Believe it or not, it's been over 10 years since Nintendo released a new classic side-scrolling adventure for its best-selling mascot, Mario. And, while there's a smorgasbord of such Mario games to choose from on the Nintendo Switch, a new one is coming later this year, much to the surprise of many.
Confirmed at the June 21 Nintendo Direct, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is Nintendo's latest take on the established Mario formula and it's definitely something.
The gameplay trailer, which reveals that the game is coming out on the Nintendo Switch on October 20, has drawn mixed reactions from fans but not necessarily because it's bad - it's just different.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder marks a nostalgic return to the 2D side-scrolling action that has been a hallmark of the series. Its imminent release continues Mario's big year after the success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie and the opening of the Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Following the recent spinoffs and 3D ventures, Super Mario Bros. Wonder represents a refreshing retreat to the side-scrolling roots of the franchise. The game's design shares similarities with the New Super Mario Bros. series but is markedly updated with new visual embellishments, adversaries, and power-ups. One of the most unusual additions is a power-up for Mario that transforms him into an elephant. This showcases how the new game breaks boundaries, adding an extra layer of fun and novelty to the traditional Mario experience.
