2023 | Nintendo Switch | 2D Reimagined
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023) - first new 2D Mario in decade. Wonder Flowers creating reality-bending level transformations. Completely fresh art style abandoning New Super Mario Bros template. Proving 2D Mario still innovative after 40 years.
At 42 years old, senior lead watching reinvention. Singing piranha plants, stampeding buffalo, geometry shifts mid-level. Fastest-selling Mario game in Europe. Badge system for abilities. Online multiplayer ghost players. Elephant power-up became instant classic.
Wonder Flowers transforming levels mid-play - singing piranha plants become rhythm game, stampeding buffalo chase you, geometry shifts and bends. Badge system for abilities - equip one at time (wall climb, parachute, grappling hook). Online multiplayer ghost players helping without interfering.
Elephant power-up swinging trunk to attack and spray water. Drill power-up burrowing underground. Bubble power-up creating platforms. Completely new art style - fluid animation, expressive characters. Talking flowers everywhere with personality. 2D Mario evolved, not just iterated.
Revived 2D Mario after decade of New Super Mario Bros stagnation. Fastest-selling Mario in Europe. Shows Nintendo can reinvent even oldest formulas. Wonder Effects proved level transformation mechanics have future. Badge system added strategic depth. Template for modern 2D platforming going forward.
"At 42, senior lead, Wonder taught reinvention versus iteration. When legacy systems need complete redesign not just updates. Applying fresh perspective to decades-old architectures. Sometimes throwing out playbook and starting fresh is the only way forward. That's innovation."