Impressions: Super Mario Bros. Wonder

 It's-a wonderfull opening!

Console: Nintendo Switch.

Game reviews have slowly but surely become the backbone of this blog. A little problem with that though is that I can´t just buy a game, play through it and get a review within a few days. Work and all that. I knew from the start that I wouldn´t be able to do ´new´ releases so I leaned into the retro stuff.  I´ve made it work well enough. 

Still, I wouldn´t mind a chance, a good format, to talk about new releases. To be a part of the conversation when it´s actually happening. That´s why I´ve decided to try my hand again at ´Impression´ posts. Instead of a full-fledged review, it's me giving my thoughts on the first few hours of a game. If/why I liked it and where I think it could go. 

My first attempt at it with Pokémon Scarlet & Violet didn't pan out so well, but that's were 2nd attempts are for. 

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the first new, not port, 2D Mario game in over a decade and not only that: a creative new Mario game. Shedding the 'New Super Mario Bros." and introducing a whole slew of new gimmicks it looks like a breath of fresh air for the series. 

Without further ado, let´s take a look at the opening few hours and see if that is indeed the case and what a more casual Mario player thinks.

My current Progress

For this post, I played through the entirety of the first world, Pipe-Rock Plateau, and everything there is to do there so that I could get a good idea of what the game has to offer. It is the introductionary world after all so it's got to get its hooks in you by the time you're done with it. I played through all the levels though I failed to get every wonder seed. Not a big deal. Gives me a reason to come back to these levels later when my skills have improved from playing the game some more. 

My first impression of the game is very positive. I will say that I don't have that 'mindblown' reaction that I've seen many have with this game. I think that's because I'm only a casual Mario player. While the core is very much standard Mairo, which doesn't have to be a bad thing, Wonder has so many little design choices that when you add it all up you get an experience that does feel, and look, refreshing from what came before. One that's very creative as well. 

The wonder flowers, badges and creativity

Let's start with the wonder seeds/wonder flowers since that's where most of the trademark craziness of the game comes into play. You've seen it in the trailers: collect a wonder flower and the level changes around you. From a stamp of bull-like enemies running across the screen to Trottin' Piranha Plants doing an entire musical number during which you have to avoid them to get the wonder seed. When you collect a wonder flower, you never know what might happen next!

These sections are the defining trait of this game, even so early in the experience that I am. They are loads of fun because they are so different. They have such intersting visuals and mechanics that I look forward to experiencing them and find them to be. To see what new and exciting things it will do and because I, want, that, wonder seed! 

These wonder seeds are the new stars: collect enough of them to unlock levels and progress. They are thus not only collectables but are needed to move along which is why I want them so badly. And yes, you need to unlock levels. We have the standard linear progression sections 'beat this level to get to the next' but we also have some free roaming sections. Here, a few levels are placed in an open space on the map and freely choose any of the levels there. I like this bit of choice. Do I feel like a very challenging level or do I want to do a badge challenge? A small level that rewards you with a badge? I love that I'm able to decide that for myself. 

The Elephant powerup, the big new powerup of the game, is nice I guess. Don't love it, don't hate. Like the trunk attack, don't like how heavy it is. 

Speaking of the badges, I don't have enough experience with them yet to really talk about them but I like what they could do. I like their promise. These add a layer of customizability to Mario and his friends. From an extra move, like being able to glide for a short while, to little bonuses, such as starting each level with a super mushroom. Nothing special yet but I can see the game ramping these up later to great results. To really create a very different playstyle. Hope they do just that. 

I also hope there's one that gives each character their unique traits back though. I understand that they wanted kids to be able to pick their favourite without any drawbacks but I do miss the slightly different playstyle, say, the slippier but better jumping Luigi offered. I don't think that the badge system can really replace this but, we'll see. 

Visuals and attention to detail

Gameplay-wise I don't have much more to say at the moment so let's dive into all those little details I alluded to. Wonder is filled with lots of little things that make it feel so much more alive. From Mario briefly losing his hat when entering a pipe, to each character actually emoting what's going on, sleeping Goomba's. With the vibrant graphics and catchy music, the whole game just has this very pleasant vibe. 

Oh, and one final thing. As of now, I'm not bothered by the talking flowers all across the levels. They don't talk that much and often give you a neat little hint about a secret hidden nearby. If I do end up getting annoyed by them I can always turn them off in the settings. Another much appreciated detail from a company that tends to force their players to play a specific way. The way they intended. 

Final Thoughts

Those are, in a nutshell, my first impression. Well, all the stuff from my first few hours with the game stayed with me enough to write about, at least. I've got plenty of notes still left, sure, but that's food for the actual review. 

What you have to know now is that I'm having fun with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The game is familiar at its core but with lots of new bells and whistles that make the experience fresh. The creativity and attention to detail are plain to see. At the moment, its a pleasant game with a pleasant atmosphere. I don't just want to get to the credits, but I also feel the drive to, at the very least, collect every single wonder seed the game has to offer. If that isn't a captivating title, I don't know what is.