Unveiling the Unlikely Connection: How Super Mario World's Weirdest Feature Birthed the Wonder of Super Mario Bros

Highlights

Super Mario Bros. Wonder may have a connection to a bizarre feature in Super Mario World that many players may have forgotten about: the Special Zone.

The game's eccentric features, like the conversing flowers and level-changing Wonder Flowers, create a surreal and dreamy atmosphere reminiscent of the Special Zone from World. Super Mario Bros. Wonder's innovative design and the possibility of reintroducing classic concepts, such as Mario-headed Koopas, have the potential to make it a noteworthy installment in the series.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder may have its inspiration rooted in an unusual feature of the classic Super Mario World. While both games belong to the Super Mario platformer genre, there are more potential connections between them. Furthermore, there is a possibility that Super Mario Bros. Wonder could bring a surprising throwback to the series, with the most interesting part being that it resembles a forgotten aspect of Super Mario World.

Just from watching the trailers, players can already see how Super Mario Bros. Wonder will differ from other games in the series. The game's core will still be centered around side-scrolling platforming, which the Super Mario series has perfected over the years. However, it is the game's quirkier elements, such as talking flowers and level-altering Wonder Flowers, that give it a surreal and dreamlike quality. Additionally, the fact that Daisy will be making her playable debut in a mainline Mario title adds to the significance of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. With its overflowing creativity, this game will surely leave a lasting impression.

Super Mario World's Alternate World Would Fit Well into Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario World is easily one of the best Mario games on the Super Nintendo and it also holds one of the series' most unique secrets. In the game, players could discover specific secret exits to access Star Road. By completing Star Road, a set of hidden levels called the Special Zone would be unlocked. Defeating the Special Zone would result in a drastic transformation of the entire game world. The color scheme of the map would change, along with the appearance of various enemies. Notably, Piranha Plants would turn into grinning pumpkins and Koopas would wear Mario masks instead of shells. This created a bizarre and unforgettable experience.

There is a clear connection between the rewards in Super Mario World's Special Zone and the new feature in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, known as the Wonder Flower. The Wonder Flower, when collected, creates strange effects that completely alter the gameplay experience of a level. This correlation can be drawn to how Super Mario World's changes were purely aesthetic, while the Wonder Flower has the ability to mechanically change levels. Although unconfirmed, one may speculate that Super Mario Bros. Wonder's peculiar effects were somehow inspired by Super Mario World.

Considering the various effects of the Wonder Flower, it is possible that Super Mario Bros. Wonder could honor Super Mario World's alternative designs. Super Mario Bros. Wonder has the potential to bring back older concepts from the series and explore new ways to incorporate them. It would be enjoyable to see Mario-headed Koopas again, even if only in one level. With the functionality of the Wonder Flower, it could even give them new abilities within the level. While it may be a subtle reference, it would be a fitting addition to Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

The aftermath of the Special Zone in Super Mario World marked one of the first instances of absurdity in the series, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder presents a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to it. The direction of Super Mario Bros. Wonder seems to align with the essence of the Mushroom Kingdom, taking its whimsical nature to new heights. Throughout the Super Mario games, thrilling adventures have always unfolded in this delightfully eccentric world. With Super Mario Bros. Wonder embracing creativity, it opens the door for a revival of Super Mario World's most peculiar Easter egg.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder will be released on October 20, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.