Super Mario Bros. Wonder isn’t just another Mario game. it’s a vibrant, innovative reinvention of the classic 2D platformer that delivers on every front, making it an absolute must-play for Nintendo Switch owners and a strong contender for game of the year. From its whimsical new “Wonder Effects” that radically transform gameplay to its beautifully animated visuals and surprisingly deep online co-op, this title breathes fresh life into a beloved formula without losing the core charm that makes Mario so iconic. It’s a masterclass in creative level design, offering constant surprises and encouraging playful exploration in a way that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. Whether you’re a seasoned Mario veteran or a newcomer to the Mushroom Kingdom, Wonder offers an engaging, joyful, and often hilarious experience that justifies the hype.

Product Name	Category	Key Feature	Compatibility	Price Range
Nintendo Switch – OLED Model	Gaming Console	Enhanced OLED Screen, Improved Audio	Nintendo Switch Games	$$$
Joy-Con L/R Controllers	Gaming Accessory	Detachable, Versatile Play Modes	Nintendo Switch	$$
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller	Gaming Accessory	Ergonomic Design, Traditional Layout	Nintendo Switch	$$
Amiibo Figures	Collectible/Accessory	Unlock In-Game Bonuses, Collectible	Nintendo Switch, Wii U, 3DS	$ – $$
Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch	Gaming Accessory	Protection, Portability	Nintendo Switch	$
Nintendo eShop Gift Card	Digital Currency	Purchase Digital Games & DLC	Nintendo eShop	Variable
Mario-themed Apparel	Apparel	Show Fandom, Comfortable Wear	N/A	$ – $$

Table of Contents

The Revolutionary “Wonder Effects” and Their Impact on Gameplay

What Exactly Are Wonder Effects?

Wonder Effects are dynamic, temporary transformations that completely alter the level’s structure, objectives, or even Mario’s abilities for a short period.

They are triggered by collecting a “Wonder Flower,” which is usually found in a secret or challenging-to-reach spot within a level.

The effect is often accompanied by dazzling visual flair and a unique sound design that enhances the surreal experience.

Environmental Transformations: Levels might stretch, shrink, or become entirely vertical. You could find yourself surfing on a wave of enemies or navigating a giant, pulsating organism.
Character Transformations: Mario and friends might temporarily change form, such as turning into a spiked ball, a balloon, or even a completely different creature.
Gameplay Rule Changes: Gravity might reverse, the camera could zoom in unexpectedly, or the entire level might shift into a rhythm-based challenge.
Narrative Twists: Sometimes, the Wonder Effect tells a mini-story, adding a layer of whimsical narrative to the level.

How Do They Elevate the 2D Mario Formula?

Traditionally, 2D Mario levels are about mastering a set of challenges, platforming precision, and finding secrets. Wonder keeps all that but layers on an element of delightful unpredictability.

Constant Surprise: No two Wonder Effects are exactly alike, even if they share a similar premise. This keeps every level fresh and prevents any sense of repetition. You’re constantly asking, “What’s going to happen next?”
Encourages Exploration: Finding the Wonder Flower is often a mini-puzzle in itself. It incentivizes players to explore every nook and cranny of a level, not just rush to the flagpole.
Breaks Monotony: If a particular section is feeling a bit stale, the Wonder Effect comes along and completely shatters the expected flow, injecting new energy and challenges.
Replayability: Discovering all the Wonder Seeds which are often awarded after a Wonder Effect and seeing every crazy transformation adds significant replay value. You might want to revisit levels just to experience the Wonder again.
Accessible Innovation: While wildly creative, the effects are typically short-lived and easy to understand, making them accessible to players of all skill levels. They provide a high-level challenge without overwhelming the player.

Examples of Memorable Wonder Effects

Without spoiling too much, here are a few types of effects you might encounter: Thunder Ray Review

The “Stampede”: Suddenly, a massive herd of enemies might stampede through the level, forcing you to navigate their unpredictable paths.
The “Goomba Transformation”: You might turn into a Goomba and have to stealthily navigate past enemies who now perceive you as one of their own.
The “Podcastal Number”: Levels might transform into a rhythmic challenge, with platforms and enemies moving to the beat of a catchy tune.
The “Pipe Snake”: Pipes might detach from the ground and slither around, forcing you to use them as mobile platforms.

These effects aren’t just visual gags. they fundamentally change how you interact with the environment, often requiring new strategies or quick reflexes. They are the heart of Super Mario Bros. Wonder‘s innovative spirit.

