Princess Peach: Showtime!

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Princess Peach: Showtime!
Final box art for Princess Peach: Showtime!
North American box art
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer Good-Feel[1]
Publisher Nintendo
Platform(s) Nintendo Switch
Release date Japan March 22, 2024[2]
USA March 22, 2024[3]
Mexico March 22, 2024
Brazil March 22, 2024
Europe March 22, 2024
Australia March 22, 2024
South Korea March 22, 2024[4]
HK March 22, 2024
ROC March 22, 2024
Language(s) Deutsch
English (United States)
Español (España)
Español (Latinoamérica)
Français (Canada)
Français (France)
Italiano
Nederlands
Português (Brasil)
Русский
한국어
日本語
简体中文
繁體中文
Genre Action-adventure
Rating(s)
ESRB:E10+ - Everyone 10+
PEGI:7 - Seven years and older
CERO:A - All ages
ACB:PG - Parental Guidance
USK:6 - Six years and older
DEJUS:L - General audience
SMECCV:B - Twelve years and older
GRAC:All - All ages
GSRR:P - Six years and older
FPB:13 - Thirteen years and older
GCAM:7 - Seven years and older
NMC:7 - Seven years and older
Mode(s) Single-player
Media
Nintendo Switch:
Game Card
Digital download
Input
Nintendo Switch:

Princess Peach: Showtime! is an action-adventure game developed by Good-Feel for the Nintendo Switch. In the game, Peach embarks on a series of stage plays and performances to rescue the Sparkle Theater from its captors with the assistance of the theater's guardian Stella. Released worldwide on March 22, 2024, it is Princess Peach's third starring role in a game, following Princess Toadstool's Castle Run in 1990 and Super Princess Peach in 2005.

Overview

Screenshot from Princess Peach: Showtime! of Princess Peach and two Toads arriving at Sparkle Theater
Peach and the Toads arriving at the Sparkle Theater.

The game has a stage play-themed setting. It takes place in a venue called Sparkle Theater, which a Toad invited Peach to. Once they arrive, a witch called Grape takes over the theater. Peach and the theater's guardian Stella team up to take back the theater by battling Grape's minions, the Sour Bunch. At the beginning of the game, Stella gives Peach the power of Sparkle, tying her hair in a ponytail with a magenta bow in the place of her usual crown, which she lost when Grape showed up. Stella can turn into a long ribbon Peach can use to interact with on-stage elements, such as props and characters. When she stands on a special platform on the stage, Peach is capable of transforming into various costume-like forms that match the current play's setting, such as Swordfighter Peach, Detective Peach, Patissiere Peach, and Kung Fu Peach. Every form has her own gameplay style, such as Swordfighter Peach using a rapier or Kung Fu Peach doing martial arts moves.[3]

There are ten types of plays with three levels each, with the first one introducing its transformation. The third level of each theme is located in the basement, where all the Sparklas, the stars of each show, are trapped. To complete the level, Peach has to find and rescue the captured Sparklas and then work alongside them to reach the exit.

Collected coins are added to a collective tally after each time a level is completed, and are used to buy outfits at the Lobby Shop. The maximum number of coins the tally can reach is 9999.

Health points

By default, Peach has a maximum of five HP during a show, shown as hearts above her head and in the pause menu. Hearts are lost when taking damage from enemies, falling down, being caught up during some auto-scrolling sections, or failing a Strike of Intuition. Hearts can be regained by interacting with certain sceneries, after doing certain tasks, or found at certain spots in levels. The "Rehearsal" bonus levels start her off with one HP, and she cannot gain more hearts during those levels.

Artwork of the Heart Charm from Princess Peach: Showtime!

The game also offers Peach to put on a Heart Charm, which increases the HP maximum to eight. It is offered, and can be removed, by a Staff Member Theet in the upper left of the 1F circle stairs. Stella can also offer it to Peach if she runs out of hearts twice in the same section of a show. There are no known negative effects of using the Heart Charm, besides the extra hearts being shown as green.

