Super Mario Bros. Wonder: A Review of the Latest 2D Platformer for Nintendo Switch

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a new 2D platformer game for the Nintendo Switch, released on October 20, 2023. It is the first new full-fledged 2D Super Mario game since New Super Mario Bros. U, which came out almost 11 years ago. In this blog post, I will review the game and share my thoughts on its features, gameplay, graphics, and sound.

What is Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a side-scrolling platformer that follows the adventures of Mario and his friends in the Flower Kingdom, a colorful land filled with wonder and mystery. The game supports both single-player and simultaneous multiplayer modes, with up to four players able to join the fun. The game also features a variety of playable characters, including Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Yellow Toad, Blue Toad, Toadette, Yoshis of four different colors, and Nabbit.

The game introduces a new power-up called the Wonder Flower, which can transform the world around Mario and his friends in unique and strange ways. For example, the Wonder Flower can make Warp Pipes come to life and stretch upward, or turn enemies into coins or stars. The Wonder Flower can also grant new abilities to the characters, such as flying, swimming faster, or throwing fireballs.

The game consists of eight worlds, each with its own theme and challenges. The worlds are:

• World 1: Green Grassland
• World 2: Sandy Desert
• World 3: Deep Magma Bog
• World 4: Snowy Mountain
• World 5: Cloudy Sky
• World 6: Dark Forest
• World 7: Starry Space
• World 8: Bowser’s Castle

Each world has several levels, including regular levels, tower levels, castle levels, ghost house levels, and special levels. The game also features hidden exits, secret paths, bonus rooms, and collectibles such as Wonder Tokens and Wonder Seeds.

How to Play Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

The gameplay of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is similar to the previous 2D Super Mario games, with some new twists and additions. The basic controls are:

• Move left or right with the left stick or the directional buttons
• Jump with the B button
• Run or hold an item with the Y button
• Use an item or power-up with the X button
• Crouch with the ZL or ZR button
• Pause the game with the + button

The characters can also perform other moves such as:

• Wall Jump: Jump against a wall and press the B button again to bounce off it
• Ground Pound: Press the ZL or ZR button while in mid-air to slam down on enemies or blocks
• Spin Jump: Press the B button while holding the Y button to do a spinning jump that can break certain blocks or defeat certain enemies
• Flutter Jump: Press and hold the B button while playing as Yoshi to hover in the air for a short time

The game also has some new features that enhance the gameplay experience:

Wonder Effect

The Wonder Effect is a special feature that activates when a character collects a Wonder Flower. The Wonder Effect changes the environment and the gameplay in various ways depending on the level. For example:

• In World 1-1: Pipe Park, the Wonder Effect makes Warp Pipes come to life and stretch upward or downward, creating new platforms or obstacles.
• In World 2-3: Sandstorm Oasis, the Wonder Effect creates a sandstorm that blows away enemies and blocks.
• In World 3-5: Item Park, the Wonder Effect turns enemies into items such as coins, mushrooms, fire flowers, or stars.
• In World 4-4: Ice Slide Mountain, the Wonder Effect makes ice blocks slide across the ground or fall from the sky.
• In World 5-2: Rainbow Road, the Wonder Effect creates rainbow bridges that connect different parts of the level.
• In World 6-6: Haunted Mansion, the Wonder Effect makes ghosts appear and disappear randomly.
• In World 7-3: Meteor Shower, the Wonder Effect causes meteors to rain down from above.
• In World 8-Castle: Bowser’s Final Showdown, the Wonder Effect makes Bowser grow bigger and stronger.

The Wonder Effect can also give new abilities to the characters depending on their color:

• Red characters (Mario, Peach) can fly with a cape by holding the B button after jumping

• Green characters (Luigi, Daisy) can swim faster by tapping the B button repeatedly underwater

• Yellow characters (Yellow Toad) can throw fireballs by pressing the X button

• Blue characters (Blue Toad) can freeze enemies by pressing the X button

• Pink characters (Toadette) can turn into Peachette by pressing the X button, which allows them to glide and double jump

• Purple characters (Nabbit) can turn invisible by pressing the X button, which makes them invincible and able to pass through enemies and obstacles

• Yoshis can change their color and ability by eating different fruits:

  • Red fruit: Fire Yoshi, can spit fireballs
  • Blue fruit: Ice Yoshi, can spit ice balls
  • Yellow fruit: Thunder Yoshi, can create shockwaves
  • Green fruit: Leaf Yoshi, can fly with a propeller
  • Pink fruit: Heart Yoshi, can heal other characters

Badges

Badges are special items that can be equipped before starting a level. Badges can grant various benefits or effects to the characters, such as:

• Action Badges: These badges affect the character’s actions, such as jumping higher, running faster, or sliding longer.
• Boost Badges: These badges affect the character’s stats, such as increasing health, defense, or attack power.
• Expert Badges: These badges affect the game’s difficulty, such as making enemies tougher, coins rarer, or time shorter.

Badges can be obtained by completing certain levels, finding hidden exits, collecting Wonder Tokens, or buying them from Toad Shops. Each character can equip up to three badges at a time.

How Does Super Mario Bros. Wonder Look and Sound?

Super Mario Bros. Wonder has a colorful and vibrant graphics style that is reminiscent of the New Super Mario Bros. series of games. The game uses a 2.5D perspective that combines 2D sprites with 3D backgrounds and effects. The game also has a lot of animations and details that make the world feel alive and dynamic.

The game’s soundtrack is composed of catchy and upbeat tunes that fit the mood and theme of each world and level. The game also features voice acting for the characters, who speak in their native languages or gibberish depending on the region. The game also has sound effects that match the actions and events on screen.

What are the Pros and Cons of Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fun and enjoyable game that offers a lot of content and replay value for fans of the 2D platformer genre. The game has many pros, such as:

• A large variety of playable characters, each with their own abilities and personalities
• A new power-up that changes the gameplay and environment in creative and surprising ways
• A badge system that allows customization and challenge
• A multiplayer mode that supports up to four players locally or online
• A colorful and lively graphics style that is pleasing to the eye
• A catchy and upbeat soundtrack that is pleasant to the ear
• A lot of secrets and collectibles to discover and unlock

However, the game also has some cons, such as:

• A lack of originality and innovation in some aspects of the game design
• A difficulty curve that is too easy for experienced players or too hard for casual players
• A story that is too simple and predictable for a modern game
• A voice acting that is too annoying or repetitive for some players

Final Verdict: Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder Worth Playing?

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a game that will appeal to fans of the 2D platformer genre, especially those who grew up with the classic Super Mario games. The game offers a lot of fun and entertainment for players of all ages and skill levels. The game also has a lot of content and replay value that will keep players engaged for hours.

However, the game is not perfect and has some flaws that may disappoint some players who expect more from a new Super Mario game. The game may also feel too familiar or repetitive for some players who have played other games in the series.

Overall, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a game that is worth playing if you are looking for a fun and enjoyable 2D platformer for your Nintendo Switch. The game may not be the best or most original Super Mario game ever made, but it is still a solid and satisfying entry in the series.

If you are interested in playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder, you can buy it from the official site.

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