Super Mario Bros. Wonder

I have certainly enjoyed the NSMB games since their inception on Nintendo DS, but I must admit that Wonder had surpassed those games in virtually every way. I felt a sense of whimsy and joy playing Wonder that took me back to the days of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. The game is packed with secrets, filled with challenge, and entertained me for hours. The pacing, the graphics, the controls—this is a masterclass in game desing. Wonder has reconfirmed for any doubters out there that the Mario brand is still brimming with potential for new gameplay ideas. Wonder is an essential game for Switch players that is highly recommended.

Just like Nintendo managed it back in 2017, 2023 sees a Mario game manage to surpass Zelda yet again. Super Mario Wonder is pure joy, delight, and wonder together, and one of the best games we’ve seen in many years. It is a bit lacking in its boss battles, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t grinning non stop while playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a return to greatness and Nintendo should be commended on paying homage to the classic 2d platforming archetype but then redesigning it for the modern gamer. Best of all, no matter what your age, you’ll have a blast playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder and from the very first level to the last, you’ll be full immersed with its engaging gameplay and almost interactive artwork with its graphics. Additionally it makes for the perfect party game and local co-op is a true blast!

Nintendo chose the perfect word to affix to this latest Super Mario Bros. title. It’s the word that best sums up everything about this game. After so many iterations of the 2D Mario formula, it’s a wonder that the developers could still come up with something this innovative, with crazy new levels and cunning secrets that reward your curiosity. The sense of wonder is palpable any time you encounter one of the game’s signature blue flowers, with no idea what will happen next. And the Wonder Effect concept is one of the best new additions to the franchise since Mario first hopped on Yoshi’s back. Most of all, it’s wonder that you’ll feel as you play through one of the best Mario games of all time.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder once again proves that Mario is the king of the platforming genre. Much like his previous adventures did before, the amount of creativity and polish on display sets a new industry standard.

It would be easy to speculate what “substances” the developers were on when they conceived and put this game together, but come on…this is Nintendo we’re talking about here. The only “substance” they have an abundance of is imagination and thank goodness. As Super Mario Bros. Wonder is definitely a timeless classic that will survive the test of time. Let’s hope this isn’t the first time Mario and Co spend time in this foreign land or at least let’s hope the mushroom kingdom imports some of their wares. With that said…Sorry Peter and Miles, I’ve got to finish the Special World before I head back to New York City…looks like this vacation in the Flower Kingdom is gonna last just a bit longer!

Super Mario Bros Wonder feels like winding back the clock, yet also feels fresh, showing that even seemingly 'simple' games can showcase a level of polish beyond many AAA games. Nintendo is the master at this – and you'll no doubt be addicted to the solo and multiplayer side-scrolling action. Wonder is a sensational send-off for the Nintendo Switch, a stone-cold future classic.

Overall, I was blown away by Super Mario Bros. Wonder, so much so that I actually struggled to pull myself away from it to write this review. Nintendo has somehow managed to keep the essence of 2D Mario intact, whilst reinvigorating it with plain, stupid fun that’s enjoyable to any and all players, regardless of skill level or whether they’ve played a Mario game before...Instead of blindly sprinting your way through bland, uninspired level designs like in the New Super Mario Bros. games, Super Mario Bros. Wonder gives you cause to stop and appreciate the weird and wonderful world of gaming’s most iconic character and have endless amounts of fun in the process.

The more I played Super Mario Bros Wonder, the more I fell in love with its whimsicality and endless redefinition of what Mario can be. It’s a glorious reimagining of Nintendo’s most iconic franchise. It takes the ingenuity and innovation that made Mario’s 3D escapades some of gaming’s greatest achievements and finally introduces them into the side-scrolling world. Wonder is everything I wanted it to be, and might be the most inventive 2D platformer Nintendo has ever made.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder lives up to the “Wonder” part of its name.

The name is a good fit in more than one way. For one thing, because it seeks a justified closeness to Super Mario World, which the game itself has long since found. For another, because you're constantly 'wondering if...', filled with wonder and marvelling at wonderful effects is the predominant emotion while playing.

Playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a pure joy. This triumphant return to the franchise's 2D platforming origins showcases Mario and his companions in their best form. Wonder artfully blends nostalgic elements from earlier titles with tasteful innovations, resulting in a harmonious fusion that's virtually foolproof and won't get old easily.

