest foes.

As Nintendo describes, Special Battles are limited-time events. The basic rules are similar to the game's standard 35-player mode, wherein 35 players run through a series of classic Super Mario Bros. levels while vying to be the last one remaining, but with some special conditions on top of that. This Special Battle fills levels with enemies like Lakitu, Hammer Bros., and Bowser himself, which should make rounds even more hectic. The event runs through October 11.

Super Mario Bros. 35 is free to download and play for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. If you're already a member and haven't downloaded it yet, you can head into the Switch eShop and find it listed under the "Nintendo Switch Online" option from the left side bar. If you're not already a subscriber, individual members cost $4 USD for one month, $8 USD for three months, and $20 USD for one year. You can learn more in our Nintendo Switch Online guide.

Super Mario Bros. 35 launched on October 1 as part of the Super Mario series' 35th anniversary celebration, but it won't be a permanent addition to the Switch library. Much like Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Super Mario Bros. 35 is a limited-time release that will only be available until March 31, 2021. It's unclear if Nintendo will offer the game again in the future or if it will change its mind and keep the game up, as it did with Jump Rope Challenge, which was originally scheduled to be delisted on September 30 but will remain available going forward.

Nintendo has more plans for Super Mario's 35th anniversary. On October 16, the company is releasing Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, a "mixed reality" product that combines toy RC cars with video games. We recently had a chance to learn how Mario Kart Live actually works. A few other Switch games will also hold Mario-themed events. Super Mario Maker 2 will have a special Mario anniversary course next month; Splatoon 2 is hosting a Mario-themed Splatfest in January; and Animal Crossing: New Horizons is finally receiving Mario furniture in March.