The new 3DS Mario platformer briefly shown off last month at GDC could be on shelves before the year is out, according to Shigeru Miyamoto.

Speaking in a video interview with French site Gamesblog.fr, Nintendo's veteran creative lead said, "I promise to do all I can to deliver the new Mario game this year."

Aside from the four screenshots Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata showed off during his GDC presentation in March very little is known about the title.

It's being developed by Nintendo's EAD Tokyo outpost  the same team responsible for the Super Mario Galaxy games - and a full reveal is expected at E3 in June.