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Super Mario RPG is a gorgeous reimagining of the SNES classic. Those looking for a dose of nostalgia will be pleased that this is a faithful remake, with just enough tweaks to make it more accessible to a new generation of gamers without diluting the magic of the original.

Introduction

The Nintendo Switch has become a treasure trove of retro gems, with the likes of Link’s Awakening and Advance Wars lovingly restored with 3D visuals to make them more accessible to a modern audience. 

Super Mario RPG is the latest to get the remake treatment, with the original first launching on the SNES back in 1996. The new remake has been treated to gorgeous 3D animations, revamped soundtracks and multiple quality-of-life improvements. 

Nevertheless, this is an incredibly faithful remake, with the core story and combat left mostly untouched to keep that nostalgic sheen intact. Super Mario RPG has aged impressively well in the 27 years since its release, but those looking for RPG boundaries to be pushed should look elsewhere. 

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks playing the Super Mario RPG remake on Nintendo Switch. Here are my thoughts. 

Graphics and music

• New 3D animations look wonderful
• Extremely faithful to the original
• Revamped soundtracks

The original Super Mario RPG used 2D sprites on an isometric grid to create the illusion of 3D effects. It looked great for the time, but there’s no doubt that look is dated 27 years on. 

For the new remake on Nintendo Switch, third-party studio ArtePiazza (renowned for its work remaking Dragon Quest games) has recreated the entire game brick by brick so now that it’s fully rendered in 3D. This not only allows tighter control of Mario, but also adds heaps more detail to the characters and environments. 

Super Mario RPG on Switch looks fantastic, and it’s been a joy seeing the new animations of the different enemies you encounter. I was particularly impressed with the pre-rendered cutscenes that trigger before boss battles and special power-ups during combat.

The 3D visuals bring subtle details, such as Mario’s hat bobbing off his head mid-jump and the gentle swaying of leaves in the background foliage. Such elements bring the world to life, and elevate Super Mario RPG to modern standards. 

Despite the new 3D animations, the Super Mario RPG remake remains incredibly faithful to the original. Every single scene, world and character has been restored, and with remarkable accuracy. There are some additions, such as an animation of Mario swimming in water, but they always enhance the experience. 

The soundtrack has been revamped by the original game’s composer with new orchestration, and it sounds incredible. Right from the off, the music helps to set the unique tone for each world, with added dynamism and improved clarity compared to the original. Once you beat the game, you’ll be able to open up the Sound Player and listen to all 61 soundtracks in the game – both the new and old versions. 

Story

• Fun adventure through fantastical worlds
• Great party of companions, including Bowser
• Slapstick humour provides plenty of laughs

Super Mario RPG doesn’t stray far from the classic Mario formula, but instead of Bowser taking the mantle of the big bad, the Smithy Gang proves to be the biggest threat to the Mushroom Kingdom. 

With Mario fighting off new foes such as a living, breathing giant sword called Exor, Super Mario RPG is not afraid to be silly. It’s hard to take your main objective too seriously, but I still enjoyed my adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom and various other fantastical worlds, from Nimbus Land up in the clouds and the Moleville mines deep underground. 

Mario has help on his travels, one of which is the dastardly Bowser who proves to be the star of the show with his cutting comments and moody rants. Original characters Geno and Mallow help to add a more emotional depth to the story and it’s great to see Princess Peach pummelling Piranha Plants rather than hiding in her castle. 

Super Mario RPG is one of the funnier Nintendo games I’ve played, with silly jokes and amusing animations. There’s plenty of slapstick humour, with Mario often falling to the ground or crying out loud in response to a silly comment – which never failed to get a chuckle out of me. 

Combat

• RPG mechanics feel shallow compared to modern games
• Places greater emphasis on timing to keep players engaged
• Quality of life improvements make it more accessible

Super Mario RPG is… well, an RPG. This means it adopts a turn-based combat system, not dissimilar to the likes of Pokemon. You can use physical attacks to bruise enemies or spend Flower Points to deal elemental attacks, such as Mario’s fireballs and Mallow’s lightning. 

Most enemies have specific elemental weaknesses and resistances, letting you deal greater damage when using appropriate attacks. The remake has introduced the Monster List in the main menu, which lists all of the enemies and their general information in case you forget who is vulnerable to what. This makes Super Mario RPG a little more accessible, but I didn’t bother too much with this feature. 

I found using physical attacks to be a more efficient option – it often dealt similar damage to special moves and didn’t require me to use up limited resources. 

