That’s apparent from the very first stage, as Mario stands against a sea of green and blue hills rolling in the distance. It’s only when you first boot it up that you’re drawn into a deceptively beautiful world. Wonder might not look that much different from New Super Mario Bros. Just looking at out-of-context screenshots, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a reminder that strong art direction can be just as impactful as raw power. While that Nintendo Switch successor may be right around the corner, Super Mario Bros. It’s a marvelous feat, and it was all accomplished on the same aging console that has left gamers begging for an upgrade. That’s thanks to vibrant cartoon visuals, detailed animations, and painterly backdrops that bring depth to the 2D Flower Kingdom. Wonder is a sight to behold in its own right. While it’s not the glitzy spectacle of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 or the photorealistic achievement that is Forza Motorsport, Super Mario Bros. There’s some tasty icing on that cake too: It just so happens to be one of the best-looking video games of the year. The 2D platformer is both a reinvention and a return to form for Nintendo’s most important franchise, bringing transformative new gameplay ideas to an age-old formula. Mario’s latest adventure was met with a wave of glowing reviews earlier this week, and it’s easy to see why. Wonderis out now, and it’s a true Nintendo hit.
