Flower Kingdom

On the surface, it would appear that Nintendo didn't have too bad of a year in 2023. Many great games were released over the months, including and, yet there was one glaring omission in Nintendo's lineup of games. One that could have been easily corrected and broke a decades-long streak that the company might not have even given enough attention to for them to know what they had done.

is already the most mind-bending and chaotic example of any game, yet it could be even more so with one tech-enhanced feature. The game brings Mario and his friends to the Flower Kingdom, where they witness Bowser take control of the magical Wonder Flower and transform not just Prince Florian's castle, but the entire kingdom, into a weirdly dark and sinister land. Naturally, Mario's crew eagerly jumps in to help defeat Bowser. Along the way, they get to see just how weird things can get with the Wonder Flower's mystical magic, which is somewhat more of a psychedelic, drug-induced episode than any traditional ideas of witchcraft.

With all the magical Wonder Effects that can take place in , things can get pretty wild just on their own, but with the addition of all the myths and rumors circulating the internet, it can be hard to know what is genuinely part of the game. There are many fun features and abilities that the new power-ups can provide, and the mystical distortions of the Wonder Flower can turn everything upside-down. This makes even some of the most outrageous myths online sound fairly plausible for a game where pretty much anything can happen.

The Flower Kingdom adventures of have entertained fans of classic side-scrolling platforming action, but some veteran Mario aficionados were concerned that Prince Florian might have held a secret that would be bad news for the high-jumping plumber. Florian is a diminutive creature with a body similar to a Wiggler, the caterpillar-like entities introduced in. Wigglers are shown with flowers growing from their heads, which makes Florian’s design a good fit for the royalty of the Flower Kingdom. However, the Flower Kingdom appeared much earlier in an obscure chapter of Mario’s history, and that connection could have set Prince Florian up as a potential rival.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder sends Mario and pals to the Flower Kingdom, where a whole batch of threatening lifeforms are just begging to be stomped on by our heroes. While many invasive species from the Mushroom Kingdom also exist in the Flower Kingdom — like the Goomba, Koopa, Spiny, and Piranha Plant — this game is full of brand-new strange little creatures.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder single-handedly makes the case that 2D Mario shouldn't be relegated to second-tier status in the modern Mario canon.

doesn't have any announced DLC at this point, but with the multiplayer aspect and variety of playable characters, it is fun to think about what other familiar friends from the universe would be great to have included in this 2D platformer. In the game, all characters play identically to each other with the exceptions of Yoshi and Nabbit. They are used to create more of an easy mode for the game, being invincible to damage but also not benefiting from power-ups.

introduces many new power-ups and game mechanics in its magical setting that simultaneously have an element of novelty while adding a feeling of nostalgia for the games of years past. Many of its references and gameplay characteristics are obviously tied to the. 2D platformer adventures that kicked off the series. Its traditional side-scrolling feel and bright colors make it easy to reminisce about much of its heritage, but the brand-new Elephant Fruit power-up subtly suggests another beloved series as well.

By Jay Peters, a news editor who writes about technology, video games, and virtual worlds. He’s submitted several accepted emoji proposals to the Unicode Consortium.

Super Mario Bros Wonder is out now, and gamers have been enjoying much of what the game offers. There was a bit of a worry early on that things might be “too wacky” or “too weird” for their tastes, but it soon became clear that the game is a fountain of creativity that many gamers are definitely going to try and replicate in one form or another. However, little “oddities” made fans wonder if they wouldn’t like them. One of them is the “talking flower” that is prevalent throughout the Flower Kingdom and reacts to various things.

From the very first World 1has been known for its variety of memorable areas, and the new worlds in continue this legacy with a traditional design somehow made even more magical. Each world usually brings a focus on a new kind of terrain, whether delving into the sea with water levels or climbing to new heights in a mountainous land. hits on some of the classic elements, but it also brings a new flavor to shake things up through the new Wonder Flower that can completely transform an environment. Its worlds can also be navigated in a more freeform manner than usual, with some open areas that feature nonlinear level selection.