Elephant Mario and Other New Power-Ups: A Game Changer?

Beyond the groundbreaking Wonder Effects, Super Mario Bros. Wonder introduces a suite of new power-ups that are genuinely impactful, adding new layers to both traversal and combat. While the classic Fire Flower and Super Mushroom are present, it’s the fresh additions that truly stand out, particularly the much-talked-about Elephant Fruit.

The Mighty Elephant Fruit

The Elephant Fruit is the star of the new power-up lineup, transforming Mario or Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad, or Nabbit into a larger, more powerful elephant form. This isn’t just a cosmetic change. it fundamentally alters your capabilities.

Enhanced Durability: Elephant Mario can withstand more hits, bouncing off some enemies without taking damage.
New Attack Options: You can swing your trunk to smack enemies, break through certain blocks, and deflect projectiles. This adds a satisfyingly weighty feel to combat.
Water Storage: A neat detail is the ability to suck up water with your trunk and then spray it out, which can be used to grow plants, activate mechanisms, or even attack specific enemies. This adds a puzzle-solving element to some levels.
Movement Changes: While powerful, Elephant Mario is also larger and slightly heavier, which can affect precision platforming in tight spaces. This trade-off adds a layer of strategic thinking.
Breaking Barriers: Certain destructible elements in levels can only be smashed by Elephant Mario, encouraging players to seek out this power-up for full exploration.

The Drill Mushroom

The Drill Mushroom introduces a fascinating verticality to gameplay, allowing characters to burrow into the ground or ceiling.

Underground Travel: By using the Drill Mushroom, players can dig through soft ground or ceilings, opening up new pathways, secret areas, or bypassing obstacles.
Ambush Attacks: You can pop out from underground to surprise enemies, offering a tactical advantage.
Environmental Puzzles: Some levels incorporate elements that require the drill to access hidden items or complete challenges, adding a layer of puzzle-solving.
Dodging Projectiles: The ability to instantly burrow can be a useful defensive maneuver against certain attacks.

The Bubble Flower

The Bubble Flower is another creative addition that offers both offensive and defensive capabilities. Snapfish Review

Bubble Projectiles: Characters can shoot bubbles that trap enemies, allowing them to be defeated easily or used as temporary platforms.
Platforming Aid: Bubbles can be strategically placed to create temporary platforms, helping with tricky jumps or reaching higher areas.
Coin Collection: Bubbles can also collect distant coins, making it easier to gather collectibles.
Enemy Manipulation: Trapping enemies in bubbles and then pushing them around can be used to solve environmental puzzles or trigger switches.

How Do These New Power-Ups Impact Gameplay?

These new power-ups aren’t just for show.

They are integrated deeply into the level design, offering diverse ways to approach challenges.

Strategic Choice: In many levels, multiple power-ups are available, forcing players to consider which one is best suited for the upcoming challenges or for finding hidden secrets.
Enhanced Exploration: Each power-up opens up new possibilities for exploration. Elephant Mario’s strength, Drill Mario’s burrowing, and Bubble Mario’s platforming all lead to discovering new paths.
Variety of Combat: The new power-ups provide different approaches to combat, from direct trunk swings to tactical bubble traps, adding more depth than simply jumping on enemies.
Character Diversity: While most characters can use these power-ups, the specific animations and slight variations in how they interact with each power-up add a touch of personality. Nabbit, notably, doesn’t use power-ups but instead has a passive damage reduction, making him ideal for beginners.

These additions ensure that Super Mario Bros. Wonder feels fresh and inventive, proving that even after decades, there’s still plenty of room for innovation in the 2D Mario universe.

Character Roster and Multiplayer Dynamics: Co-Op Fun Reimagined

One of the often-overlooked but crucial aspects of a 2D Mario game is its multiplayer experience. Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes significant strides in this area, offering a flexible and genuinely fun co-op mode, along with a diverse character roster that caters to different playstyles and skill levels.

