Nintendo has no shortage of dormant franchises waiting for a modern revival, and Dr. Mario is one spinoff that has been noticeably absent in recent years. While Nintendo hasn't announced a new entry, a newly updated trademark for Dr. Mario World has fans wondering whether the series could finally make a comeback.

As reported by My Nintendo News, Nintendo recently filed a new trademark related to Dr. Mario World, the mobile game that was discontinued in 2021. The filing has naturally fueled speculation that Nintendo could eventually bring the game back, potentially as an updated release for the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2.

Originally released in 2019, Dr. Mario World attempted to adapt the classic puzzle formula for mobile devices. The game received a mixed reception, with some players feeling that its free-to-play structure and mobile-focused design lacked the personality of earlier Dr. Mario titles. After roughly two years, Nintendo eventually shut down the game.

Despite its short lifespan, the Dr. Mario name remains recognizable, and some fans have continued asking Nintendo to revive the series. A modern port of Dr. Mario World could provide an opportunity to rework some of its mechanics and add quality-of-life improvements while bringing the spinoff back to a larger audience.

However, the trademark filing doesn't necessarily mean a new game is coming.

Some fans have suggested that Nintendo may simply be renewing or protecting its intellectual property. This could be particularly relevant as community groups continue experimenting with ways to preserve or revive discontinued mobile games, potentially giving Nintendo another reason to maintain control over the Dr. Mario World name.

Still, the possibility of a return is intriguing. The Switch has gone years without a dedicated Dr. Mario release, making the series a relatively obvious candidate for a revival. Even if Nintendo opted for an updated version of Dr. Mario World rather than a completely new game, it would give the company a relatively low-risk way to see whether there is still an audience for the puzzle spinoff.

A successful return could potentially lead to something bigger, too. If Nintendo sees strong interest in Dr. Mario on its modern hardware, it could provide a reason to develop a brand-new entry rather than leaving the franchise dormant once again.

For now, Nintendo hasn't confirmed what the trademark means, so fans shouldn't treat the filing as confirmation of an upcoming game. Nevertheless, after years without a new Dr. Mario, even the possibility of the doctor returning is enough to give the long-running puzzle series a fresh shot of life.