A look of Super Mario Party 2D in Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2
Still during the event during which we were able to take control of the Virtual Boy, we also tried the Switch 2 version of Super Mario Bros. Wonderand more precisely its new content entitled “Rendez-vous au parc Bellabel”. Although single-player content is also planned, Nintendo is especially emphasizing the evolution of multiplayer in this Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. We were able to walk around and participate in numerous mini-games, accompanied by some European colleagues, within the Leisure Area presented a few days ago via a dedicated video.
As a reminder, the game of course retains its local multiplayer mode for up to four players on the same console, which allows you to go through the levels together, as in the original version. Here we have the introduction of a Recreation Area which is divided into two distinct spaces:
- A place dedicated to local multiplayer: one of the big new features is the integration of GameShare, a feature specific to the Nintendo Switch 2. This allows someone who owns the game to share a session locally with other Nintendo Switch consoles even if the other players do not have the game (sharing must however only be done from a Switch 2).
- The gaming lounge area: an area where you can play with several people online locally with sessions of up to twelve players online and 8 players locally.
Without disrupting the gameplay, this version seeks above all to improve the general comfort of multiplayer games, while further exploiting the potential of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Certainly, this orientation very focused on multiplayer will not please everyone, but it makes the experience significantly richer and user-friendly.
The mini-games are numerous, varied and short enough to quickly play through the games and have a good time. This new content thus adopts an almost party game dimension and which can almost be compared to a 2D Mario Party. Some challenges require intense coordination while others pit players against each other in frenetic trials.
A Switch 2 version that enhances this artistic gem
Among the mini-games that we were able to play included Donut Block Maker (four-player local multiplayer park). In this mode, two players must cross platforms while the other two draw ephemeral blocks to allow them to move forward. The Joy-Con handling remains classic, but players responsible for placing the blocks can also use the mouse function of the Switch 2. A functionality which once again proves pleasant to use, even when using your leg as a mouse pad. Overall, this mode manages to establish a dynamic that is as chaotic as it is hilarious.
Our favorite mini-game, however, remains the “Bob-omb” version of hot potato. This is a real race against time, where a bomb passes from player to player as you progress through the level, with the game randomly deciding who should take control of it. Here again, the ambient chaos works wonderfully, while leaving room for real strategic team management as long as we play at least seriously.
Concerning the mini-games of the Gaming Hall Square, we find simpler and very competitive experiences, which seems logical given the large number of players they can accommodate. They are no less fun, especially the one where you have to climb as quickly as possible while moving on a bouncing ball.
This content seemed solid enough to us to justify this re-release and the upgrade if you already have the base game on Switch. On the other hand, we unfortunately were unable to try the new solo-oriented features, such as the Toad Brigade Training Camp, Bowser’s Terrors or even the cooperation between Harmony and Luma. Despite these reservations, the overall feeling is clear: Bellabel Park is undeniably fun thanks to the variety of its mini-games, their readability and their accessibility, which makes it an ideal asset for sessions with friends.
However, we can legitimately wonder if this multiplayer orientation is really cut out for a game primarily appreciated for its single-player, especially since Nintendo already offers many titles that are user-friendly for several people. Finally, let’s briefly discuss the gain in finesse and fluidity on Switch 2. Super Mario Bros. Wonder was already superb on the original Switch, but this version brings a clear gain in readability and further highlights the magnificent artistic direction of this 2D platformer.
Without revolutionizing Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Rendez-vous au parc Bellabel promises to be a solid and friendly multiplayer DLC, designed to enrich the collective experience around an already very popular game. The fun is immediate, the ideas are well executed and the resolutely festive atmosphere has its effect, even if the question of the longevity and richness of the solo content remains open. This first handling nevertheless convinced us that Super Mario Bros. Wonder still had more under his belt.