Review of Super Mario Bros. Wonder: really stache-ious
Our Verdict
A frankly phenomenal attention to detail, alongside a variety of interesting additions to level design, powers, and the brilliant new badge system, make this Mario’s finest outing in a generation. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is pure Nintendo magic, and an A-Team of veteran Nintendo talent with a fresh injection of younger developers is responsible for the most refreshing, satisfying, and addictive Mario game since Super Mario World. This is the Mario game the Switch deserves and the start of Mario’s new legacy.
When I play great Nintendo games, I consider an ethereal quality that I refer to as "Nintendo Magic" that permeates a portion of the Big N's venerable library. It's the proverbial cherry on top of a delectable box that Nintendo so frequently delivers—an extra dash of happiness, a hint of childish delight. The whistles of warp and Mario's Tanooki Tail. the Ocarina of Time Master Sword being pulled. The peaceful quiet of one in the morning in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Wonder is another concise way to characterize these components, those times.
I have been playing Super Mario Bros. a lot. For a time now, wonder. I've spent hours swinging my trunk around as Elephant Mario and have almost emptied every hidden, currency, and badge. And believe me when I say that I'll be smiling and doing it all over again simply to play this game with additional buddies. For the whole of Super Mario Bros. Wonder's ten to fifteen hour campaign (longer if you want to uncover every secret), many fleeting moments of happiness, and whimsical touches make the plumber's most recent excursion very memorable.
It is particularly tragic that Mario Bros. Since the release of Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Bros., Wonder is the first 2D Mario game. Film. The attention to detail and sheer variety of difficulties and ideas in both character animations demonstrate the evident impact of both. It also seems like a new beginning and a handing down of the torch since it's the first Mario game without Charles Martinet. It makes perfect sense that a 2D Mario game launches the next generation of Mario.
Although Mario's most recent 2D adventure has been a long time coming, patience pays off as Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a 2D Mario game that is worthy of the Nintendo Switch and ought to be owned by all Switch players. Beginning with Super Mario Bros. Wonder seems remarkably novel in addition to the well-known in terms of gameplay and graphics. This seems to be Nintendo's mission statement, demonstrating to fans that it can still surprise and astonish them even after Super Mario Maker. Yes, Nintendo succeeded.
In Wonder, Nintendo replaces the Mushroom Kingdom with the new Flower Kingdom. You go on a journey with your chosen character and meet Prince Florian, an adorable little worm. In a matter of seconds, the grumpy Koopa Bowser appears and, with the help of the new Wonder Flower, combines with Prince Florian's castle to transform into a monstrous creature that is half turtle and half turret.
This takes place in a clean, striking sequence that showcases a little portion of Wonder's flair in every detail. Thanks to Nintendo's new animations, characters move and express themselves in amazing ways. The cast of Mushroom Kingdom has never felt more endearing or expressive outside of the Mario Movie. Okay, so it's not quite a revolution, but it is at least a little shift in direction, a new benchmark for quality, and an amazing chance to introduce a ton of fresh concepts, locales, and adversaries.
Another great feature is that you may choose from a dozen various characters right away. Mario, Luigi, Daisy, Peach, Blue, Yellow, and Toadette all control the same way, using Mario's well-known skills as a model. No, Peach doesn't hover, but you may miss the variation that badges and power-ups provide. Next, Yoshi and Nabbit are immune to enemy damage, but they are still susceptible to pitfall and lose out on power-ups. These characters nevertheless have excellent control, making them a fantastic option for less seasoned gamers. Whichever member of Mushroom Kingdom you choose, the new animations are beneficial to everyone because of their charming designs and amazing amount of detail.
Although Mario is full of charm, there are several less well-known characters who are very sweet this time around, such the Toads. The atmosphere is further enhanced by little yet memorable moments in movement and interactions. Characters such as Mario and Luigi reach out to swiftly retrieve their hats before the pipe swallows them whole, but only after the character has poked their head through. Furthermore, there are many more delightful moments of pleasure hidden inside the Wonder Flowers and their unique mysteries, all of which are expertly presented and animated. Fantastic sound design also lends support to the whole thing, with each whoosh, hop, and foot patter receiving its own wacky melody.
Mario fans can relax since the controls are one immediate plus for Super Mario Bros. rather than simply the amazing animation. Wonder. With a constraint that is evocative of Super Mario World, movement feels tight yet acrobatic, and it is well-balanced with the new badges and their enhanced abilities. While Mario and his friends move with a great weight, younger players may switch to a character with a new set of powers or quickly check out a useful badge. Mazza's basic moveset hasn't changed all that much, but the additional abilities and badges more than make up for it.
