Release date: 20 October
Platforms: Switch
Mario games have perhaps been among the best ever made. Any new title, therefore, immediately builds an air of excitement around it as there is a guarantee of loads of fun with Mario on his adventures.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is no exception. It is the first of the two Mario video games set for release in 2023 and comes after the massive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which is one of the highest-grossing films of 2023 with over USD 1 billion worldwide gross.
In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, players can opt to play as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, the Toad or Toadette. For those who are beginners to the series, there are also two other characters, Nabbit and Yoshi, who are practically indestructible.
The gameplay marks a return to the traditional 2D side-scrolling style. It is almost like the older Mario games, featuring Warp Pipes and foes such as the Goombas and Piranha Plants in a more interactive environment. The “Wonder” in the title is for the Wonder Flower, which are basically unique power-ups for the player characters. For instance, the Elephant Fruit turns the hero character into an elephant and grants enhanced strength that can be used to smash enemies, move Warp Pipes and other abilities.
Charles Martinet, who voiced Mario for the last 30 years, will not return as the voice of the world’s most beloved plumber in this game as he has been elevated to the position of “Mario Ambassador.” Makers Nintendo haven’t revealed who will voice Mario in this game, leading to intense speculation in the media. Will it be Chris Pratt? Only the credits will reveal.
Image credit: Screenshot/Nintendo of America/YouTube