Super Mario Bros. Wonder: A Fresh Take on a Classic Franchise
For nearly 40 years, Mario has been stomping Goombas, smashing blocks, and running from left to right. As the flagship character of Nintendo, how does the company keep its classic side-scroller feeling fresh and innovative after all this time? The answer lies in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a game that not only shifts the location to a brand new kingdom but also introduces new enemies, power-ups, and a groundbreaking mechanic that turns everything players know about Mario games on its head.
The game starts with Mario and his crew (Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Nabbit, and for the first time, Daisy) visiting Prince Florian of the Flower Kingdom. However, Bowser barges in and steals a Wonder Flower, which he uses to merge with Prince Florian’s castle to create a floating mecha fortress. Players must collect Wonder Seeds, the game’s version of stars and shines, to help the Florians restore order to their troubled land.
This simple premise has subtle but profound implications for the gameplay and story. First, it introduces Wonder Flowers with wild and unpredictable effects. Second, it shifts the focus from simply rescuing a princess trapped in a castle to working alongside the entire Flower Kingdom to defeat Bowser. This sense of community adds depth to the game, making the world feel more lived-in and immersive than many epic RPGs.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder features six main worlds, each with a distinctive theme. Players will encounter familiar enemies as well as new foes across a wide range of environments and levels. One notable addition is the inclusion of badges, which players can earn by completing specific levels. These badges provide various abilities such as increased jumping distance, floating, and the appearance of extra coins. They add customizability and replayability to the game, drawing inspiration from recent roguelikes like Hades.
However, the most significant twist in the game comes from the Wonder Flowers themselves. Almost every stage hides a hidden Wonder Flower, and touching it transports players to an alternate dimension where the rules of the Marioverse have been rewritten. Each flower offers a unique and unexpected experience, turning the game into a top-down 2D maze, a shooting gallery, or even transforming the player into a giant slime. The possibilities are seemingly endless, and the inclusion of Wonder Flowers adds an extra layer of excitement to every level.
In addition to the Wonder Flowers, the game features a wide variety of level types. Alongside classic stages that culminate in grabbing a flag, players can engage in races, badge challenges, puzzle levels, and more. The inclusion of KO Arenas, where players can pick their preferred power-up before taking down waves of enemies, and Break Time levels, which provide quick bursts of excitement, ensures that players never get bored and always have something new to enjoy.
Visually, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is breathtaking. The attention to detail in every level and character is astonishing, surpassing even recent 3D titles like Odyssey. From the determined expression on Mario’s face as he runs to the flames that sprout from his feet when he jumps, the game oozes charm and personality. The map design is also surprisingly engaging, offering secret nooks and crannies that enhance the sense of exploration.
Nintendo has also addressed a common gripe with previous 2D Mario games by introducing difficulty ratings and hidden paths that lead to more challenging levels early on. This change allows players to experience the “good stuff” right from the start without rushing through easier levels. The balance of difficulty in the 4 and 5-star levels feels just right, providing a rewarding challenge without being overly punishing.
While there are some very minor complaints, such as tedious mechanics with mummy enemies and potential balancing issues with certain power-ups, the overall experience of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is nothing short of marvelous. The art and animations are top-notch, and the inclusion of Wonder Seeds keeps the well-established franchise feeling fresh and innovative. In many ways, Wonder reminds players of the beloved Super Mario World, and despite the long wait for a proper sequel, fans of the franchise will find themselves thrilled and eagerly anticipating what Nintendo has in store for Mario next.