Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Bros. Wonder features dynamic level design, with interactive level objects that can move or alter behavior within gameplay.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a side-scrolling platform game. As one of eight player characters—Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad, Toadette, Nabbit and Yoshi—the player completes levels across the Flower Kingdom with assistance from its flower-like denizens.[3][4] Similarly to previous Super Mario games, players guide their character to the end of a level while avoiding enemies, such as Goombas and Piranha Plants, and transporting through Warp Pipes. Each stage contains multiple collectible "Wonder Seeds".[5]

New power-ups include a fruit that transforms the player into an elephant,[5][6] a flower that allows the player to create bubbles that capture enemies,[4] and a mushroom that gives the player a drill hat that allows the player to burrow into the ground or ceiling to evade enemies or bypass obstacles.[4]

Wonder introduces the Wonder Flower, which triggers bizarre effects such as pipes coming to life, hordes of enemies spawning, and character appearances and abilities changing.[5] The effects end when a player captures a Wonder Seed or leaves the area of effect.[6]

A new feature allows players to equip badges, which are unlocked throughout the game and give different perks.[4] They are divided into three different types: Action Badges, which grant the player character an additional ability, Boost Badges, which give the player character an additional passive ability, and Expert Badges, which grant the player character an advanced skill. Only one badge can be activated at a time per level. They are usually optional and can be shut off for higher difficulty.[6]

The game supports local multiplayer for up to four players.[7] It also has some online multiplayer functionality.[4]

Veteran Super Mario developer and producer Takashi Tezuka returns as a producer for Wonder.[8] Shiro Mouri, who previously directed New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, returns as director. Wonder started development in 2019 after the release of Deluxe,[8] and the development team was not given a deadline to produce a prototype, which resulted in extra time to develop gameplay ideas.[9]

During the initial planning of Wonder, Mouri desired to recreate the sense of "secrets and mystery" that had been present in the original Super Mario Bros. for a modern audience. The focus was placed on updating the traditional idea of transporting Mario to different areas of the level using Warp Pipes, vines, or other means. Tezuka suggested to instead change up the current physical location, and the Wonder Flower, which dramatically alters the current level, was born. In order for all levels in the game to uniquely implement this item, up to 2000 ideas for Wonder effects were solicited from the development team. The most viable were prototyped and implemented in the final game.[10][11][12]

Wonder was announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation on June 21, 2023, and was released on October 20, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.[13] It is the first traditional 2D side-scrolling Super Mario game since New Super Mario Bros. U (2012).[7] Wonder is the first game to feature Kevin Afghani as the new voice of Mario and Luigi, following the announcement of previous actor Charles Martinet's departure from the roles in August 2023.[14][15][16] Sonic Superstars, a similar 2D side-scrolling platform game by Sega, was released three days prior. Tezuka and Sonic Superstars producer Takashi Iizuka stated that this was a coincidence, despite how long it had been since either franchise had had a 2D entry. It was the first time a Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog game had been released close to one another since the 1990s Nintendo–Sega console war.[17][18][19]

Super Mario Bros. Wonder received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[20] On OpenCritic, 99% of reviews recommended the game.[21]

• Official website