Side-scrolling games are classic, and few systems can compare to the massive roster of titles that the Nintendo Switch has within the genre!

Nintendo has a well-known history of having games on its systems that are appropriate for all-ages. Especially the kids. With the Switch being out for five years now, that’s a large library of titles you can pick from for your kids. Here are some that we personally recommend!

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one the most unusual and surreal spins on a 2D Mario game that Nintendo has released in a long time, and so far, fans have embraced the new style and liveliness. One of the game's most interesting stylistic upgrades is expanded voice-over work from characters, and apparently, this was once planned to be much more ambitious. In a recent Ask the Developer blog post coinciding with the launch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, game producer Takashi Tezuka and designer Koichi Hayashida spoke about many of the ideas that were worked on yet ended up being tossed into the development trash bin, including a live commentary feature that would praise - or judge - your every move.  According to game director Shiro Mori, Takashi pitched the idea of having live commentary on the game - just one of the ideas that the developers received via 2,000+ sticky notes. The concept went pretty far into the development, with a full six months of work done. It was used in internal play-tests and even included tsundere-style commentary, a personality that hides genuine tenderness behind a cold exterior and is especially popular in Japanese media .

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is officially out, and it’s downright superb. I absolutely loved playing this one prior to release, and I’m so excited the rest of you can experience this wonderful side-scrolling platformer too. I had to make that pun somewhere. I’m not going to apologize for it.

While many are doubtless busy swinging through Manhattan in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Nintendo Switch players are also eating well. Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the latest 2D side-scrolling title in the Mario series, is now available worldwide. Check out the launch trailer below.

Mario has been stomping Goombas, smashing blocks and running from left to right for damn near 40 years. How is Nintendo supposed to keep its classic side scroller feeling fresh after all this time? First, you shift the location to a brand new kingdom. Next, you introduce a bunch of new enemies and power-ups. But what really pushes things over the top is the introduction of a new mechanic that turns everything you think you know about Mario games on its head. What you get is Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a game that dazzles and delights while living up to its name in a variety of ways.

By Ash Parrish, a reporter who has covered the business, culture, and communities of video games for seven years. Previously, she worked at Kotaku.

Mario is a bit like a video game Jessica Fletcher. Just as murders always conveniently seem to happen around that fictional author, trouble follows Mario wherever he goes, and it’s pretty much always Bowser or Bowser Jr. shaped. That’s exactly what happens in Super Mario Bros. Wonder as Mario and all his Mushroom Kingdom pals decide to wander on over to the nearby Flower Kingdom and pay Prince Florian and the locals a visit. Big ol’ Bowser turns up, zooms in on his Koopa Clown Car, touches the Wonder Seed that everyone’s marvelling at, and promptly turns into an evil castle. Yes, really.

With its focus on new ideas over nostalgia, tight design and striking presentation, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is undoubtedly the plumber’s most memorable 2D outing since the 1990s.

Do you ever wonder what it would be like if someone commented on every decision you made in Mario? Well, according to a recent Super Mario Bros. Wonder developer interview, the idea of live commentary was tested for the game.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches on October 20 for Nintendo Switch.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder was once planned to feature live commentary, with one of the voices being a Tsundere character. Unfortunately, Nintendo cut this concept from the final version of the game, so you’ll never know whether the Talking Flowers like you or not.

Since Nintendo announced Super Mario Bros. Wonder, I’ve wondered, Why now? Why change Mario?

I’ve waited 30 years for Nintendo to release a game like Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

Mario-themed buses have appeared around London – and Nintendo is offering prizes if you spot one.

Super Mario Bros Wonder is set to introduce a big change to the Mushroom Kingdom as the voice of Mario passes on to a new actor. Who is the new voice of Mario, though?

With Super Mario Bros. Wonder out soon on the Nintendo Switch, actor Kevin Afghani revealed on Twitter that he voices Mario and Luigi.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder has leaked online, nearly a week ahead of its official release date.

The new voice of Mario has been officially announced.

