This time around the plot does not revolve around saving Princess Peach from Bowser nor the Mushroom Kingdom from his rage. In fact the game begins with princess Peach and her friends being invited to a neighboring kingdom known as the Flower Kingdom. The invitation was sent by Prince Florian who wanted to show everyone his wonder flowers. These
flowers are unique to the kingdom and they have the power to bent reality into something different. Bowser became aware of the flowers existence and thus he interrupts the ceremony and steals the wonder flower. He then uses the flower to fuse with the new Prince castle turning him into a giant flying fortress and trapping the kingdoms citizens. He then uses his newly gained
powers to trap worlds with dark piranha plans.
The heroes decide to help their new royal friend and volunteer to go after Bowser whose plan is to take over the entire universe once he masters his wonder powers. In order to stop Bowser the heroes will venture around nearby islands, help the Poplins and collect royal seeds which are capable of getting rid of the Piranha plans that block the path and protect the Bowser fortress.
Bowser Junior joins his father's plans but unlike his father he is ony in charge of smaller stations and is in possession of weaker power plant.
As mentioned on the prologue, the story of the game felt freshed but also familiar. Its not that complicated on its narrative but a platformer doesnt need to have a complicated story to make it work. I personally enjoy the tale as it was not just another case of saving Peach again. The new kingdom is interesting and the new prince and poplins have quite nice designs. There is alot of unessecary discussion that doesnt really add much in lore exposure or anything but it is there. Its a Mario game that doesnt need to go the extra mile with its story.
As mentioned prior, the game is heavily influenced by the original Super Mario Bros which was released back in 1983. This means that the game is a 2D platformer. Once the game begins the players are dropped in the Hub world. The hubworld is a combination of both Super Mario Bros 3 and Super Mario 3D World. Your charatcer can walk in the world freely in some areas and interact with the levels
found in the area. Very similar to 3D world, when freelancing, the players can interact with the levels in order to select them, they can interact with Pipes, Stores and NPCs. They can even go out of their way to find the hidden levels. On the other hand, there are levels that are interconnected to each other and only allow the player to move to a specific point similar to Super Mario Bro 3. In the hub world, the
players can also look the levels in the pause menu and see what levels they re missing. For example, if a player did everything in a level, the course will have a tick on it if not the tick will be missing. In the case where all 3 coins, seeds and flag were taken but the course aint tick, it means the level has a secret seed that leads to alternative paths.
When entering a level, the players have 1 common goal, manuver the obstacles and reach the end of the level. The players are given a variety of heroes but most of them are the same. Mario, Luigi, Daisy, Peach, Toadette and the Toads(Blue/Yellow) all have the same abilities and interact the same with the level. On the other hand, any of the Yoshis(Red, Yellow, Green, Blue) are different as they do not interact with powerups,
they can jump and remain on the air for a while and can carry the normal players on their back. Similar to the Yoshis is Nabbit, who also cannot interact with the powerups and cannot be defeated by enemy NPCs. Pretty much Nabbit and the Yoshis are this games easy mode. They re usualy the heroes someone would give to their younger simbling for a local coop. Before playing the levels, the players can also equip 1 of their
unique abilities(tags) given they unlocked them. These abilities allow them to hover, wall jump, double jump, turn power ups into different ones and others. To have the ability, the players will have to collect it first by clearing the challenge level.
Once the level begins, the heroes move together. By default the heroes can spring, stomp, jump and wall jump. Through the game the players can collect 2 types of coins. Gold coins are the typical Mario coins that increase the players score and reward them with 1 UP every time they reach 100. The purple coins on the other hand re the coins that can be used as the currency in the store. Big purple coins with the number 10,
count as 10(obviously) and re also one of the collectables of each level. The coins can be spent in the Market to purchase 1Ups, Seeds, power ups and hero stamps. The only way to attack enemies is by jumping on them, hitting a block below the enemy(if possible) and using their shells(koopa troopas). The other way to attack them is by using Power ups.
Power ups have been a standard to every Super Mario Game since 1983. The Mushroom is the standard power up that will increase the size of the hero and also give them one extra chance when hit by an enemy. The Fire flower shoots fireballs that kill enemies and melt ice. Additionally Drill shroom adds a big drill on the heroes head. Using the drill allow the heroes to his the enemies from above and below.
It also allows them to move from inside the ground but also through the sealing. Moreover, the Bubble flower allows the hero to shoot bubbles. Attacking enemies with bubbles one shots them after trapping them within them. The players can also use their bubbles as platforms that grants them a small jump. Further more the Elephant fruit transforms the heroes into Elephants. As elephants they can mellee opponents with their
nose and can also absorb water and hold it in in order to water areas. Last but not least, the ultimate power up, The Star once again returns that turns the player imvisible who can kill anything and not die by stepping onto spikes.