Instead of encouraging you to memorise the featured rock-paper-scissors system, Super Mario RPG puts more emphasis on the player’s timing. Press A as Mario and Co. strike an enemy, and you’ll deal bonus damage. Conversely, pressing B as you’re attacked can block damage, proving to be an essential skill during lengthy boss battles. 

Placing such importance on timing has the benefit of keeping the player focused during every second of the combat – lose it, and you’ll swiftly be punished. But this does dilute the RPG experience. I rarely thought about my party composition, choice of attack or which weapons each character wielded. Super Mario RPG feels shallower than modern RPG games, such as Octopath Traveler, Fire Emblem and, even, Pokemon. 

Of course, this is no fault of the remake as this is exactly how the original game’s combat system worked. But, by resisting the temptation to offer sweeping changes – as with the recent Final Fantasy 7 remake – Super Mario RPG does feel old-fashioned with no desire to push the envelope. 

The Super Mario RPG remake does add a couple of minor tweaks that complement and improve upon the original combat. Chief of them is the new Triple Moves feature, which allows your party of three to combine their powers to unleash a devastating attack. This move can only be used when your Action Gauge is filled up to 100%, which can be done by executing well-timed attacks and blocks. This doesn’t necessarily change how you’ll approach each battle but, instead, rewards and encourages you to perfect your timing. 

On-screen exclamation marks have been added to signpost when you’re supposed to attack and block, while you can also swap in benched party members mid-battle. Such additions make Super Mario RPG more accessible to a younger audience, while still retaining the relatively tough difficulty level – although there is now an optional ‘Breezy Mode’ if you still find it too challenging. 

Platforming and puzzles

• Great pacing with varied gameplay
• Platforming gets frustrating with isometric view
• Simple but enjoyable puzzles to solve

One of Super Mario RPG’s best attributes is its pacing, as it frequently segments combat with story segments, platforming and puzzles to prevent the experience from becoming repetitive.

Outside of combat, Mario can explore each level in a 3D space, using his iconic jumping to avoid enemies and overcome obstacles. I did find the platforming to be irritating though, as the isometric view makes it difficult to navigate the plumber without falling off the odd edge. Floating platforms will at least produce a shadow underneath to give you a better idea of their precise placement, but it remains a pain point. 

Some of the mini-games fared better, as they switched to a 2D view to make it a lot easier to navigate Mario. These mini-games see Mario put in some precarious scenarios, such as falling down a volcano and riding a minecart, with the player guiding the plumber in avoiding obstacles and collecting as many coins as possible. You’re able to repeat these challenges in an attempt to beat your high scores too. 

I also enjoyed a few of the puzzles in Super Mario RPG, as you’ll need to look for environmental cues or solve simple riddles to discover secret passageways. There are numerous invisible treasure chests hidden in each level too, so randomly jumping in the air can be very fruitful.

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Final Thoughts

Super Mario RPG on Switch is a glorious remake of the SNES classic, with the revamped 3D visuals proving a massive upgrade on the 2D sprites, giving new life to the many zany characters and fantastical worlds. 

Otherwise, this is an extremely faithful remake, with the core combat and platforming still intact 27 years on. Both hold up surprisingly well and so can easily be enjoyed by a modern audience, although the RPG mechanics do feel shallow compared to rival offerings on the Nintendo Switch such as Fire Emblem and Octopath Traveler. 

If you’re looking for a simple RPG with that iconic Nintendo charm, then Super Mario RPG will be a great addition to your library. Otherwise, check out our Best Nintendo Switch Games list for even more great options. 

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Assassin’s Creed Mirage is a condensed version of the modern Assassin’s formula. That may disappoint some who hoped for something that felt new while also significantly harkening back to the series’ past. Stealth does get a boost, alongside occasional engaging narrative and characters, but there’s plenty of padding that dampens the fun.

Introduction

Is old Assassin’s Creed back? That’s been the burning question leading up to the release of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, with the game sold on the premise you’ll once again feel like an assassin. The answer isn’t a resounding yes but, once again, this is a game about assassinations.

There might have been a danger of regression rather than revolution with Mirage but it’s neither really, which may disappoint some who wanted a true “old Assassin’s Creed game”.

Condensation is the most appropriate descriptor and, as such, it isn’t the satisfying return to form that many will have hoped for. Here’s my full review.