It’s official: we have a new voice actor for Mario! And no, it isn’t Chris Pratt. Rumors swirled about who might take up the Italian plumber’s big shoes after longtime voice Charles Martinet announced his departure from the role. Well, it’s now confirmed that Mario, as well as Luigi, will be played by voice actor Kevin Afghani in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. It’s unknown if he will play the role in future titles.

Kevin Afghani has announced that he will be taking over as the voice of Mario and Luigi. Afghani will take over as the voice of Nintendo’s flagship mascot with Super Mario Bros. Wonder out October 20.

With minimal fanfare, Nintendo has finally confirmed the new voice of Mario in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and he has at least one thing in common with Charles Martinet in that you probably won't recognize much of his pre-Mario work.

Nintendo revealed in August that longtime Mario voice actor Charles Martinet would no longer be voicing Mario. Amongst speculation of a different voice actor for Mario in Super Mario Bros. Wonder trailers, Nintendo also announced Martinet was not jumpman's voice in the game, leaving fans to wonder who the new voice is. After months of internet sleuthing, guesswork, and more, Nintendo has confirmed that Genshin Impact voice actor Kevin Afghani is the new voice of Mario. 

There was a seismic shift in the gaming world a while back when it was revealed that Charles Martinet would stop being the main voice of Mario and several other Mushroom Kingdom characters for Nintendo games and other properties. Martinet was the voice of Mario and Co. for decades, and hearing that he was leaving was heartbreaking for many. Then, it was confirmed soon after that Nintendo had already cast a new voice actor for Mario and others for Super Mario Bros Wonder, the game that releases next week. However, they decided to stay tight-lipped on who it actually was.

By Ash Parrish, a reporter who has covered the business, culture, and communities of video games for seven years. Previously, she worked at Kotaku.

The new voice of Mario has been revealed: Kevin Afghani is the actor behind Mario (and Luigi) in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Nintendo confirmed on Friday. Afghani replaces actor Charles Martinet, who provided Mario’s chipper wahoos and it’s-a-mes for more than 25 years.

The new voice actor for both Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Bros. Wonder has been confirmed to be Kevin Afghani, who announced it himself on Twitter.

It was clear from the announcement trailer that Super Mario Bros Wonder would be unlike any title with Mario that we had seen before. That in and of itself was a bold thing to say because we’ve seen LOTS of Mario games over the years. However, with how the game looked and played in the trailer, Nintendo was clearly cooking up something special. Over the last several months, we’ve seen the wacky antics of the game via the Wonder Flower and the new power-ups and enemies, and Nintendo has outright admitted that this game is a “new phase” for the series.

Nintendo fans are very excited for next week to come because that’s when they’ll be able to get their hands on Super Mario Bros Wonder. The new 2D title with Mario and company looks to be one of the most unique adventures the crew has had in 2D in some time, and all indications are that this will be legendary to play. Nintendo certainly seems to think the game is special, as they’re going to great lengths to promote it across many platforms. You might have heard that the game is available as a demo in several stores across the US, and now, Nintendo is releasing mini-short movies about the game’s characters.

Are you searching for a way to play Super Mario Bros Wonder before its release date on the 20th? If so, you might have seen reports of people finding demo kiosks of the game like in the days of old. Fast forward to now, and not only has Nintendo talked about these demos, but they’ve revealed that they’ll be in more locations leading up to the release! Players have already been enjoying them in stores like Wal-Mart, but now you’ll be able to find them at Target, GameStop, and Best Buy. So if you have one of those stores near you, you know what to do!

While Nintendo has never given up on the 2D Mario games, there’s long been a sense they’re not the plucky plumber’s top-of-the-line products. The New Super Mario Bros. games are good, polished fun, but they’re a little simple, a little bland, compared to inventive 3D classics like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey. That said, could the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Wonder mark an end to this trend?

We’re less than a month away from the release of Super Mario Bros Wonder, and many people are wondering just how good the game will be. Just from the “eye test” level, gamers expect this to be a title that will be, at the very least, unique to play, given all the gimmicks thrown at it. But as time has gone on, they’ve noticed that this could be one of the deepest 2D experiences with Mario in some time. That’s not to say that past titles in this vein were bad, but instead, that Nintendo has truly taken things to the next level here.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches on October 20 for Nintendo Switch.

