Nintendo Unveils Exciting New Features for Super Mario Bros. Wonder

On a rather underwhelming MAR10 Day (seriously, Nintendo, how about a tease for a new Super Mario 3D game?), we did get a treasure trove of fresh info about the upcoming Switch 2 version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, set to launch at the end of this month. It looks like there are some significant changes in store, especially for those who enjoy multiplayer fun with friends. Just be ready to shell out $80.

This game is being packaged similarly to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury for the original Switch, featuring a re-release of the main game along with a brand-new area. However, instead of the open-world experience that fans have been craving, we’re getting a unique hub world called Bellabel Park, which connects a variety of new multiplayer and training modes—quite a few, in fact. Plus, there are plenty of fresh ways to experience the original game.

Bellabel Park is primarily focused on a range of multiplayer games that feel like a Mario Party Lite, all themed around the shape-shifting mechanics of Wonder. This is just the first of the “Attractions” available. Local Multiplayer Plaza allows you and three friends to dive into 17 different minigames, utilizing the Switch 2’s GameShare feature, so only one person needs to own the game. Then there’s Game Room Plaza, which supports local or online multiplayer with up to 12 players competing in six different events. Tour Plaza connects six courses, letting you compete, collaborate, or form teams, although the trailer introduces this concept at a breakneck pace that even my ADHD struggles to follow.

The second Attraction is Camp Central, featuring Toad Brigade Training Camp, where you and your friends can tackle courses from the main game, now with a staggering 74 specific challenges to complete. You can play with up to four players on the same Switch 2. These challenges unlock as you progress through the main game, which seems a bit counterintuitive for a training mode, but I’ve learned not to question Nintendo’s logic.

Engaging in these sections will earn you Bellabel Water, which is used to nurture plants in the hub. Why not just use regular water? Because of The Man. Watered plants bloom into beautiful flowers that you can use to decorate your park. You can also cultivate new emojis to show off to other players or grow “instrument flowers” that, when harvested, contribute to a marching band that parades around your park. So, for those who were upset that the original Wonder didn’t feature a wandering band playing homemade instruments, your wishes have been granted.

The main game isn’t left untouched either. Rosalina, Nintendo’s latest favorite, is now a playable character, and there are new Koopalings hiding throughout the courses for you to discover. A new power allows your character to transform into a flower, enabling you to toss flowers into the air to break blocks and attack enemies, or granting you a double jump with a floaty descent.

A notable change that’s somewhat glossed over in the fast-paced trailer is the ability to combine two different badges while playing, merging abilities like “Auto Super Mushroom + All Elephant Power” and “Spring Feet + Invisibility.”

Next up is Rosalina’s Mario Galaxy companion, a Luna star, which can be added to two-player games and controlled by another player in mouse mode. There’s also a new Assist Mode, essentially an invulnerability option that you can toggle on or off at any time. Imagine explaining that to a ’90s 2D Mario fan—they’d probably be shocked! But for those who struggled with the original game, this feature allows you to push through tough spots, and for parents with young kids who just want to see the funny character jump around in vibrant levels, they can do so without the constant threat of failure.

You can still grab the original version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder for the Switch 1 for $60, while the boxed price for the Switch 2’s Bellabel Park edition is set at $80. An Upgrade Pack for those who already own the original will be available for $20, although the digital edition is currently unpriced and not available for pre-order. The release is scheduled for March 26.