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Super Mario Bros. Wonder Review: A Bright, Creative Return for 2D Mario

Wonder Flowers make Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s courses delightfully unpredictable, while badges add flexibility. Nintendo Life praised its creativity, though much of the campaign is gentle.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a Nintendo Switch 2D platformer built around surprise: collect a Wonder Flower and the course can transform into something entirely different. It refreshes familiar Mario movement with inventive level changes, selectable badges and expressive animation, though Nintendo Life’s review found much of the campaign relatively gentle outside its tougher challenges.

What makes Super Mario Bros. Wonder different?

Released for the original Nintendo Switch on October 20, 2023, Super Mario Bros. Wonder sends Mario and friends through the Flower Kingdom. Its defining feature is the Wonder Flower: activating one triggers a course-specific transformation that can change the level’s look and rules. Nintendo’s examples include pipes that move, altered terrain, stampeding enemies, skydiving and space-walk sequences, and character transformations. The appeal is the uncertainty of what a particular course will become once its flower is activated.

Badges add another layer of choice. Players can select ability changes that affect how they approach courses, making the system a way to tailor movement and challenges rather than simply follow one fixed setup. Nintendo Life praised both the badges and the steady variety of platforming ideas, while those judgments reflect that outlet’s review rather than a universal consensus.

How good is the platforming and presentation?

Nintendo Life awarded the Nintendo Switch version 9/10, praising its visual detail, expressive presentation, responsive controls, Wonder Flower effects and consistent stream of new ideas. The outlet also reported that the game performed well in both docked and handheld play. Its conclusion called it “the best 2D Mario game since Super Mario World”—a strong assessment from one reviewer, not a claim of broad critical agreement.

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#1 Best Overall
Super Mario Bros. Wonder : Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
  • Find wonder in the Flower Kingdom in the next side-scrolling Super Mario adventure
  • Collect Wonder Flowers for surprising, game-changing effects like pipes coming alive, an enemy stampede, and much, much more
  • Choose from the largest cast of characters in a side-scrolling Mario game, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy and other favorites
  • Ease into the action with four different-colored Yoshis and Nabbit who can’t take damage
  • Discover new power-ups like Elephant Fruit, which transforms Mario and friends into an elephant that can swing its trunk and spray water

The clearest reservation in that review is difficulty. Much of the campaign is relatively gentle, although selected challenges offer a more demanding test. That balance makes the game approachable, but players looking for consistently punishing platforming should know that difficulty is not sustained across every course.

What multiplayer options are available?

Local play

Nintendo says up to four players can tackle courses together on one Switch system. Additional accessories may be needed, so check what controllers your group already has rather than assuming a particular setup is included.

Online play

Online features require internet access, a Nintendo Account and a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo describes friend rooms and standees that can revive players. Nintendo Life viewed the online features favorably; availability of some online functions can depend on region and the service.

Rank #2
Super Mario Bros Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park
  • Step into a world of wonder with Super Mario Bros. Wonder for the Nintendo Switch 2! Experience a fresh twist on classic side-scrolling Mario gameplay, packed with vibrant visuals, new power-ups, and unexpected surprises around every corner.
  • Join Mario, Luigi, and friends as they explore imaginative new worlds filled with dynamic challenges and creative level design. The all-new Wonder Effects transform gameplay in exciting ways—pipes come alive, environments shift, and each level delivers a unique adventure.
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Which version should you buy?

The original game is a Nintendo Switch release, available in physical Game Card and download formats according to Nintendo UK. Nintendo UK also lists a separate Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park, with additional multiplayer modes, characters and mouse-control support. Check the listing for your region when choosing, since the Switch 2 Edition is a distinct product rather than content to assume is included with the original game.

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Nintendo’s US page says the original Switch game is supported on Switch 2 with behavior consistent with Nintendo Switch. That compatibility note does not establish that the separate Switch 2 Edition’s added content comes with the original release.

Why did Wonder attract attention at launch?

Nintendo Co., Ltd.’s 2023 investor-relations presentation reported an internal estimate of 4.3 million units sold worldwide in the first two weeks after release, describing it as the biggest release for a Super Mario title. That is an early launch milestone, not a lifetime sales figure.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Super Mario Bros. Wonder : Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
Super Mario Bros. Wonder : Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
Find wonder in the Flower Kingdom in the next side-scrolling Super Mario adventure; Ease into the action with four different-colored Yoshis and Nabbit who can’t take damage
$59.88

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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