Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Here it is! Launching in November 2023, it marks one hell of a year for Nintendo. Along with the outstanding Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom there's been Pikmin 4 and a remake of Mario RPG from 1996.
You can make a strong argument Wonder is the best game of the year.
It's completely absurd and ridiculous, but it's just so much grin-inducing fun you can't help but swoon for it. That's no matter your age or gaming preferences, this one is an all-inclusive time of it that demands to be played.
Embrace the Absurd in Super Mario Bros. Wonder
It says all you need to know about Nintendo that, within about three minutes of playing this game, we were grinning like idiots and having a whale of a time.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is fantastically bizarre.
When you've got Laura Shigihara, the developer behind surreal indie games such as Mr. Saitou (2023), calling it "acid trip Mario" on her social channels you know it's hit new levels of imagination.
And that's what struck us immediately with Wonder. The level designs are just instantly fun. Brilliant. It's incredible how Nintendo has managed to do this non-stop over the last 40 years.
Each iteration always throws up something new.
And this time out there's a definite tinge towards the surreal. Perhaps that standard was set in Super Mario Maker 2 (2019), as that and its predecessor marked Nintendo embracing the inherent absurdity of the series.
It means in Wonder we get inspired nonsense such as this.
That's right on the second level of Super Mario Bros. Wonder and sets the scene for what's ahead. And there's plenty more of that to come.
Plot wise (yes, there is sort of one) you've got antagonist Bowser kicking off again. He does this in every game. We're fast approaching 40 years of dismal failure for The King of the Koopas, but full marks for his perseverance.
This time he's at it again and you, Super Mario, must save the land!
The actual map of the game where you select levels is done in the style of Super Mario 3D World (2013), which is welcome again. You can pick levels as you please after the opening phase.
We soon stumbled on Here Come the Hoppos. A personal favourite, it's just ridiculous Super Mario stuff. Oh yeah, and you can transform into an elephant. 🐘
The elephant features enormously across Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
It doesn't provide a significant gameplay advantage to be in that state, which we find rather amusing, it's more a celebration of silliness.
Also, a neat little touch (and it's all about the subtle little moments in Wonder) is, when you're the elephant, the music changes slightly into a more trumpeting style.
There's something about this music that just perfectly sums up the series.
The score is great, too, with some major highlights along the way.
Nintendo hasn't released the official soundtrack yet, but fans have uploaded parts of the music onto YouTube.
The emphasis of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is fun. Every single second of the game is designed to maximise enjoyment to its full potential.
It's what Nintendo has always done exceptionally well, most notably with this series and its spinoffs (such as the Mario Kart franchise).
Although the challenge of the game must be noted.
This is one of the most difficult Mario games we've ever played. Levels have a little difficulty star indication on them, so you know what's in store. But the toughest ones are just that! Real challenges, pushing experienced gamers hard.
For players not so used to such difficulty, Nintendo has helpfully included various in-game options to assist them in completing levels.
That includes online features, for example, designed to help players through to the end (and multiplayer options to further help). Wonder's accessibility for all ages and playing abilities should be lauded.
As you're up against the likes of Bloomps of the Desert, where the psychedelic nature of the game well and truly kicks in (once again).
Wonder is packed with little nuances and clever little features to make the game accessible for all. There are badges, for example, that provide you with a special power-up that may suit one level over another.
And there's a Death Stranding type survival mechanic where you can help players around the world. You can see their online "ghost" characters playing in the background and if they die mid-game, you can bring them back to life for rewards. This aspect is delivered perfectly.
It hints at the morally sound nature of the series. It's so uplifting!
The only real criticism we have of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is that not all of the levels hit the same tremendous peaks. There are some that are more formulaic in structure.
Plus, this isn't a reinvention of 2D Mario platformers.
But, then, we don't really think Nintendo needs to do that when it's delivering quality on this level. It's yet another triumph in a year packed with major releases for the company.
We're not sure if Super Mario Bros. Wonder marks the final major release on the Switch before Nintendo announces its next console concept.
If it is, it's a wonderful way to switch off the Switch (puns intended).
This is one of the best entries in the Super Mario series. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face, it oozes life-affirming and easy charms that few other games developers can replicate.
The Super Mario Bros. Wonder Talking Flower Furore
This wouldn't be video game playing land without at least one toxic meltdown from a sect of players. Wonder features the above talking flower dudes, who all have the same voice.
As you encounter them in the game, they make pithy statements.
There's not been anything like that in a Mario game before and, this being video game playing land, it's caused quite a few people to have a meltdown.
We found them charming. They genuinely do have funny things to say from time to time, like they're Marcel from Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.
But it's so typical of some gamers that something as innocuous as this can lead to flame wars and raging tantrums. But there you go. We'll also note there's an option within the menu system to turn them off, if you prefer.
But we were pleased to see the ever-awesome Nintendo Life acknowledge there's love for them, too, in people actually love the talking flowers:
"It definitely seems like the vast majority of people are actually coming around to them."
And the good people at the magazine highlight plenty of examples of that.
Naysayers have complained they're "corny". Others are enraged by their inclusion and just what the ruddy heck is Nintendo thinking of my days...
Our take? We love them! They're great fun. It's all part of the TALKING FLOWER POWER! 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
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