Super mario wonder gets a switch 2 boost – is it worth the price?
Nintendo has delivered a fresh dose of Mario magic, but is it enough to justify a return trip? The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, bundled with the Encuentro en el Parque Belabelexpansion, arrives promising a boost, but not a revolution. It’s a vibrant injection of cooperative chaos and challenging trials—primarily aimed at those who crave local multiplayer mayhem.
A familiar adventure, slightly reimagined
The core experience remains largely unchanged, which isn’t inherently a bad thing. Super Mario Wonder was already a brilliant 2D platformer. However, this expansion introduces seven new stages starring the Koopalings, Bowser’s mischievous underlings. The premise – recovering the stolen Belabel flowers – is serviceable, but the level design feels somewhat…ordinary. While battling these iconic villains is genuinely entertaining, the preceding stages lack the spark and ingenuity that defined the original game’s brilliance. Don't expect groundbreaking level concepts or a dramatic shift in the game's overall structure.
The real draw isn’t the main story addition, however. It's the Parque Belabel itself. This new area serves as a hub for an array of multiplayer challenges, and it's here that the expansion truly shines.
Multiplayer mania: the heart of the expansion
Encuentro en el Parque Belabel unlocks a dizzying array of cooperative and competitive minigames. We’re talking 17 attractions, each offering multiple variations, resulting in a substantial catalog of chaotic fun. It’s not Mario Party, but Nintendo has undeniably nailed the formula for accessible, frantic multiplayer mayhem. Imagine jumping in sync to a beat, or one player building a path for another—the possibilities are delightfully absurd.
For the solo player, there are 60 additional challenges, ranging from coin collection to enemy elimination, some of which border on fiendishly difficult. These aren’t the sprawling, intricate creations of Super Mario Maker 2, but they'll certainly test your skills and patience. Completing these trials, even narrowly escaping defeat by a fraction of a second, provides a genuine rush.
The price of entry: a calculated risk
All this comes at a cost: €19.99 for the expansion alone, or €79.99 if you’re new to Super Mario Bros. Wonder. That's a significant investment, especially if you're primarily interested in the new levels. The expansion’s value hinges entirely on how much you prioritize local multiplayer. If you regularly gather with friends and family for gaming sessions, this is a no-brainer. But for solo players, the added content might feel a bit thin.
Beyond the new content, the Switch 2 Edition delivers tangible improvements—crisp 4K visuals on your TV and noticeably faster load times, making the already gorgeous game even more appealing.
Ultimately, Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Encuentro en el Parque Belabel isn't a monumental leap forward, but a polished refinement. It's a testament to Nintendo's ability to breathe new life into beloved franchises, but its success rests squarely on the shoulders of its vibrant multiplayer component.