A Diverse Cast of Playable Characters

Wonder boasts the largest roster of playable characters in a 2D Mario game to date, each with subtle differences that can impact how you approach levels. Dell Precision 5480 Review

Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad Red, Yellow, Blue, Yoshi Green, Yellow, Light-Blue, Pink: These characters all play identically in terms of core abilities jump height, speed, etc. and can use all power-ups. This ensures a consistent experience for those who prefer specific characters.
Nabbit: This character is unique. Nabbit does not take damage from enemies. Instead, when hit, Nabbit only loses a power-up if one is equipped. This makes Nabbit an excellent choice for new or struggling players, as it significantly lowers the difficulty barrier. However, Nabbit cannot use power-ups themselves. any power-ups they collect are converted into coins. This trade-off is a clever way to balance the character’s invincibility.
Yoshi: Yoshi also offers a unique advantage: he is immune to damage. Like Nabbit, Yoshi won’t take damage from most enemies. Furthermore, Yoshi retains his signature flutter jump and can eat enemies, making him excellent for traversing tricky sections and collecting items. Similar to Nabbit, Yoshi cannot use power-ups. This makes Yoshi another fantastic option for players seeking a more forgiving experience or for expert players looking to speedrun certain levels with fewer interruptions.

The inclusion of Nabbit and Yoshi, with their built-in damage immunity, is a brilliant move by Nintendo.

It makes the game far more accessible for families with young children or for players who might find traditional Mario difficulty frustrating, without resorting to a separate “easy mode” that feels tacked on.

Local Co-Op: The Best Way to Play Together

Local co-op for up to four players makes a triumphant return and is arguably the definitive way to experience Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

Seamless Drop-In/Drop-Out: Players can join or leave the game at any time, making it incredibly flexible for impromptu play sessions.
Shared Screen, Individual Focus: While players are on the same screen, the game intelligently manages the camera. If one player falls behind, they will quickly bubble back to the leading player, preventing constant frustration and ensuring everyone can keep up. This bubble mechanic is a lifesaver for less experienced players.
Mutual Support: Players can revive each other. If one player is defeated, they float around as a ghost and can be brought back by another active player touching them. This encourages teamwork and prevents a single player’s mistakes from ending the entire run for everyone.
Collaborative Power-ups: Players can share power-ups by throwing them to each other, adding a strategic element to resource management.
Friendly Competition: While cooperative, there’s also a subtle competitive element, as players collect their own coins and are ranked at the end of each level based on how many they collected.

Online Play: Innovative and Non-Intrusive

Nintendo has traditionally struggled with online functionality, but Super Mario Bros. Wonder introduces an online system that is both innovative and surprisingly well-executed, focusing on passive, supportive interactions rather than direct competition.

Live Player Shadows: When playing online, you’ll see “live player shadows” of other players from around the world. These aren’t direct avatars you can interact with like in local co-op, but rather translucent representations of other players making their way through the same level.
Standees: Players can place “Standees” – cardboard cutouts of their character – in levels. If another player is defeated, they can float to a Standee to be revived, similar to floating to an active player in local co-op. This is a brilliant way to provide assistance to other players without direct interaction.
Item Sharing: Players can share power-ups with each other by dropping them. These items then become available for other players to pick up.
Heart Points: Performing helpful actions for other players like reviving them or dropping useful items earns you “Heart Points,” which contribute to your player rank. This gamifies helpfulness and encourages positive online behavior.
Buddy System: You can create private rooms with friends for a more traditional online co-op experience, allowing for direct interaction and progression together. This is crucial for playing with specific people.

What’s particularly clever about the online system is that it’s largely non-intrusive. Samsung Galaxy S23 Fe Review

The player shadows are helpful but not distracting, and the focus on mutual aid through Standees and item drops fosters a positive, collaborative atmosphere.

It’s a refreshing take on online multiplayer that genuinely enhances the single-player experience without forcing direct competitive interactions.

World Design and Level Variety: Beyond the Mushroom Kingdom

One of the hallmarks of a great 2D Mario game is its meticulously crafted level design, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder delivers on this front with a vibrant, diverse, and imaginative world that feels both familiar and entirely new. Gone are the days of just “grass world,” “desert world,” and “ice world” in their purest forms. Wonder introduces a more organic and creatively integrated overworld.

The Flower Kingdom: A New Horizon

The adventure takes place in the Flower Kingdom, a neighboring land to the Mushroom Kingdom, which allows for fresh visual themes and environmental elements. This new setting isn’t just a backdrop.

It influences the types of enemies, power-ups, and Wonder Effects you encounter. Inland Gaming Mk Pro 75 Pre Built Keyboard Review

Dynamic Overworld Map: The world map itself is interactive and lively. It’s not a static grid. you can walk around, discover hidden paths, and find secret levels. It feels like a miniature adventure in itself.
Interconnected Zones: The Flower Kingdom is divided into several distinct areas, each with its own visual identity, but they flow into each other naturally, often with clever transitions. For example, a level might start in a grassy area and end in a cave, hinting at the next zone.
Poplins and Royal Seeds: The narrative involves collecting “Royal Seeds” to save the Flower Kingdom, which are often guarded by unique bosses or found at the end of challenging stages. “Poplins” are the adorable inhabitants of the kingdom who guide you and offer advice.

