A Comprehensive Explanation of the New Elements in Super Mario Bros. Wonder | A Completely New 2D Mario After 11 Years

On October 20, 2023, Nintendo released "Super Mario Bros. Wonder." This title is the first completely new 2D Mario series in 11 years since 2012's "New Super Mario Bros. U." This game features numerous innovative new elements, including surprising stage changes thanks to the Wonder Flower, new power-ups such as Elephant Mario, and a customization element through the badge system, representing a significant evolution from previous titles. In this article, we thoroughly explain the new elements of Super Mario Bros. Wonder and deliver the charm of this game without reservation.

The Surprising Stage Gimmicks Transformed by the Wonder Flower

The standout feature of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the "Wonder Flower" system. This system introduces unpredictable changes to the stages that were previously unimaginable in the Mario series, providing players with fresh surprises and enjoyment. The Wonder Flower is a core element of gameplay, with different presentations each time, ensuring that players will never get bored no matter how many times they play.

What is the Wonder Flower? Basic Mechanism

The Wonder Flower is a special item placed in each stage. When Mario touches this Wonder Flower, unpredictable changes occur throughout that stage. The Wonder Flower is placed in different locations for each stage and can sometimes be hidden, adding an element of exploration.

The effect of the Wonder Flower activates the moment it is obtained, triggering a special time known as "Wonder State." This state lasts for a certain period, during which elements such as the stage's terrain, enemy characters, BGM, and visual effects dramatically change. Some Wonder States end automatically, while others conclude when specific conditions are met, allowing for a variety of entertaining presentations.

The Wonder Flower is not just a decorative item; it is an important element that directly influences gameplay. There are coins and items that can only be obtained during Wonder State, making it essential to actively seek out and touch Wonder Flowers for full stage completion.

Surprising Examples of Dramatic Stage Changes

The stage transformations brought about by the Wonder Flower are one of the most captivating aspects of this game. For example, in one stage, touching the Wonder Flower causes a giant enemy character in the background to suddenly leap forward, shaking the entire stage while pursuing the player in a thrilling presentation. In another stage, the terrain begins to sing, with music changing according to Mario's movements, creating a musical-like experience.

Additionally, there are stages where Mario himself transforms into a pipe. In this state, players must move along the ground as a pipe instead of using a regular jump, providing a completely new gameplay sensation. Other unique presentations include the entire stage suddenly rotating 90 degrees, changes in the direction of gravity, or countless coins flooding the screen, each stage offering its own distinct and unparalleled experience.

These performances are not just visual effects; they also serve as mechanisms to test the player's actions and judgment. By advancing through the stage while responding to unpredictable changes, players can experience a fresh sense of tension and achievement not found in the traditional Mario series.

Relationship with Wonder Seeds

Successfully overcoming the Wonder state rewards players with "Wonder Seeds." Wonder Seeds are a crucial collection element in this game and are essential items for progressing in the game. By collecting a certain number of Wonder Seeds, players can open the door to new worlds and take on even more diverse stages. Each stage has multiple Wonder Seeds hidden, and to collect them all, players need to explore the stages multiple times. Collecting Wonder Seeds is a primary goal of the game and also serves as a replay incentive.

New Power-Up: Features and Utilization of Elephant Mario

In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, in addition to the traditional Fire Mario and Tanooki Mario, a completely new power-up form has been introduced. Among these, the most notable is "Elephant Mario." Elephant Mario is a new transformation that symbolizes this game, bringing a new level of strategic gameplay with its unique appearance and varied actions.

Basic Actions and Abilities of Elephant Mario

When transformed into Elephant Mario, Mario takes on the form of an elephant, enabling a variety of actions using his long trunk. The most basic ability is the trunk-based attack. By pressing the Y button, players can swing the trunk to attack enemies, allowing them to defeat tough enemies that normal jumps cannot defeat, as well as safely take down enemies from a distance.

Additionally, Elephant Mario has the ability to spray water from his trunk. This water can not only attack enemies but is also used to water withered plants to reveal hidden items or to extinguish flames and open new routes, functioning as a puzzle element. The water spray reaches a certain distance, making it useful for triggering mechanisms in high or distant places.

