The significance of Super Mario Bros, released in 1985 for the NES, cannot be overstated in the history of video games. A small team of developers, led by the celebrated game creators Shigeru Miyamoto and Takahasi Tezuka, crafted a marvel of playability and entertainment. Utilizing only two buttons and a mere 32 kb of memory, they created a character who remains a cultural icon, with a fanbase spanning nearly four decades. This enduring appeal isn’t purely nostalgic; Super Mario Bros.‘ ingenious design and accessible gameplay continuously attract new players who discover the game’s charm through Flash versions or retro releases.
While Miyamoto is not directly involved this time, Tezuka’s influence is evident in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the latest side-scrolling Mario installment from Nintendo for the Switch. This title stands as a culmination of 40 years of platforming innovation, presenting both a modern interpretation and a “best of” compilation of Super Mario elements from previous decades.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder supports up to four simultaneous players, offering a roster of classic characters (Mario, Peach, Luigi, and Toad) alongside new additions such as Daisy, Toadette, four different Yoshis, and Nabbit. The latter two characters possess infinite invulnerability but cannot utilize power-ups. The game is structured around a familiar Mario world map, reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario 3D World. Bowser, having stolen a magic seed (resembling a blue radish), transforms himself into a magical castle, brimming with malevolence. The heroes must gather various magic seeds and upgrades to thwart the Koopa King’s plans.
As previously stated, Super Mario Bros. Wonder serves as a tribute to the Super Mario legacy. The involvement of Tezuka adds a layer of significance. The game features familiar pipes that lead to bonuses and secret course sections, alongside references to numerous past Mario titles, from the growing vines of Super Mario Bros. 2 to the gliding mechanics of Super Mario Bros. 3 and the animal transformations of Super Mario World. This time, players transform into elephants, capable of striking enemies and spraying water with their trunks, while also crushing larger opponents with their weight. Furthermore, collecting special flowers initiates a “wonder” effect, altering the world and revealing the bonus seed on each course.
Reportedly, over 2000 ideas were considered during the game’s development (which began in 2019, following New Super Mario Bros Deluxe), with many of these innovative concepts incorporated into the final product. Revealing too many details would spoil the experience, but these ideas range from rideable, runaway horned creatures to enemies that fire projectiles which transform into climbable bars. This exemplifies Nintendo’s imaginative design and the enduring appeal of Mario.
The Nintendo Switch, while facing performance limitations compared to current-generation consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, benefits from Nintendo’s expertise in optimizing their own titles. A “Switch 2” is confirmed to be in development for 2024, promising 4K resolution and other enhancements. Although third-party developers may find it challenging to maximize the Switch’s capabilities, Nintendo’s internal team demonstrates mastery of the hardware. Super Mario Bros. Wonder boasts vibrant visuals that evoke the appearance of HDR (despite the Switch lacking native HDR support), coupled with parallax scrolling, detailed backgrounds, and polished character models that create an almost “2.5 D” effect. The visual fidelity is further enhanced by the use of an mClassic, a recommended accessory for all Switch owners. However, even without this enhancement, the game remains visually striking and imaginative.
The controls are precise, the gameplay flows seamlessly, and the frame rate remains consistently at 60 fps thanks to dynamic resolution scaling (1080p docked, 720p portable). Super Mario Bros. Wonder is suitable for both experienced platformer enthusiasts and newcomers, with the option to select Yoshi or Nabbit for a more forgiving experience. The difficulty curve feels well-balanced, rewarding practice and exploration, while optional courses cater to seasoned Mario players. While the boss battles may exhibit some familiarity from previous titles, including the mobile game Super Mario Run, the inclusion of new character transformations adds a degree of novelty.
Finding fault with Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a challenge. It offers unadulterated gaming enjoyment for players of all ages, and Super Mario Bros. fans will appreciate the attention to detail. Even those unfamiliar with side-scrolling Mario games should consider experiencing this title. While Mario excels in 3D environments, the 2D format provides a unique charm and directness.
Nintendo deserves recognition for delivering another exceptional title. 2023 has proven to be a remarkable year for gaming, marked by several high-scoring releases (Spider-Man 2, Alan Wake 2, and now this).
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Nintendo provided a review code for this evaluation. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial objectivity.