Unprecedented Level Variety and Creativity

Beyond Biomes: While there are still recognizable biomes forests, deserts, underwater, volcanic, they are presented with a twist. For example, a desert level might feature quicksand that behaves in unexpected ways, or a forest level could have trees that stretch and shrink.
Themed Stages: Many levels are built around a specific mechanical gimmick or visual theme that is explored in creative ways.
Challenge Stages: Besides regular levels, there are also:
- Badge Challenges: Levels specifically designed to test your mastery of a particular “Badge” see below.
- Break Time! Stages: Short, quick challenges focused on collecting coins or reaching a goal using a specific ability.
- Wiggler Race Challenges: Races against a Wiggler that test your speed and platforming precision.
- Search Parties: Levels where you have to find hidden Wonder Seeds in a non-linear environment.
Boss Battles: While not as numerous as in some other Mario games, the boss battles are creative and often incorporate the game’s unique mechanics and visual flair, culminating in memorable encounters.
Secrets Galore: Every level is packed with secrets: hidden Wonder Seeds, 10-Flower Coins the equivalent of Star Coins, and secret exits leading to new paths. This encourages multiple playthroughs and thorough exploration.

How World Design Elevates the Experience

The thoughtfulness in Wonder‘s world and level design isn’t just about pretty visuals. it directly impacts gameplay.

Sense of Discovery: The interconnected overworld and varied levels constantly give you a sense of discovering something new and exciting.
Keeps Things Fresh: The rapid introduction and evolution of mechanics, coupled with the unpredictable Wonder Effects, ensure that monotony never sets in. You’re always encountering something you haven’t seen before.
Encourages Experimentation: The diverse level design often prompts players to experiment with different characters and power-ups to find the optimal way to clear a stage or find all its secrets.
High Replay Value: With so many secrets and varied paths, revisiting levels feels rewarding, allowing you to try different approaches or discover new Wonder Effects.

In essence, the Flower Kingdom is not just a stage for Mario’s adventure.

It’s an active participant, constantly surprising and delighting players with its imaginative twists and turns.

The New Badge System: Customizing Your Playstyle

Super Mario Bros. Wonder introduces a clever and impactful new mechanic: the “Badge System.” This feature allows players to equip a special ability that modifies their gameplay in various ways, adding a layer of strategic customization and encouraging different approaches to levels. It’s not just a minor tweak. Badges can fundamentally alter how you traverse, attack, and interact with the environment.

What Are Badges?

Badges are equipable items that grant your character a unique, passive ability. Lenovo Flex 5I Chromebook Plus Review

You can only equip one Badge at a time, and they range from movement enhancements to defensive buffs or even new offensive capabilities.

They are earned by completing specific “Badge Challenges” or by purchasing them from Poplin Shops on the overworld.

Types of Badges and Their Impact

There are various categories of Badges, each offering distinct advantages:

Action Badges: These modify your movement or provide new actions.
- Wall-Climb Jump: Allows you to perform an extra jump after a wall jump, reaching higher ledges. This is fantastic for speedrunners and precision platforming.
- Dolphin Kick: Enhances your underwater movement, allowing for powerful dashes. Essential for underwater levels.
- Grappling Vine: Lets you shoot a vine to swing across gaps or pull yourself towards walls. Opens up completely new traversal options.
- Drill Spin: Allows you to spin rapidly while drilling, affecting enemies around you. More aggressive combat for Drill Mario.
Boost Badges: These provide passive enhancements or defensive capabilities.
- Safety Bounce: Automatically saves you from falling into pits or lava once per level, bouncing you back to safety. A fantastic option for beginners or tricky levels.
- Coin Magnet: Attracts nearby coins to your character, making collection easier. Useful for maximizing coin counts.
- Add ! Blocks: Spawns extra ! Blocks in levels, potentially revealing hidden items or platforms. Great for discovery.
Character-Specific Badges: While less common, some badges might cater to specific characters or offer unique benefits. Note: While not character-specific per se, some badges might synergize better with certain characters or power-ups.

