Highlights

  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder breathes new life into the 2D Mario franchise with unique mechanics, power-ups, and enemies.
  • The success of Super Mario Wonder could impact the design and gameplay of a potential Super Mario Odyssey sequel.
  • While there's no confirmation of an Odyssey sequel, Super Mario Bros. Wonder's fresh ideas and level design will likely shape future 2D and 3D Mario games.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder has seen success and acclaim far beyond that of other recent 2D Mario games. Given its critical prowess, many gamers are curious as to how Super Mario Bros. Wonder will impact the series' next 3D entry.

With a long line of solid games that have been brought down by a lack of imagination, 2D Mario has been falling behind since the 'New' era of the franchise began. The games had begun to feel like clones of one another. Fortunately, Super Mario Wonder came along this year to breathe new life into the series. Alongside a unique soundtrack and animation style, Wonder brought a smorgasbord of new mechanics, power-ups, and enemies that deviate from the norm. Its vibrant worlds and injection of variety mixed with Mario's ever-strong platforming helped lift Super Mario Wonder to a nomination for Game of the Year.

super mario bros wonder elephant power up
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Wonder's Success Might Change The Course Of A Mario Odyssey Sequelsuper-mario-wonder-bulrush-scram-skedaddlers-flower-coin-3

Super Mario Odyssey made similar strides for 3D Mario. After a number of linear entries, Odyssey opened up its worlds. Levels in Odyssey are more based on exploration rather than granular obstacle design, bringing that line of games back to its roots and going beyond said roots with a modern expansion. The title has been influential enough to seemingly have some impact on Wonder—not only with the game's deviating aspects, but its Prince Florian, who plays a similar role to Odyssey's Cappy companion. If a theoretical Odyssey sequel is in the works, it's likely the reverse might happen; Wonder could inspire Odyssey.

Mario Wonder Has Many Fresh Ideas For An Odyssey Sequel

The main thing Wonder could bring to an Odyssey sequel is its level design. Whilst the original Odyssey has a brilliant array of platforming-based challenges (especially its final gauntlet), the title is far more focused on its exploration than hard level design. On the other hand, Super Mario Wonder focuses on strong platforming. With a whole array of strong gimmicks, from ziplines to ghost-busting light switches, taking inspiration from these weird and wonderful systems would work very well alongside Odyssey's Cappy. Cappy is the major platforming mechanic of Odyssey; what he brings to Mario's moveset is the core system, as opposed to any individual level gimmick. Combining complex levels with the depth of Cappy would really up the gameplay of an Odyssey sequel.

On the subject of Cappy, Mario Wonder's variety of bosses and enemies would make perfect vessels for the googly-eyed hat to possess. Odyssey brought a whole host of new minibosses and foes to the canon, often taking advantage of their attributes for Cappy puzzles. Wonder's menagerie of strange creatures would make for some great Cappy moments. Some highlights include:

  • Hanabihei, an enemy that can split into fireworks that can be weaponized by the player.
  • Bloomps, foes that float and bounce about the air
  • Skedaddler, a squirrel creature that runs fast and spits seeds

There's Still Time For Wonder To Make A Mark On An Odyssey 2

Of course, there is the question of the extent to which Super MarioWonder can impact any next Odyssey game. Mario Wonder is likely a swan song for the Switch, so if there is a sequel to Odyssey it will probably be featured on the next Nintendo console. If that theoretical sequel is a flagship title, there's only a very small window for Wonder's success to impact it. However, the design process of Wonder — with the game being a turning point in Mario games with its art style, overworld, and new mechanics — will likely have impacted any Odyssey continuation in development.

This is all based on speculation; no Odyssey sequel has yet been confirmed. However, the incredibly successful Super Mario Wonder will undeniably impact any Odyssey sequel. Even if its success doesn't leave time to impart inspiration on Odyssey specifically, its wonderful freshness will undoubtedly be reflected in 2D and 3D Mario games for years to come.