It’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s subtle changes that make it …

While I have only partially passed through super mario bros wonderI’m already completely in love with this game.

As mentioned in our glowing review, it’s a highly polished 2D platformer that’s accessible for anyone to play and feels like a delightful and lively wonder. But to me, what makes super mario bros wonder There aren’t particularly as many wild surprise effects or elephant transformations. This is a subtle touch. These elements may not be immediately noticeable or relevant to most people, but they all come together to create an experience that is a step above most other platformers.

change increases happiness

super mario bros wonder It’s not afraid to show that it’s different from previous Mario games through small moments and changes. An example that shows this early on is one of Bowser Jr.’s first battles. It starts off like all of his new Super Mario Bros. boss fights, in which he cowers into his shell and stalks Mario. At first, I was disappointed that Nintendo was doing the same thing again, but after the first hit, everything changed. Bowser Jr. activates an amazing effect and changes shape for the following two phases of his battle. It’s a moment of surprise that subverts my expectations, based on decades of Mario games. It’s a short moment and there are a lot of references super mario bros wonder Players probably won’t even assimilate it. Still, it’s a smart way to show how the platformer differs from those that came before.

Small changes like this abound, even some basic design changes you might not think twice about. Take the removal of the level timer, for example. Since the first Super Mario Bros. game, almost every 2D Mario game has featured a timer limiting how long it can take for one to reach a level. Games generally give players ample time to progress through a level at a somewhat leisurely pace, but starting a timer adds a sense of pressure and urgency. As a result, I’ll admit that my first priority when playing a Mario level was usually to reach the end as quickly as possible.

By getting rid of the level timer by default, super mario bros wonder Removes that extra pressure. I appreciated this most when playing in co-op, as my friends and I could mess with each other and different parts of the level without anyone feeling the need to constantly move forward. Not having it in the game by default also allows Nintendo to add timers for specific Wonder Effects, which builds time-based pressure in a more intense and meaningful way than in previous Mario games.

A change that seems noticeable, but negligible at first, has many implications for making the gameplay experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Because there’s no timer, I can take the time to appreciate the levels Nintendo has created. And this was only exacerbated by one more difference: players can no longer pounce on each other in co-op. While some people mocked this option before the game’s release, I think it makes the game more enjoyable because it prevents multiplayer trolling and ensures that players don’t get in each other’s way. Come. However, they still have to rely on each other for things like reviving as a ghost. make these two changes super mario bros wonder The best multiplayer 2D Mario game ever.

top level design

Nintendo is still at the top of its game when it comes to level design. This is a series that may be criticized as being sophisticated, yet formulaic, but entering each new level in the game for the first time brings a fascinating sense of discovery. Within each of them, you will encounter some new type of enemy or obstacle that you have not seen in the game up to that point. The game introduces a mechanic in safe spaces where players can mess around and learn the ins and outs of it before dealing with that gimmick in a more challenging situation or using the Wonder Effect to complete the level.

As a result, every super mario bros wonder The levels feel like their own little sandboxes. While “sandbox” is a somewhat overused gaming term used to promote how players can interact with the world, Nintendo this year reminded us of the true meaning of its definition. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom It did so on a massive, open-world scale; Its ultrahand and fuse systems gave players the tools they needed to approach the challenge in a variety of ways, not just the illusion of choice.

whether super mario bros wonder Composed of dozens of small levels, each of them subtly sandbox in their own way. This game may not have that huge a toolset The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomBut whatever limited toolset super mario bros wonder gKeeps you on one level, it extends completely. I’ve rarely played a 2D platformer like this, where everything I think about doing is accounted for.

If there’s an area above the camera’s view where it looks like you can reach in and walk around, you probably can. More subtly, things like spraying water on the grass in an elephant’s costume cause flowers to grow. Then there are enemies like Armadas who vibrate the Joy-Cons before you throw them. These may not be core, game-defining mechanics, but they make up everything super mario bros wonder The levels feel like a living, breathing world. It’s a game that encourages players to tinker with every tool or gimmick they come across in a level, only to enhance or recontextualize them in wild ways with Wonder Effects.

All of these elements combined with the colorful visuals and advanced audio design make each super mario bros wonders The stages feel like an immersive, unseen world that players can interact with at will. If you take the time to stop and smell the roses super mario bros wonder And really take into account all the genius design changes and choices the game is making, you’ll begin to appreciate the game even more.

super mario bros wonder Now available on Nintendo Switch.