How Badges Impact Gameplay and Replayability

The Badge System is a masterstroke for several reasons:

Strategic Choice: Before starting a level, you choose which Badge to equip. This encourages forethought and planning. Is a level full of pits? Maybe the Safety Bounce. Lots of high ledges? Wall-Climb Jump. This adds a strategic layer to level selection.
Customization: It allows players to tailor their experience to their preferred playstyle or to overcome specific challenges. If you’re struggling with a particular jump, a movement-enhancing Badge might be the key.
Accessibility: Badges like the Safety Bounce provide a significant assist for less experienced players, allowing them to progress without feeling overwhelmed. This, combined with Nabbit and Yoshi, makes Wonder incredibly welcoming.
Replay Value:
- Badge Challenges: Many levels are specifically designed as “Badge Challenges” where you must use a particular Badge to complete the level. This forces players to master each Badge’s unique properties.
- Experimentation: Players are encouraged to replay levels with different Badges to find alternative routes, discover hidden secrets, or simply experience the level in a new way. For example, a level that was tricky to cross might become trivial with the Grappling Vine.
- Completionism: Collecting all Badges and mastering their use becomes another satisfying goal for completionists.

The Badge System seamlessly integrates into the core gameplay loop, providing meaningful choices that enhance both accessibility and depth. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Fe Plus Review

It’s a clever evolution for the 2D Mario formula, proving that even subtle changes can have a profound impact on player engagement.

Visuals, Audio, and Performance: A Feast for the Senses

Beyond the innovative gameplay mechanics, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a technical marvel and an artistic triumph. It delivers a visually stunning, audibly rich, and incredibly smooth experience that elevates the classic 2D Mario aesthetic to new heights.

Dazzling Visuals and Art Direction

Wonder boasts some of the most beautiful and expressive visuals seen in a 2D Mario game, pushing the Nintendo Switch’s capabilities.

Hand-Drawn Animation Style: Characters and enemies are incredibly expressive, with fluid, almost hand-drawn animations that bring them to life like never before. Mario’s idle animations, the way enemies react, and the dynamic transformations during Wonder Effects are a joy to behold.
Vibrant Color Palette: The game is bursting with color. The Flower Kingdom is a kaleidoscope of bright hues, making every environment feel lively and inviting. This vibrant palette is particularly noticeable during Wonder Effects, which often feature surreal and eye-popping transformations.
Rich Environments: Levels are packed with intricate details, background elements, and dynamic lighting that create a sense of depth and immersion. You’ll notice subtle animations in the background, swaying plants, and flowing water that contribute to a living, breathing world.
Creative Enemy Designs: Even classic enemies like Goombas and Koopa Troopas have received an animation overhaul, making them more expressive. New enemies are equally imaginative and visually distinct.
Wonder Effect Spectacle: The Wonder Effects are visual showstoppers. The way the world morphs, stretches, and twists is always surprising and often breathtaking, showcasing Nintendo’s artistic creativity. From dancing pipes to stampeding creatures, these moments are a true visual spectacle.

Aural Delights: Podcast and Sound Design

The audio experience in Super Mario Bros. Wonder is just as meticulously crafted as its visuals, contributing significantly to the game’s charm and atmosphere.

Dynamic Podcast: The soundtrack is incredibly catchy, ranging from classic Mario-esque tunes to entirely new, whimsical compositions. What’s truly remarkable is how the podcast often reacts to gameplay. During Wonder Effects, the podcast can warp, change tempo, or introduce new instruments, perfectly syncing with the on-screen chaos.
Expressive Sound Effects: Every jump, stomp, and power-up collection is accompanied by satisfying, crisp sound effects. Character voice lines are cheerful and iconic. The sound design during Wonder Effects is particularly noteworthy, with unique, often surreal noises accompanying the visual transformations.
Voice Acting: The game features more voice lines than previous 2D Mario titles, with characters reacting dynamically to collecting items, taking damage, or performing specific actions. This adds personality and charm to the experience.

Flawless Performance

One of the most impressive aspects of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is its impeccable performance on the Nintendo Switch. Voodoosoft Voodooshield Review

Locked 60 FPS: The game runs at a near-constant 60 frames per second FPS in both docked and handheld modes. This consistent frame rate is crucial for a precision platformer, ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay. Even during the most chaotic Wonder Effects with multiple characters and enemies on screen, the game rarely falters.
Quick Load Times: Loading screens are minimal and fast, ensuring a seamless flow between levels and areas on the overworld map.
Polished Experience: The overall polish is evident throughout. There are virtually no bugs, glitches, or visual hitches, showcasing Nintendo’s commitment to delivering a high-quality product.