While we can't reveal too much more beyond what is shown in the first trailers, know that Nintendo's efforts effectively support the game's increasing difficulty in the latter half while also showcasing a few of the game's opening chapters and Wonder Flowers. With Wonder, Nintendo places a strong emphasis on up-and-coming talent and developers. As you play through a dizzying array of different stages and adversaries, it seems as though the more experienced members of the team and the more recent hires are the ones who came up with a lot of the game's concepts.
In addition to the standard stages, which need you to wear a certain badge in order to advance, there are also new badge challenges. Some of these tightly focused and well-designed challenges seem like they could be taken directly out of the greatest Super Mario Maker levels. certain tasks need precise platforming precision, while others require extra badge abilities to enable certain special acrobatic tasks. I wish I could revisit several of these levels in more ways, a la Super Mario Galaxy 2's Cosmic Mario races or the purple coin challenges, since the degree of innovation shown here is quite astounding.
Since Mario often jumps between various levels, I think this level selection is fantastic, with a greater emphasis on depth than in previous games like Mutant Mudds or Abe's Odyssey. It is supported with platforming that is a pleasure to discover and even more enjoyable to return to when more time has passed. The new badge abilities combine with the ability to utilize strategically positioned ledges to spin and jump at high speed to produce a game that I can't stop playing. I've finished playing Super Mario Bros. I'm curious and I want to go back and reread from the beginning.
Levels like "Scram, Skedaddlers" in World 1 just encourage you to go quickly through them. The new adversary, the skedaddlers, do exactly that, launching themselves at full speed and mocking you into pursuing them. The maw-maw, the game's new adversary and title of "Maw-Maw Mouthful" in the Petal Isles, is a nice addition. It opens its mouth wide and eats both blocks and power-ups, leaving you permanently trapped in their stomach if you don't stop them in time.
The World 4 level "Bloomps of the Desert Skies" employs a strategy like to Scram's, Skedaddlers, but instead justin the inflatable Bloomps to force you to bounce far into the sky. The new bloomps are really enjoyable. You may be sure that there are mysteries in store for you, combining the pure pleasure of play with a fulfilling purpose. Then, when Mario leaps, the Hoopycat, a charming new spiky enemy, jumps along with him, adding even more exciting concepts to problems as they crash through platforms and blocks.
It seems like a nitpick to say that I'd want more of a motivation to revisit them outside of making up for a few missed trinkets since, really, there's enough to keep you captivated for at least 15 hours. In addition, the overworld and levels also conceal a wealth of mysteries. Crucially, Nintendo employs a somewhat straightforward stage structure and adds a little extra Nintendo magic to each one with the help of hidden purple coins and the new Wonder Flower, which is buried in every level.
The first few stages might seem like merely waiting for the Wonder Flower to appear at times, but the latter stages do a much better job of both concealing the Wonder Flower and crafting levels that are thrilling in and of itself. Wonder Flower transformations are all events, and even the one-and-done abilities are exciting to employ, so they're all worth experiencing.
Stages bend and twist, Mario and friends change in a variety of inventive ways, and Nintendo never ceases to wow you by disobeying assumed Mario conventions. Every Wonder change, in addition to the happy new Wonder Flower theme, makes me smile like an eight-year-old.
Then, outside of the Wonder Flower moments, the new Elephant Fruit, Bubble Flower, and Drill Mushroom add more variety and strategy. I really appreciate that practically all levels treat the Wonder Flower as a bonus rather than a crucial moment that you should hunt out and ignore the rest of the stage. Nintendo has done a superb job of balancing the game around a large number of distinct skills and abilities; none of the power-ups seem out of place. It also serves as a pleasant incentive to go back and play earlier levels with new abilities.
Speaking of abilities, the Elephant Fruit steals the show as it is prominently shown in several promotional materials as the new superpower. It's awesome to see Mario swing about as a gigantic gray monster, and I find the Elephant Fruit metamorphosis to be far more functional and aesthetically pleasing than some of the more recent abilities, like the Squirrel Suit or even Cat Mario from Super Mario 3D World. In addition to being able to smash blocks with his trunk, Elephant Mario can also be used to restore withering flowers and destroy certain foes by grabbing water from his trunk and sprinkling it about.
