Super Mario Bros. Z

Super Mario Bros. Z, often abbreviated as SMBZ, is a crossover web series created by Mark Haynes, and is a reboot of the the 2006 series of the same name, featuring several major alterations to its writing and production. It was first announced in September 2015, with the first episode released to Patreon donators on January 5, 2016, and then 3 days later, publicly on January 8, 2016.

Not long after, Mark Haynes' Patreon was shut down by Nintendo, which eventually led to the series going into hiatus, with only the title card of the second episode being the only post regarding the series. With no official news in at least a year, Haynes appeared to have abandoned the project, though nothing official had been said relating to a cancellation. In September 2019, his Twitter account had also been deactivated, cutting off his main source of announcements.

Despite this, however, a new account was created in December 2019, where Mark stated that he wanted to continue the series, giving the series the potential to continue, bringing the series out of a four-year hiatus. As of February 2nd, 2020, production of the second episode had recommenced. The episode was later released on May 2, 2021 on YouTube.

Episodes

#	Name	Description	Character Debuts	Public Release Date
0	Opening	The introduction and opening theme song to the series.	While it does reveal many of the characters, it is inapplicable to the series.	September 4, 2015
1	Fierce Battle Between Fierce Rivals	During the final round of a Smash tournament between Mario and Wario, Bowser and Kamek interfere in a takeover plot of the Mushroom Kingdom, but a mysterious capsule with two otherworldly heroes prompts Bowser's takedown.	Metallix, Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Rawk Hawk, Princess Peach, Toadsworth, Bowser, Kamek, Sonic, and Shadow.	January 8, 2016 March 2, 2020 (Rerelease)
2	The New Threat	Sonic and Shadow team up with Mario, Luigi and Yoshi to find the Chaos Emeralds.	Bowser Jr., Doctor Eggman, Yoshi, Koopa Bros.	May 2, 2021
3	Genesis of Metallix	Sonic's past is explored.	Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, Cream, Cheese, Silver, Orbot, Cubot, Mecha Sonic Mark 0, Mecha Sonic Mark I, Mecha Sonic Mark II	Unknown
4	Episode 4	The Koopa Bros. make their move.	To be added...	Unknown

Synopsis

Metallix Saga

Metallix, a ruthless robot bent on becoming the most powerful being in the universe, has arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom, searching for the Chaos Emeralds, seven gems of immeasurable power, and is wreaking havoc in his wake. Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi join forces with two warriors from another world, Sonic and Shadow. Together, they embark on an odyssey to gather the Chaos Emeralds before Metallix and save the Mushroom Kingdom from total destruction.

Chaos Movie

A few months after Metallix's defeat and the destruction of the Chaos Emeralds, Chaos will reemerge.

Smithy Saga

Three years after the defeat of Metallix, the tyrannical Smithy has returned and has stolen the Star Rod, depriving the world of wishes and claiming them all for himself. Mario and his allies, along with some new friends, must travel across the world, liberating kingdoms from the Smithy Gang's oppression and restoring hope to the denizens of the world. Meanwhile, Bowser enlists a new elite trio using the power of Ztars, hoping to match Mario's new power.

Trivia

• Mark Haynes stated in 2013 about many changes he wanted to bring to the reboot such as replacing Mecha Sonic with Metallix, removing the Pipe Maze episode due to him deeming it filler, and removing Basilisx due to him merely hindering the progress of the plot.
  • However, Haynes has since changed his mind about Basilisx, and has confirmed that he will appear in the Smithy Saga as part of a new Elite Trio.
• Haynes had considered changing the name of the reboot to "Super Mario Bros GT", "Super Mario Bros Z Kai", or "New Super Mario Bros Z", but decided against it due to fan-made "resurrection" projects of the same names already existing.
• Haynes confirmed that the third saga has been scrapped and the only definitive arcs moving forward are the Metallix and Smithy sagas until further notice.
• Haynes has stated that the series does not strictly adhere to the established canon of either franchise. Instead, it selectively draws from various media and incorporates specific terminology that aligns with the story he aims to tell, taking some creative liberties with the source material. Haynes explained this decision by claiming that Sonic's canon is "messy", and he preferred to incorporate elements of his own headcanon. Notably:
  • Tails accompanies Sonic when meeting Metal Sonic, akin to Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie, as opposed to events depicted in Sonic the Hedgehog CD. Since Knuckles was also present during this exchange, it is not yet known if this depiction is presented in the same fashion.
  • Sonic's planet is known as "Mobius" much like in the Sonic the Hedgehog animated cartoon series and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, as opposed to it's official name, Earth. It is currently unknown as to which name Mario's or Blaze's worlds, which are also known as Earth, will be referred to as.
  • The events of Sonic the Hedgehog by IDW Publishing are completely ignored.
  • It has been implied that the events of Sonic Frontiers have not taken place.
  • The presence of Cubot means that the most recent entry in the Sonic chronology is Sonic Colors.
  • It is currently unknown what changes have been made to the Super Mario canon.