Super Mario Wonder is a fascinating mix of what makes classic Super Mario games tick coupled with some thoroughly surreal setpieces. So let’s get into into it.
For all intents and purposes, Super Mario Wonder is a fundamentally traditional 2D Super Mario game. While there are sections of the game where you can pop into a background plane, the game operates in two dimensions much like how the series started out.
That means the level design and platforming has to turn things up a notch and this is where the things start to get more technical than usual.
Just on the basic platforming aspects of the game, Super Mario Wonder is exacting with its demands on the player. This is not to say that it is difficult, although some levels early on can be a surprising challenge, but that you have to keep on your toes to progress smoothly.
Each level also features a new Wonder Flower, which once touched starts a wacky and reality defying setpiece. Upon successful completion of that section and also on the completion of that level, you are awarded a Wonder Seed.
Wonder Seeds act as your currency in the over world map to unlock more levels, which is a pretty standard setup by this point.
Progressing through the overworld unlocks more levels and a boss level, which gives you a Royal Seed. This Royal Seed then allows you to chip away at Bowser’s Castle, with more areas that you complete weakening its defences further.
Sitting literally atop all of this are new Badges, that seem like a mild homage to Super Mario Odyssey. These Badges give Mario a variety of powers, such as gliding or speeding around underwater.
On top of all this you have a very robust co-operative player mode and an online setup, which at the time of my review was sadly unavailable. However, from my standpoint, I am mostly interested in the singleplayer campaign.
The latter, for all intents and purposes, is one very slick package. Not only in terms of the precision in the level design and abilities at your disposal, but also the pristine visuals and sound design.
You also have these lovely little flowers that talk to you and make comments as you pass by, which is a fun touch.
All this aside though, this may be a very good game, but it doesn’t hit as hard as Super Mario Odyssey did, or even Super Mario 3D World for that matter.
Maybe I am too spoiled on functionally 3D platformers by this point, as even the recent Kirby game was exemplarily good. However, it’s been a while since a traditional 2D Super Mario game really hit home for me.
Overall though, Super Mario Wonder is an excellent 2D platformer. With excellent level design, polished visuals and mad Wonder Flower setpieces. It’s not my favorite Super Mario game in recent years, but it’s definitely worth checking out.
Super Mario Wonder
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: 20th October 2023
Price: $59.99
Score: 8.5/10
Disclosure: Nintendo sent me a copy of this game for the purposes of this review.
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