The game does not have a life system. As a result, there are no Game Overs or being booted out of shows. If Peach runs out of hearts, she is deducted 10 Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. coins and is returned to the start of the section or the nearest previous checkpoint.

Technical aspects

The game runs in 720p at 30fps in handheld mode, and in 900p at 30fps in docked mode. Different aspects may render at different resolutions: text and menus can render at full target resolution, while highly detailed 3D models like Princess Peach's standard mode are rendered at lower resolutions.

The sound is in stereo, with no support for 5.1 surround.

Plot

One day in the Mushroom Kingdom, a Toad is sent a flier advertising a show at the Sparkle Theater, which Princess Peach and some Toads decide to attend. Suddenly, the wicked Grape and the Sour Bunch invade and take over the theater. A gust of wind blows away Peach's crown, her suitcase, the Toads, some Theets, and some fliers. Meanwhile, Peach is trapped inside. She teams up with the theater's guardian Stella to stop them.

Throughout the game, Peach and Stella rid the theater plays of the Sour Bunch. This involves Peach transforming into one of ten ensembles: Swordfighter, Detective, Patissiere, Kung Fu, Ninja, Cowgirl, Figure Skater, Dashing Thief, Mermaid, and Mighty, depending on the type of play. Peach also has to find and save the ten Sparklas, a group of Theets who are the stars of each type of play. Eventually, Peach and Stella come face to face with Grape. Peach transforms into Radiant Peach in order to battle Grape. Peach ultimately defeats her, and Grape disappears. All that is left is her mask. As Peach and Stella walk away, the mask laughs, and Grape suddenly comes back to life, destroying the Sparkle Theater in the process. Peach transforms into a more powerful version of her Radiant transformation, known as Super Radiant Peach, and is forced to battle Grape once again.

The ending of Princess Peach: Showtime! with Peach, Stella, and the Sparklas
Peach curtseying as Stella and the Sparklas take a bow.

Once Grape is defeated for good, Peach rebuilds the theater with her powers. She transforms back into her normal self as the Theets approach her and Stella. They all turn to the camera to the sound of applause, take a bow (with the exception of Peach, who curtsies instead) and wave goodbye as confetti falls. Finally, Peach winks and thanks the player for helping her out.

During the credits, photos show highlights from the game, before coming to still shots of Peach reuniting with the Toads. The pink ribbon that held Peach's hair in place magically unties itself. One of the Toads hands Stella the crown, which she places on Peach's head. The credits end with a photo of Peach and Stella high-fiving surrounded by the Theets, and zooms out to reveal an envelope, a letter, and Peach's crown, all sitting on Peach's bedside table.

Controls

Action Controls
Run Tilt Left Stick
Swim (Mermaid only)
Jump A Button
Action B Button
Pose (Transformations only) ZL Button or ZR Button
Rotate during outfit selections
Upwards slash (Swordfighter sidescroller sections only) Tilt Left Stick up + B Button
Climb and slide pipes (Dashing Thief only) Tilt Left Stick up or down.
(If the pipe is not on the floor, jump onto it with A Button.)
Attract fish (Mermaid only) Hold B Button while tilting Left Stick
Browse menus, including the elevator Tilt Left Stick or press Directional Buttons
Switch between Peach/Stella during outfit selections L Button or R Button
Pause menu Plus Button
Skip cutscene
Enter preview mode during outfit selection X Button
Zoom in/out during outfit selection preview mode
Replay the post-demo cutscene (Demo only)
Hide/show the UI during outfit selection preview mode Minus Button

Jump and Action can be natively swapped in the game's settings, so that Jump is set to B Button, and Action to A Button. In-game control hints will change to reflect such a swap.

Y Button and Right Stick are not used in the game. There is no touch screen support, even in the menus.