A frankly phenomenal attention to detail, alongside a variety of interesting additions to level design, powers, and the brilliant new badge system, make this Mario’s finest outing in a generation. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is pure Nintendo magic, and an A-Team of veteran Nintendo talent with a fresh injection of younger developers is responsible for the most refreshing, satisfying, and addictive Mario game since Super Mario World. This is the Mario game the Switch deserves and the start of Mario’s new legacy.

At the moment, even if there are a lot of very good games, few manage to make you smile as soon as you leave the main menu. Super Mario Bros Wonder is one of those. A rich and colorful adventure which sells us dreams and which takes us into its fantastic and dreamlike universe. A platform game that does a lot of good in the landscape and which as a bonus brings a real boost to a franchise which had a tendency to rely too much on its achievements. New releases galore, artistically sublime and very inspired, full of ingenuity and good ideas… Super Mario Bros Wonder is a must-have to do alone, but also to share with friends, family or complete strangers online. A must-have on Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo icon is back in glorious style. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of the best games in the series and certainly the prettiest 2D Mario ever. Developers surprise with innovation, lovely levels and beautiful childlike imagination.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a whimsical masterpiece, and I can say with utmost certainty that it is one of the greatest platformers that Nintendo has ever made. As the first 2D Mario game of the post-movie era, it sets an incredible precedent for the future of the series with its fresh new gameplay mechanics, expertly-crafted level design, gorgeous visuals, and lively animations. If you’re anything like me, you’ll repeatedly tell yourself “just one more level” while a joyful smile remains plastered across your face, all the way up until the end-credits roll. Referring to the game as “wonderful” would be an understatement, as Super Mario Bros. Wonder is sure to exceed expectations when it launches for Nintendo Switch on 20th October.

Move over Elephant Mario, the true star of Super Mario Bros. Wonder are the Wonder Flowers themselves, which continuously add the unexpected to an altogether brilliant 2D platformer. Okay, Elephant Mario's pretty amazing too.

Within the understood parameters of what 2D Mario can be, this has to be the single best entry since Super Mario World - and is the perfect first game to launch a new era of Mario games with his new-found elevation to movie star status.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a triumphant evolution of 2D Mario, with a non-stop flow of creative ideas wrapped up in a visually delightful package, bursting with character.

An endless cascade of ideas in a game that takes Mario to some wonderfully strange places.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is pure joy, through and through. From its expressive aesthetic to its whimsical stage designs, it delights you at virtually every step.

Super Mario Bros Wonder is a delight of a game, worthy of anyone’s time and money. The creativity on show here is astonishing, and it’ll have you smiling from start to finish. From the animations to the audio, to the new items and ideas, Super Mario Bros Wonder is a masterclass from the very best in the business, and proves there is a lot more life in a 2D platform game than anyone thought. Fantastic.

A fantastic 2D platformer that immediately takes its place amongst the pantheon of Nintendo’s very best titles, with such a constant stream of new and surreal ideas you want to stand up and applaud it by the end of it.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the best platform game we have ever played. It's packed with the most ingenious ideas, colorful and unique levels, and incredible secrets. Being one of the best looking games on Nintendo Switch, it's a must-play for any gamer.

Feeling both familiar and fresh, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is exactly what was needed for the 2D Mario sub-genre.

Wonder is a beautiful thing, a game that totally and confidently carries off its new ideas, while remaining immediately and clearly faithful to its heritage. It's a must-play for Mario fans and Switch owners.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is just that. A wonder. It leverages tight and concise platforming with a robust set of power-ups and skills to offer a degree of flexibility to players like never before. While it’s still slightly easier than I’d like, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an incredibly engaging Mario game and one of the best platformers available on the Switch, if not ever.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a delightful surprise in what has been an amazing year for Nintendo's iconic mascot. The game offers the right amount of challenges while remaining accessible to a wide cross-section of players. It can be enjoyed as a single player and also as something to be broken out in a party atmosphere. At its core Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fun and fantastic escape from reality that will leave players smiling for years to come.

Inventive and full of heart, with a tight design and striking presentation, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is undoubtedly the plumber’s most memorable 2D outing since the 1990s.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder will surprise you at every turn and is one of the best 2D Mario games alongside Super Mario World and Super Mario Bros. 3. It's the visual refresh, the exciting new ideas and the polish we've needed for a while. If only there were an adjective to describe it in one word.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an absolute masterpiece, offering up some of the most inventive, charming, and creative platforming action the genre has ever seen. It might have taken three decades, but Super Mario World has finally been dethroned.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a complete reinvention of everything that makes the franchise great, and the best 2D Mario game ever made.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is about as close to perfection as it gets for a 2D Mario game. While the New Super Mario Bros. games were fun, they never felt like they had their own distinct identity, the way we saw with classic Mario games like Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is dripping with creativity and personality in every facet.

