Super Mario Bros. Wonder (NSP, XCI) ROM + v1.0.1 Update

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a 2023 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It is the first traditional side-scrolling Super Mario game since New Super Mario Bros. U (2012). The game received critical acclaim.

GAMEPLAY

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a side-scrolling platform game. As one of the eight-player characters—Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad, Toadette, Nabbit, and Yoshi—the player completes levels across the Flower Kingdom with assistance from its flower-like denizens. Similarly to previous Super Mario games, players guide their character to the end of a level while avoiding enemies, such as Goombas and Piranha Plants, and transporting through Warp Pipes. Each stage contains multiple collectible “Wonder Seeds”.

New power-ups include a fruit that transforms the player into an elephant, a flower that allows the player to create bubbles that capture enemies, and a mushroom that gives the player a drill hat that allows them to burrow into the ground or ceiling to evade enemies or bypass obstacles.

Wonder introduces the Wonder Flower, which triggers bizarre effects such as pipes coming to life, hordes of enemies spawning, and character appearances and abilities changing. The effects end when a player captures a Wonder Seed or leaves the area of effect.

A new feature allows players to equip badges, which are unlocked throughout the game and give different perks. They are divided into three different types: Action Badges, which grant the player character an additional ability, Boost Badges, which give the player character an additional passive ability, and Expert Badges, which grant the player character an advanced skill. Only one badge can be activated at a time per level. They are usually optional and can be shut off for higher difficulty. The game supports local multiplayer for up to four players. It has some online multiplayer functionality.

SETTING AND STORY

Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, and an entourage of Toads and Yoshis are invited to the neighboring Flower Kingdom by its ruler, Prince Florian, to see a demonstration of a Wonder Flower; great treasures of the Flower Kingdom that can warp reality. Bowser interrupts the ceremony and seizes the Wonder Flower, using its power to merge with Prince Florian’s castle, turning himself into a giant flying fortress and imprisoning the citizens of the Flower Kingdom.

Mario volunteers to help Prince Florian defeat Bowser and restore order to the land, with his friends following suit. Prince Florian accompanies the party, wearing badges that enhance the group’s abilities. As Mario, Prince Florian, and the gang work to collect the Wonder Seeds and save the captured Poplins, they realize that gathering six Royal Seeds, which are considered precious treasures in the Flower Kingdom, will grant access to Castle Bowser, which is protected by six Cloud Piranhas. While setting out to find the Seeds, the gang goes through Kamek’s battleships and battles Bowser Jr.

After freeing the various regions of the Flower Kingdom from the control of Bowser Jr. and removing Bowser’s defenses, Mario and friends confront Bowser on his flying castle, where he reveals his plan to use the Wonder Flowers’ power to enslave the universe with rhythm. The party defeats Bowser and returns the Flower Kingdom to normal, with Bowser, Bowser Jr., and Kamek fleeing in humiliation.