Story

• Main storyline can completed in well under 20 hours
• Basim’s personal struggle is intriguing but under-explored
• Exciting bursts of narrative, but largely unfocused

The story of Mirage kicks off with a lot of promise. You’re propelled into a new adventure, steadily being introduced to new characters with thoughtful dialogue that quickly teaches you their personalities and motivations.

The forward momentum continues as you learn the origin of the lead character, Basim, who we first met later in his life in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The story’s opening is set in the smaller town of Anbar and, then, at Alamut – the base of The Hidden Ones’ operations.

The opening missions provide you with smartly crafted build-up as you assist The Hidden Ones in ridding the world of The Order of the Ancients. However, shortly after you arrive in Baghdad, the main setting of the game, the story splits into four routes and it’s a disappointing dilution.

Four leaders within The Hidden Ones are spread across guilds in Baghdad and you’ll be set on a path by each of them, finding a head honcho within The Order of the Ancients to defeat in each region. But, it feels like a box-ticking exercise.

Sure, some of the targets have interesting motivations and you’ll encounter other characters adjacent to the central conflict. A rebel leader named Ali, in particular, is a character that often shows promise, with practices misaligned with how The Hidden Ones like to do things, but it’s unsatisfyingly never fully explored or expanded upon.

The most satisfying narrative elements often come from side missions, including Contracts and Tales of Baghdad. The former is made up of straightforward assassin missions where you’re often tasked with tailing, pickpocketing, eavesdropping on and, eventually, taking down targets. And, that’s often paired with added objectives like not being detected or carrying out an environmental kill.

Nestled within these are often little interesting nuggets of narrative. Tales of Baghdad are a rare instance in this game where you’ll stumble upon a story rather than having to actively seek it out, where you’ll meet a new character with intriguing motivations and you’ll have to assist them with a task. They are engaging and rewarding small tales.

The rush towards the climactic encounter does provide some satisfying beats, as Basim wrestles with his goals as an assassin and wanting to understand his true nature. But that is then usurped by some additional information drops that you’ll likely only be clued in on if you were fully invested in the narrative of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. As such, it ended on a bit of a sour note. Basim’s journey is interesting, but the misadventure in the middle of the story largely sidelines his conflict and a satisfying ending is lost in ticking off some lore points.

Exploration

• Parkour is fleetingly excellent
• Fun side missions
• Not many secrets to uncover

Discovery isn’t a concept that’s at the forefront of Assassin’s Creed Mirage. The answers that you may find when exploring in more spontaneous games (such as Red Dead Redemption 2) are offered up here with directions to boot once you synchronise from atop a large building, in classic AC fashion.

Exploration in Mirage may not be something that rewards you in terms of new tasks or narrative but, for the most part, it is very fun to do. Once you arrive in Baghdad, you are invited into a sprawling city that is begging you to hop across its rooftops and dodge through its streets.

However, after a few hours exploring Baghdad, it does feel like you’ve seen it all before and I also didn’t find the layout of the city to be as meticulously planned as previous entries. I’d regularly get into the flow of scurrying up buildings or across roofs only to find myself jumping off into a frustrating bit of fall damage, breaking the flow.

In terms of further side objectives, you’ll stumble upon Gear Chests, Lost Books and Enigmas to find. Then, there’s Dervis’ Artifacts and Mysterious Shards that you’ll have to acquire through pickpocketing and murder. Enigmas are perhaps the most intriguing activity, tasking you with hunting down a reward using clues such as visual maps, riddles or letters. Such tasks are rather challenging compared to the box-ticking nature of some of the other activities, while also encouraging you to explore the map more thoroughly.

I was initially excited by the new pickpocketing mechanic, but you can swiftly improve your pickpocketing with Skill Points, reducing the challenge significantly. Nevertheless, pickpocketing remains handy for acquiring more materials as well as gaining tokens – a pivotal aspect of Mirage.

Along with pickpocketing, you can gain tokens by completing Contracts. Tokens can then be used in a couple of different ways. The first is to reduce costs at relevant merchants and the second is to, well, ask for favours. You can use them to lower notoriety as well as to ask civilians to assist you in gaining access to an area, such as causing a fight or drawing attention by singing. These certainly add to the fun of navigating your way into a large garrison before beginning your hunt.

