“Super Mario Bros.” Wonder”, analysis: Nintendo surprises us again

It was starting to seem strange that in the year we were able to watch an animated film Super Mario, which also destroyed all kinds of records and amazed the vast majority of fans, we would not have a new game from the Italian plumber. But Nintendo has a surprise in store for us. One that even raises the bar of quality in the platformer genre once again. The Miracle of Super Mario Bros. This is undoubtedly one of the best games of 2023.

Nintendo, with the release of each new Super Mario Bros., made us believe that 2D platforms are a genre that lends itself to constant innovation. However, this idea is far from reality. There is minimal room for improvement. You just have to turn to see metroidvania to make sure that, except in special cases, it becomes increasingly difficult to find something that actually feels different.

But those from Kyoto, with almost every name Super Mario Bros.they manage to find a formula for developing an outstanding game. WITH be surprisedFortunately, this was no exception. In fact, I have no problem saying that this is the boldest move yet also the one that has produced the best results since the franchise’s birth back in 1985, and that’s no small matter. Not only is it a great visual proposition, but also how brilliant in terms of gameplay.

Before we get to the meat of the matter, I must first tell you that Nintendo has once again focused its efforts on the gaming side. That is, don’t wait The Miracle of Super Mario Bros. break the mold and offer a carefully crafted story for the first time in the history of the saga. You won’t find it here. Honestly, you don’t need it either. I prefer the company to continue to focus on gameplay not deep storytelling.

To clarify the above, let’s now look at the best of The Miracle of Super Mario Bros.. As soon as your character steps on the first step, you will realize that Nintendo once again shows off its mastery of level design in a 2D side-scrolling environment. Any object you see always has a reason to be in that particular place. Sometimes to be a support, sometimes to hinder.

Unlike previous deliveries, The Miracle of Super Mario Bros. depends, and largely, on study. The scenarios set in the Flower Kingdom are believed to be larger and hide more secrets than before. And if that wasn’t enough, For the first time in a 2D Mario game, the time limit has been removed.. Yes, you no longer have to worry about the stopwatch to complete a level, allowing for a more relaxed experience. If you explore, you will receive a reward.

However, the biggest novelty The Miracle of Super Mario Bros. In terms of level design, what really allows it to distance itself from its predecessors is Miracle Flower. This is an item that we can find in scenarios. When you accept it, the experience turns 360 degrees.

The miracle flower is capable of completely change the level design. You’ll be surprised to see pipes start moving like worms, the game’s perspective changing, or the stage filling up with enemies or interactive objects. The situations are very varied, and I give only some examples.

Trust me, it’s crazy when something that seems normal and calm comes to life every now and then and forces you to react quickly to counter the changes. If you’re not ready The Miracle of Super Mario Bros. He will not hesitate to punish you.

At this point I need to talk to you about the difficulty. It is a misconception that games with plumbers are a piece of cake. At least in case be surprised, This is wrong. When you play alone There are times when a game requires skill and speed with the controller.. You’ll die more than once trying to get through certain areas, and that’s part of the magic too. The Miracle of Super Mario Bros.. Try as many times as necessary until you emerge victorious.

Does the above mean that younger or less experienced players will not enjoy the game? No, absolutely not. The truth is that The Miracle of Super Mario Bros. can be adapted for both beginners and experienced users. To do this, they provided a local co-op mode for up to 4 players. As the name suggests, cooperation between all participants is the key to completing each level. Of course, the game becomes easier in this mode. The problem comes when you play alone.

We can’t talk about new things Super Mario Bros. not even speaking about, new bonuses. IN be surprisedthe one that will have the most impact on your enemies and the stage itself is Elephant, which turns you into a formidable elephant, destroying everything in its path. From my side, Champitaladro allows you to access certain areas of the card thanks to perforation, while bubble flower Encases enemies in a bubble and turns them into coins.

Regarding the variety of enemies, The Miracle of Super Mario Bros. doesn’t disappoint. There are many contenders who will debutand their abilities have been designed so that you, the player, can take advantage of a wide range of power-ups to protect yourself and then get them out of the way. Those left behind are the final bosses.. Not because of the variety, but because defeating them is not a difficult task. This is the only disappointing part of the game.

Last big bet The Wonder of Super Mario Bros., but visual repairs are no less important. We see completely different art style which we are used to in a 2D game. The combination of many colors, effects and carefully crafted animations adds the icing on the cake. In the same way we should applaud outstanding work by composer Koji Kondo, which once again conveys its melodies masterfully. This, by the way, Super Mario with bold music that breaks the norm.

Overall, words are not enough to describe what a fantastic experience this is. The Wonder of Super Mario Bros.. I would dare to say that it is the best part of a long-running franchise, a new starting point from which Nintendo, and indeed any other company seeking to stand out in the genre, must move away. If you have a Switch, it can’t be missing from your library.