We can only confirm that we are facing one of the best titles of the year and most likely, the best 2D Mario of all time. The Nintendo Switch shines again with a truly screaming exclusive that you simply cannot miss because of the great way in which it takes simple and already proven bases, and on them puts a huge number of innovative ideas that undoubtedly feel like the next big thing. step for the series and of course, the entrance to a new era that we hope will expand for much longer. Our favorite plumber is launching his new game and that deserves a celebration.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the much-needed big step for the series. The new art direction and amazing animations mixed with creative ideas and new abilities breathe new life into this beloved series.

To be honest, I didn’t expect much from Mario Wonder. The 2D games tend to play it relatively safe, preferring to lean on nostalgia and mass appeal. Somehow I’ve been shocked at almost every turn. The visuals are consistently fresh and exciting. The mechanics blow the whole formula wide open. New powers, new skills, and new challenges had me immediately hooked. The soundtrack is mostly bangers by weight, just a hot mess of excellent music. Sure, the story is forgettable. I couldn’t tell you the name of your constant companion. He’s some sort of bug with a crown? And the bones of the 2D gameplay are well-preserved standards from several generations back. But the total package is an absolute blast. If you’ve been looking for a hot new Mario game, your prayers are answered. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the best the series has been for years.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is, without a shadow of a doubt, living up to its wonderous name. A game this good that manages to blend incredible platforming and level design with light humor and a ton of positivity (that even makes the multiplayer aspect positive), is truly remarkable and one of a kind.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fine example of a game created with utter love and passion from its development team. Every fan of Mario owes it to themselves to add the new entry of the franchise to their collection, earning in extend a truly memorable gaming experience.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a must-play for any fans of the plumber. It's constantly creative, consistently clever, and lives up to its name. There's so much raw delight and fun in the game that everyone will smile while going through it. Pretty much every new gameplay feature is a hit. It's the familiar 2D Mario gameplay, but it's a perfect example of why familiar isn't shorthand for bad. As long as there's creativity and energy in the design, even the grandpa of platformers can get up and dance.

Super Mario Wonder is an exceptional reinvention of the wheel where they’ve taken everything you comfortably know about Mario and his gameplay and shifted it on its ear. The game is filled with new enemies and mechanics and will constantly stun you with innovative twists and turns. If you’re a fan of multiplayer games, regardless of your skill level, this is the game for you as it’s one of the finest 2D Mario experiences I’ve had in years.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the best the franchise has seen in terms of visuals, with lots of new items, power-ups, enemies and stages with depth that really transform the player's experience, be they familiar with Mario games or not. The Wonder Flower's unpredictability makes the game always surprising and engaging, forging new paths and rhythms to keep players involved.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder provides an experience so brimming with personality, innovation, creativity and charm that it thrusts the 2D perspective back into the centre of the way we think about Mario games, and if Nintendo sticks with this formula and builds on it, 2D Mario games are never going to have to play second fiddle ever again.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is surprising, creative and at the same time a worthy, two-dimensional sequel to Super Mario Odyssey.

Mario is back with his best 2D adventure since Super Mario World. Fun, surprising and beautiful, it’s one of those game you cannot miss.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder arrives as the new bar within the 2D saga. Nintendo reinvents a formula after learning all these years in the 3D branch. It is a diverse, challenging game, full of surprises and that is constantly on the rise from start to finish.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder paves a bold new road for the "classic" Mario experience. Never a 2D Mario has been so surprising and satisfying since Super Mario World.

Super Mario Bros Wonder is a resounding success. It reboots a 2.5D reboot, with far more personality and the best balance and pacing in the modernised side-scrolling Super Mario Bros series.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the plumber’s best platformer this generation. We haven’t been able to say that of a 2D Mario for a long time, but this game measures up to the best and most beloved side-scrollers Nintendo has ever made, delivering joyously-creative level design and rock-solid platforming in a gorgeous wrapper. Get ready to kick it old school, because 2D Mario is back on top of the flagpole.