Returning to the concept of notoriety, this is represented by a bar that fills up as you commit unlawful acts throughout Baghdad. It comes in three stages of increasing danger. You can lower it by talking to a Munadi and bribing them with a token, taking down Wanted posters or eliminating the Shakiriyya hunting you. It’s a merry dance you’ll have to navigate throughout but it rarely feels like it has a significant impact on your gameplay, instead giving you the odd random opportunity to test out your fighting aptitude.

The map is, admittedly, grander than Baghdad itself and there is some fun to be had just riding around and admiring the landscape. That riding around is afforded to you by the choice of a camel or horse as your mount which, given the frequency of fast travel points and the smaller size of this map, aren’t really needed outside of planned use in missions or just having a jaunt of your own accord. After spending several hours in the city, the desert and grassland outside of its walls become a welcome change. There just isn’t much to do, outside of the odd Contract, so there’s little satisfaction in terms of discovery.

Combat

• Extremely powerful stealth
• Direct combat remains feasible, if basic
• Tools that are enjoyable to use

You are truly an assassin once again in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, but it isn’t as cut-and-dry as the stealthy dispatching of enemies being the only option.

Ahead of the game’s release, it appeared that taking on enemies in direct combat would be an exercise in folly, but it is more than doable, with parrying and dodging mechanics at the forefront. So stealth isn’t such a priority that you’re completely goosed if it goes awry and, in some ways, I wish it was.

The stealth offers up occasional moments of wondrous satisfaction, but this does hugely vary with the playground you’re presented with. Some areas feel thoughtfully crafted to create a puzzle for you to navigate, with guards positioned carefully and their routes potentially causing chaos if you leave a body where it shouldn’t be. But, with many sections in the game, guards are positioned too frequently out on their own and, even before you get powerful tools in your arsenal, you can easily dispatch reams of enemies from a bush with a whistle and an assassination. And, that’s not satisfying.

However, in the moments where it does all come together, you’ll nestle atop a roof in enemy territory and be able to visualise a route in front of you, before you dive in and execute your plan. The tools you gain as you progress allow for easier assassinating of multiple enemies, like smoke bombs, noisemakers, blowdarts and more, while Assassin’s Focus is the most powerful. The ability allows you to target and, essentially, teleport from enemy to enemy as you take them down with Hidden Blade as you go.

But what about levels? In recent Assassin’s Creed games, you could be trounced by enemies far beyond your level. Well, in Mirage, there are none. Instead, the difficulty of enemies is simply determined by the type you face, from lowly swordsmen to bench horn bearers.

Nevertheless, there are Skill Points to be gained, outfits to modify and weapons to upgrade. You’ll earn Skill Points through completing missions throughout Mirage which can then be spent on a rather pared-back Skill Tree, which is divided into three sections and gives you access to things like improved Eagle Vision through your trusty bird Enkidu – a useful mechanic for planning your assault on an area once again – or the ability to assassinate multiple targets. Since enemies don’t increase in difficulty throughout the game, you’ll find that Mirage gets increasingly easier as you play through it.

You can also pin some of this on the ability to upgrade your outfit, dagger and sword. You’ll discover new outfits and weapons throughout the world, and some you can simply buy. They offer different abilities, like health regeneration and boosted stealth, which increase when upgraded. Upgrades are done through tailors and blacksmiths, who will boost your wares using materials (Leather, Steel Ingots and Components) that you’ve picked up alongside Upgrade Schematics you’ll have also uncovered. You can also boost the abilities of your tools in a similar fashion, but within the Assassin’s Guilds located in Baghdad.

Performance and Graphics

• A near-seamless living city
• Breathtaking sights to see outside of Baghdad
• 30fps Quality mode / 60fps High Framerate mode

In terms of performance and dodging graphical mishaps, Mirage is a refined piece of work. On my PS5, the game ran seamlessly. I played much of my review time in Quality mode to grab as much rich detail from the world of Mirage as possible from running at 4K 30fps, and it was a delight.

There’s also an Iconic Color Filter mode, playing into the idea that this is a return to AC of old, putting a blue and cool colour layer over the top of your gameplay. It’s nice to try out but you’ll likely abandon it fairly sharpish to return to the modern, vibrant colours.

Early on, I took the graphical prowess on show here for granted, distracted by the goings on in the city of Baghdad to truly appreciate the visuals. But, it really hit me when it came time to synchronise as well as when venturing outside of the city.

In particular, the first time I went meandering beyond the walls of Baghdad to track down a contact, I charged through grassland on my trusty steed and, as I hopped over a lake, a flamboyance of flamingos took off, flying across the rising sun. It was a breathtaking moment. The map in Mirage may not always feel well crafted in terms of exploration or stealth gameplay, but it is a city to behold. Details feel hand-crafted and the variety of colours is designed to delight.

