Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the first new side-scrolling Mario game in over a decade, and it feels like a celebration of everything that made the series great in the first place. It is bright, inventive, and relentlessly fun. The game takes the classic formula and twists it into something fresh without losing the simple joy of jumping on a Goomba.
The game opens with a trip to the Flower Kingdom, a land that sits just beyond the Mushroom Kingdom. Prince Florian, the ruler of this realm, has a problem. Bowser has crashed the party, stolen the royal Wonder Flower, and fused himself to the castle. He is now a giant, floating fortress of rage and bad intentions. Mario and his friends must chase him down across seven main worlds, plus a hidden Special World, each packed with new ideas and challenges.
Trailer, via Nintendo of America.
What the Wonder Flower Does
The central mechanic in Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the Wonder Flower itself. Grab one in a level, and the world turns upside down. Pipes start moving like snakes. The ground becomes a living, singing entity. A herd of stampeding bulls might chase you down a hill. The screen might tilt sideways, or the entire level might turn into a rhythm game where you jump to the beat of a funky bassline.
These transformations are not just visual noise. They change how the level plays, often in ways you cannot predict until you trigger them. One level turns Mario into a spiky ball that must roll through a maze of enemies. Another turns him into a giant, and the camera pulls way back so you can see the whole stage at once. The effect is a constant sense of surprise. You never know what the next Wonder Flower will do, and that unpredictability drives the entire game forward.
The Wonder Flower moments are the headline act, but the standard platforming is just as strong. The controls are tight and responsive, with a weight and precision that feels perfect. Mario can now do a mid-air spin, which gives him a little extra hang time and makes some tricky jumps more forgiving. The new Elephant Fruit power-up turns Mario into a heavy, trunk-swinging beast that can smash blocks and spray water. It is a goofy, wonderful addition that fits right in.
Levels That Never Repeat
Super Mario Bros. Wonder does not repeat itself. Each level introduces a new mechanic or a new twist on an old one, and then it moves on before the idea wears out its welcome. One stage has you bouncing on giant, inflatable balloons. Another has you riding a talking flower that yells encouragement. A third has you navigating a dark cave where you can only see a small circle around your character.
The level design is smart and generous. Checkpoints are frequent, and the game never feels cruel. The difficulty curve is gentle, but it does not disappear. Later worlds introduce tougher enemy patterns and more demanding platforming sections. The game respects your skill while still inviting you to play at your own pace.
There are also hidden exits and secret paths everywhere. Finding them often requires you to use the Wonder Flower in a way you did not think of, or to explore a corner of the level that looks slightly off. The game rewards curiosity without ever punishing you for missing something. You can finish the main story without seeing half of what the game has to offer, and that is fine. The journey is the point.
Badges Add a New Layer
Beyond the power-ups, Super Mario Bros. Wonder introduces badges. You earn these by completing special challenge stages, and each one gives you a passive ability. One badge lets you float after a jump. Another lets you wall-jump off any surface. A third gives you a grappling hook that can swing you across gaps.
You can equip only one badge at a time, which forces you to think about which ability suits the level ahead. The badge system adds a layer of strategy to the game. It also gives you a reason to replay levels, since a different badge can open up new paths or make a tough section easier.
The challenge stages themselves are a highlight. They are short, focused tests of a single skill, and they are some of the most satisfying moments in the game. They feel like a nod to the harder Mario games of the past, but they are never unfair. A few of them, especially the ones near the end, will test your patience. But the game always gives you a way forward.
The Flower Kingdom Has Personality
The world of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of the most charming in the series. The Flower Kingdom is a riot of color and motion. The grass sways, the trees bend, and the talking flowers that dot the landscape are a constant source of comedy. They cheer you on, they comment on your jumps, and they sometimes just say something silly. It is a small touch, but it gives the world a personality that the Mushroom Kingdom never quite had.
The music is also a standout. The soundtrack is playful and energetic, with a mix of jazzy brass, funky basslines, and catchy melodies. The Wonder Flower transformations often come with a shift in the music, and one level in particular turns into a full-blown musical number. It is a moment that will make you smile, and it shows how much care went into every part of the game.
The visual design is consistently inventive. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, and the animations are full of life. Mario’s face changes expression as he runs, jumps, and lands. The enemies have personality. The bosses are fun to fight, even if they are not especially challenging.
Made for Everyone
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is accessible in a way that few games are. The difficulty is adjustable, and there are options that make the game easier for younger players. You can play as one of several characters, including Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad, Toadette, and Yoshi. Each character controls slightly differently, and Yoshi and Nabbit take no damage from enemies, which makes them perfect for kids.
The game also supports local multiplayer for up to four players. Playing with friends is chaotic and fun, and the game does a good job of keeping everyone together. The camera is smart, and the game rarely gets too crowded. It is a great party game, and it is also a great game to play alone.
The game’s structure is straightforward. You move from world to world, clearing levels and collecting Wonder Seeds. There are also Flower Coins to collect, which you can spend on new badges and other goodies. The main story takes around ten hours to complete, but there is a lot more to do if you want to find everything.
Why It Works
Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes a formula that has been around for nearly forty years and makes it feel new again. The Wonder Flower gimmick is a masterstroke, and the level design is some of the best in the series. It is a game that respects your time, rewards your curiosity, and never stops being fun.
The game has a few minor flaws. The bosses are not very challenging, and the multiplayer can get a little chaotic at times. But these are small complaints in a game that gets so much right. The Flower Kingdom is a joy to explore, and the game’s sense of humor is infectious.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a triumph.
If you have a Switch, this is a game you should own. It is a reminder of why Mario is still the king of platformers, and it sets a new standard for what a side-scrolling game can be. It is not just a good Mario game. It is one of the best games of the year, and it deserves a place alongside the classics.
Here is what makes it stand out, ranked by how much it adds to the experience:
- The Wonder Flower is the best new mechanic in a Mario game in years.
- The level design is consistently inventive and generous.
- The badge system adds depth without adding complexity.
- The Flower Kingdom is a charming and memorable setting.
- The game is accessible to players of all skill levels.
- The music and visuals are top-notch.
The game is a perfect blend of old and new. It honors the past while pushing forward, and it does so with a smile on its face. It is a game that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you want to play just one more level.
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