Super Mario Bros. Wonder Explained

Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Developer:Nintendo EPD
Publisher:Nintendo
Director:Shiro Mouri
Producer:Takashi Tezuka
Composer:Koji Kondo[1]
Shiho Fujii
Sayako Doi
Chisaki Shimazu
Series:Super Mario
Platforms:Nintendo Switch
Released:October 20, 2023
Genre:Platform
Modes:Single-player, multiplayer
Artist:Masanobu Sato[2]
Programmer:Hiroshi Umemiya
Designer:Koichi Hayashida
Terumasa Kato
Shigefumi Hino

is a 2023 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the first traditional side-scrolling Super Mario game since New Super Mario Bros. U (2012). The player controls Mario, Luigi, and their friends as they attempt to stop Bowser, who plots to take over a new land known as the Flower Kingdom after using the magical Wonder Flower to fuse himself with the kingdom's castle.

Development for Super Mario Bros. Wonder began in 2019, with director Shiro Mouri taking inspiration from the original Super Mario Bros. and producer Takashi Tezuka seeking to reinvent the 2D Mario experience and introduce a new location.

The game became the fastest-selling Super Mario game, selling 4.3 million units in its first two weeks and reaching 13.44 million units by March 31, 2024. It received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including the Golden Joystick Award for Game of the Year, The Game Award for Game of the Year and the British Academy Games Award for Best Game.

Gameplay

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a side-scrolling platform game. As one of twelve player characters—Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, yellow and blue Toads, Toadette, Nabbit and four types of Yoshis—the player completes levels across the Flower Kingdom with assistance from its flower-like denizens.[3] [4] Similarly to previous Super Mario games, players guide their character to the end of a level while avoiding enemies, such as Goombas and Piranha Plants, and transporting through Warp Pipes. Each stage contains multiple collectible "Wonder Seeds".[5]

New power-ups include a fruit that transforms the player into an elephant,[6] a flower that allows the player to create bubbles that capture enemies, and a mushroom that gives the player a drill hat that allows them to burrow into the ground or ceiling to evade enemies or bypass obstacles.

Wonder introduces the Wonder Flower, which triggers bizarre effects such as pipes coming to life, hordes of enemies spawning, and character appearances and abilities changing. The effects end when a player collects a Wonder Seed or leaves the area of effect.

A new feature allows players to equip badges, which are unlocked throughout the game and give different advantages to the player. They are divided into three different categories: Action Badges, which grant the player character an additional ability; Boost Badges, which give the player character an additional passive ability; and Expert Badges, which grant the player character an advanced skill. Only one badge can be activated at a time per level. They are usually optional and can be shut off for higher difficulty.

The game supports local multiplayer for up to twelve players in a room with a limit of four players active in a level. It also has some online multiplayer functionality. When playing through a level while playing online, translucent versions of up to three other players playing through the same level may be present. When other online players are present nearby, defeated players become ghosts and are given a short window of time to revive themselves by flying toward another player or a standee placed by another player.[7]

Plot

Mario and his friends are invited to the neighboring Flower Kingdom by its ruler, Prince Florian, to see a demonstration of a Wonder Flower; great treasures of the Flower Kingdom that can warp reality. Bowser interrupts the ceremony and seizes the Wonder Flower, using its power to merge with Prince Florian's castle, turning himself into a giant flying fortress and imprisoning the citizens of the Flower Kingdom. Mario and his friends volunteer to help Prince Florian stop Bowser, prompting the prince to accompany the party. As the gang work to save the captured Poplins, they realize that by gathering six Royal Seeds, which are considered precious treasures in the Flower Kingdom, they will grant access to Castle Bowser, as each time a Royal Seed is collected, it destroys one of the six Cloud Piranhas protecting Castle Bowser.

After freeing the various regions of the Flower Kingdom from the control of Bowser Jr. and removing Bowser's defenses, Mario and friends confront Bowser on his flying castle, where he reveals his plan to use the Wonder Flowers' power to enslave the universe with rhythm. The party defeats Bowser and returns the Flower Kingdom to normal, while Bowser, Bowser Jr. and Kamek flee.

