On August 31, 2023, Nintendo premiered a direct dedicated to Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Wonder is the first new 2D Mario in ten years. During the event, Nintendo revealed more of the game’s key mechanics, characters, story, and more. Here’s an overview of everything revealed during the Super Mario Bros Wonder direct.
What is Super Mario Bros. Wonder?
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the first new 2D Mario game since the Wii U with New Super Mario Bros. U in 2013. The game is set to release on October 20, 2023. Pre-orders are also available through the Nintendo eShop.
The story begins when Mario and friends are visiting the Flower Kingdom and its “benevolent leader,” Prince Florian. However, as they are about to begin the festivities, Bowser arrives in his trademark clown car. Using the new wonder flower, he merges with Florian’s castle and begins to take over the entire kingdom. It is up to you to save the trapped inhabitants of the Flower Kingdom from Bowser’s rule.
Characters
Super Mario Bros. Wonder includes a staggering twelve playable characters. These include:
- Mario
- Luigi
- Peach
- Daisy
- Yellow Toad
- Blue Toad
- Toadette
- Yoshi
- Red Yoshi
- Yellow Yoshi
- Light-Blue Yoshi
- And Nabbit
Nabbit and the Yoshis operate differently from the rest of the cast. For one, they won’t take damage in the conventional sense. They can still fall down pits, but if a Goomba or other enemy touches them, they will be unharmed. On the flipside, they cannot access any power-ups. For those hoping for a more basic Mario experience, Nabbit and the Yoshis are the characters for you.
Power-Ups
Speaking of power-ups, Mario Wonder includes several brand-new ones. There is the already revealed “elephant power-up,” which all of the characters (except for Yoshi and Nabbit) can use to destroy enemies with their trunks and massive size. There’s also the new bubble power-up and drill power.
The bubble allows players to trap enemies in bubbles, turning them to coins instantly. The drill lets players drill into the ground and ceiling, destroy enemies, and even break through special platforms. This, along with several returning power-ups and the ability to store abilities, makes Wonder feel incredibly fun and versatile when it comes to player expression.
The Badge System
On the subject of player freedom, Super Mario Bros. Wonder includes a brand-new mechanic: the badge system. Badges are unlocked as you play the game and do special challenges. They give special perks and drawbacks to the player that change the way you play. These include the ability to float in mid-air with a parachute cap, a crouch jump, a dolphin kick to make swimming faster, and even an invisibility mode that makes it hard for both you and the enemies to keep track of you.
The badges are one of the key features that separates Wonder from other 2D Mario games. The feature will allow players to play the way they want to play, making things easier or harder for themselves as they see fit.
Online Play
The last major feature revealed for Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the introduction of online play. Unlike other Mario games like Super Mario 3D World, Wonder does not include traditional online play. Instead, players will be able to see ghosts of other people playing all around the world. They can offer hints, help each other when they get hit by an enemy, and more. Think of it as a mechanic similar to Death Stranding or the Dark Souls franchise.
Wonder also features traditional local co-op. Four players can work together to traverse through the Flower Kingdom in typical chaotic Mario fashion. While online play may not be everything fans were hoping for, the game will undoubtedly still be exciting for those hoping to play with friends.
“Mario Red” Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo also revealed a special Super Mario Bros. Wonder-themed Nintendo Switch OLED. Called the “Mario Red” Edition, the console will be priced at $349.99. Pre-orders are available now on the official Nintendo website. The system is described as follows:
“Warp into a world of games with the Nintendo Switch™ – OLED Model: Mario Red Edition system. The system features a console, dock, and Joy-Con™ controllers all in the iconic Mario Red color. A silhouette design of Mario jumps into action on the back of the dock. Look closely, and you’ll also find some hidden coins!”
That was everything revealed during the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct. Check out the full direct here:
Super Mario Bros Wonder will release exclusively on the Nintendo Switch on October 20, 2023.
