Super Mario Bros.
Wonder arrives on Nintendo Switch as Nintendo EPD’s latest mainline 2D Mario platformer, released on October 20, 2023.
The title is the studio’s first original side-scrolling Mario adventure in over a decade since New Super Mario Bros.
U (2012), following Nintendo’s earlier 2D entries and the course-creation-focused Super Mario Maker series.
Set in the new Flower Kingdom, the game opens when Mario and his companions accept an invitation from Prince Florian.
The celebratory visit is upended when Bowser steals a Wonder Flower; Bowser’s misuse of the artifact fuses him with the Flower Castle and transforms him into a floating fortress.
Players progress by collecting Wonder Seeds and Royal Seeds to unlock new paths and palaces across themed worlds such as Pipe-Rock Plateau and Fluff-Puff Peaks.
Reviewers have stressed the game’s emphasis on surprise and invention.
One summary of the experience noted that the term “Wonder” accurately captures the game’s frequent, unexpected twists — from environmental transformations to sudden gameplay modifiers — designed to keep players discovering new mechanics course after course.
Core mechanics and features
- Wonder Flowers: Hidden in many stages, Wonder Flowers trigger dramatic, often temporary course-altering effects that change level geometry, enemy behavior, or player form.
These moments drive much of the game’s signature variety.
- New power-ups: Players can use three new primary items — the Elephant Fruit (allows water-gulping trunk actions), Bubble Flower (bubble-shooting), and Drill Mushroom (burrowing) — alongside classic power-ups.
- Break Time levels and HD Rumble: Short musical interludes make use of Joy-Con and Switch Pro Controller haptics in creative ways.
- Badges: Divided into Action, Boost, and Expert categories, Badges provide equippable abilities such as Parachute Cap, Dolphin Kick, Safety Bounce, Sensor, and Jet Run.
Badges are earned through Badge Challenges, course completion, or purchased with in-game Flower Coins.
- Characters and multiplayer: Playable options include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, multiple Toad variants, Toadette, Nabbit, and several differently colored Yoshis.
Local and online elements introduce features Nintendo calls “live player shadows” and Standees, which can hint at secrets or revive players.
Design and reception
Nintendo EPD’s new art direction and animation emphasize color and character, while level design frequently experiments with large set pieces and boss encounters.
The review sample awarded the game a 9/10, praising its creativity and continual surprises compared with earlier 2D entries.
Super Mario Bros.
Wonder is available exclusively on Nintendo Switch and can be purchased physically and digitally via the Nintendo eShop.
The game represents a deliberate, experimental return to 2D Mario design from Nintendo EPD, focused on emergent moments and replayable courses.
Wonder arrives on Nintendo Switch as Nintendo EPD’s latest mainline 2D Mario platformer, released on October 20, 2023.
The title is the studio’s first original side-scrolling Mario adventure in over a decade since New Super Mario Bros.
U (2012), following Nintendo’s earlier 2D entries and the course-creation-focused Super Mario Maker series.
Set in the new Flower Kingdom, the game opens when Mario and his companions accept an invitation from Prince Florian.
The celebratory visit is upended when Bowser steals a Wonder Flower; Bowser’s misuse of the artifact fuses him with the Flower Castle and transforms him into a floating fortress.
Players progress by collecting Wonder Seeds and Royal Seeds to unlock new paths and palaces across themed worlds such as Pipe-Rock Plateau and Fluff-Puff Peaks.
Reviewers have stressed the game’s emphasis on surprise and invention.
One summary of the experience noted that the term “Wonder” accurately captures the game’s frequent, unexpected twists — from environmental transformations to sudden gameplay modifiers — designed to keep players discovering new mechanics course after course.
Core mechanics and features
- Wonder Flowers: Hidden in many stages, Wonder Flowers trigger dramatic, often temporary course-altering effects that change level geometry, enemy behavior, or player form.
These moments drive much of the game’s signature variety.
- New power-ups: Players can use three new primary items — the Elephant Fruit (allows water-gulping trunk actions), Bubble Flower (bubble-shooting), and Drill Mushroom (burrowing) — alongside classic power-ups.
- Break Time levels and HD Rumble: Short musical interludes make use of Joy-Con and Switch Pro Controller haptics in creative ways.
- Badges: Divided into Action, Boost, and Expert categories, Badges provide equippable abilities such as Parachute Cap, Dolphin Kick, Safety Bounce, Sensor, and Jet Run.
Badges are earned through Badge Challenges, course completion, or purchased with in-game Flower Coins.
- Characters and multiplayer: Playable options include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, multiple Toad variants, Toadette, Nabbit, and several differently colored Yoshis.
Local and online elements introduce features Nintendo calls “live player shadows” and Standees, which can hint at secrets or revive players.
Design and reception
Nintendo EPD’s new art direction and animation emphasize color and character, while level design frequently experiments with large set pieces and boss encounters.
The review sample awarded the game a 9/10, praising its creativity and continual surprises compared with earlier 2D entries.
Super Mario Bros.
Wonder is available exclusively on Nintendo Switch and can be purchased physically and digitally via the Nintendo eShop.
The game represents a deliberate, experimental return to 2D Mario design from Nintendo EPD, focused on emergent moments and replayable courses.
