Super Mario Bros Wonder Review

Super Mario Bros Wonder Overview

Super Mario Bros Wonder is an exciting 2D platformer that launched in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch. It features a vibrant new aesthetic, enhanced animations, and dynamic gameplay mechanics that breathe new life into the Mario franchise. Super Mario Bros provides a refreshing departure from the familiar paths of the New Super Mario Bros series that began on the Nintendo DS.

Mario and his friends arrive at a lively festival in the enchanting Flower Kingdom, but their joyous occasion is suddenly shattered by an invasion from Bowser. In a deviousact, Bowser seizes the Wonder Flower and uses it to fuse himself with the castle, transforming into the imposing Castle Bowser. Now, the responsibility falls on Mario and his loyal companions as they join Prince Florian, the courageous leader of the flower kingdom, to confront Bowser and restore harmony.

Super Mario Bros Wonder Gamplay

Super Mario Wonder offers gameplay that closely resembles a classic Mario 2D platformer, yet it introduces several innovative twists that breathe life into the experience and make it incredibly enjoyable to play.

Playable Characters

You have access to 12 playable characters, featuring the exciting playable debut of Daisy in a mainline Mario game. While all characters are similar in abilities, the notable exceptions are the Yoshis and Nabbit. They cannot take damage or utilize power-ups making them the easy mode charecters. Longtime Mario fans may find it surprising that Luigi does not jump higher and the princess does not have a floating ability as part of their standard moveset. However, these additional movement options can be equipped to all charecters through badges.

BAdges

Badges are unique items that enhance your character’s abilities through special power-ups. There are three primary categories of badges: movement, boost, and expert, each applicable to all characters. Movement badges provide a range of options and can be used to elevate your character’s agility, enabling remarkable high jumps and float jumps, while also bestowing additional capabilities such as a parachute cap or a piranha grappling hook.

The expert badges present an exhilarating challenge, enabling players to either move at incredible speed or become nearly invisible, which adds an exciting twist to gameplay and allows for a more demanding level of difficulty.

Wonder Flowers

The main attraction of this game is the Wonder Flower. Collecting it transforms the level in unique ways that vary depending on the level and its type. It’s clear that the developers had a blast creating and integrating the many effects of the Wonder Flower. In certain levels, the flower allows you to ride a stampede, brings the pipes to life, makes you incredibly tall while only revealing your silhouette, and even lets you take on the forms of various Mario enemies.

Super Mario Bros Wonder Graphics & Art

One of the standout features of the game is the significantly enhanced animations that outshine those from previous installments. Mario, along with the other playable characters and even the enemies, exhibit vibrant and expressive movements. Players will be delighted to witness goombas dozing off and piranhas engaging in cheerful songs and dances. According to reports, Nintendo utilized a portion of the additional budget generated from the Super Mario Bros movie to elevate the animation quality in Mario Wonder.

Super Mario Bros Wonder Replayability

In addition to the existing challenges, there are various fun levels, including the Wiggler Race, which significantly enhance replayability. We particularly enjoyed the search and find levels, where players can discover several hidden coins. Some are easily noticeable, while others are cleverly concealed, providing an enjoyable challenge. The expert badges add another layer of difficulty by altering the rules of the existing levels, and naturally, the classic platforming element of collectibles offers players a compelling reason to aim for a 100% completion if they wish. Furthermore, the game features an entire world brimming with bonus levels that present players with engaging challenges.

Final Thoughts

Mario Wonder is an incredibly enjoyable and expertly crafted game. Its thoughtfully designed mechanics are sure to delight any fan of 2D platformers, making it an excellent choice for Mario enthusiasts seeking a fresh and exciting experience.

FINAL REVIEW SCORE: 9.0