Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Mario's triumphant return to 2D

At the start of the game, Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, the Toads, Yoshi, and Nabbit are invited by Prince Florian to visit the Flower Kingdom. During the presentation of a mysterious Wonder Flower, Bowser appears, touches the flower, and merges with Florian's castle, turning into Castle Bowser. He uses the flower's power to spread chaos, imprison the Poplin inhabitants, and take over the kingdom. The heroes then have to cross six main worlds - Pipe-Rock Plateau, Fluff-Puff Peaks, Shining Falls, Sunbaked Desert, Fungi Mines, and Deep Magma Bog - collecting Royal Seeds and defeating Bowser Jr. and his forces in order to restore peace.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a 2.5D platformer that can be played solo or with up to four players at once. Beyond Mario and Luigi, the roster includes Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Yellow and Blue Toad, Toadette, four Yoshis, and Nabbit. Nabbit and Yoshi are ideal for newcomers: they do not take direct damage from touching enemies, and they can even carry other players on their backs.

The game's signature mechanic is the Wonder Flower. Once you touch it, the stage can begin to shift in strange ways or the character may transform into something completely different. Every level contains one Wonder Flower, and activating it triggers a Wonder Effect that changes how the stage behaves before eventually leading to a Wonder Seed. These effects can make pipes come alive, turn Piranha Plants into singers, or transform the cast into unexpected forms. After the Wonder Seed is collected, the flower becomes gray and transparent.

Another major addition is the badge system, inspired by series like Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi. Badges are unlocked through dedicated challenges or bought with flower coins, and they can be equipped before a stage begins or after losing a life. There are 24 of them in total, divided into nine Action Badges, eleven Boost Badges, and four Expert Badges designed for more advanced play.

Alongside classic power-ups, Mario and friends can transform into several new forms:

Elephant Form - boosts raw strength, allowing the player to break blocks and push obstacles. The trunk can hit enemies and hold water; when swung, it can water dried flowers or cool down heated objects.

Bubble Form - shoots bubbles that track enemies and defeat them quickly. The bubbles can also be used as temporary platforms; they travel in a straight line and pop when stepped on. A spin jump while firing bubbles launches projectiles to both sides.

Drill Form - lets the player burrow into floors and ceilings to reach hidden areas or surprise enemies. The drill on top of the character's head also protects against attacks from above.

Fire Form - the traditional Fire Flower returns. It throws bouncing fireballs that can melt ice blocks, and the player can fire while crouching or during a spin jump.

Together, these transformations keep the pacing varied and reward experimentation.

With the Nintendo Switch 2 on the way, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is getting an expanded version on March 26, 2026 called Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park. Beyond the base game, this release adds a new multiplayer space set inside Bellabel Park, which is split into two main areas.

Local Multiplayer Plaza gathers 17 co-op and competitive attractions where up to four people can play on one console or through GameShare.

Game Room Plaza enables online or local wireless multiplayer and offers six attractions that support up to 12 players, whether they are working together or competing against one another.

Other additions include Toad Brigade Training Camp, a challenge mode built around movement practice and stage techniques; Assist Mode, which gives beginners extra protection from falls and enemy damage; and new playable characters, with Rosalina joining the roster and Luma appearing whenever two or more players are present. Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings also return with new challenge stages tied to Bellabel Park treasures.

Nintendo also updated the game through version 1.1.0, adding support for the Elephant Mario, Poplin and Prince Florian, and Captain Toad and Talking Flower amiibo line, along with Polish language support, a user-selection screen on startup, and broader fixes. On Switch 2, that update also adds a direct shortcut to the Nintendo eShop and compatibility with the new edition.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder was received extremely well, especially for its creativity and refreshed animated aesthetic. In February 2024, Nintendo announced that the game had sold 11.96 million copies worldwide, making it one of the fastest-selling 2D Mario games ever released. That figure will likely rise again with the arrival of the Switch 2 edition.

Nintendo Switch - The original version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is available in both physical and digital formats for Nintendo Switch. It can be played solo or in local and online co-op, and it supports several languages.

Nintendo Switch 2 - The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park launches in March 2026 and will be sold either as an upgrade for owners of the original Switch version or as a complete package. The upgrade adds Bellabel Park attractions and new multiplayer modes.

Compatible amiibo - New Elephant Mario, Poplin and Prince Florian, and Captain Toad and Talking Flower amiibo launch alongside the Switch 2 edition and unlock bonuses and extra content.

The renewed attention around Super Mario Bros. Wonder comes from a mix of its original success and the promise of meaningful additions in the Nintendo Switch 2 release. Social platforms are once again circulating clips of bizarre Wonder Flower effects, Elephant Mario transformations, and discussions about Bellabel Park's competitive modes. Rosalina becoming playable and the idea of bringing up to 12 players together in one mode have added even more anticipation. With a structure that welcomes newcomers but still gives experienced players room to optimize, Super Mario Bros. Wonder continues to position itself as one of the most flexible entries in the series.