Super Mario Bros. Wonder

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 126 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Game Cover
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a reimagining of the 2D platforming game genre from a talented team of Nintendo developers. Here's the Shacknews review.
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"Super Mario Bros. Wonder for Nintendo Switch is a fantasy platformer game that features 2-player and multi-player co-op options. The game offers classic side-scrolling gameplay with the addition of Wonder Flowers, causing unexpected events called Wonder Effects. Players can choose from heroes including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and Toad, and team up with up to three friends locally to experience the Wonder Effects together."

  • Nintendo Switch
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 126 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder revitalizes the classic Mario series with innovative gameplay mechanics, including the unique Wonder Flowers that dramatically alter levels.
  • The game features masterful level design with a wide variety of stages, characters, and power-ups, making it enjoyable for both solo and multiplayer experiences.
  • Visually stunning with charming animations and a delightful soundtrack, the game captures the essence of fun and creativity that Nintendo is known for.
  • Some players found the boss battles to be dull and uninspired, lacking the creativity seen in the rest of the game.
  • The game may feel slightly short for experienced players, with some wishing for more challenging platforming elements.
  • There are occasional issues with online play, such as the lack of player collision and the complexity of Nintendo's online systems.
  • gameplay26 mentions

    The gameplay in Mario Wonder is celebrated for its creativity and variety, featuring over 150 levels with unique mechanics, power-ups, and secrets, including the transformative wonder flowers that significantly alter gameplay dynamics. Players can enjoy a diverse roster of characters and a badge system that enhances customization and strategy, all set against stunning visuals and engaging sound design. While the straightforward story may not appeal to everyone, the game excels in delivering a polished, dynamic, and highly replayable experience that feels both fresh and familiar.

    • “Over 150 levels, each with its own different mechanic, effect, enemy type, power-up, puzzle, or hidden secret.”
    • “Sporting razor-sharp gameplay - positively bursting with character and personality - Wonder is a celebration of gaming in its purest form, while still boasting one of the most unique and evolutionary experiences in genre history.”
    • “Simple gameplay may not be for everyone.”
    • “Boss battles could introduce more innovative mechanics; some players may desire more challenging platforming elements.”
    • “While the story is straightforward, the standout feature is the wonder flower, found on every level, which dramatically alters the gameplay.”
  • graphics14 mentions

    The graphics in "Super Mario Bros. Wonder" are widely praised for their vibrant, colorful aesthetic and smooth animations, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. The introduction of the wonder flower effects and a fresh visual art style for characters and environments adds significant variety and charm, making each level feel unique and engaging. Reviewers highlight the delightful and whimsical design, alongside a strong soundtrack, contributing to a visually stunning and enjoyable platforming adventure.

    • “The updated visuals, the wonder flower levels, the improved level designs, the variety of new monsters, all of it lends to a great experience that will leave you screaming, 'wonderful!!!'.”
    • “Gorgeous 2D visuals and animations, extremely fun gameplay mechanics throughout, badges, wonder flowers, level design.”
    • “Super Mario Bros. Wonder certainly dares to be different with its aesthetically pleasing environments and unconventional wonder effects in stages.”
    • “Wonder takes the best parts of past 2D Mario games and builds on them with new characters, gameplay mechanics, and upgraded visuals.”
    • “An incredible amount of inventiveness and variation in every level; excellent controls and level design; dripping with charm and whimsy with an overwhelming amount of personality-laden animations and aesthetic; the game almost never seems to repeat its tricks and gimmicks.”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging and varied soundtrack, which combines nostalgic and new tunes that enhance player immersion and enjoyment. Reviewers highlight the sound effects as fun and non-repetitive, contributing to the overall charm and lively atmosphere of the game. The return of composer Koji Kondo is noted as a significant factor in the quality of the music, making it a standout feature that complements the game's creative design and gameplay mechanics.