Development and release

Super Mario developer and producer Takashi Tezuka returned as a producer for Wonder.[8] Shiro Mouri, who previously directed New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, returned as director. Wonder started development in 2019 after the release of Deluxe,[8] and the development team was not given a deadline to produce a prototype, which resulted in extra time to develop gameplay ideas.[9]

During the initial planning of Wonder, Mouri desired to recreate the sense of "secrets and mystery" that had been present in the original Super Mario Bros. for a modern audience. The focus was placed on updating the traditional idea of transporting Mario to different areas of the level using Warp Pipes, vines, or other means. Tezuka suggested to instead change up the current physical location, and the Wonder Flower, which dramatically alters the current level, was born. In order for all levels in the game to uniquely implement this item, approximately 2,000 ideas for Wonder effects were solicited from every member of the development team. The most viable were prototyped and implemented in the final game.[10] [11]

Additionally, to balance the gameplay between younger and experienced players, Wonder was designed to have a sliding difficulty scale, with badges that make the game easier or more challenging, an online mode where players can get assistance, characters with special abilities like immunity to enemy damage, and a non-sequential world map that allows players to optionally skip harder levels.[12]

The game was planned to have a live sports commentary on the player's action. Late in development, this feature was superseded by the Talking Flowers, who exchange humorous quips with the player during levels, because—in the words of one game designer on the project—the sports commentary was too complex to implement and "something [didn't] feel right" about it.[13]

Wonder was announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation on June 21, 2023, and was released on October 20, 2023, for the Nintendo Switch.[14] It is the first traditional 2D side-scrolling Super Mario game since New Super Mario Bros. U (2012).[15] Wonder is the first game to feature Kevin Afghani as the new voice of Mario and Luigi, following the announcement of previous actor Charles Martinet's departure from the roles in August 2023.[16] [17] [18] Sonic Superstars, a similar 2D side-scrolling platform game by Sega, was released three days prior. Tezuka and Sonic Superstars producer Takashi Iizuka stated that this was a coincidence, despite how long it had been since either franchise had had a 2D entry. It was the first time 2D Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog games had been released close to one another since the 1990s Nintendo–Sega console war.[19] [20] [21]

Reception

Critical reception

Super Mario Bros. Wonder received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. On OpenCritic, 98% of reviews recommended the game.

Critics widely praised the gameplay, noting the creative innovations and variety brought to it. PJ O'Reilly of Nintendo Life wrote that the game is "quite simply, the best 2D Mario game since Super Mario World" and "the slickest, sharpest, and smartest that two-dimensional Mario has felt since 1991."

Sales

The game sold 4.3 million units in its first two weeks of release and became the fastest-selling Super Mario game.[22] It sold 13.44 million units by March 31, 2024.[23]

Accolades

At the 24th Game Developers Choice Awards, Super Mario Bros. Wonder was recognized as an honorable mention in the categories of Game of the Year, Best Design, and Best Visual Art.[24] In addition to its nominations at the 20th British Academy Games Awards, the game was longlisted for Artistic Achievement and Game Design.[25]