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Final Thoughts

Assassin’s Creed Mirage doesn’t quite deliver on its core premise. This isn’t a stealth-above-all-else Assassin’s Creed game. In the simplest of terms, it’s a condensed and reined-in version of the series’ modern RPG model, with a smidgen of extra stealth-flavoured focus sprinkled on top.

From the off, the story did seem like it was going to benefit from a less sprawling map to spread it across, but after a few hours the focus is lost and so is much of this game’s interest in the core conflict residing in Basim. It, then, returns towards the end of the game only to be usurped by tie-ins to the rest of the series.

Ultimately, I can see how Mirage started off as being a DLC, and it may have been better off staying that way to give a truly focused Assassin’s Creed experience. Nevertheless, fleeting moments through this game were a true joy – both exhilarating and intriguing – so it’s just a shame there weren’t more of them.

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Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fantastic return to the Mario franchise, building upon all the features we know and love while adding a plethora of new abilities to keep things interesting. This is a must-have for Mario veterans and amateurs alike.

Introduction

The last all-new 2D Mario platformer came out in 2012 and debuted on the Wii U console. It’s clear that Nintendo took its 11-year hiatus seriously, as Super Mario Bros. Wonder introduces a swath of new features that massively improve on its predecessors. 

Super Mario Bros. Wonder works in a very similar way to the 2D Mario games of old. Platforming is as smooth as ever, with collectables hidden throughout every level. The overarching story is as paper-thin as usual, but Wonder has made some notable improvements in a lot of key areas. 

As for the newcomers, Nintendo is as fantastic as ever with implementing small teaching moments as the game progresses. The mechanics of the game are pretty simple, so you may want to look elsewhere if you’re after a real challenge, but this is definitely a game that anyone can dive into. 

Story

• The same Mario story we’re all used to
• Collect Wonder Seeds to move onto new areas
• A whole host of characters to choose from

I think it’s fair to say that Mario has never had movie-worthy storylines, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder is no exception. Bowser is up to his usual dealings, attempting to take over the Flower Kingdom with yet another dastardly plan while Mario and his rag-tag team attempt to thwart him. 

On the bright side, Wonder is a very easy game to follow and is a perfect pick for young kids. As an adult, I find the storyline to be as charming as the Mario games from my youth.

The main driving force of Wonder are the Wonder Seeds, which I needed to find to unlock new levels and eventually, new worlds. In most instances, there was a Wonder Seed hiding somewhere in the level and one was gifted to me once I reached the Goal Pole at the end.

I had the choice of playing 12 different characters throughout the game, with the option to switch between them at any point in the main world. Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy and Toad all make an appearance, with the option to also play as different coloured Yoshis and the mysterious Nabbit. These last two characters won’t be affected by power-ups but they also don’t take damage, so they might be the better pick for a younger audience that’s still learning the ropes. 

Local multiplayer is also supported in Wonder. Personally, I prefer to play games like this alone, but playing along with a friend was still very satisfying. In the same vein as Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe, each level essentially turned into a mad dash towards the Goal Pole, with both me and my friend frantically trying to find every collectable as soon as possible.

Online rooms can also be created for up to 12 players, with the ability to play as normal or turn them into races. I wasn’t able to try out this feature, but it’s great to see Nintendo introducing more ways to play with your long-distance friends and families. 

Platforming and Collectables

• Smooth and responsive platforming
• Three new power-ups make an appearance
• Wonder Flowers introduces a brand-new mechanic

The platforming in Super Mario Bros. Wonder is very well implemented; jumping and running through the levels felt smooth and responsive, while the new power-ups felt great to use in their respective areas. 

As I’ve already mentioned, a large part of Wonder is the new Wonder Seeds mechanics. For those Seeds in the middle of a level, I had to find the coveted Wonder Flower. Jumping into the Wonder Flower caused a wide array of effects to take place, with each one being more fascinating than the last. In World One’s Welcome to the Flower Kingdom!, picking up the Wonder Flower caused all the pipes to start moving across the floor and jump up and down in time with the beat. 

In another World One level, Scram, Skedaddlers!, the Wonder Flower turned the entire landscape into a beautifully star-lit night, with Star Men raining down from the sky. These Stars allowed me to plough through the rest of the level, taking down enemies and pushing through barrels until I was able to capture the Wonder Seed being sneakily carried on an enemy’s back. 

