Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch review

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of the most surprising releases of 2023. While I fully expected another marvellous experience from the masters of the platforming genre, nothing could prepare me for anything quite so magical. Mario’s latest 2D adventure is a creative tour de force that never stops throwing ideas at the wall and making them stick. It feels like a huge step forward for a series and another must-have game for the Nintendo Switch.

READ MORE: Pre-order Super Mario Bros Wonder for a cheap price thanks to secret code

The key to the game’s success are the Wonder Flowers and Wonder Seeds, the latter of which you’ll need to collect in order to unlock stages and progress to new areas.

A true highlight of the game, interacting with a Wonder Flower causes something unexpected and transformative to happen within a level. 

This could be anything from pipes coming alive under Mario’s feet, to a stampede of enemies destroying everything in sight.

Unpredictable and hugely entertaining, players will want to find every last Wonder Flower, just to see what happens next.

It also adds a level of replayability, as fans attempt to complete each stage with and without the Wonder Flower effects.

In addition to Wonder Flowers, Nintendo has added new power-ups and badges to further mix up the classic platforming formula.

The Elephant power-up gives you the ability to smash blocks and shoot water, while Bubble form lets you capture and defeat enemies. Bubbles can also be used as temporary blocks.

Badges, meanwhile, give Mario and friends minor new abilities like gliding, wall climbing and grappling from platform to platform.

While the better Badge powers give players the ability increase their platforming potential, others make the game easier by bouncing you out of pits or starting you off with a Mushroom. Considering the game is already a tad too easy, I imagine most people will ignore these particular badges, unless playing with younger members of the family.

The skill-based badges, on the other hand, are a fantastic new addition that further complement the already enjoyable action. It’s a shame you can only equip one at a time.

Even without Wonder Flowers, Badges and new Power-ups, Super Mario Bros. Wonder would still be one incredible game.

The core platforming is as tight and satisfying as ever, while the presentation has been given an extra level of polish.

The stages are easily the most detailed, beautiful and varied of any Super Mario Bros. game, while the new animations and sound effects give every move that little extra oomph.

Not only do stages look and feel unique, but Nintendo has incorporated more gameplay styles and objectives. Some levels see Mario and friends race against Wigglers and the likes, while others serve as challenges for your newly acquired badges.

Elsewhere, Super Mario Bros. Wonder also supports co-operative multiplayer for up to four people locally, as well as online play.

Unlike Sonic Superstars where the action is too quick and chaotic for co-operative multiplayer, Super Mario Bros. Wonder gets the pacing just right.

It’s still extremely frantic, but in a fun way that arguably makes the game even more enjoyable with friends.

Whether you play online, local co-op, or go it alone, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a phenomenal experience that makes a vintage gaming series feel fresh again.

Indeed, just when you thought Nintendo may have run out of ideas for its plucky plumber, Super Mario Bros. Wonder proves that the company hasn’t lost an ounce of its creative spark. 

VERDICT: 5/5