Unleashing the Ultimate Power-ups: Super Mario Bros Unveils Game-Changing Badges!

Highlights

Nintendo held a Super Mario Bros Wonder Direct, showcasing 15 minutes of new content with features, character details, and an online system.

Super Mario Bros Wonder presents an innovative badge system that incorporates captivating modifiers and abilities capable of transforming the gameplay of each level. With badges such as Dolphin Kick, Safety Bounce, Jet Run, and numerous others, players are in for a thrilling experience.

Nintendo's latest direct presentation centered around the highly anticipated Super Mario Bros Wonder, unveiling a wealth of fresh information and insights before its scheduled October launch. In a surprising move this past June, Nintendo delighted fans with their newest 2D Mario game, introducing intriguing gameplay moments like a level-warping flower, power-ups that transform Mario into an Elephant, and more. To fans' delight, the wait for the latest Mario adventure wouldn't be too long, as its release in October was confirmed.

True to their word, Nintendo finally hosted the eagerly awaited Super Mario Bros Wonder Direct, offering an immersive 15 minutes of new content, including features and character details featuring Daisy, Yoshi, Nabbit, and much more. In an unexpected twist, Nintendo also unveiled an online system that showcases player ghosts traversing the levels. These ghosts not only have the ability to revive struggling players but also provide power-ups and set up standees to aid in revival, earning heart points to illustrate their helpfulness. Moreover, Nintendo introduced a game-changing badge system that was showcased during the presentation.

While engaging in online mode and utilizing certain Super Mario Bros Wonder powerups can certainly aid players, the new badge system introduces a myriad of compelling modifiers and abilities that enhance the gameplay experience by transforming the dynamics of each level. As elucidated by Nintendo, badges can be acquired by conquering challenging levels or bestowed as rewards. Once unlocked, players have the ability to equip a single badge per level, with the option to change it if necessary at the overworld screen or following a demise.

Nintendo did not disclose every Super Mario Bros Wonder badge, but it showcased a diverse selection of them. Some notable options include the Dolphin Kick, which grants the character a burst of speed and the ability to break bricks underwater, and the Grappling Vine, which enables players to reach distant points they would otherwise be unable to. Movement is further enhanced by badges such as Wall Climb Jump, Timed High Jump, and Crouching, High Jump. Additionally, modifiers like Coin Magnet allow players to collect coins that are just out of their reach, while Safety Bounce eliminates typical run-ending hazards like lava. The range of badges continues with the Invisibility badge, which renders the character invisible to enemies and the player, and the Jet Run badge, which challenges players to dash at full speed regardless of the circumstances.

Moreover, Super Mario Bros Wonder signifies a shift in the franchise as veteran voice actor Charles Martinet announced his transition from voicing various Nintendo characters to becoming a brand ambassador for Super Mario. As observed by many fans, Mario sounded slightly different in the initial Super Mario Bros Wonder trailer, and this announcement seemingly confirmed the change. It will be intriguing to see how this development impacts the franchise beyond this particular release.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches on October 20, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.