Nintendo reinvents the two-dimensional platform game through the sheer power of imagination, looking to the past and using it as a foundation to create something new. No one else has done it so brilliantly, but ultimately everything is easy when you are the king.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder surprises and delights from the moment you turn on the game. Though the gameplay feels familiar, Nintendo’s ability to iterate on the established formula in unique ways kept me on my toes throughout the journey all the way up to the memorable final battle. After all this time, I thought I had a grasp on the breadth of the tricks the 2D Mario series had up its sleeve, but that Super Mario Bros. Wonder so consistently surprised me speaks to just how much gas is left in the iconic franchise’s tank.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is truly a great game, as it gets its name from. Nintendo has shown us how different the 2D Mario game it has shown many times can be. With the new features added, the hustle and bustle of Wonder, and the seamless co-op system, a work has been created that will be enjoyed by both young and old players. Every game lover should definitely experience this unique adventure.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is not only a breath of fresh air for 2D platforms, it is a master class in how to update a game concept that has triumphed for more than three decades, and do so successfully, without losing the essence. A surprising platformer where the unexpected is the true star.

The infectious humor, delightful graphic style and high gameplay variety of Super Mario Bros. Wonder provide a surprising and unique gaming experience, infused with an abundance of character. Super Mario Bros. Wonder ensures that the 2D Mario genre is in full bloom again.

Super Mario Bros Wonder has one precious merit: it's too much fun. Several times we found ourselves putting off finishing a game session, eager to see what surprise the next level would have in store for us. The innovations introduced in this new chapter are truly numerous, from the power-up system linked to the pins to the surreal effects generated by the Wonder Flowers. The exclusive Nintendo Switch focuses a lot on surprise, but does not forget to deploy an admirable level of attention to detail and a very solid technical sector. The regret remains for the absence of memorable boss fights and for a level of challenge which, in our opinion, could have been calibrated a little higher. Net of these considerations, Super Mario Bros Wonder still remains an excellent product, capable of taking Mario and his friends on new gaming paths.

A triumphant 2D-Jump&Run full of ideas and surprises that no one with a Nintendo Switch should miss.

Although the Power-Ups and bosses may not be the best part of this Super Mario Bros game, the desire to constantly surprise the player and an excellent and smooth gameplay system make it one of the best 2D platformers in history.

Nintendo runs wild this time around with a ton of ideas that combine into a creative process with no boundaries, thus making Super Marios Bros. Wonder a point of no return in the series. It implies that whatever Nintendo creates next, it will feel empty and uninspired as long as it does not match the newly set bar by Super Mario Bros. Wonder. This game is in every sense a new big hit by Nintendo, with its presence being as impactful as Odyssey's back in the day.

Fantastic 2D Jump&Run full of creative ideas for both kids and adults that shouldn't be missing in any Switch collection.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the Mario game we didn’t know we wanted. This long-running series is no stranger to new mechanics and Wonder adds to the list with a completely fresh take while staying true to its roots. Simply put, it’s a joy to play.

It has Nintendo quality written all over it.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of this year's most exciting games, offering interesting gameplay mechanics and challenges of varying degrees of difficulty for audiences of all categories.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder breathes fresh air into a long running series, bringing fun and nostalgia for new and old players alike.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is not a safe addition to the franchise, it’s a new spin on Nintendo’s platformers. The Japanese developer delivered amazing graphics, smooth gameplay, and a multitude of previously unseen features, while the effects caused by wonder flowers are more exciting than riding a roller coaster. A must-have for Switch owners.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder manages to grasp that piece of magic that somehow always felt reserved for the 3D titles of the franchise. It may not be a perfect experience, but whether you play with friends or enjoy its wonders alone, you will most definitely have a great time. It’s a new standard for what 2D Super Mario games should strive to be.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder implements the recent trend of adding adventure elements to the 2D action genre. The Wonder Flowers cause surprising twists and the new multiplayer contributes to making a new 2D Mario adventure feel fresh again. That being said, we would have wanted Super Mario Bros. Wonder to feel even more wondrous.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a triumphant return of the plumber to 2D platformers. Its levels are very varied and challenging, and it is evident that creativity flowed with the alterations of the wonder flower. Despite minor problems, it is a game that gamers should include in the collection of any Nintendo Switch owner.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is nothing short of wonderful. One of the finest 2D Mario games ever made, it treats the players to a myriad of masterfully crafted levels, an exquisite audiovisual environment, and the familiar platforming experience where keeping Mario & Co. on the move just feels right and plays right too, all while reaching a fine balance between challenge and accessibility. A wonder of a game, not just in its effects but across the entire spectrum.

This is the most unforgettable side-scroller Nintendo has put out in three decades. [Issue#391, p.98]

Super Mario Wonder successfully elevated the already high standard of the side-scrolling platformer even further. The stage transformations brought by the Wonder Flowers are unpredictable, and consistently bring a smile to the player's face.

