A wild and brief trip
The 2D Mario games have been a ride since their inception. The “New” style of games were never my favorites, so when Wonder was announced my first concern was that it would follow that style, and thus I would not enjoy it quite as much as I did classics like World and SMB3. Wonder feels like a middle ground where a lot of cool ideas are executed while also trying to walk that fine line of those classic games. I like to compare it to Bowser’s Fury of the 2D entries. It has a lot of neat ideas with some undercooked multiplayer and a length that feels experimental as opposed to a proper entry in the series. Still, it is hard not to smile while playing the game, making it yet another candidate for best game of 2023.
The structure of Wonder is like Mario World with an overworld with a series of biomes each containing various stages laid out similar to Mario 3D world. The items in this game are Wonder Seeds, and each level usually contains two and sometimes a hidden extra one. Completing the level delivers one seed, while the second is usually tucked away behind a Wonder Flower that will execute a unique theme for the level. This ranges from singing Piranha Plants to bulls chasing your character. It is a wild trip and feels like the most unique addition to the series in a while.
MSRP: $59.99
Platforms: Switch
Price I’d Pay: $59.99
The seeds are used to progress and unlock new levels and collecting them all is like the stars, shines, etc. in previous games. There are also purple coins that are used as currency. These can be used to purchase new badges (more on that in a minute) as well as extra lives and collectible standees that serve similar to stickers in past games.
The biggest modifier to this game is the badges. These are essentially perks that can be equipped for each stage. Only one can be used at a time, and they really shake up the game play. It can be as simple as having a mushroom right from the start to more complex mechanics including something I never thought I would see in a Mario game. Yes, at some point you unlock a badge that gives Mario a double jump. It feels like cheating. The rest range from extra blocks, to glide hats, and even an extra wall-jump. These can help explore some stages even better and make things easier. These can also be changed at a checkpoint if you die. It is a great mechanic that works as well as you think it will.
In Mario tradition the real star of the show is the stages. Each biome has a unique theme, and each level feels wholly unique. There are some that are visually stunning with lots of color and the animations are stellar. The Wonder effects are a true highlight. Everyone is talking about the singing Piranha Plants, but there are so many. They also introduce new platforming in some of them and I was always excited to see what was next when I found the flower. These really spice up each level and make replaying them fun to see what happens if you skip them.
Each world is also packed with unique enemies. The animations as I mentioned are outstanding. Seeing Goombas look up as you jump on them shows the dread in their eyes as they become aware they are about to die. Everything works like this. Seeing Mario grab his hat going through a pipe. It is all reminiscent of cartoons and I love it. The visuals are sharp, and the level design is immaculate. Combine that with a soundtrack that features some truly memorable titles, some composed by Koji Kondo and you have a presentation that stands up with what we have come to expect from Nintendo.
The badges are the star of the new additions, but I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the elephant suit. This new power-up basically makes characters feel like a force of nature. Being able to hit horizontal blocks and mow through enemies is never boring. Speaking of characters, there is a decent collection here. Each one plays the same which is disappointing, but I like the options. The only exceptions are Yoshi and Nabbit, who are invincible, but they cannot use power-ups. This makes them ideal for parents to use if playing with younger kids.
Multiplayer returns and is both online and couch co-op. This is a little different than previous games with a larger focus on platforming. Players can use Standees as checkpoints for friends to respawn and you can even turn other players into ghosts so you cannot bump into them. A very welcome addition. I had fun with this mode, but I found going solo more enjoyable. The stages and mechanics feel more akin to a single player game, but it is appreciated that it is included.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fantastic entry. It takes chances with its mechanics and feels like yet another testing ground for Nintendo to see what works and what doesn’t. It is the best 2D Mario in a long time, but still doesn’t dethrone the kings from the NES and SNES days. I loved every minute of the 10 or so hour campaign and want to revisit stages over time. I cannot wait for the next iteration of the Switch as I feel like we may finally see the next big 3D Mario, but until then Wonder does an outstanding job of satisfying that Mario platformer itch that has been missing since Odyssey.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