The game requires two Joy-Con or a Pro Controller to play. Although "Change Button Mapping" in the Nintendo Switch settings can be used to map all gameplay movement buttons onto a single Joy-Con, limitations with the button mapping regarding the analog stick's Y-axis prevent a single Joy-Con from being used horizontally.

Characters

Playable characters

Character Description
Artwork of Princess Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Princess Peach
The titular main protagonist of the game, Princess Peach sets off to save the Sparkle Theater from Grape and the Sour Bunch.
Artwork Stella from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Stella
The guardian fairy of the Sparkle Theater, Stella assists Peach by giving her usage of Sparkle power and allowing her to transform.

Supporting characters

Character Description
Artwork of Toad for Mario Party Superstars (also used for Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch)
Toads
Subjects of Princess Peach, two Toads accompany her in her trip to the Sparkle Theater.
Artwork of Theets in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Theets
Short dot-eyed creatures with spherical heads and big spherical noses. They come in various colors and accessories. They work as employees of the Sparkle Theater, and many are also actors in the plays.

Enemies and obstacles

Enemies

Lower-ranked

Enemy Description
Screenshot of enemies from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Rookie Dūke
Short humanoid members of the Sour Bunch.
Screenshot of enemies from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Knight Dūke
Short humanoid members of the Sour Bunch who wear knight attire and have swords.
Screenshot of an enemy from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Spear Dūke
Short humanoid members of the Sour Bunch who hold spears and shields.
Screenshot of enemies from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Kung fu Dūke
Short humanoid members of the Sour Bunch who wear kung fu attire.
Screenshot of enemies from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Aerial Dūke
Avian members of the Sour Bunch.

Higher-ranked

Enemy Description
The Cowboy in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Cowboy
A tall member of the Sour Bunch that leads a gang of robbers.
Cropped image of the phantom knight in The Ghostly Castle in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Phantom knight
A ghostly member of the Sour Bunch who haunts the Ghostly Castle.
The Dark Swordfighter in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Dark Swordfighter
A large knight member of the Sour Bunch who guards the Swordfighter Sparkla.
Sour Bunch Figure Skater posing during pre-fight in A Parade on Ice.
Sour Bunch figure skater
A tall member of the Sour Bunch who fights by figure skating.
The Dark Baker in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Dark Baker
A large baker member of the Sour Bunch who challenges Patissiere Peach and the Patissiere Sparkle to a bake-off. It also possesses the latter beforehand.
Screenshot of an enemy from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Kung fu master
A tall enemy who fights using different attacks with each encounter.
Screenshot of an enemy from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Thorn plant
A giant purple plant that resembles a Piranha Plant.
UFO A gigantic spaceship with fists that it uses to attack.
Dark Locomotive A gigantic locomotive led by the Sour Bunch.

Bosses

Boss Description
Splash screen of Disco Wing taking place in Darkle Boss: Disco Wing in Princess Peach: Showtime!.
Disco Wing
The first Darkle boss who is a giant bird in a disco ball.
Light Fang in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Light Fang
The second Darkle boss who is a large snake that can rewind time.
Purrjector Cat in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Purrjector Cat
The third Darkle boss who is a large cat that can project shadows.
Spotlion in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Spotlion
The fourth Darkle boss who is a lion that attacks using orbs.
Grape artwork from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Grape
The main antagonist of the game. She is an evil witch who takes over the Sparkle Theater with the help of her minions, the Sour Bunch.

Obstacles

Obstacle Description
Screenshot of an obstacle from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Bramble
Purple brambles that can only be destroyed using Swordfighter Peach's attacks.
Mario head smaller.png This section is a stub. You can help the Super Mario Wiki by expanding it.