Elephant Mario's body is very heavy, allowing for actions that exploit this weight. By standing on specific blocks, he can use his weight to break the ground and discover hidden passages, or crash through large obstacles that normally cannot be moved. Furthermore, because the large body of the elephant has a big hitbox in the air, it makes it easier to collect items located in high areas.

Special Routes Accessible Only by Elephant Mario

The greatest charm of Elephant Mario is that there are special routes in each stage that can only be traversed by this transformation. For example, there may be a lot of coins or 1UP mushrooms hidden beneath special blocks that can only be broken by Elephant Mario's weight. Additionally, there are doors that can only be opened by spraying water or Wonder Seeds at heights that cannot be reached without using the trunk, providing rich exploration elements unique to Elephant Mario.

These special routes are not merely hidden elements; they may also be essential for completing a stage at 100%. Hence, after clearing a stage with a normal power-up, players can enjoy the game by exploring again with Elephant Mario.

Elephant Mario can be said to be an essential power-up for players who prefer an exploration-focused play style.

Comparison with Traditional Power-Ups

Compared to traditional power-ups, Elephant Mario is designed with a focus on multifunctionality over attack power. For instance, Fire Mario specializes in long-range attacks, while Elephant Mario balances three elements: attacking, puzzle-solving, and exploration. Although it lacks movement assistance like Tanuki Mario's gliding ability, it compensates with a rich ability to alter the environment. Elephant Mario is the optimal choice when you want to prioritize exploration and clearing stage gimmicks over combat.

Diverse Play Styles Expanded by the Badge System

Super Mario Bros. Wonder introduces a "Badge System" that allows players to customize their game experience to match their style. This system enables players to enhance Mario's basic abilities or add special actions, allowing them to establish their unique play style. The Badge System is a significant innovation in this title and greatly increases replayability.

Basics of the Badge System and How to Equip Them

Badges are items that grant special abilities to Mario. As you progress through the game, you will obtain various badges, and players can select one badge to equip. Badge equipping can be changed at any time on the world map, allowing for flexible adjustments according to the characteristics of the stage or personal play style.

There are mainly two ways to obtain badges. The first is to automatically earn them by clearing specific stages. The second is to challenge special stages called "Badge Challenges" and acquire badges by completing the unique tasks associated with those stages. Badge Challenges are set at a higher difficulty than normal stages and cannot be cleared without fully utilizing specific badge abilities, effectively serving as a tutorial for learning how to use badges.

The equipped badge will always have an effect throughout that stage. While multiple badges cannot be equipped simultaneously, the effect of a single badge is very powerful, requiring strategic choices. By selecting badges that match your play style or areas where you struggle, you can adjust the game’s difficulty or discover new strategies.

Recommended Badges and Their Effects

There are various types of badges, but here are some particularly popular ones.

The "Jump Master" badge grants the ability to perform a second jump in the air. This badge is especially recommended for beginners who struggle with action, as it enables reaching high places that would otherwise be inaccessible and recovering from falls.

The "Dash Power" badge increases running speed and enables longer jumps. It is helpful for players who prefer speed-oriented play or those who attempt time attacks.

The "Parachute" badge allows you to descend slowly in the air, making it convenient when you want to precisely control your landing spot or avoid fall damage.

The "Wall Kick Enhancement" badge significantly increases the height and distance of wall jumps, allowing for more freedom in movement using walls. It is particularly effective in vertically long stages or places requiring wall jumps.

The "Coin Magnet" badge automatically attracts nearby coins, making it ideal for players who want to streamline coin collection.

All of these badges are powerful, but it is important to choose them according to the characteristics of the stage and your own strengths and weaknesses. For example, in stages with many jumps, you might choose the "Jump Master," while in stages with many enemies, you would select badges that enhance attack power. Adapting your choices to the situation is the key to conquering the game.

Advanced Badge Combination Techniques

The badge system allows different approaches to the same stage by changing the equipped badges. Advanced players enjoy the challenge of deliberately choosing high-difficulty badges or seeking hidden routes that can only be cleared with specific badges, adding further depth to the game. For example, combining with the "Dash Power" to find shortcut routes that are normally impossible creates new strategies by understanding the characteristics of badges. The badge system significantly enhances the replayability of this title.

