Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a highly anticipated game for both fans and critics. The previous 2D Mario titles have had a stagnant art style since 2006, lacking the charm and personality of the older NES and Super Nintendo games. While the New Super Mario Bros. games were enjoyable with solid platforming and co-op features, they followed the same formula of rescuing Peach and lacked the vibrancy of the 3D Mario titles. Fans have been wanting something new from 2D Mario, and Nintendo has delivered with Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
This game offers a fresh coat of paint for the series, with a more expressive and joyful art style. The characters are finally taken out of the Mushroom Kingdom, resulting in a visually stunning and engaging experience. The previous games in the New Super Mario Bros. series lacked ingenuity, with the same animation style and level design. The development of the Super Mario Maker tools was a result of the formulaic nature of these games. Nintendo recognized the need for a change in their formula for 2D games, and Wonder is the result of that.
The new art style in Super Mario Bros. Wonder is still 2.5D, but it is richer and more full of personality. The animation has been given more attention and the backgrounds and environments are beautiful and inviting. The characters now react to their surroundings, adding life to the game. However, the new voices for Mario and Luigi are a negative change, as they lack the richness and fullness of the original performances.
The platforming in Super Mario Bros. Wonder is similar to the previous games in the New series, with slight adjustments. The focus in this game is more on creativity and surprising moments, sacrificing the meticulous level design of the previous games. While this might be disappointing for some fans, it allows Nintendo to refine the platforming in future entries.
Wonder is a first draft of a new kind of Mario game, with a focus on creating wonder and surprise. The game is filled with moments that go beyond the usual challenges and transform into theatrical experiences. There are also new mechanics, power-ups, and badges that add variety to the gameplay. While some of these additions can feel excessive, the inventiveness on display matches the best 3D Mario games.
The power-ups in Wonder are satisfactory, but not particularly special. The Elephant Fruit allows Mario to hit enemies and throw water, while the Bubble Flower is similar to a Fire Flower. The Drill Mushroom allows Mario to burrow underground, a feature seen in other platformers. The Wonder Flower, however, is the standout power-up, transforming Mario and his surroundings in unexpected ways.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder has its shortcomings, but it recaptures the spark that was missing from 2D Mario games. Nintendo has created a wondrous and enjoyable experience, reminiscent of the charm found in Yoshi’s Island.
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