Overview:

What should, essentially, be a numbered Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Wonder carries on the tradition of a side-scrolling Mario platformer.  Throughout the levels you’ll encounter all sorts of enemies who span the entire Mario history.  You’ll also be introduced to new power-ups seemingly in every level.  The main thing which makes this game are the Wonder seeds which are hidden through the level that cause all sorts of magical things to happen to the level.  These effects vary widely and you never know what’s going to happen on the first playthrough.  If you have the capability, you can also play this game with multiple people at once but boy is it hectic.

Visuals:

Nintendo seems to have made magic with how Mario Wonder looks as the visuals look sharp and the characters look as good as ever.  As I said in the overview, when the Wonder effects are applied, all sorts of crazy things can happen.  The levels can become artistic representations of themselves or you can get a drug fueled trip through the mind of Nintendo.  Either way it won’t disappoint.  I also do love the elephant versions of people when they get the power-up as it just makes them look like they’re having trouble doing anything.

Audio:

Nintendo doesn’t have problem with the audio side of Mario as well as everything sounds the way it should.  You’ll get the usual sounds from the characters as well as the levels each having their own little charm.  The yelling of “WONDER” is great to hear as you know something is going to happen.  I’m not a fan of the little flowers as I feel they talk a little too much, but what can you do?

Completion:

Nintendo, in my eyes, doesn’t know what they want to do with Mario.  The levels just have too much going on for their own good.  You’ll get new powers throughout every level, it seems.  You also have so many challenges you don’t really know where to go.  I just wanted a simple platforming game but they decided to make it just aggravating.  I’m not a fan of the controls as everything has too much momentum or not enough control.  I’m probably just a Mario World dinosaur, but that’s where I really made my bones.  I want to like this game but I just really don’t get it.