Super Mario Wonder Review
Super Mario is without a doubt, the most recognisable, and influential video game character of all time, so it goes without saying that with every new game released, the bar needs to be lifted higher. Super Mario Wonder is a return to the 2D Mario series. While the Switch has been graced with the Super Mario U Deluxe (A remaster of the Wii U 2D Mario) this is an entirely new entry with a very unique development history, and it shows, as extra development time given to explore new mechanics and ideas has contributed to create one of the most memorable Mario Adventures in recent history. What’s it Like? Put on your Denim Dungarees as we go down the warp pipe to explore Super Mario Wonder.
Super Mario Wonder follows Mario and his usual entourage as they join the caterpillar-like Prince Florian who wants to demonstrate the power of the “Wonder Flower,” a flower with mysterious transformational powers. In one of the most bizarre Mario sequences, Bowser steals the flower and merges with a castle so he can continue to sow discourse throughout the world. This Flying Bowser Fortress proceeds to warp reality throughout the Flower Kingdom, which Mario and friends (with the help of Prince Florian) must help undo and defeat Bowser. While the story may follow along the lines of your typical Mario adventure, the game is anything but, and so begins a rather wild journey in the Flower Kingdom. Your Mission is to collect Wonder Seeds that can be used to undo Fortress Bowser’s curses and help return the world back to normal.
Jumping into the world, you can play both Solo and Co-op, with Co-op offering Online and Local play. You can choose any character you like, and as you’ll see in the video, Luigi is my favourite so it was great being able to play as him. Regardless of who you choose, all characters have the same stats and abilities with the exception of Yoshi and Nabbit, who can’t use power-ups or take damage, a great addition for gamers like me who have little ones that want to join in the fun. Even if you play solo, you can still have ghosts of other players running around which can give you hints, leave behind standees, and even revive you should you get knocked out. These features can also be turned off for those who prefer solitude.
The first thing I noticed is that for a 2D game, the graphics and art style are absolutely incredible. There appears to be a lot of new attention to detail in all characters and enemies. Goombas now bite, Koopa Troopers scowl when they see you, and the player character animations look fantastic. The worlds are incredibly detailed with gorgeous (and sometimes interactive backgrounds) and the new Wonder Flower elements offer a magical glimpse into the new world.
The gameplay starts off as your standard 2D Mario affair but then offers a twist in the form of Wonder Flowers. Wonder Fowers transform the world and gameplay around you in what I could only describe as a level within a level and completing these mini-levels helps you secure a second Wonder Seed per level. These Wonder Flower sections are really fun and unique, transforming you into a moving platform or making Warp Pipes come alive. Some Wonder Flowers are better than others, but they always provide an interesting change to the level you’re currently on. This unique mechanic is the basis of Super Mario Wonder, and I feel like it’s similar to when Dr Strange joined the MCU, something a little different, exciting, and a bit of a refreshing change from the norm.
Another new addition to the game is you can unlock and earn badges that Prince Florian (who stays snug under your hat) can equip, changing gameplay further. These can be items that let you jump straight up when hitting a wall, to a floating high jump. They can both help and hinder depending on the situation, and thankfully you can switch them before you start a level, or should you fail a level (something that will happen…a lot.) This iteration of Mario proves to be the most challenging yet, with some levels proving to ramp the difficulty up, sometimes frustratingly so, to unlock new badges or Wonder Seeds. Thankfully due to the freeform exploration of some areas, you will be able to bypass them until you’re warmed up to re-attempt them. This new level of difficulty means you will constantly be coming back to beat challenges and times, whether the run is attempted with newfound badges, or simply a newfound determination to beat your friend’s times. This sort of challenge kept me going back and offered a lot of replayability.
The sound production is fantastic, with whimsical musical themes, vocal characters, and even a Piranha Plant choir. There was a bit of trepidation with Charles Martinet being replaced by Kevin Afghani and it may sound controversial, but I didn’t really notice the change in actors which means Afghani has done a great job bringing our beloved characters to life.
Super Mario Wonder lives up to its namesake by giving gamers a new and exciting world to explore. It’s a bright and colourful world full of magic, that classic Mario gameplay with a twist, and charm by the bucketload. While I know many Switch Gamers will already have dived into Super Mario Wonder, for those who haven’t, I highly recommend you do so. Here’s hoping that more developers follow the new trend of relaxed release dates and exploration of ideas. Because of this, Nintendo has delivered an outstanding game that is indeed full of Wonder.
So What’s it Like?
Super Mario Wonder is like a cross between New Super Mario Bros, mixed with Dr Strange.
