Introduction
Super Mario Bros. Wonder, developed and published by Nintendo, is a 2D platformer released on October 20, 2023, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. As the first new 2D Mario game since New Super Mario Bros. U (2012), it reinvigorates the series with innovative mechanics, vibrant visuals, and a whimsical narrative set in the Flower Kingdom. Earning a 92/100 on Metacritic and a nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2023, it’s celebrated as one of 2023’s best titles. This article explores the game’s development, story, gameplay, cultural impact, and legacy, offering a detailed look at this joyful masterpiece.
Development and Release
Development began in 2020, led by producer Takashi Tezuka and director Shiro Mouri, with a goal to refresh the 2D Mario formula. Nintendo’s EPD team aimed to surprise players with dynamic level design, introducing the Wonder Flower mechanic to transform stages unpredictably. Built on a custom engine, the game maximizes the Switch’s capabilities, delivering crisp visuals and fluid performance. Unlike the New Super Mario Bros. series, it adopted a bold, expressive art style inspired by Super Mario World.
Announced during a Nintendo Direct in June 2023, Super Mario Bros. Wonder launched on October 20, 2023, priced at $59.99. Standard and digital editions were joined by a Switch OLED bundle featuring Mario-themed Joy-Cons. Selling 4.3 million units in two weeks, per Nintendo’s financials, it became the fastest-selling Mario game. A free demo and online leaderboards accompanied the launch, with post-release updates adding new badges and bug fixes.
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Story and Setting
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is set in the Flower Kingdom, a vibrant realm neighboring the Mushroom Kingdom. The story follows Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad, and others invited by Prince Florian to a festival. The celebration is disrupted when Bowser steals a Wonder Flower, merging with the castle to become Castle Bowser, a flying fortress spreading chaos. With Florian’s aid, the heroes chase Bowser across six worlds to restore peace.
The Flower Kingdom bursts with color, from Petal Isles’ beaches to Fluff-Puff Peaks’ mountains and Pipe-Rock Plateau’s jungles. Each world features unique biomes, like the desert of Sunbaked Sands or the snowy Fungi Mines, enhanced by Wonder Flower effects that warp reality. The lighthearted narrative emphasizes adventure and camaraderie, with minimal dialogue but expressive animations. Talking flowers, voiced NPCs that comment on gameplay, add humor, though some X posts found their chatter repetitive.
Characters
The playable roster is the series’ most diverse:
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Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad (Blue/Yellow), Toadette: Classic heroes with identical mechanics, ensuring accessibility.
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Yoshi (Green, Red, Yellow, Blue): Immune to damage but unable to use power-ups, ideal for younger players.
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Nabbit: Invulnerable to damage and power-up reliant, a beginner-friendly choice.
Prince Florian, a caterpillar ally, grants badges that modify gameplay, like grappling vines. Bowser, voiced with menace, is a standout antagonist, while Poplins—Flower Kingdom residents—replace Toads as NPCs. The lack of unique character abilities disappointed some Reddit users, but the inclusive roster, especially Peach and Daisy’s prominence, was widely praised.
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Gameplay and Mechanics
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a 2D platformer with side-scrolling levels, blending traditional Mario gameplay with innovative twists. Key mechanics include:
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Wonder Flower: Collecting a Wonder Flower transforms levels with surreal effects, like pipe animations, stampeding Bull Rush herds, or gravity-defying top-down perspectives. Each effect is unique, ensuring constant surprises.
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Power-Ups: New additions include the Elephant Fruit (turns characters into heavy, trunk-swinging elephants), Bubble Flower (shoots trap bubbles), and Drill Mushroom (burrows through surfaces). The Fire Flower and Super Mushroom return.
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Badges: Equipped via Florian, badges grant abilities like wall-jumping, invisibility, or coin magnetism. Players unlock them through challenges, adding strategic depth.
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Online Features: Asynchronous multiplayer lets players see others’ shadows, revive via stands, or race in friend rooms. Local co-op supports up to four players.