Year Award Category Result
2023Golden Joystick AwardsUltimate Game of the Year[26]
The Game Awards 2023Game of the Year[27] [28]
Best Game Direction
Best Art Direction
Best Family Game
Best Multiplayer Game
202413th New York Game AwardsCentral Park Children's Zoo Award for Best Kids Game[29] [30]
27th Annual D.I.C.E. AwardsFamily Game of the Year[31] [32]
Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
20th British Academy Games AwardsBest Game[33] [34]
Animation
Family
Multiplayer
2024 Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite Video Game[35]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ask the Developer Vol. 11, Super Mario Bros. Wonder—Part 1. Nintendo Official Site. October 18, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017222555/https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-11-super-mario-bros-wonder-part-1/. live.
  2. Shea . Brian . 6 October 2023 . How Super Mario Bros. Wonder Pays Homage To The Past As It Expands In New Directions . . 11 October 2023 . October 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231008155849/https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/10/06/how-super-mario-bros-wonder-pays-homage-to-the-past-as-it-expands-in-new-directions . dead .
  3. Web site: Romano . Sal . 2023-06-21 . Super Mario Bros. Wonder announced for Switch . 2023-06-25 . Gematsu . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20230621151150/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/06/super-mario-bros-wonder-announced-for-switch. 2023-06-21.
  4. Web site: Dinsdale . Ryan . 2023-08-31 . Everything Announced at the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Direct . 2023-08-31 . . en-US . August 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230831143439/https://www.ign.com/articles/everything-announced-at-the-super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-direct . live .
  5. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . June 21, 2023 . Super Mario's new Switch game takes the series back to 2D . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230621145412/https://www.polygon.com/23767687/super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-switch-release-date . June 21, 2023 . June 21, 2023 . . en-US.
  6. Web site: Super Mario Bros.™ Wonder for Nintendo Switch . live . https://archive.today/20230621170938/https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/super-mario-bros-wonder-switch/ . June 21, 2023 . June 21, 2023 . Nintendo Official Site . en-us.
  7. Web site: Peters . Jay . 2023-10-24 . Mario Wonder's online mode is opening my mind to tricks and secrets . 2023-11-02 . The Verge . en . October 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031090522/https://www.theverge.com/23929438/super-mario-bros-wonder-online-mode-multiplayer-tricks-secrets . live .
  8. Cruz . Christopher . 31 August 2023 . 'Super Mario Bros. Wonder' is Nintendo on Acid . . Penske Media Corporation . 31 August 2023 . October 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231002154209/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-interview-1234814207/ . live .
  9. Farokhmaneshf . Megan . 2023-09-17 . Super Mario Bros. Wonder Is What Happens When Devs Have Time to Play . . 2023-08-01 . September 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901054234/https://www.wired.com/story/super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-switch-mouri-tezuka-interview/ . live .
  10. Web site: McCaffrey . Ryan . 2023-08-31 . Takashi Tezuka and Shiro Mouri Reveal Super Mario Bros. Wonder's Origin Story . 2023-09-01 . . September 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901044825/https://www.ign.com/articles/takashi-tezuka-and-shiro-mouri-reveal-super-mario-bros-wonders-origin-story . live .
  11. Web site: Bailey . Kat . McCaffrey . Ryan . 2023-09-04 . Shiro Mouri and Takashi Tezuka Answer All of Our Super Mario Wonder Questions . 2023-10-21 . IGN . en . October 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023191653/https://www.ign.com/articles/shiro-mouri-and-takashi-tezuka-super-mario-wonder-interview . live .
  12. News: Orland . Kyle . After decades of Mario, how do developers bridge a widening generation gap? . 23 June 2024 . Ars Technica . 17 April 2024 . en-us . May 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522115759/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/04/after-decades-of-mario-how-do-developers-bridge-a-widening-generation-gap/ . live .
  13. News: 2023-10-18 . Super Mario Bros. Wonder almost had sports-style live commentary . Eurogamer.net . 2023-10-21 . October 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231022155736/https://www.eurogamer.net/super-mario-bros-wonder-almost-had-sports-style-live-commentary . live .
  14. Stewart . Marcus . June 21, 2023 . Super Mario Bros. Wonder Is The Next 2D Mario Platformer . . June 22, 2023 . October 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231003165942/https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2023/06/21/super-mario-bros-wonder-is-the-next-2d-mario-platformer . dead .
  15. Web site: Gach . Ethan . June 21, 2023 . Nintendo's Next Mario Game Is Here And It's Not What You Expect . . June 22, 2023 . June 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230621183812/https://kotaku.com/mario-2d-side-scroller-switch-nintendo-platformer-1850557825 . live .
  16. News: 2023-08-21 . Mario's voice, Charles Martinet, steps down . 2023-08-22 . . August 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230822012414/https://www.boston25news.com/news/trending/marios-voice-charles-martinet-steps-down/KM6ZTKNXI5FHNKBZKSWJ4EA3QA/ . live .
  17. Web site: McWhertor . Michael . Plante . Chris . 2023-08-21 . The voice of Mario is no longer the voice of Mario . 2023-08-21 . Polygon. September 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930185559/https://www.polygon.com/23780131/mario-voice-charles-martinet-nintendo-ambassador . live .
