Rating of
4.5/5
Wonderfully Fun
Nick - wrote on 11/09/24
The story in Super Mario Bros. Wonder sticks to the classic Mario formula, which isn’t a bad thing. This time Mario and friends set out to save the Flower Kingdom from Bowser. Bowser took over the Flower Kingdom becoming the greatest Wonder. You set out to collect all Royal Seeds to then weaken Bowser to confront and defeat him to restore power back to the Kingdom. Even though it’s a familiar setup, Nintendo came through with a unique take on the 2D platformer series and added plenty of fun.
Presentation
The game looks amazing, simple as that. It has that classic Super Mario World vibe but cranks up the visuals with bright colors and lively animations. Every level is packed with personality, making it a joy to explore. Nintendo really nailed the balance between nostalgia and freshness, giving both old fans and newcomers something to smile about. Each level has its own Wonder, some dialed up more than others, and some even have their own unique soundtracks. There’s even some rhythm levels.
Gameplay
When it comes to gameplay, Super Mario Bros. Wonder really delivers. You can play as one of 12 characters, but I chose classic Mario. The controls are the same as in past games but include three new power-ups and a whole bunch of modifiers called badges that you earn throughout the game. I ended up liking the new elephant power-up the most, and rarely used the bubble flower or drill cap. The elephant power-up combined with a fire flower became my go-to setup during the timed challenges where you defeat rooms of enemies. Badges were a nice addition, and some of the badge challenges were, well, quite challenging. As for the badges, there are 9 action badges, 11 boost badges, and 4 expert badges. I mostly stuck to a couple of the new jumping ones. Several of these badges you don’t earn until late in the game, or even after you beat the game.
Originality
The game brings some fresh ideas, especially with its rhythm levels and the wonder blossoms that transform levels in whimsical ways. Each level is unique, introducing cool new mechanics that kept me engaged. The badge challenges, new power-ups, and difficult star and special worlds makes this game memorable.
Replay Value
There’s a lot of replay value here. In order be a full completionist, you’ll need to accomplish a lot more than just beating Bowser and restoring order to the flower kingdom. On your save card, you’ll need to find all 224 wonder seeds throughout the 7 worlds. There are also 6 medals to earn, in which you’ll need to beat the game, touch the top of every flagpole, collect every 10-flower coin in all the levels, obtain all 224 wonder seeds, earn all 24 badges, and purchase all 144 standees from the Poplin shops. As a final treat, you’ll have to beat the final badge challenge, which incorporates use of many badges you’ve unlocked. This seemingly impossible level was quite a challenge, it pushed me to get better, which felt rewarding. I ended up having to play it a second time because I missed the top of the flagpole at the end. Needless to say, I got quite good at the level and beat it the second time a lot easier.
Overall Recommendation
Overall, Super Mario Bros. Wonder turned out to be a great game. When I first started out playing the game I wasn’t sure I liked it, but by the end I loved the game. With its colorful visuals, fun gameplay, and clever twists, it’s a great pick for anyone looking for a 2D platforming adventure. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just diving in, this game is sure to bring plenty of smiles as well as challenge if you wish to 100% the game.
Stats
Hours Played: 20 hours or more (according to my switch profile)
Completion: 100%
Medal 1: Beat the game
Medal 2: Purchased all 144 standees from the shops
Medal 3: Touched top of every flagpole
Medal 4: Obtained all 224 Wonder seeds
Medal 5: Obtained all 10-Flower coins
Medal 6: Earned all 24 badges
Ratings
Story: 4/5
Presentation: 5/5
Game Play: 5/5
Originality: 4.5/5
Replay Value: 4.5/5
Overall (not an average) 4.5/5