A New Experience in Online Multiplayer

Super Mario Bros. Wonder has significantly enhanced its online multiplayer features. In addition to traditional local co-op play, players can connect online with others around the world to enjoy a new cooperative experience. The online functionality is one of the major attractions of this title, offering a distinct enjoyment that differs from solo play.

Up to 4 Players Can Play Simultaneously

In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, up to 4 players can enjoy cooperative play online simultaneously. Whether forming a party with friends to tackle stages or cooperating with unknown players, both options are possible. In cooperative play, players can advance through the stages while helping each other, making stages that are difficult alone easier to overcome with teammates.

The charm of cooperative play lies in the ability to learn by observing the actions of other players. By watching advanced players, you can discover efficient routes or hidden item locations, and learn strategies you may not have considered. Additionally, experiencing the effects of Wonder Flowers simultaneously with multiple players provides excitement and enjoyment that differs from solo play.

Live Ghost and Stamp Features

A distinctive feature of online multiplayer is the "Live Ghost" system. This function displays the presence of other players playing the same stage as a translucent ghost on the screen. While Live Ghosts do not affect actual gameplay, being able to see where other players are struggling and which routes they are choosing is useful for reference during play.

Additionally, you can communicate with other players using the "Stamp Function." By placing a stamp in certain locations within a stage, you can share information such as "There’s a hidden item here" or "Danger ahead!"

Stamps serve as an intuitive communication tool that transcends language barriers, creating an environment where players can help each other while playing around the world.

Additionally, there is a mechanism where approaching stamps left by other players grants a temporary power-up effect. This allows players to indirectly assist each other even if they do not meet directly.

A Helping System That Ensures Beginners Feel Comfortable

The online multiplayer mode includes a "Helping System" designed to support beginners. If a player makes a mistake and falls during a stage, nearby players may rush to help revive them. This system allows players to continue playing until the end, even on difficult stages. Furthermore, players can earn rewards such as coins by helping others, fostering a culture of mutual assistance. The online multiplayer is designed to prioritize cooperation over competition, creating an environment where everyone from beginners to advanced players can enjoy.

New Characters "Daisy" and "Yoshi" Appear

In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the options for playable characters have greatly expanded. In addition to Mario and Luigi, a variety of characters including Daisy and Yoshi are now playable, each with their own unique traits. Character selection is not just a matter of appearance; it is an important factor that influences gameplay as well.

Choose from 12 Playable Characters

In this game, you can choose your favorite character from a total of 12 playable characters. The available characters include Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad (blue, yellow), Toadette (blue, yellow), and Yoshi (green, red, yellow, light blue).

Daisy has gained attention for becoming the first truly playable character in the Mario series. She offers players a fresh experience with her unique voice and animations, while maintaining basic performance similar to Princess Peach.

Yoshi comes in four color variations for you to choose from based on your visual preferences. Yoshi and Toad have abilities adjusted for beginners, allowing players to return without taking damage even if they fall into a pit, making the design forgiving of mistakes. This enables individuals who struggle with action games, as well as small children, to play with confidence.

Characters can be changed not only at the start of the game but also anytime on the world map. This flexibility allows players to choose Yoshi for difficult stages, and then switch back to Mario once they become more accustomed to the game.

Individual Traits and Abilities of Each Character

The characters are broadly classified into two groups: "Standard Characters" and "Easy Characters."

Standard Characters consist of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad (blue, yellow), and Toadette (blue, yellow). These characters share the same basic performance level, where falling into a pit results in a mistake, and touching enemies incurs damage. They are suited for those who want to play at the normal difficulty level of the Mario series.

On the other hand, the easy character Yoshi (all colors) has the ability to automatically return even if he falls into a hole. Additionally, he does not take damage when touching enemies; instead, he simply gets knocked back temporarily. However, he reacts normally to instant-death traps like spikes and lava. The easy characters are the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy the game until the end but are not good at action.

Each character also has unique voices and animations, and their reactions and movements during gameplay are subtly different. This allows for a fresh experience when playing through the same stage with different characters. Character selection is one of this game's excellent accessibility features, allowing for flexible adjustment according to the player's skill level and preferences.

