Platform:
Switch
Publisher:
Nintendo
Developer:
Nintendo
Release:
When I played Super Mario Bros. Wonder in August, I came away extremely impressed by the creativity at play with the series' return to the 2D side of the coin. I enjoyed my time so much that I was upset when I had to relinquish the controller at the end of my demo session. Thankfully, as part of our cover story for our latest issue, I was able to get a lot more time with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. While a lot of that time was spent further exploring the levels I had already played, I was also the first to experience three courses that appeared as part of the Super Mario Bros. Wonder-focused Nintendo Direct in late August.
I was able to play through each of these stages multiple times. While I'll skimp on some details (such as where to find the stage's Wonder Flower) to avoid spoiling too much, I wanted to deliver my exclusive hands-on impressions of these stages. As such, note that there are spoilers for these stages in both the text and screenshots below.
Condarts Away!
The first exclusive course I played was "Condarts Away!" The second world of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a cloud and snow biome called Fluff-Puff Peaks, and that is precisely where Condarts Away takes place. This two-star difficulty course plays off the snow side of the world, offering a wintry backdrop and foreground; thankfully, this level is more about snow than ice, so you typically have a sure footing. As you start the stage, Nintendo aptly demonstrates how the new enemy for which this stage is named, Condarts, operates. When these yellow birds spot you, they fly forward, leading with their bright red beaks.
As Condarts speed forward, they destroy obstacles and other enemies in their way, including bricks, before getting stuck in the wall or ground. They also sometimes run into each other. As you might imagine, this can also damage you, but the Bubble Flower, which pops up in this stage, helped me to even the odds a bit. Some sequences, like the one pictured above, play with this idea and offer up some cool spectacles as multiple Condarts take out several bricks at once.
Condarts are fun to play with, but probably the most exciting sequence came once I grabbed a Propeller Flower and was taken to a special area full of Zip Tracks. These yellow-colored rails let Mario and his friends essentially grind and zipline through the area, collecting as many purple Flower Coins as possible while avoiding those pesky Condarts. This fast-paced segment of the course was a ton of fun, and I hope more levels leverage this mechanic before Super Mario Bros. Wonder wraps up.
As is the case with all main levels in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Condarts Away features a Wonder Seed. Once I grab this collectible, the stage transforms into yet another unique experience: a top-down perspective. The Zip Tracks may have been the most exciting part of the stage, but this Wonder Effect was probably my favorite moment. Walking through this area, avoiding enemies, and tracking down Flower Coins (some of which actually move away from you as you approach them) further emphasized the level of creativity Nintendo has put on display with this title.
Once I collect the Wonder Seed, the stage goes back to normal and I can finish my playthrough. Condarts Away was the first stage I played out of the exclusive levels, but it's one of the most memorable experiences I had during my time with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The balance of the traditional platforming, new enemy introduction, fast-paced Zip Tracks, and off-the-way Wonder Effect made me glad I had time to go back and play this one again.
Where The Rrrumbas Rule
The second exclusive stage I played was "Where The Rrrumbas Rule." This stage takes place in the sixth world; I'm not allowed to say the name of the world, but I can tell you that it's a cave and lava biome. This level takes place deep in a cavern and features giant sentient boulders known as Rrrumbas. These enemies spot you and roll towards you, destroying certain objects. Unlike Bulrushes, which appeared to have no way to defeat them, you can take down Rrrumbas with relative ease.