Random Video Game Review - Super Mario Bros. Wonder

 

When I first heard of this game, I got excited for one reason and one reason alone. Nintendo finally accepting that calling a game "new" is not the best of ideas because after a while, it would have overstayed its welcome. That and while I found enjoyment in the New Super Mario Bros. games, they felt like a rinse and repeat after a while with generic worlds, generic gameplay and things that are just all too familiar with nothing truly "new" about it besides maybe a few new power ups, the ability to play as more than just the Mario Brothers and more. So well done Nintendo for accepting that very fact, and this game is pretty much what I was expecting from the next game in the series. Especially as it does things that 2.5D platforming games, before this one, have been doing already. But doing its own spin on it, and it just feels like Nintendo made a bit more effort with this one than being a little lazy with the "new" games. With it being a little more charming than other Mario Brothers games and featuring a few new, never before seen, features, let's see if this game is as wonderful as the title makes it out to be:

Mario (this time, voiced by Kevin Afghani) and friends, are invited to visit the neighbouring Flower Kingdom to witness a demonstration of a Wonder Flower; an unusual but great treasure that once acquired, the user can warp reality. Bowser catches wind of this and uses the Wonder Flower being used to merge himself with Prince Florian's castle, which turns into a giant floating castle with his face on it and leading to the entire Flower Kingdom to be imprisoned. Mario and company team with Prince Florian to stop Bowser and his plans, before all reality is bent to his will. Players can play as one of a magnitude of characters including the Mario Brothers, Nabbit, the Yoshis, Princess Peach, the Toads, Toadette and new to the series, Princess Daisy. The Flower Kingdom is split into several worlds, with the Bowser castle being in the centre of it. Unlike previous games where you need to defeat a boss to carry on to the next world, all you need to do this time is collect royal seeds, which can be used to take out each of Bowser's defences surrounding his castle. This can be achieved by collecting wonder seeds in levels (usually two of them per level, unless it's a challenge level or something like that) which can take out various obstacles that are blocking your way on the map (the navigation of which is a mix between the fixed paths of previous games and the freedom to move in the 3D duology). Some levels have a thing called a Wonder Flower which, if acquired, can change a level to something quite weird, bizarre and over the top. Such things can occur like pipes crawling around, Piranha Plants singing to you and a shower of superstars suddenly happening. Sometimes finding those flowers is necessary to "properly" complete a level. As well as that and all the usual things we've come to expect in these games (even with a fresh instalment like this), you can also acquire various badges which can be equipped to give each character a perk in the level such as higher jumps, better swimming control and more. Also, a first to the series is no timer... for the most part anyway.

With its simplistic graphics and overall, fresh and new gameplay, this Mario game has finally broken the curse that has made the "new" series, feel all too familiar and generic. It's fun, over-the-top in places and a fresh new experience that has given me hope that even with a new voice actor, the franchise has still got a lot to give, just as long as Nintendo stick to making each game a fresh and new experience with some familiarity, but not too much as seen in much of the Wii, DS, Wii U and 3DS games. Possibly some of the mobile games too. Definitely one that, if you pardon the pun, is a wonderful entry to the franchise. 9/10