Transformations

Artwork of Swordfighter Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Artwork of Detective Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Artwork of Patissiere Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Artwork of Kung Fu Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Swordfighter Peach
Fend off the Sour Bunch with graceful slashes, dodges, and counterattacks as a sensational swordfighter.
Detective Peach
Don your sleuthing cap to question locals, uncover clues, and solve a classic “whodunnit” mystery as a clever detective.
Patissiere Peach
Bake and decorate sweets with a dollop of cream and charm as a talented patissiere. Whip something up within the time limit!
Kung Fu Peach
Defend the school with artful jabs, kicks, and jumps as a disciplined kung fu master. Send foes flying with strength and balance.
Ninja Peach in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Cowgirl Peach in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Artwork of Figure Skater Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Artwork of Dashing Thief Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Ninja Peach
Hide in the scenery using props, jump wall to wall, and take out foes with kunai as an agile ninja. Move swiftly and strike!
Cowgirl Peach
Toss enemies and grab items with a lasso and saddle up your trusty horse as a quick-flingin’ cowgirl. Yeehaw!
Figure Skater Peach
Join the other dancers on stage in a dazzling performance filled with quick-timed spins and jumps.
Dashing Thief Peach
Hack and sneak through the Sour Bunch’s defenses. Embrace the thrills (and charms) of espionage!
Artwork of Mermaid Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Artwork of Mighty Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime!
Splash screen of Radiant Peach in Princess Peach: Showtime!.
Screenshot of Super Radiant Peach in Princess Peach: Showtime!.
Mermaid Peach
Use Peach’s magical voice to control schools of fish to reveal hidden pathways and harmonize with an aquatic orchestra.
Mighty Peach
Go from hero to superhero! Defend the locals with powerful punches and superhuman strength.
Radiant Peach
A mythical dress imbued with Sparkle.
Super Radiant Peach
The ultimate dress imbued with maximum Sparkle.

Plays

It has been requested that this article be rewritten and expanded to include more information. Reason: Consider merging with and moving the list to Sparkle Theater#Floor plan.

1F

2F

3F

4F

5F

BF

Wardrobe

Many dresses and ribbons are available for sale at the Lobby Shop after reaching in-game points, whereas those that do not have prices for them listed below are obtained through in-game accomplishments alone.

Dresses

Dress How to unlock Lobby Shop price
Regular Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Regular Dress
Available by default -
Polka-Dot Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Polka-Dot Dress
Clear The Castle of Thorns Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Horizontal-Stripes Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Horizontal-Stripes Dress
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Vertical-Stripes Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Vertical-Stripes Dress
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Two-Tone Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Two-Tone Dress
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Gradiant Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Gradient Dress
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Starry Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Starry Dress
Earn a gold trophy in Swordfighter Rehearsal -
Heart Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Heart Dress
Earn a gold trophy in Dashing Thief Rehearsal
Geometric Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Geometric Dress
Earn a gold trophy in Cowgirl Rehearsal
Checkered Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Checkered Dress
Earn a gold trophy in Kung Fu Rehearsal
Scaly Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Scaly Dress
Earn a gold trophy in Mighty Rehearsal
Swordfighter Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Swordfighter Dress
Found in The Castle of Thorns, located in the sub-area in the second section after using Sparkle on six trees. Ribboner will give the dress as a reward. -
Special Swordfighter Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Swordfighter Dress
Clear The Dark Swordfighter & the Arena Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Ninja Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Ninja Dress
Found in Ninjutsu: The Art of Rapids, referencing the moon's location, after jumping off the blue roof, the player must break the vase where Ribboner is hiding. -
Special Ninja Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Ninja Dress
Clear The Dark Ninja & the Legion of Guards Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Cowgirl Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Cowgirl Dress
Found in Cowgirl in the Wilderness, a scared Ribboner is hiding east of the basement downstairs. -
Special Cowgirl Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Cowgirl Dress
Clear The Dark Locomotive & the Doomed Town Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Patissiere Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Patissiere Dress
Found in Welcome to the Festival of Sweets, attack the winged Sour Bunch minion stealing the cookie that Ribboner is clinging to. -
Special Patissiere Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Patissiere Dress
Clear The Dark Baker & the Bewitching Sweets Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Dashing Thief Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Dashing Thief Dress
Found in The Perfect Infiltration -
Special Dashing Thief Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Dashing Thief Dress
Clear The Dark Prison & the Dangerous Trap Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Figure Skater Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Figure Skater Dress
Found in A Snow Flower on Ice -
Special Figure Skater Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Figure Skater Dress
Clear The Dark Ice & the Shadowy Stage Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Detective Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Detective Dress
Found in The Case of the Missing Mural -
Special Detective Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Detective Dress
Clear The Dark Museum & the Purple Mystery Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Mighty Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Mighty Dress
Found in Mighty Mission: Alien Invasion -
Special Mighty Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Mighty Dress
Clear Dark Space & the Great Meteor Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Mermaid Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Mermaid Dress
Found in Melody of the Sea -
Special Mermaid Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Mermaid Dress
Clear The Dark Depths & the Swirling Currents Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Kung Fu Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Kung Fu Dress
Found in A Kung Fu Tale -
Special Kung Fu Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Kung Fu Dress
Clear The Dark School & the Twisted Fist Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 300
Disco Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Disco Dress
Defeat Disco Wing for the first time Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 200
Fang Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Fang Dress
Defeat Light Fang for the first time Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 200
Purrjector Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Purrjector Dress
Defeat Purrjector Cat for the first time Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 200
Spotlion Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Spotlion Dress
Defeat Spotlion for the first time Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 200
Radiant Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Radiant Dress
Defeat Grape for the first time Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 500
Grape Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Grape Dress
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 500
Sparkle Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Sparkle Dress
Collect 100 total Sparkle Gems Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 500
Special Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Dress
Collect every Sparkle Gem Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 1000
Secret Dress in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Secret Dress
Find all hidden post-game Ninja Theets -

