Summary
It took most of the Switch’s lifetime for a truly new 2DMarioplatformer to come out, but it’s finally here.Super Mario Bros. Wonderis everything fans hoped it would be, delivering on the franchise’s trademark platforming in the best looking package it’s been in yet. Mario and friends have teamed up with the tiny Prince Florian to save the Flower Kingdom from Bowser, and it’s the player’s job to make sure they succeed. Plenty of platforming action swiftly follows, andSuper Mario Bros. Wonderpulls out all the stops to make sure there’s never a dull moment.
Along their journey, players will still find themselves engaging with certain features more often than others. Particularly common occurrences include prioritizing collectibles over simple progress and trying outMario Wonder’s new multiplayer features designed to provide a familiar competitive and cooperative experience without priorMariogames’ frustration. More than any otherMariotitle, this game encourages the player to take an active role in tailoring the experience to be exactly how they’d like it. There’salways something to do inMario Wonder, and for the best experience, players will want to pay attention to the unspoken rules the game gradually rolls out.
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Enjoy Mario Wonder With Friends Or Online Players
Super Mario Bros. Wonderwas designed first as a solid single-player 2D platformer, but an argument could be made that it’s still best with friends. The collision that defined the griefing-heavy pastMarioplatformers has now been relegated tomountingMarioWonder’s playable Yoshi’s only, so everyone can run about to their heart’s content. Some camera interference is still possible, and players who don’t want to deal with keeping up with other people may want to play with online ghosts instead. This new option is great for simulating the offline experience with the fun of having other players around, and even introduces a few new wrinkles that players should observe.
Things To Do While Playing Mario Wonder Online
Similarly to placing one’s summon sign near aDark Soulsboss for co-op,Mario Wonderplayerscan place standees in stages for any deceased player to touch and continue their current run. Emotes can also help players who might be struggling with some of the more puzzle-oriented stages, and impromptu races between several players can also be hosted. For anyMario Wonderplayers with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, experiencing at least one online session is an important part of seeing all thatMario Wonderhas to offer.
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Mario Wonder Players Can Customize Their Own Experience
There’s a lot for players to experience in this game, as it gives them the reins more than mostMariotitles do. A given playthrough could feel very close to a traditionalSuper Mario Bros.experience, or players could make heavy use of the various options unique toWonder. There are a whoppingtwelve playable characters inSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, and even though the dedicated easy mode characters have some unfortunate limitations, playingMario Wonderas a Yoshi is its own distinct experience. Little tweaks like changing the talking flowers' vocal language or the controls are all over the place, but the biggest source of customization comes from the badge system.
Movement-Altering Badges Transform Mario Wonder
What really makesSuper Mario Bros. Wonderstand out above the rest of theMarioseries is what it allows players to do to regularMariogameplay. The Wonder Flowers and new power-ups are temporary, but once players have a badge that confers an entirely new game mechanic, they can take it to any stage they please. Whether that’s cap gliding, wall-jumping, high-jumping, turbo speed, or even a grappling hook, players canturnSuper Mario Wonderinto countless different versionsof itself.
That’s not even all, as there are plenty of cosmetic or even difficulty-altering badges as well. Some highlights include invisibility, adding extra platforms, or permanent jumping, among so much more. Ignoring the badge system for normal play orfor challenge runs makesSuper Mario Bros. Wondera much less interesting game, so everyone should jump at the first opportunity to try it out.
Players Should Get All The Wonder Seeds They Can
Along the way to beating levels inMario Wonder, players will stumble across a Wonder Flower. These take players to special versions of the stage that contain all manner of bizarre, game-altering effects. From transforming into a classicMarioenemy to filling the stage with new hazards ranging from a stampede to clouds of rainbow bubbles,Super Mario Bros. Wondergives Wonder Flowersthe undivided spotlight. Players will need to go along with their esoteric rules too, as they’re the only way to get all the Wonder Seeds from each level to unlockMario Wonder’s greatest challenges.
Try To Beat Every Level
Speaking of which,Super Mario Bros. Wonderstrongly incentivizes players to not only try, but complete everything. Getting the top of every flagpole can be a chore, but if players stick with a badge that makes that easier, then grabbing all the Wonder Seeds and purple 10-Flower Coins should go smoothly too. This is the only way to unlock some ofMario Wonder’s greatest challenges in the Special World, and diligent players can have these levels open before they make it to the end of the game. It’s a nice callback toSuper Mario World’s Star World and Special World, even if it mostly just rewards players with the satisfaction of having conquered it. With many levels that always have at least a couple Wonder Seeds to find, players should stay busy no matter how they approachSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s abundant, customizable content.
