adplus-dvertising
World

Nintendo's Cryptic Teaser Sparks Fan Theories: Pikmin, Mario Galaxy, or Something New?

nintendo close to you window

Nintendo is no stranger to cryptic advertising, but the latest teaser from the company might be the most baffling yet. A new video that plays more like a short film than an advertisement has caught the attention of fans, and despite the lack of clear answers, some viable theories as to its nature have quickly emerged.

Nintendo of America shared a video captioned “Close to You” on X, which shows a baby playing as its pacifier moves around, seemingly of its own accord. The nearly four-minute video lacks any attached product or call to action, focusing instead on the toddler taking its first steps as it chases the pacifier around. It ends with an embrace between the child and their mother, who finally returns the pacifier to them.

Nintendo’s “Close To You” Teaser Is Confusing Fans

An Animated Short With No Explanation

An animated short film about a toddler isn’t what anyone expected from Nintendo’s social media accounts today, and the most prevalent reaction is one of confusion. A reply from X user Armr sums up the bafflement with a gif of Sonic the Hedgehog scratching his head, expressing uncertainty over whether the video is “an announcement from a video game or just a random short animation.

All the same, plenty of fans have started to read between the lines. Amid the general confusion, some viable theories have started to emerge, and one in particular seems like a probable explanation.

Is Nintendo Teasing Pikmin, Mario Galaxy, Or Something Else Entirely?

“Close To You” Has Several Conflicting Clues

4 Pikmin standing in a row near some natural water.
4 Pikmin standing in a row near some natural water.

The biggest clue in the teaser is the score, which appears to touch on music from the Pikmin series multiple times. Philthy Opinions notes both the use of the leitmotif and the possibility that invisible Pikmin are carrying around the toys and pacifier. Movement in the background of the scene from 1:39 to 1:42 could also be a Pikmin, although it’s too far out of focus for any certainty.

Another popular theory is that it’s a teaser for the Super Mario Galaxy movie, as the baby’s hair looks similar to Rosalina’s. This wouldn’t explain the use of the Pikmin music, but there’s a third possibility — it might not be a teaser for one franchise in particular. X user Cdennyblog points out the apparent usage of music from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which might diminish the significance of the Pikmin music’s inclusion.

The trailer could be a teaser for some new Nintendo product focused on young children or child care, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up too high for a new Pikmin game yet. All the same, it’s undeniably intriguing, and it definitely seems like Nintendo has some announcement in store.

Nintendo Poster

Date Founded

September 23, 1889

CEO

Satoru Iwata

Subsidiaries

Nintendo EPD, Nintendo SPD, Nintendo EAD

Consoles

Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo Game Boy Color, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch Lite

Services

Nintendo Switch Online