Nintendo has unveiled its latest 2D side scrolling Mario Game at his Direct on June 21and to the unwary eye it might have seemed like a familiar return to the world New Super Mario Bros. Spin-offs from before. But long-time fans quickly noticed that Super Mario Bros Wonder looks full of animated flourishes that might make it something much more.
The premise of Super Mario Bros Wonder is that Mario and up to three other characters progress through 2D platforming levels that change in real-time thanks to a trippy Wonder Flower power-up. Luigi, Peach and Toad are also joined by Yoshi and Daisy this time, and everyone can do it turn into an elephant. But what’s already getting fans so excited are the small touches that give the impression that Nintendo is really trying to breathe extra life into the retro presentation.
“I haven’t seen that kind of personality and style since the days of 2D sprites. Nice,” wrote Twitter user StephenJPlant alongside screenshots of some of Mario’s new facial expressions Wonder while pounding the ground. “Compare these with theirs NSMB Series equivalents are pretty hilarious” added GuyWithThePie. “Nintendo was really okay with 2D Mario looking like this for about six games.”
through WonderIn the Game of Thrones trailer, you can see Mario making a variety of different faces and gestures as he runs, jumps, and climbs. Brief snippets of characters like Peach and Daisy suggest they have a similar variety of expressions. Nintendo has always been acclaimed for its attention to small details that result in a smooth and tactile platforming experience that is greater than the sum of its parts, and these additions are a perfect example of that.
Originally released on the Nintendo DS, this is New Super Mario Bros. series offered a 2D version of the hit franchise to complement the plumber’s 3D sandbox adventures on console. However, the games were never quite as good as the NES, SNES, Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games they spiritually embodied, even as the sub-series made its way onto the Wii and Wii U.
With Wonderthe first new Mario game since Super Mario Odyssey Six years ago, it looks like Nintendo will take it a step further. Some fans worry that the 2D game will just be a stopover to end the Switch’s run until a sequel is released. However, Nintendo rarely indulges in half-heartedness, especially when it comes to flagship hardware around the holiday season. Hopefully Wonder plays as good as it looks when it releases on October 20th. You can click through the slideshow at the top of the post for a sneak peek at some of the other bespoke expressions fans called out in the trailer.
