Official Review
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a revolutionary addition to the Mario franchise, challenging the notion that 2D Mario games are less prestigious than their 3D counterparts. Released on October 20, 2023, Wonder proves that 2D Mario can be just as vital to the medium as its 3D siblings. In this review, we will explore the captivating gameplay, innovative mechanics, and stunning visuals that make Super Mario Bros. Wonder a modern classic.
The story of Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes place in the neighboring Flower Kingdom, where Mario and his friends are visiting Prince Florian. The kingdom's greatest treasure, the Wonder Flower, is showcased during their diplomatic event. However, Bowser crashes the party and steals the Wonder Flower, transforming himself into a towering castle that corrupts everything in its path. Mario and his companions embark on a rescue mission, leading to a series of awe-inspiring adventures.
The Wonder effects in Super Mario Bros. Wonder serve as a defining feature, reminiscent of the planetoids in Super Mario Galaxy. These effects allow stage designers to unleash their creativity, constantly reinventing mechanics and subverting expectations. The result is a game brimming with delightful surprises, akin to unwrapping a series of personalized gifts tailored for Mario platforming enthusiasts.
The Wonder effects introduce a sense of unpredictability and wonder, elevating the gameplay experience to new heights. One moment, you may find yourself jumping and spinning through a traditional Mario stage, while the next, you might transform into a Goomba, hiding from carnivorous creatures or experiencing a rhythmic dance. The variety of Wonder effects ensures that players never know what to expect next, keeping them engaged and enthralled.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder showcases the masterful craftsmanship of level design that the series is known for. The platforming mechanics are as sharp as ever, ensuring precise controls and satisfying jumps. The new setting of the Flower Kingdom offers a fresh palette for creativity, introducing inventive enemy types that seamlessly blend into Mario's iconic visual and gameplay aesthetic.
Throughout the game, players encounter a plethora of familiar adversaries such as Goombas and Boos, alongside innovative additions like Condarts, Hoppycats, and Mumsies. Each enemy presents unique challenges, requiring players to strategize and think outside the box. The level design incorporates clever touches, such as interactive magical flowers that reward players with coins and draw attention to points of interest.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder introduces a range of new power-ups that seamlessly integrate into the Mario canon. The Elephant power-up grants Mario and his friends extra strength and the ability to gather and spray water with their trunks, adding a refreshing twist to the gameplay. The Bubble power-up allows players to trap enemies and create platforms, serving as a versatile tool for both offense and defense. Another standout power-up is the Drill Suit, enabling players to dig underground and surprise enemies from unexpected angles.
To further enhance customization, Super Mario Bros. Wonder incorporates a badge system. Badges act as a light equipment system, allowing players to equip different badges that modify gameplay behavior. Action Badges, such as the Floating High Jump, directly impact gameplay mechanics, while Boost Badges provide passive benefits. Rare Expert Badges introduce significant gameplay effects, challenging players to tackle stages in unique and exciting ways. The badge system adds depth and replayability, inviting players to experiment and discover their preferred playstyles.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder reimagines multiplayer experiences, both online and offline. In local co-op, players can join forces and tackle stages together, fostering teamwork and shared triumphs. However, a limitation in local co-op restricts players to equipping only one badge at a time, potentially hindering customization options.
Conversely, online multiplayer provides a seamless and thoughtfully designed experience. Players can create or join lobbies, embarking on stages together or exploring individual adventures. The online mode introduces asynchronous ghosts and standees, allowing players to leave hints, revive each other, and create a sense of community. The shadows of other players wandering through stages provide a helpful reference for navigating challenging puzzles and platforming sections.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder boasts stunning visuals that captivate players from start to finish. The game's meticulous attention to detail is evident in its facial expressions, animations, and vibrant backgrounds. The use of bright confectionary colors breathes life into the world, creating a visually arresting experience that surpasses expectations for a 2D Mario game. The audio design is equally impressive, with talking flowers providing witty commentary, hints, and jokes about the game's wild enemies and Wonder Effects.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder presents players with an expansive overworld, encouraging exploration and discovery. Secrets are scattered throughout the kingdom, waiting to be unearthed. The game offers various stage types that break away from traditional platforming, including Badge Challenges, KO Arenas, and Break Time minigames. These diverse stages keep players engaged and entertained, offering a refreshing break from the main adventure.
The inclusion of a coin economy adds an additional layer of depth to the game. Collecting coins allows players to acquire standees, decorative objects that can be placed in stages to provide hints or aid in reviving fallen players. The online integration of standees further enhances the sense of community and collaboration within the Mario universe.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a resounding success, solidifying its place as a touchstone for 2D Mario games. It surpasses previous entries in the franchise by seamlessly blending innovative gameplay mechanics, captivating level design, and stunning visuals. The inclusion of Wonder effects, customizable badges, and online multiplayer adds layers of depth and replayability, ensuring that players will revisit the game time and time again. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a modern classic that cements the importance and vitality of 2D Mario in the gaming landscape.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a game that defies expectations, proving that 2D Mario can be just as groundbreaking and essential as its 3D counterparts. With its innovative Wonder effects, captivating gameplay, customization options, and reimagined multiplayer experiences, Wonder stands as a modern classic in the Mario franchise. Whether playing solo or with friends, players will be immersed in a world filled with delightful surprises and unforgettable moments. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a must-play for Mario fans and gaming enthusiasts alike.
