If there is one thing that is common among allMariogames, it’s the power-ups. There are classics like the Super Mushroom that turns Mario big, the Fire Flower which lets him to shoot fireballs, and the Super Star which grants invincibility. Getting a new mainline game means new power-ups too likeSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’sElephant Fruit which literally turns Mario into an elephant.
This new game has more than power-ups to give players an edge though. There is a new mechanic inSuper Mario Bros. Wondercalled Badges. Players can earn Badges in levels or buy them. There are passive and active abilities for players to test out. So, of the many in the game, here are the ones to look forward to.
8Coin Reward
Earn Coins Through Kills
Coin Reward is a simple Badge that will give players Gold Coins upon defeating enemies. It’s kind of like earning experience points in an RPG by stomping baddies but through money instead. Gold Coins, as is the case with most Mario games, are collected to get extra lives.
The only downside to this Badge is that they only give players Gold Coins and not Purple Coins. Purple Coins are used in shops to buy Badges along with several other items inSuper Mario Bros. Wonderlike standeesand 1-Up Mushrooms.
7All Bubble Power
Power-Ups Become Bubble Flowers
The Bubble Flower is one of the new power-ups inSuper Mario Bros. Wonderalongside the Elephant Fruit. It will shoot out bubbles that will trap enemies and destroy them in bubbles. Players can also jump on top of bubbles which is useful for platforming.
All Bubble Power is a Badge that will turn all power-ups obtained in a level to Bubble Flowers. This includes Super Mushrooms which only pop out when players are small heroes. There are other versions of this Badge for all power-ups in the game too.
6Safety Bounce
Avoid Death
Safety Bounce is a Badge that will help with one of the biggest foes for Mario and his pals: pits. With this Badge equipped, players can survive one tumble into a pit. They will simply bounce out and this charge will reset when players actually do die and come back at a checkpoint.
It’s not as good as eliminating pits altogether but it is a start. There are some levels where this Badge will come in handy more than others, so keep it on thePoplin Shop bucket list for future purchases inSuper Mario Bros. Wonder.
5Dolphin Kick
Swim Underwater Better
One of the banes of platformersis water levels. There have been ways theMarioseries has navigated through the water such as the Frog Suit inSuper Mario Bros. 3. InSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, players can get a Badge called Dolphin Kick.
Once this Badge is equipped, players can mash the R Button on the Switch to propel themselves forward. This even works on other liquids in the game which might be a bit of a spoiler to get into more. Overall, Dolphin Kick makes underwater levels a breeze but the Badge is more limited.
4Sensor
Find Hidden Treasures
Sensor is another very useful Badge, but it has a limited use. Once equipped, players will get a notification in a level if they are close to a Purple Coin or a Wonder Flower. Purple Coins are great as they can help buy things, as was established already, but the big use here pertains to the Wonder Flowers.
The Wonder Flowers will lead players into some truly bizarre platforming experiences which are the highlight of the game. Also, players will get a Wonder Seed at the end which is needed to unlock certain stages in the game.
3Coin Magnet
Gather Coins Through Magnetism
Coin Magnet is an easy Badge to understand as it will attract Gold and Purple Coins. This will eliminate the need to gather them in the game although it is not perfect. The Badge doesn’t have a tornado-like effect that can gather various coins from long distances.
This Badge operates a lot like the skill, Munny Magnet, seen in a few of theKingdom Heartsgames which may have inspired Coin Magnet. Even though it was an April Fools prank in EGM back in the late 2000s, it still would be cool to see Mario interact with Sora outside ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
2Grappling Vine
Swing Around Like Donkey Kong
Grappling Vine is a Badge that will turn Mario and his pals into the titularBionic Commandofrom Capcom’s retro series. Players can shoot out a vine and it will stick to walls. Players can even cling onto a wall in case they need time to think about what their next move should be.
It’s fun zipping around levels with the Badge equipped. It, like most Badges, could be better though. Asa grappling hook-like device, its range is limited because it only shoots straight. Players cannot, for example, try to grapple onto ceilings.
1Parachute Cap
Add Glides To Jumps
Parachute Cap is the Badge that is advertised on the box and it will be the first major traversal one that players will unlock. As the first, it’s also the best because its use is versatile. With the click of the R Button on Switch, characters will sprout a giant hat which will let them glide.
It even works for non-hat characters like Princess Peach and Princess Daisy. Now, if players choose to bea Yoshi characterthen there is no need since Yoshis can flutter jump. Overall, the satisfaction one can get with the Parachute Cap is immense especially if they skirt death time and time again from those pesky pits.