It feels like blowing flowers in Donkey Kong Country Returns when you use the trunk to water flowers, and you may utilize it in a similar way to find additional money and secrets. Wonder doesn't have nearly as many artifacts as that masterwork about monkeys, but the Mario series prioritizes a younger audience. Nintendo is balancing complexity and approachability in Wonder to appeal to a wide range of players.
Then there's my particular favorite, the Bubble Flower—and not only because I love Bubble Bobble so much. Emitting bubbles that can pass through barriers will trap and eliminate adversaries upon coming into touch with them. Along with the very rewarding ability to trap foes like Jake Gyllenhaal, cunning players can also utilize the bubbles as additional platforms, which is a really useful supplementary feature that gives them the opportunity to uncover some of those enticing little mysteries hidden away. I like how the bubbles provide an extra layer of strategy and complexity in just the right amounts.
Though it is necessary at times, the drill mushroom is much more seldom seen. With this new talent, you may hurt previously unbreakable opponents by digging into surfaces with a drill first. Then, like the Underminer, you can emerge from the earth and unleash a twisting vengeance on both goombas and koopas' tender underbelly. In my opinion, fast runs would benefit greatly from the Drill Mushroom because it would enable proficient players to quickly avoid certain adversaries by just digging below them. While entertaining, it is undoubtedly the least powerful of the three new powers, and I often believe that other powers' wider range of capabilities just makes them better.
The new capabilities are exciting, no doubt, but they are just supporting cast members compared to the new badges and their powers. Prince Florian, the helpful little worm, may wear a badge to provide additional abilities to your gaming. There are many different badges available. The crouched high leap allows you to launch into the air and duck as in Super Mario 64, the parachute hat allows you to glide elegantly after jumping from ledges, and the dolphin kick increases your movement speed and fighting strength in the water. They're not only about movements however, since every level begins with a mushroom rather than a little representation of your character thanks to the "Auto Super Mushroom" feature.
Put simply, these badges are among the greatest contributions to the whole series and the pinnacle of contemporary Mario ingenuity. Similar to the many skills seen in Super Mario Odyssey, but with a stronger emphasis and—most importantly—all created to support Nintendo's renowned platforming, which has been developed over decades of experience with amazing 2D games. Everyone will have their favorites, and it's enjoyable to explore and develop your own style. Moreover, certain badge powers work better at different levels. I like going over earlier stages with a ton of combinations, looking for hidden items, or simply attempting to beat prior records.
Also, if you can work with a few "Expert" badges, you may get big prizes. Jet Run significantly increases your speed, but since you are running all the time, you must carefully combine understanding the level with utilizing your reflexes to make the most of your extra momentum. Then you are (clearly) invisible to opponents and to yourself while you possess invisibility. While it's easy to evade your opponent's blows, positioning your character may be somewhat challenging. It's a lot of fun to employ background details, like as softly falling snow or the sound of a breeze, to hint at where the protagonist is.
In addition to the previously listed badge challenges, you may also get these badges from stores located around the open world. Regular purple coins and three huge purple coins are found in each level; you can use these coins to purchase more badges as you progress through the game. It works well for dispersing them. Furthermore, not all badges may be obtained via conventional channels. Purple money may also be used to purchase lives or entertaining standees; however, we'll talk more about them in the multiplayer section.
While there aren't as many mysteries or treasures as in a game like Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, fans of the Mushroom Kingdom will still discover a ton of things to explore and uncover. It pleases me that the purple coins, which are collected, have a function and can be exchanged for prizes in both single and multiplayer modes. Although Nintendo isn't always the greatest at using currency or collectibles—Luigi's Mansion 3 comes to mind—this instance seems perfect.
But I doubt that Super Mario Bros. or thrill-seekers who have finished games like Super Meat Boy would find the excruciating platforming challenges they want. Wonder achieve the insane heights of some of the horrifying 0.001% completion rate nightmares in Super Mario Maker. However, I often die throughout the main campaign, particularly while exploring hidden areas and reaching later stages. Unlike many of SMM's fan-made games, however, my errors are always the cause of my deaths rather than unjust shocks. Nintendo is aware of when to deviate from established game design guidelines while still maintaining the ideal level of difficulty. I promise you, there are some really frustrating tasks ahead of you.
