Mario fans are worried Super Mario Bros. Wonder will bring back the worst guy

Nintendo’s unveiling of an all-new side-scrolling Super Mario game on Wednesday was great news. Finally a new (not New) Super Mario Bros. adventure in 2D, filled with new power-ups, new enemies and a new land – the Flower Kingdom – to explore. But the debut trailer for Super Mario Bros. Miracle also has fans concerned about the possible return of one of the most despised characters in the Mario franchise, Prince Haru.

Haru made his first (and only) appearance in Super Mario Bros. – The grand mission to save Princess Peacha 1986 animated film depicting the events of Super Mario Bros. very, very loosely. At the end of that film, Haru – who was cursed, turned into a Wiggler-like dog and aids Mario and Luigi in their mission – reveals himself as “the prince of the neighboring Flower Kingdom” and Princess Peach’s betrothed.

Mario, enamored with the princess after rescuing her from Bowser’s clutches, is heartbroken to learn of Haru’s existence and that he is Peach’s betrothed. Anyway, Mario and Luigi (and Toad, Daisy, Yoshi and Peach) are going to the Flower Kingdom soon Miraclewhich could mean the imminent return of Haru, a man people hate.

Why do Mario fans hate Prince Maru? Well, just look at Mario’s face after Prince Haru reveals himself as Peach’s future husband – something Haru failed to reveal to Mario while he was trapped in the body of a creature called Kibidango (or Dumpling Dog). This guy is suffering.

While the mere existence of the Flower Kingdom in Super Mario Bros. Miracle is not proof of Prince Haru’s return, there is another component. Here’s Dumpling Dog (aka Prince Haru) from it The grand mission to save Princess Peach:

Image: Grouper Productions/Nintendo via FemBoy Films

And here’s this mysterious little Wiggler man – looking for one little too princely for comfort – hanging out with Mario and Luigi in works of art Super Mario Bros. Miracle:

Image: Nintendo

Are they connected? Probably not. Does that in any way allay fans’ fears that Prince Haru could return, in an unprecedentedly brutal move by Nintendo? No. Fans are right to worry about who rules the Flower Kingdom – and what that means for Sarasaland, which is ruled by Princess Daisy, and is canonically made up of four kingdoms: Birabuto Kingdom, Muda Kingdom, Easton Kingdom, and Chai Kingdom. A challenger to Daisy’s throne would please Mario fans just as much as Haru’s return.

If you want to build yourself a healthy hatred of Prince Haru, you can watch Super Mario Bros. – The grand mission to save Princess Peach free, lovingly remastered in 4K, op YouTube or at the internet archive.

Super Mario Bros. Miracle will be released on Nintendo Switch on October 20. Hope for the best.