Even with these blemishes, at the end of the day Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an incredible breath of fresh air overall. It has reaffirmed that 2D Mario has the potential to be more than just good, it can be incredible. It sweeps away any concerns I had that my love of the best games in the series isn’t just nostalgia and that a truly original 2D Mario absolutely has the potential to stand alongside Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario World. While Super Mario Bros. Wonder isn’t quite perfect, it is a gleaming star we can hopefully follow into a new era for 2D Mario.

Overall, I really do love Super Mario Bros Wonder. It brings in classic elements of past games but sprinkles in a ton of new features to create something new. I love the variety of characters you can play as, and the variety of new items and power-ups. I’m a big fan of the badges and think they are really useful! Some levels and boss fights are easy compared to past games. I think they could have squeezed in a few more levels in each world too. It is a magical and vibrant experience for all ages! Not to mention, it has a super catchy soundtrack (Piranha Plants On Parade is a true masterpiece)

Those are minor missteps, though, in an otherwise fantastic release. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is easily the most interesting a 2D Mario title has been since the 90s, and any fan of platformers absolutely needs to play this game. The Switch has had a fantastic year for first-party releases, but Super Mario Bros. Wonder stands alongside the very best of them.

2D Mario at its best, a pleasant and almost perfectly designed platform experience, full of ideas and tricks. All that's missing is a little difficulty to reach greater heights.

Quotation forthcoming.

Super Mario Bros Wonder is clearly designed to be a game for everyone, regardless of skill level. The relative ease of main campaign stages that aren’t hidden away and addition of badges and “easy mode” characters Yoshi and Nabbit absolutely feel welcoming. The plethora of secrets and variety in stages feel more suited for people familiar with the series, giving them something to dig into as they play. While the downside means a somewhat decreased challenge, it’s still a delight.

We have spent more than a decade without a classic-style Mario Bros. that truly made us feel magic, that reminded us why the plumber is the king of platformers. Fortunately, the wait for these sensations is over and Super Mario Wonder arrives as one of the best games of the year and as one of the most magical installments of the entire franchise.

What Metroid Dread ultimately represented for Metroid, Super Mario Bros. Wonder achieved for 2D Super Mario titles. The comeback is more than triumphant, effortlessly dominating the genre it helped create, with refreshing ideas and stunning aesthetics. It definitely raises the bar for what the gameplay and aesthetics of a 2D Super Mario game should be. I see Wonder as a solid starting point, a sort of "Super Mario Bros." so that one day the "Super Mario World" masterpiece of this new era of two-dimensional Super Marios can emerge. The foundations are laid, the base is established, the door is open and the carpet is rolled out. Now it's onwards and upwards.

Paired with the inventiveness of its level design, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a smorgasbord of fun and whimsy that keeps you happy and entertained no matter how old you are.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder sets a new standard for the world of 2D Mario games. The new features provide more creativity than ever before, with the unique effects of Wonder Flowers introducing their own challenges while helping make up for the game's few shortcomings. If future titles continue to improve on the systems introduced in Wonder, the next 2D Mario game could fully surpass even the most beloved NES and SNES titles.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder ushers in a new era for Mario games, injecting a dose of zany fun with its vibrant visuals, catchy tunes, and diverse character lineup. The game’s unconventional levels and the option to team up with friendly apparitions while playing with others outside your core group add an extra layer of enjoyment. It’s a delightful addition to the Mario universe, bringing a fresh and thrilling twist to the 2D Mario series, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of the greatest Mario titles to come out in the last fifteen years, likely since New Super Mario Bros. DS itself. The only real complaint to be had is that we wish there were even more beautiful and fantastic levels to play after the ones that are there have all been beaten. What Nintendo has crafted here is a title with over 38 years of love for their most-iconic platforming series. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a Mario platformer so reminiscent of the much older titles, but also so full of the magic that modern inclusions can bring to the table. This is not a title that any Mario or platforming fan should be missing out on as Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a must-have for fans of the genre and anyone looking for one of the most utterly charming adventures in franchise history.

Overall, another fantastic Mario game and a real fun standout for the Switch console.

If you haven't had the opportunity to play platformers in some time, you simply have to give Super Mario Bros. Wonder a try. The game is a work of art that can persuade even those skeptical of the Mario franchise - it is so original that it is much, much more than just "another Mario."

The few flaws that the game undoubtedly has are annoying. Apart from them, though, Super Mario Bros Wonder is 2D platforming fun close to perfection.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder exceeds expectations. Get ready for endless fun playing a game that feels more Super Mario Bros. than ever, even while introducing important new features.

