[GameSpot] - Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Release Date, Elephant Mario, And Everything We Know

[343iBot]

It might be the twilight of the Switch after almost seven years of action, but it looks like the console is going out with a bang if Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an indicator of what to expect before the next Nintendo generation is announced. A colorful return to the 2D glory days of the franchise, this is the first 2D Mario game in over a decade, as the last couple of years have seen ports, remakes, and an excellent launch title for the Switch that took place in a 3D world.

Announced during the June 2023 Nintendo Direct, Super Mario Bros. Wonder joins a number of other highly anticipated games coming to Switch over the next couple of months. As you'd expect, this new Super Mario Bros. entry is colorful, features plenty of power-ups, and it'll be out soon. Here's everything that we know about Super Mario Bros. Wonder so far, from its release date to its pachyderm power-up that took the internet by storm.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder release date and platform

Super Mario Bros. Wonder will arrive on October 20 for the Nintendo Switch, and preorders are already available for both physical and digital editions of the game. October is already a busy month on the gaming calendar, and for now, Super Mario Bros. Wonder faces competition from Alan Wake 2, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Just Dance 2024.

Gameplay

Mechanically, Super Mario Bros. Wonder looks like a Mario game that isn't venturing too far from its tried-and-trusted 2D gameplay, but there's a new creative layer here that stems from a key new feature in this game. Wonder Flowers are a new collectible that you'll pick up in Mario's journey, and these flowers can rewrite the reality of the Mushroom Kingdom around you. Warp pipes come alive, Mario gains a noodle body, and characters transform in weird ways to add a new level of chaos to each run in a level.

Graphically, the game also looks like it's pushing the Switch to its limits, as this colorful jaunt has some of the most detailed environments and character designs ever seen in a Mario game. At its core, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is still all about that perfect run across a level, but with a more unpredictable design thanks to the Wonder Flowers, this could be one of the most surprising Mario games in recent memory.

Plus, you can transform Mario into an elephant now. We don't know what other new abilities that this power-up provides you with, but we do know that the Internet can't handle the idea of Elephant Mario without getting hot under the fan art collar.

Playable characters

Mario and Luigi once again headline their new game, and as seen in the reveal trailer, Toad, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, and Yoshi will all be playable as the gang unites to take on Bowser once again.

Multiplayer

As seen in the reveal trailer, up to four players can team up in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and it looks like you can use any combo of characters to explore the Mushroom Kingdom. If you want to have a quartet of Marios or a tag team of Daisies in your session, the game will allow for those team combinations. We're not certain yet if the game will have couch cooperative play, but Nintendo's first-party Mario games usually allow for at least two players to join forces in local sessions.

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