Ribbons

Ribbon How to unlock Lobby Shop price
Regular Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Regular Ribbon
Available by default -
Red Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Red Ribbon
Clear The Castle of Thorns Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Blue Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Blue Ribbon
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Yellow Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Yellow Ribbon
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Orange Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Orange Ribbon
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Lime Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Lime Ribbon
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Light-Blue Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Light-Blue Ribbon
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Black Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Black Ribbon
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 100
Swordfighter Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Swordfighter Ribbon
Found in The Ghostly Castle -
Multicolored Swordfighter Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Swordfighter Ribbon
Found in The Dark Swordfighter & the Arena -
Ninja Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Ninja Ribbon
Found in Ninjutsu: The Art of Flames -
Multicolored Ninja Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Ninja Ribbon
Found in The Dark Ninja & the Legion of Guards -
Cowgirl Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Cowgirl Ribbon
Found in Cowgirl at Dusk -
Multicolored Cowgirl Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Cowgirl Ribbon
Found in The Dark Locomotive & the Doomed Town -
Patissiere Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Patissiere Ribbon
Found in Welcome to the Spooky Party -
Multicolored Patissiere Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Patissiere Ribbon
Found in The Dark Baker & the Bewitching Sweets -
Dashing Thief Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Dashing Thief Ribbon
Found in The Stolen Statue -
Multicolored Dashing Thief Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Dashing Thief Ribbon
Found in The Dark Prison & the Dangerous Trap -
Figure Skater Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Figure Skater Ribbon
Found in A Parade on Ice -
Multicolored Figure Skater Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Figure Skater Ribbon
Found in The Dark Ice & the Shadowy Stage -
Detective Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Detective Ribbon
Found in The Case of the Rainy-Day Plot -
Multicolored Detective Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Detective Ribbon
Found in The Dark Museum & the Purple Mystery -
Mighty Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Mighty Ribbon
Found in Mighty Mission: The Rescue -
Multicolored Mighty Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Mighty Ribbon
Found in Dark Space & the Great Meteor -
Mermaid Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Mermaid Ribbon
Found in Blight of the Sea -
Multicolored Mermaid Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Mermaid Ribbon
Found in The Dark Depths & the Swirling Currents -
Kung Fu Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Kung Fu Ribbon
Found in A Kung Fu Legend -
Multicolored Kung Fu Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Multicolored Kung Fu Ribbon
Found in The Dark School & the Twisted Fist -
Radiant Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Radiant Ribbon
Defeat Grape for the first time Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 500
Grape Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Grape Ribbon
Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 500
Sparkle Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Sparkle Ribbon
Collect 100 total Sparkle Gems Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 500
Special Ribbon in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Special Ribbon
Collect every Sparkle Gem Yellow coin seen in Princess Peach: Showtime!. 1000

Development

Key art for Princess Peach: Showtime!
The initial key art, featuring Peach with more whimsical facial expressions.