The combination of stunning visuals, delightful audio, and rock-solid performance makes Super Mario Bros. Wonder not just a great game, but a truly immersive and technically accomplished experience that sets a new bar for 2D platformers on the Switch.

Difficulty, Accessibility, and Replay Value: Catering to Everyone

Super Mario Bros. Wonder strikes a masterful balance between catering to seasoned Mario veterans and welcoming newcomers, making it a highly accessible yet deeply rewarding experience for players of all skill levels. This thoughtfulness in design significantly enhances its overall appeal and replay value.

Balanced Difficulty Curve

Nintendo has clearly put a lot of thought into the difficulty progression, ensuring that the game remains engaging without becoming overly frustrating for casual players or too simplistic for hardcore fans.

Gentle Introduction: Early levels serve as excellent tutorials, gradually introducing new mechanics, power-ups, and Badge abilities.
Escalating Challenges: As you progress through the Flower Kingdom, levels naturally become more complex, requiring better timing, mastery of power-ups, and clever use of Badges.
Optional Challenges: Many of the truly tough challenges are tucked away in optional levels, such as the special “Wondrous” stages, “Badge Challenges” that require precise execution, or secret exits. This allows players to choose their own level of difficulty.
Boss Fights: Boss battles are well-designed, offering a fair challenge without being overly punishing. They often require players to utilize the game’s core mechanics or newly introduced power-ups.

Unprecedented Accessibility Features

This is where Wonder truly shines as a family-friendly game, implementing features that make it approachable for everyone, regardless of skill level.

Playable Character Choices:
- Nabbit: As discussed, Nabbit takes no damage from enemies, making him ideal for very young children or players who struggle with combat. This allows them to explore and enjoy the levels without constant frustration.
- Yoshi: Yoshi also takes no damage and comes with the added benefit of a flutter jump and enemy-eating ability, further simplifying traversal and combat.
- Bubble Mechanic in Co-op: In local co-op, if a player falls behind or is defeated, they bubble up and quickly respawn near the leading player. This prevents one player from holding back the group and keeps the action flowing, reducing potential arguments.
Safety Bounce Badge: This Badge automatically saves you from falling into pits or lava once per level. It’s a lifesaver for tricky jumps and provides a safety net for less confident players.
Online Standees: Even in single-player or online co-op, the ability to be revived by an online player’s Standee offers a subtle yet effective safety net, reducing the penalty for mistakes.
Unlimited Lives: While not explicitly displayed as a “life counter,” there’s no traditional Game Over screen. You just respawn near your last checkpoint, allowing players to keep trying without penalty. This removes a significant source of frustration for many.
Hints and Shop Items: Poplin shops sell useful items like lives though largely unnecessary due to the no-game-over system and specific Badges, providing players with resources to overcome challenges.

These accessibility features are integrated seamlessly and don’t feel like a compromise to the core gameplay. Canon Imageclass Lbp247Dw Review

They simply open the game up to a much wider audience, making it a fantastic choice for families.

Robust Replay Value

Super Mario Bros. Wonder offers ample reasons to revisit its colorful levels long after the credits roll.

10-Flower Coins: Each level has a set number of 10-Flower Coins to collect, often hidden in clever spots or requiring specific power-ups/Badges to reach. Collecting them is essential for unlocking new paths and areas.
Wonder Seeds: Every level has multiple Wonder Seeds to find: one typically from the Wonder Effect, and others from secret exits or optional challenges. These are the main progression currency.
Secret Exits: Many levels have hidden exits that lead to entirely new, secret levels or pathways on the overworld map. Discovering these adds significant replay value.
Badges: Unlocking and mastering all Badges is a goal in itself. Replaying levels with different Badges can reveal new strategies or hidden areas.
Collectible Standees: Collecting all the different character Standees from the Poplin shops or finding them in levels provides a fun collecting meta-game.
Completion Goals: The game tracks your progress, encouraging you to achieve 100% completion by collecting all items, finding all secrets, and beating all levels.
Co-op Fun: The game’s excellent local and online co-op ensures that you can always jump back in for a fun session with friends or family.

The blend of challenging gameplay, thoughtful accessibility, and a wealth of collectibles makes Super Mario Bros. Wonder a game that offers exceptional value and longevity, appealing to every type of player.

Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder the Definitive 2D Mario?

