Article

Super Mario Bros. Wonder makes every level feel like a surprise

3 August 2026

A kid friendly AxelGamer look at Super Mario Bros. Wonder, with Wonder Flowers, Elephant Mario, talking flowers, badges, local multiplayer, and colourful Flower Kingdom chaos.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is one of those games where I thought I knew what Mario was going to do, then the level suddenly went, nope, try this instead. It is on Nintendo Switch, and it is a side scrolling Mario game, but it feels way more cheeky than just running to the flag like normal. The main thing is the Wonder Flower. When you touch one, the level can go completely strange in a good way. Pipes might crawl around, enemies might change, the screen might start doing something silly, or Mario might turn into something that makes you laugh before you even work out what to do.

I like that because it means the game does not feel sleepy. Some platform games can get a bit samey after a while. You jump, stomp, grab coins, then do it again. Wonder still has all the Mario stuff, but the Wonder effects make each stage feel like opening a mystery box. You know it is probably safe and colourful, but you do not know if it will be calm or total chaos.

The funniest power up has to be Elephant Mario. It sounds ridiculous, and it is ridiculous, but it also works. Mario gets a trunk and can whack blocks, spray water, and feel chunky in a way that makes the normal tiny jumping plumber look extra funny. I reckon Nintendo must have had heaps of fun making it, because it is hard to see Elephant Mario without smiling. There are other power ups too, like Bubble and Drill, but the elephant one is the sort of thing you remember straight away.

The Flower Kingdom is a cool place for the adventure because it does not just feel like another Mushroom Kingdom trip. There are lots of bright areas, strange enemies, and little talking flowers that comment while you play. Some people might find the talking flowers a bit too chatty, but I think they are funny most of the time. They say silly things when you miss a jump or discover something weird, almost like there is a tiny commentator hiding in the level with you.

Another thing I really like is the badge system. Badges can change how your character moves or give you special tricks. Some help you float, some help you jump better, and some are just good for trying a level in a different way. It makes the game feel less like there is only one correct path. If a jump keeps getting you, changing badges can make you think about the level differently instead of just getting annoyed and rage quitting.

The multiplayer is also good for family gaming. Up to four people can play together on the same Switch, which is perfect if you have siblings, cousins, or parents who want to join in. It can be helpful because someone might spot a hidden bit you missed. It can also become complete couch chaos when everyone is bouncing around and someone accidentally makes the screen move at the worst possible time. That is part of the fun though. Mario is one of those games where losing a life can still be funny if everyone is laughing at the same disaster.

I also think it is a good game for younger players because it is colourful and friendly, but it is not boring. There are easier characters like Yoshi and Nabbit, which can help if someone is new or just wants to explore without stressing too much. That does not mean the whole game is babyish. Some levels still need proper timing, and finding everything can be tricky. It is nice when a game lets different players have fun without making one person feel left out.

The best levels are the ones where the Wonder Flower changes the rules so much that you have to stop and say, wait, what is happening? That feeling is why I would rather play Wonder than just replay an older Mario level again. It keeps surprising you, but it still feels fair. Most of the time, if I mess up, I know what I did wrong and want another go.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is not trying to be dark or serious. It is bright, silly, and packed with little ideas. That is exactly why it works. Sometimes a game does not need a massive open world or hundreds of menus. Sometimes it just needs good jumps, funny surprises, and a giant elephant version of Mario smashing through blocks like he owns the place.

For AxelGamer, this is the kind of game I would put in the family fun pile. It is easy to understand, hard enough to keep you interested, and weird in the best Nintendo way. If you like platform games, couch multiplayer, or just games that make you grin when something unexpected happens, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is definitely worth a look.