The game was first teased during the June 2023 Nintendo Direct, alongside Super Mario RPG and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD. Also teased in the trailer was a new transformation Peach undergoes during the game, which turns her dress pale blue if she stands on a particular spot on the stage. During the transformation, Stella, who was still unnamed, turns into a ribbon and twirls around her, taking the color of her dress.[5] The same transformation appears in the September 2023 Nintendo Direct, revealing it to turn Peach into her Swordfighter form.[3]

In Nintendo's financial report for the first quarter of their fiscal year ending 2024, the game was listed in the launch schedule as "Princess Peach will star as the main character in a brand new game". This sentence is explicitly treated as a tentative title for the game.[6] The game's final title of Princess Peach: Showtime! was announced during the September 2023 Nintendo Direct.[3]

In October 2023, the game's box art and key artwork were modified to give Peach more determined facial expressions, which have been compared to Peach's appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.[7][8]

In February 2024, it was confirmed that Princess Peach: Showtime! was being developed on the Unreal Engine 4 engine, making it the second game in the Super Mario franchise after Yoshi's Crafted World and the third Nintendo game as a whole after Pikmin 4 to be developed with this engine.[9] Notably, both Super Mario-franchise games developed on the engine are made by Good-Feel.[1]

A demo was released on March 6, 2024, two weeks prior to the game's full release. Save data from the demo cannot be carried over into the full game.

Promotion

Products distributed with the game on the European My Nintendo Store
Pin and notebook
Products distributed with the game on the European My Nintendo Store
Shopping bag
Products distributed with the game on the European My Nintendo Store
  • Customers who purchase this game on the European My Nintendo Store receive an additional pin and notebook showing Princess Peach and Stella.[10] A special bundle containing the game and a reusable shopping bag featuring Peach's transformations is also available for purchase on this store.[11]

Staff

Main article: List of Princess Peach: Showtime! staff

Princess Peach: Showtime! was developed by Good-Feel, which previously developed Wario Land: Shake It!, Yoshi's Woolly World, and Yoshi's Crafted World. Good-Feel founder Etsunobu Ebisu serves as the game's producer and director, marking his first directorial role in almost 27 years, since Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon for the Nintendo 64 in 1997.[12]

Reception

Princess Peach: Showtime! received mixed to positive reviews, with critics mainly praising the game's visual flair, stylishness and variety of the costumes and activities available, but deeming its gameplay lacking in depth in comparison to other Super Mario games.

Critics have universally exalted the theater theme of Princess Peach: Showtime! and how it visually affects the level design, as well as Peach as a protagonist and her versatility in the role, often in comparison to Super Princess Peach.[13] Chris Carter, giving the game an 8/10 in a review for Destructoid, commended its simplicity of controls and unpredictability, and the play aesthetic as a charming aspect.[14] Adam Cook from God Is a Geek also gave Showtime! an 8/10, highlighting the action-based transformations. In contrast, he reviews Patisserie Peach and Detective Peach as "likely to be something that looks nicer than it is to actually play".[15] In his 7/10 review, Logan Plant of IGN appreciated the commitment to the theater theme, and added that it is a perfect fit for Princess Peach. He says the action-based transformations "sometimes blend together" and can be reduced to button mashing due to the difficulty level of the game, but praises the boss fights.[16]