This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? After decades of iconic 2D platformers starring everyone’s favorite plumber, does Super Mario Bros. Wonder truly stand as the definitive entry in the series? While it’s always tough to declare any one game as the absolute “best” due to subjective preferences and the nostalgia factor, Wonder makes an incredibly strong case for itself, pushing the boundaries of what a 2D Mario game can be.

Arguments for “Definitive”

Innovation within Tradition: Wonder brilliantly innovates without abandoning the core principles that make Mario great. It respects the legacy while boldly introducing new mechanics like the Wonder Effects and Badge System, which genuinely feel fresh and impactful, not just tacked on.
Unrivaled Creativity: The sheer imaginative power behind the Wonder Effects and the level design is unparalleled. Every single level feels unique, constantly surprising the player with new ideas, visual gags, and gameplay twists. The game never settles into a predictable rhythm.
Accessibility Without Compromise: The inclusion of Nabbit and Yoshi, along with the Safety Bounce Badge and the brilliant co-op bubble mechanic, makes this the most accessible 2D Mario game to date. Crucially, it achieves this without dumbing down the experience for veteran players, who can still seek out challenging optional levels and strive for 100% completion.
Technical Polish: The game runs flawlessly at 60 FPS with stunning animations, vibrant art direction, and a dynamic soundtrack. It’s a technical showcase for the Switch, demonstrating Nintendo’s mastery of their hardware.
Refined Multiplayer: The local co-op is the best in the series, and the innovative online system fosters helpful interaction rather than competition, making online play enjoyable and non-intrusive.
Pure Joy: More than anything, Wonder is a pure joy to play. It consistently elicits smiles and laughter with its whimsical charm, creative surprises, and satisfying platforming.

Where it Sits Against Previous Classics

Super Mario World: Often considered the gold standard, Super Mario World introduced Yoshi, impressive secrets, and a sprawling overworld. Wonder matches its sense of discovery and creativity, arguably surpassing it in visual fidelity and sheer gameplay variety due to the Wonder Effects.
New Super Mario Bros. Series: While popular, the New Super Mario Bros. games often felt a bit safe and iterative. Wonder is the antithesis of this, taking bold risks and paying them off handsomely. It feels like a true evolution rather than a refinement.
Super Mario Bros. 3: Beloved for its transformative power-ups and inventive world map, SMB3 set many precedents. Wonder builds on that foundation, with power-ups like Elephant Mario feeling just as impactful as the Tanooki Suit, and the Badge system offering even deeper customization.

The Verdict

While “definitive” is a strong word, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is undoubtedly a pinnacle of 2D platforming and a landmark entry in the Mario series. It’s not just a return to form. it’s a bold leap forward. It combines the fundamental joy of Mario platforming with an unprecedented level of creative whimsy, technical polish, and thoughtful accessibility. Like A Dragon Gaiden The Man Who Erased His Name Review

For anyone who loves platformers, or simply wants to experience pure, unadulterated fun, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an essential purchase and a strong contender for the best 2D Mario game to date. It reminds us why Mario has endured for so long, and why his adventures continue to captivate generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder worth buying?

Yes, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is absolutely worth buying.

It is a highly innovative and refreshing take on the 2D Mario formula, offering creative gameplay, stunning visuals, and excellent replay value.

What platforms is Super Mario Bros. Wonder available on?

Super Mario Bros.

Wonder is exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch family of systems Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, and Nintendo Switch Lite. Lenovo Thinkbook Plus Gen 4 Review

How many players can play Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

Super Mario Bros. Wonder supports up to four players in local co-op.

Online play features passive interactions with other players and direct co-op with friends.

Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder good for kids?

Yes, Super Mario Bros.

Wonder is excellent for kids, especially with the inclusion of characters like Nabbit and Yoshi who are immune to damage, making the game very accessible and less frustrating for younger players.

What are Wonder Effects?

Wonder Effects are unique, temporary transformations that drastically alter the gameplay and environment of a level, triggered by collecting a “Wonder Flower.” They introduce unpredictable and creative challenges. Apricorn Aegis Nvx Review

What new power-ups are in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

New power-ups include the Elephant Fruit turns characters into elephants, the Drill Mushroom allows burrowing into ground/ceiling, and the Bubble Flower shoots bubbles to trap enemies or create platforms.

Can I play as Princess Peach or Daisy in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

Yes, for the first time in a mainline 2D Mario game, Princess Peach and Daisy are fully playable characters alongside Mario, Luigi, and Toads, each sharing the same core abilities as Mario.

What is the Badge System?