The game features 131 levels across six worlds, a hub (Petal Isles), and a Special World with brutal challenges. Levels range from 1-4 stars in difficulty, with Break Time! stages for casual play. Collectibles include Wonder Seeds (from Wonder Flowers and goals) and 10-flower coins for unlocking content. The 10-15 hour campaign extends to 20+ hours for 100% completion. Accessibility options, like invulnerable characters, make it family-friendly, though some X posts noted the Special World’s steep difficulty.
Cultural and Thematic Significance
Super Mario Bros. Wonder revitalizes 2D Mario with a playful, experimental spirit, countering the New Super Mario Bros. series’ formulaic reputation. Its themes of creativity, community, and joy resonate in a post-COVID world, with the Flower Kingdom’s vibrant aesthetic evoking optimism. The inclusion of Peach and Daisy as equals reflects Nintendo’s push for diversity, earning praise from outlets like Polygon.
The community on r/Mario shared Wonder Flower clips and badge strategies, with X posts calling it “a love letter to Mario fans.” Its influence on 2024 platformers, like Astro Bot, underscores its impact, with Wonder effects inspiring dynamic level design. The game’s accessibility and polish align with Nintendo’s family-first ethos, though some fans debated its $60 price versus shorter runtime compared to Tears of the Kingdom.
Visuals and Soundtrack
The game’s art style is a standout, with hand-drawn animations and exaggerated character expressions reminiscent of Super Mario World. Worlds burst with color, from glowing pipes to shimmering seas, running at a stable 60fps on Switch. Wonder Flower sequences, like psychedelic warp zones, dazzle with creativity, though minor slowdowns occur in co-op, per Digital Foundry.
The soundtrack, composed by Koji Kondo and Shiho Fujii, blends catchy chiptunes with orchestral flair. Each world has distinct themes, with Wonder Flower tracks shifting dynamically (e.g., piranha plants singing). Voice acting for talking flowers, available in multiple languages, adds charm, though players can disable them. Sound effects, like the Elephant Fruit’s trumpet, enhance immersion.
Reception and Awards
Scoring 92/100 on Metacritic, Super Mario Bros. Wonder earned universal acclaim. IGN awarded it 9/10, calling it “a joyous reinvention,” while GameSpot praised its creativity. Some critiqued the lack of online co-op matchmaking and easier bosses. It won Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2023 and was nominated for Game of the Year, losing to Baldur’s Gate 3. Selling 14.94 million units by September 2024, per Nintendo, it’s a commercial juggernaut.
X posts hailed its “endless surprises,” with speedrunners completing it in under 2 hours. Post-launch updates added new badges and fixed co-op lag, addressing community feedback. The talking flowers sparked memes, with “Wowie zowie!” trending online.
Legacy and Future Prospects
Super Mario Bros. Wonder redefined 2D Mario, setting a template for future entries with its Wonder mechanic and bold art. Its success fueled speculation about a sequel or DLC, though Nintendo remained silent. The game’s influence on platformers is evident, with Penny’s Big Breakaway (2024) citing its dynamic levels. A potential Switch 2 port, enhancing visuals, is rumored for 2025.
The modding scene, limited by Switch’s closed ecosystem, thrives in emulation, with custom levels shared on r/NintendoSwitch. Fan content, like Elephant Mario plushies, dominates Etsy, while the game’s cultural footprint includes Flower Kingdom-themed park events. Its accessibility ensures longevity, appealing to kids and veterans alike.
Conclusion
Super Mario Bros. Wonder, released on October 20, 2023, is a 2D platforming triumph, blending classic Mario charm with innovative Wonder Flowers and vibrant visuals. Its accessible yet deep gameplay, diverse cast, and joyful Flower Kingdom captivate players, with 14.94 million sales and critical acclaim cementing its 2023 legacy. Despite minor flaws, it’s a beacon of creativity, proving Nintendo’s mastery of fun. As Mario bounds through Petal Isles, Super Mario Bros. Wonder invites all to rediscover the wonder of gaming.