The simplistic nature of the gameplay has received some criticism, although some outlets have noted that the game appears to be geared towards younger children. In a negative review, Tom Regan of The Guardian claims that, despite its creative premise and appealing visuals and animations, "it only takes a few minutes of play before repetition sinks in," adding that many of the costumed sections feel like incomplete prototypes, citing the game as a whole as shallow and having "little to offer those of us who have mastered our times tables".[17] Ali Shutler of NME also mentions this as a negative, calling the game "incredibly straightforward and forgiving", and that nothing "feels earned."[18]

Some performance issues were also criticized by reviewers. Adam Cook noted that the game is uncharacteristically unpolished for a Nintendo release, in reference to long loading times and frame drops.[15]

Reviews
Release Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
Nintendo Switch Adam Cook, God Is a Geek 8/10 "Bar a few issues, this is pretty much a triumph for Peach’s first solo adventure. It isn’t going to leave your jaw on the floor like Super Mario Bros Wonder did, but it’s a worthwhile way to spend your time, with some unique ideas, and clever design. Some transformations are better than others, but Princess Peach: Showtime is just a lovely way to spend the time for anyone willing to give themselves to it."
Nintendo Switch Logan Plant, IGN 7/10 "Princess Peach: Showtime! is more closely aligned with Kirby and Yoshi’s simple, cheery romps rather than Mario’s polished platformers and Luigi’s haunted mansions. There’s fun to be found in the Sparkle Theater, as these delightfully simplified takes on some of gaming’s most popular genres are entertaining to blast through, and the whimsical stage play aesthetic gives Peach’s game an identity all its own. I’m also thrilled that Nintendo is finally giving Peach another crack at her own solo outing after nearly two decades, and I hope this is the start of an ongoing spinoff series within the wider Mario universe. Some noticeable performance issues and the frustrating lack of a chapter select means I won’t be returning for an encore, and I wish there were a few extra levels to lengthen the somewhat brief campaign, but Nintendo and Princess Peach at least know how to put on a good show."
Nintendo Switch Ali Shutler, NME 3/5 "Princess Peach: Showtime! takes an iconic character and tries to do too much with her. The ambitious game is a brilliant introduction to the colourful world of gaming but is frustratingly straightforward, despite the madcap situations you’ll find yourself in."
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
Metacritic 74

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Princess Peach: Showtime!

Media

Main article: List of Princess Peach: Showtime! media
Audio.svg Entrancing Prelude (Main Menu) - Plays during the title screen.
File infoMedia:Princess Peach Showtime! 001 Entrancing Prelude (Main Menu).oga
0:30
Audio.svg Peach March - Plays in the opening cutscene.
File infoMedia:Princess Peach Showtime! 021 Peach March.oga
0:30
Audio.svg It's Up to Me - Plays in The Castle of Thorns, Welcome to the Festival of Sweets, The Perfect Infiltration, Mighty Mission: Alien Invasion and Welcome to the Spooky Party.
File infoMedia:Princess Peach Showtime! 008 It's Up to Me.oga
0:30
Audio.svg Stage Clear ~ Swordfighter Peach - Plays after completing the stage as Swordfighter Peach.
File infoMedia:Princess Peach Showtime! 060 Stage Clear ~ Swordfighter Peach.oga
0:14
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

References to other games

  • Yoshi's Cookie: The cookies Patissiere Peach holds in the game's artwork, as well as the ones she bakes in-game, are the same as the ones from this game.
  • Mario Kart Wii: Some of Toad's voice clips are reused for this game, particularly in the opening cutscene.
  • Super Mario Odyssey: The design of Peach's Castle is based off its design in this game.[3]

References in other games

  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A spirit event called "Showtime and Wonder Spirits" added two new spirits based on characters from Princess Peach: Showtime!, with those characters being Peach & Stella and Swordfighter Peach.
  • Super Mario Run: An event themed after the game included nine missions to complete, with every three missions completed awarding the player with statues based on Patissiere Peach, Swordfighter Peach, and Peach with Stella.
  • Tetris 99: A theme based on Princess Peach: Showtime! was made available during the 39th Maximus Cup.