While it doesn't break the mould like its predecessors have, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the perfect refinement of 2D platforming, and one of the most polished and engrossing games you'll play all year.

I simply loved playing Super Mario Bros. Wonder and don’t think another game this year has made me smile as much as this one. It’s a delightful platformer that continues Mario’s 2D legacy into the future with fresh design concepts and gimmicks you wouldn’t have seen a mile away. Now that Super Mario Bros. Wonder has proved that the 2D Mario format still has fresh new tricks up its sleeve, I’d love to see how they iterate on it in their next games.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder isn’t a masterpiece, but it’s still the best 2D Mario game of the last 25 years. It’s beautiful, weird and exhilarating: the Fethry Duck of the family.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fantastic addition to the franchise. Every level is bursting with personality and the fantastical new power-ups and abilities offer a lot more motivation to look further into every nook and cranny. The characters are a joy to control and all the platforming elements feel seamless. The Wonder Flowers are a very welcome addition, adding a lot more dimension to what I would previously call a very cookie-cutter experience. The only downside – if you can really call it that – is that Wonder can’t exactly stand alongside its peers in terms of storytelling or sheer size. Super Mario Bros. Wonder doesn’t break the mould for 2D platformers, but it has built upon what came before wonderfully and I would highly recommend this game to anyone looking for a calm, cosy experience on the Switch.

It's difficult to write a complete review when the great strengths of the game in question revolve around surprise. But with Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Nintendo delivers an almost perfect performance. Almost fifteen after New Super Mario Bros. Wii, this new episode reconnects the series of 2D platform games with the exceptional. While remaining faithful to it and keeping its gameplay devilishly simple and effective, it brings new ideas that hit the mark. The entire production is reminiscent of a musical comedy which never ceases to dazzle the player both in form and content. Mario is off to Wonderland, and so are we.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder might not be as brilliant as Super Mario Galaxy II or similar unique like Odyssey. But the new Mario adventure is a great 2D plattformer with multi-variant levels, perfect control, a huge bandwidth of creative ideas and an outstanding eye for lovely details in any area.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder, ultimately, feels like a flex — proof that Nintendo can still innovate with some of gaming's oldest verbs: run and jump. It's a pristine extravaganza designed to appeal to nostalgic players and newcomers who may have only encountered the franchise through this year's blockbuster movie.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder left me spellbound. Nintendo remains at the top of its game, and the Flower Kingdom is the perfect playground for its sprightly reinvention of what we have come to expect from setting out on a 2D side-scrolling adventure with Mario and his pals. This world of wonder comes crammed with the most whizz-popping surprises, making for a kaleidoscopic trip to the Flower Kingdom that is simply unmissable.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a new classic: charismatic, eclectic, lysergic, funny, entertaining and... entertained.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder looks and plays like the true next step for 2D Mario platformers. Wonder effects change each stage in both surprising and delightful ways, the Flower Kingdom makes for a vibrant and refreshing change of pace, and Elephant Mario steals the show.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a bold choice for a name. It plants a flag in the ground that suggests anything less than a constant sense of awe and delight will be a failure by its own terms. But then, surprisingly, Mario Wonder rises to the challenge and the result is a modern classic. The Wonder effects are the marquee feature, and for good reason, as they serve as a springboard for a cornucopia of creativity. But it's the smart and thoughtful choices around new power-ups, badges, online multiplayer, and visual flair that cement it in Mario canon. This is the rightful successor to Super Mario World, and hopefully, will serve as a touchstone for 2D Mario going forward.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the first game in literal decades to live up to the plumber’s legendary 2D platforming legacy.

Perhaps the very reason for it, the broad range of online (at last!) multiplayer options try to compensate for the lack of physical contact between players, something that I miss. But other than some levels not being the best suited for co-op and a not so memorable final battle, I've thoroughly enjoyed Nintendo's idea of what a New, New Super Mario Bros. can be more than a decade later. The Wonder Flower and its new Kingdom allow the game to break the old rules, its audiovisual presentation is top-notch, and it includes a great number of perfectly-measured precision platforming levels. The Switch was born in 2017 enjoying Zelda for the spring and Mario for Christmas. What a masterful move it is to say farewell in its last AAA release year with the same one-two of must-haves.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the 2D platforming Super Mario Bros. game we have been waiting for, for years.

