Mario’s new Switch game gets the spotlight in a new Nintendo showcase

By Michael McWhertor | Published on August 31, 2023 9:15 am

Nintendo Direct Presentation Streams on August 31

Nintendo’s latest Nintendo Direct presentation streams on Thursday, Aug. 31, and will focus on Mario’s new Switch game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Nintendo’s livestream starts at 10 a.m. EDT/7 a.m. PDT and can be viewed on Nintendo’s YouTube and Twitch channels. The stream will run about 15 minutes.

New Features of Super Mario Bros. Wonder

• Brings the Super Mario series back to 2D
• Sends the heroes of the Mushroom Kingdom (Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad, Yoshi, et al.) to a new destination: the Flower Kingdom
• Features all-new power-ups, including one that can turn Mario and pals into elephants
• Introduces an item called the Wonder Flower which summons unpredictable, level-changing effects

Changes in Voice Acting and Release Date

Wonder will be one of the first Super Mario games in decades not to feature the voice of Charles Martinet, the actor who’s been delivering hundreds of “It’s-a me” and “Wahoo!” line readings in Nintendo games since Super Mario 64. In announcing Martinet’s retirement from the roles of Mario, Luigi, Wario, and other characters, Nintendo said that “a special video message” from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles Martinet would be released — a message that will hopefully illuminate more about Nintendo’s plans for Mario. Thursday’s Nintendo Direct may include that video.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder will be released for Nintendo Switch on Oct. 20.

Read More

Click here to read more about the Nintendo showcase on Polygon.