The Nintendo Switch might be aging, and fans could be looking forward to what’s coming next from the Nintendo console. With that said, some notable games are set to release on the Nintendo Switch. One of the big games that Nintendo unveiled earlier this year is a brand-new side-scrolling platformer for the Super Mario Bros. franchise. Today, we have another overview trailer to give fans of the franchise a look at what to expect when Super Mario Bros. Wonder. 

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is going to be the first new 2D Mario platformer in some time, and with the title promising a new approach to the series’ 2D line of games, there’s obviously plenty of excitement surrounding it. And ahead of its launch, which is now under a month away, Nintendo has released a new gameplay overview trailer for it.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder will seemingly allow players to mute the strange new Talking Flowers characters, which is good news for those of us who don't want to think about what Goombas taste like.

Update:

It's been 11 years since the last proper Mario side-scroller, a fact that surprises Nintendo's veteran exec Takashi Tezuka when I point it out. Tezuka has worked on dozens of projects since the launch of 2012's New Super Mario Bros. U — including Super Mario Maker, Nintendo's create-your-own-Mario sandbox. Still, such a wait for more handcrafted Mario levels seems notable.

After its rather trippy announcement earlier this summer, the Super Mario Bros. Wonder direct has revealed an awful lot more gameplay for the new 2D Mario platformer, coming out on 20th October 2023.

Side-scrolling 2D Super Mario games have mostly followed the same formula for three decades now — to immense success. At first blush, Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder — the first side-scrolling Super Mario game in 11 years — retains most of the iconic Mario touches we all know and love. However, it includes enough unique twists to make for what could be one of the freshest Super Mario titles in some time.

Have you ever wanted to play as Mario, but also be an Elephant? If so, your time has finally come. Super Mario Wonder drops on the Nintendo Switch on October 20th. If you count the Mario Maker games more as sandbox experiences, this will be the first side-scrolling adventure for everyone’s favorite plumber since Super Mario 3D World on the Wii-U. Of course, it did breathe new life when it was ported to the Switch in 2021.  A Nintendo Direct this morning gave us some new information about Super Mario Wonder .

Super Mario Bros. Wonder had me hooked from the moment I saw Mario transform into an elephant man. In this unusual new form, Mario can bash enemies with his trunk, soak up water to spray at friends and foes, and — from a crouching position — perform an incredibly impressive push-up to launch himself into the air. Playing as Mario, as an elephant, was delightful.

To celebrate the upcoming launch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Nintendo has announced a special Nintendo Switch OLED Model. The Nintendo Switch – OLED Model Mario Red Edition launches on October 6th for $349.99. Check out the first images for the same below.

New details are available for Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder courtesy of a recent Direct, showcasing the setting and various mechanics. Set in the Flower Kingdom, the story sees Bowser touching the Wonder Flower and merging with Prince Florian’s castle, spreading chaos with his new powers.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is right around the corner, but outside of the initial reveal trailer, we didn't know much about Nintendo's latest 2D platformer. However, today's showcase was packed to the brim with gameplay reveals and new details, and now we've got a much clearer picture of what this game will look like. Wonder no longer: here's everything we learned from the Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct.

15 minutes of new gameplay showed off many of Mario's Wonder-ful new moves.

After its rather trippy announcement earlier this summer, the Super Mario Bros. Wonder direct has revealed an awful lot more gameplay for the new 2D Mario platformer, coming out on 20th October 2023.

By Ash Parrish, a reporter who has covered the business, culture, and communities of video games for seven years. Previously, she worked at Kotaku.

Nintendo will broadcast a new Nintendo Direct presentation on Thursday, Aug. 31, a livestream that will focus on Mario’s new Switch game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Nintendo says its new Direct livestream will run about 15 minutes, and will start at 10 a.m. EDT/7 a.m. PDT via Nintendo’s YouTube and Twitch channels.