Super Mario Bros.fans have been itching for a new game for a very long time. The last truly original entry in the iconic 2D platforming series wasNew Super Mario Bros. Uin 2012, and since the release of the Switch, fans have had to get by with the nearly identicalNew Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. Years of patience have paid off, however, as atthe most recent Nintendo Directthe company announcedSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, a bold new step for the franchise both in terms of gameplay and art direction. Better yet, it’s set to release in just a few months.
Super Mario Bros. Wonderlooks to shake up theSuper Mario Bros.formula in more ways than one. The game’s reveal trailer featured some of the most inspired visuals theSuper Mariofranchise has seen in a long time, and new power-ups like Elephant Mario already demonstrate how Nintendo is back to its crafty and experimental ways. The game will also feature a new roster, with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, and Toad serving asWonder’s playable characters. This roster opens up some fascinating opportunities forSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, opportunities that could bring the game to whole other level.
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Super Mario Bros. Wonder Could Have an Expansive Roster
One ofthe biggest surprises fromSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s revealwas its playable characters. Not only was it exciting for many to see Peach and Yoshi as core characters, but fans of Daisy were delighted to see the princess of Sarasaland as a playable character in something other than aSuperMariospin-off game. This willingness by Nintendo to includeMariocharacters who usually don’t get the spotlight creates an opportunity forSuper Mario Bros. Wonderto take an approach similarSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatewhen it comes to building an impressive roster.
The Mushroom Kingdom is rife with colorful characters. Many of those characters, however, are often relegated to series likeMario PartyorMario Kartand aren’t playable in mainlineMariotitles.Super Mario Bros. Wondercould be a chance for those characters to take the spotlight, much likeSuper Smash Bros. Ultimategave attention to gaming names of varying popularity. Some obvious additions include Wario and Waluigi, but Nintendo could cast a wide net and bring in the likes of Donkey Kong and Toadsworth too. It would all be in service of makingSuper Mario Bros. Wondera unique celebration of the franchise.
A Deep Roster Can Give Super Mario Bros. Wonder Longevity
In addition to some exciting variety, a substantial roster would giveSuper Mario Bros. Wondersome essential longevity. It’s unlikely that there are any fans who would want to wait anotherten years betweenSuper Mario Bros.entries, but if there is another sizable gap between entries, a large, varied roster would help supportWonder’s replayability.Super Mario Bros.games usually aren’t 100 hour experiences, but with a deep roster, fans could playWondermultiple times over and have a new experience each time. It would just be up to Nintendo whether to make those characters unlockable or some kind of DLC.
Super Mario Bros. Wonderlooks to be a major step forwardfor the franchise. After over a decade of the same gameplay fundamentals and art direction, Nintendo is taking Mario and friends in a bold new direction.Wonder’s roster is an essential part of that evolution, allowing gamers to controlSuper Mariocharacters who are usually on the sidelines. Whether this is indicative of an initiative to give even more characters the spotlight remains to be seen, but there’s no doubting that aSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate-like roster inSuper Mario Bros. Wondercould elevate the game far above previous entries.
Super Mario Bros. Wonderreleases October 20 on the Nintendo Switch.
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