Behind the Origins of the Talking Flowers in Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Insights from Nintendo’s Developers

As one of the most anticipated releases for the Nintendo Switch in 2023, Super Mario Bros.

Wonder has captivated audiences with new gameplay innovations and creative design elements.

Developed by Nintendo and unveiled through high-profile Nintendo Direct presentations, the game marks a significant evolution in the long-running Super Mario series.

Ahead of its official release, Nintendo provided fans with exclusive insights via their ongoing “Ask the Developer” interview series, offering an intimate look into the creative process behind major features—most notably, the introduction of the Talking Flowers. In Part 3 of the interview series, the development team shed light on how the Talking Flowers, now a standout feature in Super Mario Bros.

Wonder, came to fruition.

The concept stemmed from a suggestion by Producer Takashi Tezuka, who posed the idea of implementing “live commentary” that could adapt to player actions.

Recalling the early stages, Director Shiro Mouri noted that Tezuka’s inquiry was open-ended and led the design team to explore new ways to enhance the player experience.

Mouri explained that although he initially didn’t fully grasp the proposal, he interpreted it as an opportunity to innovate beyond conventional gameplay commentary. The next six months saw the developers experimenting with various implementations, including a generic newscaster voice and an alternative "Tsundere" voice style that alternated between playful criticism and supportive encouragement.

According to Mouri, internal feedback was evenly split, and playtesting revealed that players were experimenting with the Tsundere option.

Despite initial enthusiasm, the technical challenges of recording diverse voice lines for a full live commentary system led the team to abandon the feature in its original form. The Talking Flowers that now appear throughout Super Mario Bros.

Wonder evolved directly from this concept.

As Nintendo’s designers shifted the game’s setting to the vibrant Flower Kingdom, they realized that the live commentary idea could be organically integrated into the world as Talking Flowers—characters that voice witty, supportive, and sometimes quirky remarks as players navigate each course.

Mouri stated that this approach helped prevent solo players from feeling isolated during gameplay, while allowing for the feature to be toggled on or off based on user preference. Lead game designer Koichi Hayashida highlighted the positive impact of the Talking Flowers, saying their presence guarantees that players “never feel alone” on their adventure.

Masanobu Sato, another key developer, shared that the flowers’ playful dialogue, such as reminders to “get your veggies” in the style of a caring parent, adds to the charm for both players and spectators alike. Super Mario Bros.

Wonder further solidifies Nintendo’s reputation for imaginative game design, demonstrating the company’s commitment to enriching the Nintendo Switch platform with fresh ideas and user-friendly features.

For those interested in uncovering more behind-the-scenes stories, the complete series of “Ask the Developer” interviews is available on Nintendo’s website, offering an even deeper understanding of the creative minds driving the Super Mario franchise forward.

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