Super Mario Bros. Wonder: New Features Revealed by Nintendo
▼ Summary
– The Switch 2 version of *Super Mario Bros. Wonder* is a re-release that adds a new hub area called Bellabel Park, which features numerous multiplayer and training modes.
– Bellabel Park includes multiplayer “Attractions” like minigame plazas for local and online play, supporting up to 12 players, and uses the Switch 2’s GameShare feature.
– A second Attraction, Camp Central, offers new challenges for main game levels and allows up to four-player co-op on a single console.
– The main game itself is updated with new playable characters, hidden Koopalings, a new flower power-up, and the ability to combine two badges for enhanced abilities.
– The new version costs $80, with a $20 upgrade for existing owners, and includes an Assist Mode for invulnerability and new social features like growing decorative flowers and instruments.
While the recent MAR10 Day celebration may have left some fans hoping for a major new 3D Mario announcement, Nintendo has instead unveiled a substantial wave of new features for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Wonder re-release on the Switch 2. Slated for the end of March, this enhanced edition, packaged similarly to Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, bundles the original adventure with a massive new area and a host of gameplay additions, particularly focused on multiplayer fun. This isn’t a small update; it represents a significant expansion that fundamentally changes how players can interact with the game’s vibrant world.
The centerpiece of this new version is Bellabel Park, a unique hub world that serves as a gateway to a plethora of fresh multiplayer modes and training options. Unlike the open-world tease of Bowser’s Fury, Bellabel Park is structured as a connective space for various “Attractions.” The first of these is the Meetup in Bellabel Park, which offers a Mario Party-esque collection of minigames themed around the game’s signature Wonder transformations. This area is divided into several plazas: the Local Multiplayer Plaza allows four players to enjoy 17 different minigames using the Switch 2’s GameShare feature, meaning only one copy of the game is needed. The Game Room Plaza supports up to 12 players locally or online across six competitive events, while the Tour Plaza links six courses together for cooperative or team-based play.
The second major Attraction is Camp Central, home to the Toad Brigade Training Camp. Here, players can revisit levels from the main story campaign with up to three friends on a single console, tackling 74 specific new challenges. Interestingly, these challenges are unlocked by progressing in the main game, which seems more like an extension of the core experience than traditional training. Engaging with these sections earns players Bellabel Water, a special currency used to water plants throughout the hub. This gardening mechanic allows you to grow decorative flowers, unlock new emojis to communicate with others, and even cultivate “instrument flowers.” Harvesting these adds instruments to a wandering marching band that performs in your park, finally addressing a niche but passionate fan request.
The original Super Mario Bros. Wonder game hasn’t been left untouched either. Rosalina joins the roster as a new playable character, and mischievous Koopalings are now hidden throughout the courses for players to discover. A novel power-up transforms your character into a flower, enabling you to launch floral projectiles to break blocks and attack foes, or execute a floaty double-jump. Another substantial change, briefly shown in the trailer, is the new ability to pair two different badges simultaneously, creating powerful combinations like “Auto Super Mushroom + All Elephant Power.”
Further enhancements include the introduction of a Luma, Rosalina’s star companion from the Mario Galaxy games, which can assist in two-player modes and even be controlled by another player using a mouse. Perhaps most notably for accessibility, a new Assist Mode offers an invulnerability option that can be toggled at any time, allowing players of all skill levels to enjoy the game without frustration. This feature is a stark contrast to the punishing difficulty of classic 2D Mario titles but opens the experience to a wider audience, including younger players.
For those looking to jump into this expanded adventure, the new Bellabel Park edition will be available as a standalone physical release for the Switch 2. Owners of the original Switch version can upgrade via a digital Upgrade Pack. The original game remains available for the first Switch, providing options for players across Nintendo’s console ecosystem.
(Source: Kotaku)
