When I look back at my Nintendo Switch games, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is definitely up there among my all-time favorites. It’s no surprise that Nintendo gave it the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition treatment, just in time for the Super Mario Galaxy movie. Besides upgraded visuals, this version also comes with extra content called “Meetup in Bellabel Park.” But is it worth it for both new and returning Super Mario fans? Let’s jump in.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Like any other Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, this version starts with the original game. That means you’re getting Super Mario Bros. Wonder as it was, now running on Switch 2. If you happened to miss that release, here’s a quick recap of my original conclusion: Super Mario Bros. Wonder brought back the magic of Mario and is, without a doubt, one of the best modern side-scrolling platformers out there. The developers clearly put a lot of care into the world, filled with small animations that bring everything to life in a way we haven’t seen before. The difficulty starts off a bit on the easier side, but the game introduces some real challenges later on, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and experienced players. It’s easily the best “classic” Mario game in decades and a must-have for Nintendo Switch owners.
If you want to dive deeper into the base game, I recommend checking out my original review. In this article, I’ll focus on the Switch 2 upgrades and the new gameplay additions.
Welcome Rosalina
Now, before diving into the Meetup in Bellabel Park expansion, let’s first look at the other new additions. Rosalina is probably the biggest one. Just in time for the Super Mario Galaxy movie, Nintendo added her as a playable character. She fits right in next to Daisy and Peach and offers a fresh way to revisit some of your favorite levels. If you’ve played the Switch version before, all your progress carries over, which feels like the obvious choice, but it’s still good to see it handled smoothly. That said, I really enjoyed going back to earlier levels as Rosalina.
She controls similarly to the other princesses, with a short floating jump that makes some of the more technical sections feel a bit more forgiving. She doesn’t drastically change the gameplay, but it’s nice to have all three princesses playable in one platformer. In co-op, you can also control the new Co-Star Luma character. It’s not a fully playable character, but it works in a similar way to multiplayer in the Super Mario Galaxy games. Luma can collect coins and defeat enemies with a spin attack, and controlling it is simple, whether you use the stick or mouse controls. It’s also worth noting that Luma can’t take damage, making it a great option for younger players or for anyone who just wants a more relaxed experience.
Besides Rosalina, the game comes with 4K visuals in docked mode, faster loading times, GameShare, and an assisted mode, making this feel like the definitive edition. The 4K upgrade in particular, really shines when playing docked. I played it on my OLED television, and the colors really pop. Super Mario Bros. Wonder has always been an expressive game, with great character animations and personality, and in 4K that all comes through even better. It runs and plays extremely smoothly in both docked and handheld mode, and honestly feels like the version it was always meant to be. But what about the extra content?
Fight the Koopalings
While the original game was near perfect, one of its biggest complaints was the lack of variety in boss fights. Nintendo clearly listened and introduced the seven Koopalings in the Meetup in Bellabel Park expansion. For solo players, the Koopalings are the main reason to return, as they bring seven new levels. The expansion kicks off with the Koopalings stealing the Bellabel Flowers, and it’s up to you to take them back. During the tutorial, you’re also introduced to the Super Flower Pot, a new power-up that lets you throw flowers upwards. It’s a fun addition and comes in handy when facing the Koopalings.
To track them down, you’ll team up with Captain Toad and revisit locations from the base game. These Koopaling levels are remixed versions of some fan-favorite stages, with a few added platforming sections along the way. The real highlight, of course, is the boss fight at the end. Each Koopaling encounter follows the classic 2D Mario formula, where you learn their patterns and look for the right moment to strike. The fights have multiple phases and keep you engaged throughout. They’re not extremely difficult, but they are incredibly creative and easily among the best boss battles in the franchise. It’s just a shame there are only seven of them, because they’re that much fun.
Looking for some extra challenges?
Although I really enjoyed the Koopaling levels, I have to admit I was hoping for a bit more new content for solo players. Luckily, the Toad Brigade Training Camp is there to offer some extra challenge.
Unlike what you might expect, the Training Camp includes some of the toughest challenges in the game. It reuses levels from the base game but adds new objectives and twists, rewarding you with Bellabel Water, the game’s main currency. You can use this to unlock badges, emotes for multiplayer, and various decorations. It doesn’t drastically change the experience, but it’s enough to keep you motivated as you work through the challenges. As a veteran Super Mario player, I really appreciated the added difficulty in some of these stages.
At their core, the objectives are often simple, like collecting coins or defeating all enemies, but the way these challenges are built into the levels is genuinely impressive. It’s a great example of how strong Mario level design can be. Is it a reason to replay the entire game? Probably not. But if you’re looking for that extra challenge, it’s definitely a nice addition. That said, this expansion clearly leans more towards multiplayer-focused players.
Super Mario Party Wonder
The last meaningful addition to this Switch 2 Edition is Attraction Central, a fun collection of minigames inspired by the many mechanics found in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. It’s split into online and offline multiplayer modes and immediately reminded me of Super Mario Party, but set in the Wonder universe. Just like the other modes, it uses familiar levels from the base game, but with a twist.
Tag, races, and a lot of creative challenges all make an appearance, and while that might not sound all that innovative on paper, this mode really captures that chaotic Mario Party energy. As I mentioned earlier, I’m a big fan of the art style and the way this game oozes atmosphere, so seeing those familiar stages repurposed for multiplayer minigames works really well. It’s a simple idea, but a very effective one. I can understand that solo players might have hoped for a bit more, but if you’re willing to invite some friends over, Attraction Central is absolutely worth your time. Super Mario Bros. Wonder has always been one of the more social Mario games, especially with its online features, so this addition makes a lot of sense.
Conclusion:
Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park feels like the definitive version of one of the best modern Mario games. While returning players might have hoped for more new content, what’s here is polished, creative, and a lot of fun. If you missed the original release, this is an easy recommendation.