Boss fights are one such instance, when the Wonder Flower's strength and certain well-known faces provide a novel challenge. Regardless of your strength level, bosses are perfectly balanced, and the difficulty curve is well-fitted. The monster designs are amazing, and the Wonder Flower brings a much-needed dash of diversity. If only the boss cast had been given the same increased emphasis on finding fresh and intriguing foes. This may seem like a little quibble to some, but memorable moments from the Mario series, such as Megaleg or Ruined Dragon in Odyssey, demonstrate that Nintendo often creates its best boss fights when introducing new characters to support intriguing new gameplay elements.
However, if you're looking for a challenge, the lead-up to Super Mario Bros. The last seconds of Wonder are amazing. Since we witness the opening sequences of many Mario games so often, they become iconic; nonetheless, Nintendo always shows off its artistic side during the crescendo. Pulling opponents, Wonder Flower abilities, and some incredible components from earlier games to solidify a climax that is among Mario's absolute best, the last boss encounter, the last world and its stages, and the few hidden secrets spread about are a victory lap of Mario Wonder's greatest moments.
Although I've previously spoken about the exquisite attention to character animation, the really amazing graphics complement it. Wonder's vibrant visual style effectively conveys levels, and it looks amazing extended out on a TV. I found myself staring at Wonder's dazzling clarity and the intricacy tucked away in the shadow of the sets on several occasions. Furthermore, everything moves at a fluid 60 frames per second, with those gorgeous character animations making the most of every frame to convey charm.
Returning to the Super Mario Bros. team is seasoned composer Koji Kondo. Wonder, and Nintendo is also paying great attention to sound design. Each ability or response has an entertaining sound effect, characters have distinct sounds to go along with their leaps, and even the talking flowers provide some humor to the levels. Additionally, the amazing new voice cast gives our beloved Mario and the rest of the group some fresh wrinkles.
With more fresh melodies and a wider range of instruments, the score has numerous songs that reflect the increased vitality and diversity brilliantly. The soundtrack is packed of outstanding pieces. Some of the more electro-influenced tracks on this album are very great.
Local multiplayer is one major difference; unlike New Super Mario Bros., it does not allow players to collide and pick up friends. Wii, when you go by your friends, there isn't a "friendly fire" here. Rather, everything seems like a team effort. When you fall into a pit, you become a small ghost rather than a bubble, and you have to wriggle toward your pals so they can touch you and put you back into the real world.
Even with the pandemonium of four pals crowded on a couch, local multiplayer is a terrific way to explore Wonder, even though it seems like a single-player game at first. Given that the game doesn't always follow various players well, I believe that two is the ideal amount. Nevertheless, playing this game with others is tons of fun, and the graphics and framerate never suffer.
Compared to earlier editions, the online multiplayer is much different and seems to be intended to enhance the single-player experience. You may put a standee by squatting and pressing down. When you play local multiplayer online, these standees function similarly to adjacent players. If you have internet enabled, you may move your ghost toward a strategically positioned standee in order to have another shot at survival.
Occasionally, other players' shadows may appear as you go through a level, showing you how friends and complete strangers handle certain obstacles. Occasionally, a passing ghost or a well-placed standee can point out significant obstacles or secrets; this is a very sweet community element that gives the campaign a lot of character. Any day, I'd choose this over Super Mario Maker 2's halting and awkward four-player online multiplayer.
Essentially, Super Mario Bros. Nintendo made a promise long ago with the New in the New Super Mario Bros. series, and Wonder delivers on that promise. Wonder looks like a wonderful template for the next thirty years of Mario, with a new generation of Mario enthusiasts on the development team and an exciting concentration on fresh concepts, characters, and places. Backed by decades of expertise and refinement from masters like Takashi Tezuka and Koji Kondo, as well as the cultural phenomenon that is Mario as a brand, Nintendo is presenting an enthralling masterpiece of Mario to a new generation. Wonder is a very touching reminder of what makes the Nintendo magic so unique, and I've been a longtime lover of Mario.
The Wonder Flower and badges provide the Mario franchise the much-needed boost it needs in the present day, even if additional abilities don't entirely change the experience. In the meanwhile, Nintendo releases new concepts and stages quickly, making the campaign flawless and devoid of filler. Fortunately, amazing local and online multiplayer possibilities combine with Wonder's numerous mysteries to provide lots of extra hours of gameplay for seasoned and enthusiastic players. It seems like Mario has never gone, darling, and he's back.
If this has made you want to play every Mario game ever made, be sure to check out our guide to the top Mario games available on Switch after reading this.