The biggest wonder is that the new 2D Mario Bros. can still offer something new after so many decades, like a completely fresh experience full of original ideas and gimmicks - for sure Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a real next-generation 2D Mario game and not just another nostalgia act.

New art direction, more attractive graphics, a multitude of new animations, facial expressions for Mario, his friends and even enemies, and humor everywhere, this Super Mario Wonder has done things in a big way for his return as a 2D platform game. The setting is magnificent, but the gameplay is also breathtaking. It must be said that Nintendo had fun and the imagination of the developers was overflowing. A game design idea at each new level is a bit of the promise of this game, which manages to give new life into a saga that will soon be 40 years old. We come away from this experience with a smile on our faces.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is, quite simply, the best 2D Mario game since Super Mario World. This is the slickest, sharpest and smartest that two dimensional Mario has felt since 1991 and in its Wonder Flowers, badges and online aspects, it serves up an endlessly inventive and impressive platforming adventure that we've been utterly hooked on. With local co-op and online fun adding to the replayability factor and 100% perfect performance in both docked and handheld modes, this feels like 2D Mario with its mojo back, and one of the very best platformers we've played in quite some time.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder takes the 2D side-scroller in a fresh direction thanks to reality-bending Wonder Flowers that add fun gameplay-changing effects.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder could be Mario's most magical adventure, offering up an enchanting experience that shines among the best of the side-scrolling Mario games.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder puts a fresh new spin on the classic Mario side-scroller with wild and trippy level transformations. It's still Mario at its core, but it's fun not knowing what to expect from each level. This could be the start of a bright new era for 2D Mario games.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is yet another magnificent showing from Nintendo. To take a concept that’s so well understood but still find new ways to impress is no easy feat. Yet Mario Wonder excels in this field thanks to incredibly dynamic gameplay, headlined by the imaginative amazement of the Wonder Flower. It’s hard not to fall in love with this new release, a game that’s packed to the brim with charm and zest.

Wowie Zowie! 2D Mario is back and is finally running at full speed again in his new adventure thanks to fresh ideas and the creative miracle flower.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder certainly lives up to its name by offering a spectacle-filled and simply magical experience where you never know what sort of clever twist will pop-up next. Plus, it has a surprising level of challenge for anyone wanting to test their platforming skills.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder has its shortcomings. A traditional lives-system has no reason to exist in 2023 and the game's difficulty seems less balanced in optional content versus the main adventure. But the core of the game is a delight! The foundations of Mario are rock-solid as ever, while the new Wonder Flower and its many surprising effects keep the game from getting stale. Add perhaps the best co-op Mario has ever had, and you're left with a wonderful new entry in the Super Mario Bros. series.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is exactly what fans hoped for from the return of a 2D Mario franchise. The tight, precise platforming has been mixed with the wild creativity seen in the 3D exploits of Nintendo's iconic plumber to create one of the best titles of the year.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is like a rapid firework display of ideas that never stops dazzling, throwing curveball after curveball and never lingering on a single concept. There’s something to be said for gameplay that doesn’t outstay it’s welcome, but often is the case that Wonder’s twists and tricks barely make it through the threshold before they leave, never to return. I’m impressed by what Wonder does, amazed at its drug-like wackiness, and left with a longing for some of that stuff to stick around longer than it does...There are worse things to be than a great game that leaves a player yearning for more.

Mario is known for surprising you with new ideas and strong game design. Super Mario Bros. Wonder contains both in spades. Although it executes on the element of surprise in a way I hesitate to call an outright innovation, it always supports the strengths of both the expected and unexpected.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder ultimately offers a delightful and innovative refinement of the genre. If you’re looking to explore the stages and find every hidden secret, it may be best to go solo, but even with a friend or three, you’re going to have a good time.

We didn't think a new 2D Mario would manage to surprise us in 2023, but it has. The new team at the plumber's bedside have outdone themselves, offering Nintendo Switch players a fun platformer that surprises from its first to its last stage, and is absolutely delightful. We can only criticize the game's lifespan and its somewhat limited challenge in the quest for 100%, but nothing that will prevent you from having an excellent time.

Overall though, Super Mario Wonder is an excellent 2D platformer. With excellent level design, polished visuals and mad Wonder Flower setpieces. It’s not my favorite Super Mario game in recent years, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

Thing is, it injects so much dopamine into my little monkey brain that any intellectual qualms I may have are effectively quashed as long as a controller is in my hands. Put more plainly, Nintendo really knows how to make a fabulously fun run-to-the-right game.

