What possible new feature could transform a well-established 2D platformer from classic nostalgia to refreshing surprise? And furthermore, what could combine the two and please both old and new players who don’t know so much about a character?

When we’re talking about Mario, of course, it’s much more difficult for someone not to know him, but it’s quite possible that the player hasn’t played all the games in the franchise, and there are many games to know.

But when it comes to Mario, is it still possible to reinvent the wheel and turn such a classic and established game into a surprise for both die-hard fans and new players?

New and old mechanics make Super Mario Bros. Wonder even better

Speaking specifically of side-scrollers, the timeline places Super Mario Bros. as the consolidation of the genre and the salvation of the industry. Super Mario Bros. 3 brings the first changes with power-ups and different enemies, Super Mario World brings a completely interactive map and new paths, while the New Super Mario Bros. franchise changes the physics and implements simultaneous local multiplayer for up to 4 players for the first time.

Imagine, then, Super Mario Bros. Wonder as the consolidation of all the mechanics, from the classic platforming introduced in Super Mario Bros. to the power-ups, inventive enemies and secrets presented in Super Mario Bros. 3 and World and, finally, the multiplayer mechanics well implemented in the New series, but enhanced in this new game.

And on top of all this, it has a wonderful, psychedelic mechanic: a flower that changes the perspective of the stage and makes you have a surprise or a different mechanic with each new journey, each new world, each new step.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder maintains the essence of the Mario franchise on the 2D platform, but adds a surprising mix without abandoning the essence of a classic game.

Perfect for a livestream

With new enemies, new power-ups, a new realm to explore and various characters to play alongside, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a great option to bring into a live stream, as it’s a universal character from a franchise loved by many.

And the possibilities are endless, both in solo gameplay and in multiplayer with friends or even in online mode, even though it’s not a conventional online mode as seen, for example, in some other games in the franchise.

In terms of game content, Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes between 15-20 hours to complete in its entirety, which can be longer depending on the player, and it also has a great replay factor because it’s a fun platform game, because of the extra objectives and the multiplayer mode already mentioned.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Nintendo Switch (2023)

Performance

Streamability

Audience Engagement

Replayability

Summary

Although I had high expectations, I’m very happy that these expectations been met with Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a fun game that confirms that platform games, in their essence, can and should always reinvent themselves and improve. The Mario franchise is known for this, but Wonder surprises by going one step further and allowing itself, once again, to bring surprises combined with nostalgia, not leaving the game stuck in the sameness of nostalgia, but clinging to what is good about it, such as the references, the classic characters, the eternal structure of a good 2D platform game combined with new level and game design features that will make Wonder another milestone in Mario Bros. history, as well as being a very worthy game to stream due to the variety/amount of content, the greatness of the character and the fact that it is, without a doubt, one of the best games of 2023.

Ludovicoluka

I have 25 years, I produce content to internet for 4 years and I like retro games, indies and I’m an enthusiast for new launches. I have as my favorite games Donkey Kong Country 2, Super Mario World, Hollow Knight and Red Dead Redemption II, per example. I like to experiment everything and the more, the better, but I never get sick of my comfort games!