Evolved Graphics and Sound

Super Mario Brothers Wonder has set a new standard for visual and sound aspects in the 2D Mario series. The beautifully distinct graphics and dynamically changing musical presentation separate it from previous works and invite players into a new Mario world. The graphics and sound in this game are not just superficial decorations but are important elements closely tied to gameplay.

Adoption of Vivid 3D Graphics

This game adopts vividly colored graphics through 3D rendering, unlike the traditional 2D Mario series. Characters and backgrounds are created with 3D models, yet the gameplay maintains the traditional 2D side-scrolling format. This approach successfully balances beautiful visuals with a simple and easy-to-understand gameplay experience.

The character animations have also significantly improved, with Mario's movements now smoother and more expressive. Every action, including jumping, running, and reacting to damage, features detailed animations that visually convey the character's emotions and states.

The background design has greatly evolved from previous works. Each world has its own unique theme and color palette, with various environments such as forests, deserts, and snowy plains vividly expressed. Moreover, the backgrounds are filled with fine details, allowing players to enjoy just observing the scenery while playing.

Musical Presentation Changes with the Wonder Effect

The music in this game dynamically changes in conjunction with stage transformations brought about by Wonder Flowers. During normal times, a calm BGM plays, but when entering Wonder state, the music dramatically shifts, adding presentation according to the stage changes. For instance, in stages where pipes start singing, the BGM itself becomes part of the stage, creating new enjoyment through rhythm-based gameplay.

Additionally, environmental sounds and SE (sound effects) are crafted with great care. Sounds from collecting coins, stomping enemies, and jumping are familiar from the traditional Mario series, alongside many new sound effects. These sounds not only provide auditory feedback but also function as intuitive cues for the player, indicating whether their actions were successful.

Singing Mario and Emotional Expression

In this game, characters including Mario have been given the ability to sing or express themselves audibly during gameplay. In certain stages, Mario hums along to the BGM or shouts, "Wow!" This presentation gives the characters a sense of life and enhances the connection with players. Additionally, unexpected musical events may occur during Wonder states, packing surprises and enjoyment on the sound front.

Changes and Improvements from Previous Series

Super Mario Bros. Wonder has undergone many changes and improvements from the traditional 2D Mario series. These changes are not just about adding new elements; they include a fundamental re-evaluation of game design, realizing a freer and more comfortable playing experience.

Freedom to Explore with the Abolition of Time Limits

One of the most significant changes in this game is the abolition of time limits in stages. In the traditional Mario series, each stage had a time limit, and failing to reach the goal within that time resulted in a miss. However, this restriction has been removed in this installment, allowing players to explore stages without worrying about time.

This change has made the search for hidden items and Wonder Seeds much more enjoyable. Without the need to rush to the goal, players can take their time to examine every corner of the stage or repeatedly attempt difficult jumps. This change symbolizes that this game places emphasis on exploration and wonder experiences.

Revamped World Map and Progression System

The design of the world map has also been completely overhauled. While previous titles featured mostly linear maps, the map in this game is more expansive and rich in exploratory elements. Hidden paths and secret stages are placed on the map, and collecting Wonder Seeds unlocks new areas.

Moreover, the order of stage progression has become more flexible. Players can choose from multiple stages to play, so if they get stuck on a challenging stage, they can challenge another stage, improve their skills, and then return. This flexible progression system allows players to enjoy the game at their own pace.

Difficulty Adjustment and Improved Accessibility

This game has significantly improved difficulty adjustment and accessibility to cater to a wide range of players. Features like the introduction of easy characters, a badge system for ability customization, and an online assistance system provide robust support for beginners. At the same time, there are many challenging high-difficulty stages and collection elements for advanced players, ensuring that all players can find enjoyment suited to their skill levels.

Summary: The Innovation of Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Bros. Wonder features a host of innovative new elements, including unpredictable stage changes due to Wonder Flowers, a variety of power-ups such as Elephant Mario, a badge system that allows for customizable play styles, and robust online multiplayer options. As a completely new title in 11 years, it boldly evolves while preserving the traditions of the classic 2D Mario series. The removal of time limits and a diverse character selection also enhance accessibility, making this title a major attraction. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a must-play title not only for Mario fans but for all gamers. We encourage you to play this game and experience the new Mario world filled with surprises and discoveries.