    • “Delightful visuals, dazzlingly varied levels, even crazier wonder effects, strong platforming fundamentals, surprisingly challenging at times, plenty of content to master, toe-tapping soundtrack.”
    • “Well-crafted sound design and memorable music, enjoyable multiplayer experience.”
    • “The soundtrack, a mix of nostalgic and new tunes, adds to the game's charm, enhancing player immersion.”
    • “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during long play sessions.”
    • “While the visuals are stunning, the music doesn't match the energy of the gameplay, leading to a disjointed experience.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its diverse abilities, unique level designs, and a plethora of secrets to uncover. Players are encouraged to revisit levels with different characters and power-ups, while local and online multiplayer options further enhance the cooperative experience. Overall, the combination of innovative mechanics and vibrant visuals contributes to a compelling reason to replay the game multiple times.

    • “High replay value with a plethora of secrets to uncover.”
    • “The game has a lot of replay value because with different abilities, you'll want to play the level over again with a different ability enabled.”
    • “Local and online multiplayer options enhance the cooperative experience and provide large amounts of replayability.”
    • “Incredible visual and audio presentation, a near limitless amount of creativity in level and mechanic design, huge amount of variety and replayability owing to the badges and power-ups, innovative online features that feel right at home.”
  • story6 mentions

    The story is generally considered basic and straightforward, with a focus on gameplay rather than narrative depth. While the inclusion of quirky characters and the wonder flower adds some charm, many reviewers feel that the plot lacks ambition and creativity, particularly in boss fights. Overall, the game offers enjoyable multiplayer experiences, but the story itself is often deemed forgettable.

    • “While the story is straightforward, the standout feature is the wonder flower, found on every level, which dramatically alters the gameplay.”
    • “Stages could have stood to be longer, and it may have been a good opportunity to go a bit wilder with the story and villains, but those are small complaints for what is an absolute blast from beginning to end.”
    • “There’s something here for both fans of the series and newcomers alike, with local and online multiplayer to keep you coming back after you’ve finished the main story.”
    • “The story is straightforward, but the standout feature is the wonder flower, found on every level, which dramatically alters the gameplay.”
    • “The story is forgettable, with no more player collision.”
    • “The sense of wonder is occasionally undercut by convention; boss fights do not match the rest of the game’s creativity, and there is no story to tell yet far too much to say.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The game's humor is highlighted by its charming elements, such as talking flowers and a whimsical art style, which enhance the overall experience, particularly in multiplayer mode. Players appreciate the lightheartedness and positivity that contribute to a fun atmosphere, making it enjoyable for both casual and seasoned gamers.

    • “Its blend of humor and positivity, especially in multiplayer mode, creates a memorable experience.”
    • “Talking flowers are hilarious, and the new visual art style for characters and enemies is a hit.”
    • “Local co-op redesigned to destroy fewer friendships, making it a fun experience for everyone.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its exceptional optimization, delivering near-perfect performance in both docked and handheld modes. Players appreciate the slick controls, detailed graphics, and the seamless integration of new mechanics, which enhance the overall experience and replayability. The addition of local co-op and online features further elevates its appeal.

    • “With local co-op and online fun adding to the replayability factor and nigh-on perfect performance in both docked and handheld modes, this feels like 2D Mario with its mojo back, and one of the very best platformers we've played in quite some time.”
    • “The best-looking 2D Mario game ever, dripping in detail and character, a non-stop rollercoaster ride of new mechanics and clever platforming. Wonder flowers twist things up in neat ways, precise and slick controls, and great performance in both modes. New online aspects are perfectly judged, and badges are a great idea that bring cool moves, variety, and approachability options.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its delightful and heartwarming aesthetic, enhanced by fantastic sound and music. Players appreciate the sharp and familiar gameplay, alongside varied and unpredictable design elements, which contribute to a chaotic yet enjoyable multiplayer experience.

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Critic Reviews

89% average critic score

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