I won’t reveal the location of every Wonder Flower, but I have to say that as the game progresses, the locations become more obscure and the effects become even more thrilling. I much prefer Wonder Flowers to the standard Star Coins from New Super Mario U, as not only do they have a much bigger effect on the overall gameplay, but they’re much more tantalising to find. 

Alongside Wonder Flowers, there are also plenty of Wonder Coins to collect. Three big Wonder Coins appear in every level and have the same function as Star Coins from previous games. Smaller Wonder Coins are also sprinkled throughout each level and can be used to purchase different items from the Poplin Shops. A Poplin Shop is based in each world and gave me the option to buy extra One-Ups, different Badges – which I will touch on soon – and even Wonder Seeds specific to that world. 

There are other types of levels in Wonder too, all of which granted me a Seed on completion. Badge Challenges put my skills with specific Badges to the test, of which there are 24 in total. I was able to equip one Badge at a time – which includes the Parachute Cap, Wall-Climb Jump, Floating High Jump and Dolphin Kick, among others – and use them throughout the level. Parachute Cap allowed me to glide gracefully across the screen, ideal for crossing platforms that would be too long to jump, while Dolphin Kick made moving through the water much easier. 

Despite the Badge Challenges being much shorter than a standard level I really appreciated their inclusion. For newcomers, they’re a perfect way to introduce both new and old mechanics in a pressure-free environment, and they pushed me to explore the newer abilities in a way that I might not have tried without encouragement. 

Alongside these new levels and abilities, there are also three new power-ups in Super Mario Bros. Wonder; Elephant Fruit, Bubble Flower and Drill Mushroom. The former took me by surprise in my first encounter, with Peach suddenly turning into a large, pink Elephant before my eyes. In Elephant form, I could smash through obstacles, squirt water out of my trunk to both water flowers and disturb enemies and throw smaller enemies high up into the air. 

The Bubble Flower, on the other hand, allows me to shoot glistening bubbles at will. These bubbles can be used to capture certain enemies and turn them into coins and even can be used as platforms, albeit for a brief moment. The Drill Mushroom is my personal favourite, allowing me to drill into the floor and move sneakily across the floor. With the Drill Mushroom equipped, I could also drill through blocks and obstacles, with most enemies being unable to jump on my head. 

All of these new additions – from the power-ups to the level styles – made each world feel very distinct and unique. I fell in love with so much of this game over a short period of time and I truly feel that it’s one of the best new Mario picks out there. Whether your last encounter with Mario was Super Mario Odyssey or Super Mario Bros. on the NES, there is a lot of joy to be found here. 

Graphics and Audio

• Vibrant and colourful graphics
• More pipe mechanics to keep things interesting
• Upbeat and stylized songs throughout

In classic Nintendo fashion, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a truly beautiful game. One of my favourite parts of the new design is the new platforms that appear in the background; pick the right pipe or the right door and I was suddenly transported away from the foreground and free to find any collectables hidden away. 

There’s a surprising level of interactivity in Super Mario Bros. Wonder; flowers can be watered via the Elephant power-up, pipes can be pushed around and various glowing flowers dotted around each level offer a different surprise when interacted with. 

I personally enjoyed playing Wonder in handheld mode rather than on the big screen, since the limited resolution of the Switch doesn’t take too well on a 50-inch display. Putting the limited resolution of the Nintendo Switch aside, I didn’t encounter any stuttering or lag during my gameplay and the 720p resolution didn’t massively bring down the experience. 

The audio is heavily inspired by previous Mario games and keeps everything feeling upbeat and cheerful. The audio complements the visuals very well and is one of my favourite aspects of Wonder as a whole. 

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Final Thoughts

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fantastic addition to the franchise. Every level is bursting with personality and the fantastical new power-ups and abilities offer a lot more motivation to look further into every nook and cranny. 

The characters are a joy to control and all the platforming elements feel seamless. The Wonder Flowers are a very welcome addition, adding a lot more dimension to what I would previously call a very cookie-cutter experience. The only downside – if you can really call it that – is that Wonder can’t exactly stand alongside its peers in terms of storytelling or sheer size.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder doesn’t break the mould for 2D platformers, but it has built upon what came before wonderfully and I would highly recommend this game to anyone looking for a calm, cosy experience on the Switch. For even more recommendations, check out our best Nintendo Switch games for more options.

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