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
Japanese プリンセスピーチ Showtime!ショータイム![2]
Purinsesu Pīchi Shōtaimu!
Princess Peach Showtime!
Like the Japanese title for Super Princess Peach, the Japanese word for princess「姫」(hime) is not used, but rather the transliterated English equivalent「プリンセス」(purinsesu).

Chinese (traditional) 碧姬公主 表演時刻![19]
Bìjī Gōngzhǔ Biǎoyǎnshíkè!
Princess Peach Showtime!

Korean 프린세스 피치 Showtime!쇼타임![4]
Peulinseseu Pichi Syotaim!
Princess Peach Showtime!

Trivia

Latin letters from the splash screen Nintendo copyright, and of the elevator system, in Princess Peach: Showtime!
Comparison of Latin letters in fonts
  • The Korean and Chinese versions use different fonts compared to the one used for other versions, with even Latin characters having some differences between them.

External links

References

  1. ^ a b https://twitter.com/LuigiBlood/status/1765552030104408278
  2. ^ a b プリンセスピーチ Showtime! ダウンロード版 (in Japanese). My Nintendo Store. Nintendo. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Nintendo of America (September 14, 2023). Princess Peach: Showtime! - Nintendo Direct 9.14.2023. YouTube. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  4. ^ a b (September 14, 2023). 『프린세스 피치 Showtime!』, 『페이퍼 마리오 1000년의 문』, 『루이지 맨션 2 HD』, 『마리오 vs. 동키콩』 등, Nintendo Switch로 발매되는 타이틀의 최신 정보를 전달! Nintendo Korea. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  5. ^ Nintendo Direct 6.21.2023 - Nintendo Switch. YouTube. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  6. ^ August 3, 2023. Financial Results Explanatory Material (with Notes) (PDF). Page 21. nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved September 10, 2023. (Archived August 3, 2023, 06:42:15 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  7. ^ Princess Peach Box Art Updated to Look a Little More Like She Does in the Super Mario Bros. Movie IGN. Retrieved October 13, 2023
  8. ^ Nintendo has redesigned Princess Peach to be more like the movie Metro. Retrieved October 17, 2023
  9. ^ https://twitter.com/Akfamilyhome/status/1757301713248366855/photo/2
  10. ^ Princess Peach: Showtime!. store.nintendo.ie. Retrieved March 19, 2024. (Archived March 19, 2024, 20:14:27 UTC via archive.today.)
  11. ^ Princess Peach: Showtime! + Shopping Bag. store.nintendo.co.uk. Retrieved March 13, 2024. (Archived March 13, 2024, 18:52:44 UTC via archive.today.)
  12. ^ Robinson, A. (March 21, 2024). Princess Peach Showtime is Goemon designer’s first directorial role in over 25 years. Video Game Chronicle. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  13. ^ Parrish, Ash (March 26, 2024). Princess Peach: Showtime! is clever and playful, but Peach deserves more. The Verge. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  14. ^ Carter, Chris (March 21, 2024). Review: Princess Peach: Showtime. Destructoid. Retrived April 12, 2024
  15. ^ a b Cook, Adam (March 21, 2024). Princess Peach: Showtime! review. God Is a Geek. Retrived April 12, 2024.
  16. ^ Plant, Logan (March 21, 2024). Princess Peach: Showtime! Review. IGN. Retrieved April 12, 2024
  17. ^ Regan, Tom (March 22, 2024). Princess Peach: Showtime review – a paper-thin performance. The Guardian. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  18. ^ Shutler, Ali (March 21, 2024). ‘Princess Peach: Showtime!’ review: leaves the audience wanting more. NME. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  19. ^ 《碧姬公主 表演時刻!》的最新資訊公開!本作預定於2024年3月22日(五)發售。 | TOPICS | 任天堂(香港)有限公司網站. Nintendo. Retrieved September 13, 2023.