The Badge System allows players to equip a special ability a “Badge” before a level, which modifies gameplay.

Examples include the Wall-Climb Jump, Safety Bounce, and Grappling Vine.

Is there online multiplayer in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

Yes, there is an online multiplayer mode that features passive interactions with other players seeing player shadows, reviving via Standees and the option to create private rooms with friends for direct co-op. Eero Max 7 Review

How long is Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

The main story of Super Mario Bros.

Wonder can typically be completed in 8-12 hours, but achieving 100% completion collecting all Wonder Seeds, 10-Flower Coins, and Badges will take significantly longer, potentially 20+ hours.

Does Super Mario Bros. Wonder have a Game Over screen?

No, Super Mario Bros.

Wonder does not have a traditional “Game Over” screen.

Players simply respawn at their last checkpoint, removing frustration and encouraging continuous play. Lenovo Thinkpad E16 Gen 1 Review

Are there secret levels in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

Wonder features numerous secret levels, often accessed by finding hidden exits within regular stages or by completing specific challenges on the overworld map.

How many worlds are in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

Wonder features several distinct worlds or areas within the Flower Kingdom, each with its unique visual themes and level designs.

Can I change characters during a level?

No, you cannot change characters mid-level. You select your character before entering a level.

Do power-ups work differently for different characters?

Core power-ups like Fire Flower, Elephant, Drill, and Bubble work the same for Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, and Toads. Nabbit and Yoshi, however, do not use power-ups.

Nabbit converts them to coins, and Yoshi gains no benefit beyond his inherent abilities. Viture One Review

What are Poplins?

Poplins are the friendly inhabitants of the Flower Kingdom who guide players, offer advice, and run shops where players can purchase items like Badges and collectibles.

What are 10-Flower Coins used for?

10-Flower Coins are collectibles found in each level.

They are used to unlock new paths and access later worlds on the overworld map, similar to Star Coins in previous games.

Are there boss fights in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

Wonder includes various boss fights, often encountered at the end of worlds, which incorporate the game’s new mechanics and Wonder Effect style.

How does the online Standee system work?

When playing online, other players can place “Standees” cardboard cutouts in levels.

If you are defeated, you can float to a Standee to be revived, providing an indirect form of assistance.

Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder harder than New Super Mario Bros. U?

While the main path of Super Mario Bros.

Wonder is generally accessible, its optional levels and the mastery required for some Badges can offer a significant challenge that rivals or exceeds some of the tougher levels in New Super Mario Bros. U.

Can I play Super Mario Bros. Wonder in handheld mode?

Wonder plays flawlessly in both docked TV mode and handheld mode on all Nintendo Switch consoles.

Does Super Mario Bros. Wonder use Amiibo?

Yes, Amiibo figures can be used in Super Mario Bros.

Wonder to receive a random boost or extra lives, though they are not essential for gameplay progression.

Are there any unlockable characters in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

Nabbit and the different colored Yoshis are available from the start, offering unique playstyles.

While not “unlockable” in the traditional sense, they present alternative ways to play.

What is the difference between Super Mario Bros. Wonder and previous 2D Mario games?

The main differences are the revolutionary “Wonder Effects” that radically transform gameplay, the new Badge System for customizing abilities, a diverse character roster with unique accessibility options Nabbit, Yoshi, and a fresh art style with enhanced animations.

Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder suitable for a single player?

Absolutely. While multiplayer is fantastic, Super Mario Bros.

Wonder is a fully enjoyable and complete single-player experience, with all collectibles and secrets accessible solo.

Can you skip levels in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

While you can’t simply “skip” a required level, finding secret exits in certain levels can sometimes open up alternate paths on the world map, allowing you to bypass some stages.

How do I save my progress in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

The game features an auto-save system that frequently saves your progress, especially after completing levels or major objectives. You can also manually save from the world map.

Are there any difficulty settings in Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

There are no explicit difficulty settings.

Instead, accessibility is built into character choices Nabbit, Yoshi and the Badge System e.g., Safety Bounce Badge and the option to pursue tougher optional levels.

What is the overall theme of Super Mario Bros. Wonder?

The overall theme is one of whimsical transformation and delightful unpredictability, centered around the “Wonder Effects” and the surreal nature of the Flower Kingdom. It’s about constant surprise and joy.

Does Super Mario Bros. Wonder have post-game content?

Yes, after completing the main story, there are still many challenges, secret levels, and collectibles to find, including special “Wondrous” stages that offer the game’s toughest tests, encouraging full completion.

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