The design of the levels, the variety, the gameplay, the soundtrack, the visual presentation.... Nintendo delivers with Super Mario Bros. Wonder a delightful 2D platformer that can safely be called a must have. Although for hardcore fans it is a bit on the easy side, so it could have been more challenging. In addition, some gameplay features are not all meaningful or useful, but that aside.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fantastic entry. It takes chances with its mechanics and feels like yet another testing ground for Nintendo to see what works and what doesn’t. It is the best 2D Mario in a long time, but still doesn’t dethrone the kings from the NES and SNES days. I loved every minute of the 10 or so hour campaign and want to revisit stages over time. I cannot wait for the next iteration of the Switch as I feel like we may finally see the next big 3D Mario, but until then Wonder does an outstanding job of satisfying that Mario platformer itch that has been missing since Odyssey.

The game is a platforming playground for all ages that, at its best, redefines Mario’s world as one of unlimited potential.

It has taken Nintendo almost 30 years to get its flagship side-scrolling series back on top, but that is exactly what has been achieved with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Not since the days of the SNES has 2D Mario felt this original and fun, with the bizarre hallucination-like gameplay elements contributing to both the joy and hilarity all at once, coupled with brilliant character animations and a multitude of ideas that makes every level unique. Stages could have stood to be longer, and it may have been a good opportunity to go a bit wilder with the story and villains, but those are small complaints for what is an absolute blast from beginning to end.

A Japanese game about an Italian plumber who eats mushrooms to get bigger. Mario games have always been trippy by design, but with "Super Mario Wonder," Nintendo puts the turbo on the psychedelics. Every time you pick up one of the new Wonder Flowers, the world is figuratively - sometimes literally - turned upside down. Time after time, it's a sweeping and engaging change to the laws of physics (of the game, admittedly) that make your inner child coo.

There’s no story to discover, no complex rules to learn; just instant, appealing fun. It’s fun you’ll have already experienced if you’re a Mario fan, but with enough novelty and unexpected twists to prevent it from feeling over-familiar. And for those new to Mario – kids just ageing into video games, friends or family members tempted into a multiplayer session – this is a wonderful introduction to the fizzy creativity and attention to detail that has made Mario a family staple for nearly 30 years.

In many ways, Wonder’s success is built upon the numerous iterations of past 2D Mario titles. The core idea of tight platforming across stages has been nailed down for so long that each new entry is able to iterate in more granular ways, even if it doesn’t innovate on a larger scale. Wonder doesn’t reinvent the wheel that is the Mario game, but it gives it a heck of a tune-up...Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a dazzling return to the 2D platformer for Nintendo’s star plumber and his band of friends. My only hope in the aftermath of Wonder is that it doesn’t take another decade to see more 2D Mario games.

The endgame hides a few new stages and some cool minigames, but you are more or less dropped onto the map and asked to scour the place for everything you missed. I’m excited about playing with friends and family to snoop out the remaining paths that alluded me, and it feels like a game of this ilk would really come alive as four friends are causing maximum chaos together. Alone, its whimsical spark is sadly only surface level, fading away much as the petals on a Wonder Flower wilt under Bowser’s influence. The magic is there, and very tangible in all the right places, Nintendo just needs to take a look at the foundations and reinvent them alongside this luscious new aesthetic. Do so, and we’d have a masterpiece.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of Mario’s all-time greatest titles. With no shortage of colour and creativity, Nintendo reminds us why we’ve loved this series for so long – while also setting up a bright new future for its 2D games.

While Super Mario Bros. Wonder doesn't revolutionize Nintendo’s beloved series, the charming 2D platformer successfully pays homage to its roots, paving the way forward with unique twists that keep the gameplay feeling fresh…Mario Bros. Wonder may not take the crown from Super Mario Bros. 3 or Odyssey, but the latest outing encapsulates the very essence of what a 2D Mario game should be. It’s silly, whacky, and most importantly great fun…The fact that Nintendo can still deliver a great 2D Mario game 42 years after the first title hit our screens back in 1981, really is a wonder in itself.

With its wealth of unpredictable levels, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the series’ best 2D entry since its SNES days. It’s still the same familiar platformer, but one that’s been given a new lease on life thanks to a fantastic new art style, delightfully absurd transformations, and flexible difficulty. It’s the closest I’ve gotten to recapturing those magic moments with the original platformers, even if there’s still room for Mario to grow into his new overalls.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a very good 2D platformer, full of little innovations, but it doesn't feel like a major revolution. It plays very similarly to Super Mario Bros. 2, and that's a game that's already 35 years old.