  18. Mario's New Voice Actor Announced by Nintendo After Charles Martinet's Departure. Ethan. Shanfield. Variety Magazine. October 13, 2023. October 13, 2023. October 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231018225905/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/mario-new-voice-actor-nintendo-kevin-afghani-1235755568/. live.
  19. Shea . Brian . 2023-10-13 . Super Mario Bros. Wonder And Sonic Superstars Devs Talk About Releasing Their Games The Same Week . 2023-10-18 . . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016213943/https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/10/13/super-mario-bros-wonder-and-sonic-superstars-devs-talk-about-releasing-their-games-the . dead .
  20. Web site: Tu . Trumann . 2023-10-15 . Sega Producer Comments on Sonic Superstars Launching the Same Week as Super Mario Bros. Wonder . 2023-10-19 . . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016180958/https://gamerant.com/sonic-superstars-super-mario-bros-wonder-launch-week-comments/ . live .
  21. Web site: Alana . Hagues . Sonic Superstars Locks In October Release, Right Before Super Mario Bros. Wonder . . October 18, 2023 . August 22, 2023 . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225065206/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/08/sonic-superstars-locks-in-october-release-right-before-super-mario-bros-wonder . live .
  22. Web site: Yin-Poole . Wesley . 2023-11-08 . Super Mario Bros. Wonder the Fastest-Selling Mario Game — and Nintendo Expects It to Keep on Selling . 2023-11-12 . IGN . en . January 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117035111/https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-bros-wonder-the-fastest-selling-mario-game-and-nintendo-expects-it-to-keep-on-selling . live .
  23. Web site: Financial Results Announcements/IR Results - Financial Results Explanatory Material . . May 8, 2024 . May 8, 2024 . May 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507081558/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2024/240507_3e.pdf . live .
  24. Web site: Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List . . Bankhurst . Adam . 20 March 2024 . 23 March 2024 . March 21, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240321182011/https://www.ign.com/articles/game-developers-choice-awards-2024-winners-the-full-list . live .
  25. Web site: The 60 Best Video Games of 2023 . . bafta.org . 26 March 2024 . December 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219213926/https://www.bafta.org/games/features/best-video-games-2023 . live .
  26. Web site: Loveridge . Sam . 2023-11-10 . Here are all the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 winners . 2023-11-11 . . en . November 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110183004/https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2023-winners/ . live .
  27. Spangler . Todd . 2023-11-13 . The Game Awards 2023 Nominations: Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3 Lead the Pack With Eight Noms Each (Full List) . 2023-11-13 . . November 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231113173426/https://variety.com/2023/gaming/news/game-awards-2023-nominations-alan-wake-baldurs-gate-full-list-1235787390/ . live .
  28. Web site: All The Game Awards 2023 Winners Revealed . Makuch . Eddie . . . December 7, 2023 . January 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231208051135/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/all-the-game-awards-2023-winners-revealed/2900-4977/ . December 8, 2023 . live .
  29. Web site: Baldur's Gate 3 leads New York Games Awards 2024 nominations. Sophie. McEvoy. Gameindustry.biz. January 5, 2024. January 21, 2024. January 5, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240105130739/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/baldurs-gate-3-leads-new-york-games-awards-2024-nominations. live.
  30. Web site: Baldur's Gate 3 wins big at New York Game Awards 2024 . 2024-01-24 . Games Industry.biz . McEvoy . Sophie . January 24, 2024 . January 24, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240124144238/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/baldurs-gate-3-wins-big-at-new-york-game-awards-2024 . live .
  31. Web site: Spider-Man 2 receives most nominations for 2024 DICE Awards. Sophie. McEvoy. Gameindustry.biz. January 11, 2024. January 11, 2024. January 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240111103125/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/spider-man-2-receives-most-nominations-for-2024-dice-awards. live.
  32. Web site: The D.I.C.E. Awards 2024 winners & finalists. Sam. Chandler. Shacknews. February 15, 2024. January 16, 2024. February 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240216065055/https://www.shacknews.com/article/138754/the-dice-awards-2024-winners-finalists. live.
  33. Web site: Bafta Games Awards 2024: Baldur's Gate 3 and Spider-Man lead nods. BBC News. 7 March 2024. 7 March 2024. March 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240323213738/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-68478486. live.
  34. Web site: 20th BAFTA Games Awards: The Nominations. BAFTA. 7 March 2024. 7 March 2024. April 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240412093521/https://www.bafta.org/games/awards/2024-nominations-winners. live.
  35. Web site: Petski. Denise. Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, Timothée Chalamet, Ayo Edebiri Among 2024 Kids’ Choice Awards Nominees – Full List. June 4, 2024. June 4, 2024. Deadline. June 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240604143906/https://deadline.com/2024/06/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-nominations-2024-full-list-taylor-swift-1235957982/. live.

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