The players have power up stock where they can always save one power up. More slots are available if more players are playing. Tapping and holding the button will spawn the stored power up. If the player has a power up(except the mushroom) and chooses to change it with another then the one currecnly in use will become the stock. For example a Fire Mario can turn itno Bubble Mario and the Fire flower will go into stock.
A new thing found on every level is the Wonder flower. The wonder flowers warp the reality into something different. Once obtain the world changes along with the players avatars. For example, in some levels the pipes will start moving around like worms(as seen in the trailers) and in others the world is being destroyed and the players will have to run away before being squashed. Successfully completing a wonder flower will
reward the players with a wonder seed. Obtainning the flower, is always optional but its crazy fun. Nintendo went full on creative when developing the game as each level has a unique wonder in it.
The game supports both Local and Online Co-op. In Online multiplayer 12 people can join the same game but only 4 will actively be playing in a level. They can also split in teams of 4 and hit the race block which will turn the round into a race as to who can clear the level faster.
On the other hand local co-op supports up to 4 player. The camera on default will follow player one, but if player two/three/four finish a level first and capture the top will spawn the crown on their head giving them the control of camera. If the player controlling the camera dies, it will be given to the next player and will do it clock wise. Power ups found in blocks will be split amongs the players. Based on how many re playing, that many
power ups will appear. If there are X ammount of tiny players in the group, X ammount of mushrooms will come out instead of the power up that should ve been there UNLESS it was needed to progress. In Co-op players also share the same tag ability.
In the level, the players move together, however if the player without the cameras fall behind or die they turn into ghosts. As a ghost they have 5 seconds to touch the other player in order to come back to life. If they fail to do so, they will dissappear and die decreasing the lives. A ghost player who fell to an enemy or a cliff will usually come back as big version(mushroom) where as a player who turned into a ghost because they fell back will
keep their power ups. During the hubworld, unlike Mario 3D any player can walk around and choose a level as long as they remain with in the camera axis. The only way to lose in Coop is if both players die at the same time. If that happens the players will spawn at the start of the level or on the checkpoint. Game over will occur when the stock of lives ends.
Unlike Super Mario 3D world, the game removed the friendly toxicity that other games have. For example, the players can no longer lift their teammates and throw them of the cliffs or onto enemy fire. At the same time, the crown mechanic of 3D world is no longer here which means players do not play competitive with the goal of gainning the most points. The most "friendly toxic"
thing a player can do is simply abuse the camera by rashing back and forth killing the players inbetween, avoid touching their ghost forms or even stand still to kill anyone trying to move off the cameras window.
These type of games usually have the typical type of Post game content. First of all Collecting all collectables is the first activity players can do after finishing the game. Every level has three collectables:
One thing that can easily be said about the latest Mario entry is how fantastic it looks. The game has been labeled as the most good looking Super Mario game. The developers combined alot of computer made animations with hand drawn textures that help show more expressions to their characters. Although the game is strictly 2D, the characters have a 2.5D spin on them which helps capture their expressions
much better. The new visual power ups match the universe and once again have unique silhouettes. Furthermore, the idea of wonders and how much they affect the level design is commendable. Nintendo went full on creative mode when developing this game. It also blooms with personality with most of its movements. For example having heroes going through the pipes triggers unique animations of their heroes and
going through them with the elephant power up has a different animation. The game doesnt have many cutscenes, all it offers is character sprites with dialog boxes. The only actor with a voice actor reading actual lines is the flower NPC found everywhere in the game.
On the same page, the audio department is also very good. It has the typical super Mario melody style found in the older entries which once again will be stuck to your head. The heroes all have their unique lines which some people may notice that this game doesnt have the iconic Mario cast. This is the first game that uses the new main cast. The actors do a fantastic job that you can barely notice.
The game also offers a couple of levels where the players will have to focus on the audio in order to get through it. Whether is jumping on the bass or attack at the high. New songs were also made specifically for the wonder flowers such as Kings Boo opera house and the Piranha plant symphony.
The game does not have a particular amiibo function.
In conclusion, Super Mario Wonder is a wonderful 2D side scrolling platformer that revives old nostalgia with new amazing mechanicks. Its like having an old friends comming back and feeling fresh. Super Mario Wonder just like Oddyssey a few years ago proved that these types of games are still good and perform exceptionally if made with care. The games gameplay is simple yet beautiful, its a great example of the saying "there is beauty in simplicity. The level design is original and well design. The new mechanicks and power ups are fun to explore and use. The wonders as mentioned multiple times prove the creativity of Nintendo's directors and the sheer ammount of them is phenomenal. The new art style of the series is very beautiful and expressive that showcases the heroes better than ever. Combinning the hand drawns animations with the CGI ones gave the game a unique look that will most likely age like fine wine. The music is what to expect from a Mario game, although i would argue some parts are more memorable than some recent entries to the franchise. The inclusion of Coop is always appreciated and although they took away the "friendly toxicity" away from it, it is still very fun to play. Overall its a pleasant 2D side scrolling experience which proved these games still have an audience.
