"Another Mario?" is what you often hear from people who aren't Nintendo fans and, consequently, don't like Super Mario. The question clearly comes from a certain ignorance as to what really is Mario. After all, Nintendo's mascot (and the greatest in video games, let's face it) appears in all kinds of games, from platformers to sports and the likes. party games.
For those of you who know it, you know that we don't have a 2D Super Mario like the first one Super Mario Bros.Since 2012, with Super Mario Bros. U, released on Wii U (and with a port for the Nintendo Switch, like almost everything else on the console). As for me, I'm happy to be able to venture into yet another 2D Super Mario with Super Mario Wonder.
Wonders and tragedies in the Kingdom of Flowers
Super Mario Wonder begins with a story that's a little too long for a Mario game. Maybe I'm too old and maybe I'm too nostalgic, but the game's story is more of a hindrance than a help. There's a lot of interruption from Prince Florian, who follows Mario (or another chosen character) around the game, and from other NPCs scattered along the way. The conversation is usually simple and doesn't add anything substantial. Yes, Bowser has turned into a castle that is tormenting the structure of the Flower Kingdom and it is unnecessary for us to be reminded of this at every moment or given tips on how to proceed.
On the other hand, we have a very interesting addition, which are the flowers that talk during the stages. Precisely because they fulfill their role of encouragement, always giving the player positive reinforcement, which should have an impact on children in particular. And best of all: they don't interrupt the gameplayIn other words, they talk to the player as they run and jump through the stage. And often the speech is funny and the voice acting (yes, voice acting in a Mario game beyond the WAHOO! as always) in Portuguese (yes, Portuguese! From Brazil!) help to give the game an extra charm.
The Wonderful World of Prince Florian
Super Mario Wonder has a world that mixes elements already known since Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES), with a overworld serving as a hub to enter the stages. The freedom to move around these worlds is also reminiscent of Super Mario 3D World (Wii U). It's not the best kind of world created in a Mario game: Super Mario World (SNES) is still unparalleled in this respect. There aren't as many secrets hidden throughout the levels, as many different paths, there aren't as many unlockable blocks in Super Mario Wonder.
What there is is a certain freedom and forked paths. You don't have to pass all the stages in a world for the boss to become available. Every common stage of Super Mario Wonder has at least two Phenomenal seedsThese are used to open paths and also unlock the castle, which has a boss and guards the Magna Seedwhich serves to reduce the power of Bowser Castle, the game's final enemy, making it increasingly vulnerable.
It's interesting to note that there are stages not only in the worlds, but also in the Archipelago that gives access to them, which functions as a hub worldinterconnecting everything.
Inspirations and news
The challenges proposed in Super Mario Wonder go beyond the usual stages. We also have races against a Wiggle skater, badge challenges and hobbies. This all contributes to the game always showing something new and different. Just like in previous games in the franchise, Wonder doesn't disappoint in terms of variety, with ideas never repeated. Everything is very unique and new, while at the same time bringing a very distinctive identity to the series.
Super Mario WonderHowever, it doesn't just take influences from within the franchise itself. There is very clearly inspiration in Donkey Kong Countryalso from Nintendo, especially in the Retro Studios titles for Wii and Wii U (Returns e Tropical Freeze). These influences are in stages where only the shadows of platforms, enemies and playable characters appear, as well as in others where dangers such as lightning and electric shocks occur. This is more common in the Nintendo jumpsuit titles than in the plumber ones. It works very well, though, making the stages more robust. On the other hand, it does break up the fast pace of Super Mario a little, since the stages that are more directly inspired by DK end up being more cadenced.
In addition, in all phases we have the gimmick of the game, which are the Phenomenal Flowers. They are the charm of the game, easily, and provide an excellent dynamic. When you collect one of them (present in every common stage), anything can happen: The scenery changes, the game switches to a top-down view, Mario becomes a jelly that sticks to the wall, enemies start dancing to a catchy tune... In short, these flowers change the paradigm of the stages and become an obsession for anyone engaged in Super Mario Wonder.
Badges and Power Ups
The news doesn't stop at Phenomenal Flowers (but if they stopped, it would be enough to make the game very phenomenal). We have new power ups and also the addition of insignia.
The game's marketing focused heavily on power up of the elephant, which makes Mario bigger, fatter and with a trunk. Honestly, it's just cute, because there's nothing very substantial about it apart from being able to carry water to get something from plants that need to be watered throughout the levels. Other new powers are a flower that makes Mario release bubbles, which can serve as a platform and kill enemies, and a drill, which makes the character able to go underground and into the ceiling of the levels, reaching some places.
The new power ups are limited to these, and are simplistic. Especially when we look back at the series' history, with the Feather (Super Mario World) and the Leaf (Super Mario Bros. 3), which added an extra dimension to the game. design with secrets and shortcuts hidden in the clouds, reached by the most skillful players. From power up old, we have the return of the ever-present fire flower, which is the best thing about the game.
In addition to power upsThere are also the addition of badges, which are obtained in the Poplins' shops (in exchange for special coins from Prince Florian's kingdom) or in challenges. There are many different ones, with one allowing the player to run through the stage without stopping and reach enormous speeds, and another allowing the player to make an extra jump when leaning on a wall. There are also other aids, such as a radar that tells you the location of secrets, or already starting with a secret. Super Mushroom. The concept is interesting, but most of them have limited usability in the stages and will only be used once, in the badge challenge itself, as they are useless.
Wonderful, Wunderbar, Maravilloso, Fabuloso
Super Mario Wonder has beautiful art direction. Everything is very colorful and visually fantastic. The enemies are design and they are well animated and there is nothing generic about the stages, which was a feature of the series New (except for the Wii U title, which already brought a freshness of ideas).
Musically, the game shines with lively compositions and some mystery ones. Several stages have a rhythmic component, perhaps inspired by Rayman Legends (but much better implemented). The addition of Portuguese dubbing in the flowers, as already mentioned, is a great sign for Brazilian players.
Technically, the game is flawless on the Nintendo Switch, running at 60 frames per second, which is ideal for a platform game that requires precision. Although the simplicity of a 2D game helps the Switch to run the game satisfactorily, the right thing to do is to congratulate Nintendo, as it is very colorful and the backgrounds of the levels are also often moving, helping to immerse you in the fabulous world of Super Mario Wonder.
Super Mario Fabulous
It's no exaggeration to say that Super Mario Wonder is the best Super Mario Bros. since World. The game introduces new ideas to a series that many people have turned their noses up at for apparently having too many games. The new title is only the 15th game in the 38-year-old series. There are newer series with more titles that don't receive the same disdain from those who don't like or care about the franchise.
The greatest symbol of video games deserves to be remembered always, and in its original and established formula. Super Mario Wonder does well and delivers everything a fan of the series could hope for, even with a few problems here and there. Fun and varied, the game reminds us why Nintendo, for all its controversies, is still relevant in 2023.
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