A New Adventure Unfolds
The story of Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes place in the neighboring Flower Kingdom, where Mario and his friends are visiting Prince Florian. The kingdom's greatest treasure, the Wonder Flower, is showcased during their diplomatic event. However, Bowser crashes the party and steals the Wonder Flower, transforming himself into a towering castle that corrupts everything in its path. Mario and his companions embark on a rescue mission, leading to a series of awe-inspiring adventures.
Wonder Effects: Unleashing Creativity
The Wonder effects in Super Mario Bros. Wonder serve as a defining feature, reminiscent of the planetoids in Super Mario Galaxy. These effects allow stage designers to unleash their creativity, constantly reinventing mechanics and subverting expectations. The result is a game brimming with delightful surprises, akin to unwrapping a series of personalized gifts tailored for Mario platforming enthusiasts.
The Wonder effects introduce a sense of unpredictability and wonder, elevating the gameplay experience to new heights. One moment, you may find yourself jumping and spinning through a traditional Mario stage, while the next, you might transform into a Goomba, hiding from carnivorous creatures or experiencing a rhythmic dance. The variety of Wonder effects ensures that players never know what to expect next, keeping them engaged and enthralled.
Captivating Gameplay and Level Design
Super Mario Bros. Wonder showcases the masterful craftsmanship of level design that the series is known for. The platforming mechanics are as sharp as ever, ensuring precise controls and satisfying jumps. The new setting of the Flower Kingdom offers a fresh palette for creativity, introducing inventive enemy types that seamlessly blend into Mario's iconic visual and gameplay aesthetic.
Throughout the game, players encounter a plethora of familiar adversaries such as Goombas and Boos, alongside innovative additions like Condarts, Hoppycats, and Mumsies. Each enemy presents unique challenges, requiring players to strategize and think outside the box. The level design incorporates clever touches, such as interactive magical flowers that reward players with coins and draw attention to points of interest.
Power-ups and Badges: Customizing the Mario Experience
Super Mario Bros. Wonder introduces a range of new power-ups that seamlessly integrate into the Mario canon. The Elephant power-up grants Mario and his friends extra strength and the ability to gather and spray water with their trunks, adding a refreshing twist to the gameplay. The Bubble power-up allows players to trap enemies and create platforms, serving as a versatile tool for both offense and defense. Another standout power-up is the Drill Suit, enabling players to dig underground and surprise enemies from unexpected angles.
To further enhance customization, Super Mario Bros. Wonder incorporates a badge system. Badges act as a light equipment system, allowing players to equip different badges that modify gameplay behavior. Action Badges, such as the Floating High Jump, directly impact gameplay mechanics, while Boost Badges provide passive benefits. Rare Expert Badges introduce significant gameplay effects, challenging players to tackle stages in unique and exciting ways. The badge system adds depth and replayability, inviting players to experiment and discover their preferred playstyles.
Multiplayer Reinvented: A Collaborative Adventure
Super Mario Bros. Wonder reimagines multiplayer experiences, both online and offline. In local co-op, players can join forces and tackle stages together, fostering teamwork and shared triumphs. However, a limitation in local co-op restricts players to equipping only one badge at a time, potentially hindering customization options.
Conversely, online multiplayer provides a seamless and thoughtfully designed experience. Players can create or join lobbies, embarking on stages together or exploring individual adventures. The online mode introduces asynchronous ghosts and standees, allowing players to leave hints, revive each other, and create a sense of community. The shadows of other players wandering through stages provide a helpful reference for navigating challenging puzzles and platforming sections.
Visual Splendor and Audio Delights
Super Mario Bros. Wonder boasts stunning visuals that captivate players from start to finish. The game's meticulous attention to detail is evident in its facial expressions, animations, and vibrant backgrounds. The use of bright confectionary colors breathes life into the world, creating a visually arresting experience that surpasses expectations for a 2D Mario game. The audio design is equally impressive, with talking flowers providing witty commentary, hints, and jokes about the game's wild enemies and Wonder Effects.
Exploration and Replayability
Super Mario Bros. Wonder presents players with an expansive overworld, encouraging exploration and discovery. Secrets are scattered throughout the kingdom, waiting to be unearthed. The game offers various stage types that break away from traditional platforming, including Badge Challenges, KO Arenas, and Break Time minigames. These diverse stages keep players engaged and entertained, offering a refreshing break from the main adventure.
The inclusion of a coin economy adds an additional layer of depth to the game. Collecting coins allows players to acquire standees, decorative objects that can be placed in stages to provide hints or aid in reviving fallen players. The online integration of standees further enhances the sense of community and collaboration within the Mario universe.
A Touchstone for 2D Mario
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a resounding success, solidifying its place as a touchstone for 2D Mario games. It surpasses previous entries in the franchise by seamlessly blending innovative gameplay mechanics, captivating level design, and stunning visuals. The inclusion of Wonder effects, customizable badges, and online multiplayer adds layers of depth and replayability, ensuring that players will revisit the game time and time again. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a modern classic that cements the importance and vitality of 2D Mario in the gaming landscape.
Verdict
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a game that defies expectations, proving that 2D Mario can be just as groundbreaking and essential as its 3D counterparts. With its innovative Wonder effects, captivating gameplay, customization options, and reimagined multiplayer experiences, Wonder stands as a modern classic in the Mario franchise. Whether playing solo or with friends, players will be immersed in a world filled with delightful surprises and unforgettable moments. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a must-play for Mario fans and gaming enthusiasts alike.
