With Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Nintendo pulls off something we'd almost stopped expecting: giving a genuine sense of surprise to a 2D formula decades old. And the most impressive part is that it works almost from start to finish.
Alexandrosse
InsertCoins.press Score
9/10
Verdict
Must-have
After years of very safe "New Super Mario Bros." entries, Wonder arrives like a breath of fresh air. The foundation stays classic: run, jump, reach the flag. But every level introduces a strong idea. The game isn't content to be solid, it's constantly inventive. Where other entries recycled their mechanics, this one looks to surprise at every turn.
The heart of the game is the famous Wonder Flowers.
They completely transform levels: pipes that come alive, inverted gravity, gameplay that suddenly shifts, absurd or unexpected transformations. This system creates a permanent sense of surprise. You never know what's about to happen, and that's precisely what makes the adventure so memorable.
Nintendo clearly gave its teams free rein to design these sequences. The result: a succession of ideas that have nothing to do with each other, yet all work. It's the kind of creative generosity we associate with the studio's best years.
The new transformations land well, especially Elephant Mario, powerful and a little burlesque, and the bubbles, very handy for attacking at range. But the real twist is the badge system. It lets you customize your playstyle: improved jump, grapple hook, special abilities. It adds a welcome strategic layer without needlessly complicating the experience.
Badges can be swapped freely between levels, which encourages experimentation. Some players will stick with the same badge all game; others will alternate depending on the situation. Both approaches work, and that's the whole point of the system.
The game also shines in co-op. Up to 4 players locally, a simple and smooth resurrection system, less frustration than in older Mario games. The online mode is more original than it appears: you don't play directly together, but the presence of others, as ghosts and helpers, gives a rather unique sense of community.
It was a smart call not to go for traditional online multiplayer. Wonder's levels are often too short and too intense to share in real time without friction. The solution chosen is more elegant.
Visually, Wonder is a real treat. Exaggerated, lively animations, highly expressive characters, colorful and readable levels. The game overflows with personality. Even Mario feels more alive than ever, with reactions and expressions that are almost cartoon-like.
The music also contributes to the atmosphere, sometimes syncing with the action, a detail that reinforces the magical feel of the whole thing. Some sonic moments are genuinely memorable, worthy of the saga's finest hours.
The game is accessible, sometimes too much so. Experienced players will find little challenge on the main path. The special levels offer more resistance, but they remain in the minority.
The other slight gripe: some of the Wonder Flower ideas are so good that you wish you'd see them more than once. Nintendo could have pushed certain concepts further rather than abandoning them after a single level.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder isn't just a good 2D Mario: it's probably the most creative one in a very long time. The creativity is constant, the mechanics surprise, the art direction is brilliant, and the game works just as well solo as in co-op.
If you enjoy platformers, this is clearly a must.
Tested on Nintendo Switch, full version provided by the publisher
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