It’s a whole new era for the boys from Brooklyn, as Super Mario Bros Wonder arrives today

It’s the most Wonderful time of the year, as Super Mario Bros Wonder makes its way to Nintendo’s Switch today.

Wonder what’s next

While the wait wasn’t that long from the game’s announcement, Super Mario Bros Wonder has been in the works for seemingly quite a while. At least, it seems that way from Nintendo’s description of the development process, which apparently had no target end-date.

According to the gaming giant, the team was allowed to go hog-wild, and make the game that they wanted with Wonder. And from the looks of it, the effect of that time is more than evident, as Super Mario Bros Wonder looks like the first real evolution for the series in ages.

Yes, it’s a classically crafted 2D side-scroller, but everything about it feels new, from its “Wonder” enhancements that shake up courses, to its gorgeous looks.

In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the benevolent Prince Florian invites Mario and his friends to the Flower Kingdom. But Bowser, the King of the Koopas, has other plans. With just a single touch of the Wonder Flower, Bowser merges with Prince Florian’s castle. As a result of his newfound power, chaos spreads across the land. Now it’s up to Mario and pals to stop Bowser and save the Flower Kingdom.

In the Flower Kingdom, expect the unexpected. Wonder Flowers thrive off this world’s mysterious power and release it when in bloom. When you touch a Wonder Flower in a course, a Wonder effect will trigger, causing dramatic changes. Pipes might start moving, the terrain may tilt, your perspective can change or you might float through space. There are even Wonders that can transform your character into a Goomba or a Spike-Ball.

Nintendo press release

Along with the above, there’s also the Elephant Fruit, Drill Form, and Bubble Form, which all grant powers as seen in that launch trailer. That’s plus a series of “Badges” which all grant even more special abilities, like the Wall-Climb Jump, Crouching High Jump, Dolphin Kick, and the Grappling Vine. So yeah, this one’s loaded.

Complete with local four player co-op and online play, Super Mario Bros Wonder is out today for the Nintendo Switch.