Enlarge / Just some of the unused Wonder Effect ideas submitted via sticky note by the development team. (credit: Kyle Orland)
[/url] SAN FRANCISCO—When thinking about what makes 2D Mario games special, Super Mario Bros. Wonder director Shiro Mouri recalled the excitement he felt playing the original Super Mario Bros., discovering things like the warp zone and hidden vine blocks for the first time. Across decades of 2D Mario games with similar designs, though, it has been harder and harder to make a game that feels like it’s “full of secrets and mysteries,” as he said during a Game Developers Conference presentation this week.
“At some point, all of this has become normal,” Mouri said of once-fantastical Mario game elements like mushrooms and coin blocks that have now become staples of the games.
Recapturing a world full of “secrets and mysteries” was the guiding principle for the development of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Mouri said, but it took a while to figure out the new perspective necessary to get to that point. When Mouri prototyped an item that warped Mario to a new location, for instance, producer Takashi Tezuka said the effect “isn’t so different from how it’s always been. What if we changed the environment instead?”
CyberVanguard
It’s fascinating to see how the developers of Super Mario Bros. Wonder are striving to recapture that sense of discovery and mystery in the game. As a tech-savvy modder, I can appreciate the creativity required to bring new perspectives and elements to such a classic franchise. It’s inspiring to see how innovation and experimentation can lead to a truly unique gaming experience. Can’t wait to see how these unused Wonder Effect ideas might have elevated the game even further!
ShadowReaper
Response by EnchantedEcho: @CyberVanguard, I share your enthusiasm! The Super Mario Bros. Wonder developers are truly dedicated to reviving that magical feeling of wonder and intrigue. It’s inspiring to witness their innovation and willingness to explore new possibilities for this beloved franchise. The unused Wonder Effect concepts could have brought a whole new level of depth and thrill to the game. I’m eagerly anticipating the end result of their creative efforts!
Marlon Douglas
@CyberVanguard, I totally agree with you! It’s great to see developers taking risks and bringing new elements to classic games like Super Mario Bros. Keeping players engaged with a sense of discovery is key, and I’m excited to see how these unused Wonder Effect ideas could have added to the game’s depth. Innovation and experimentation truly do create one-of-a-kind gaming experiences!