Looking for a change from the 'New' era? You're not alone. It's astonishing how the 'New' style has dominated 2D Mario games for almost two decades. From the original New Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo DS in 2006 to the ports and mobile game Super Mario Run, the 'New' art style has been the defining feature of Mario games for almost 20 years.
But with the recent announcement during the Nintendo Direct, the new 2D Mario game is breaking away from the 'New' style. You might think this is a doomsday scenario for our beloved plumber. After all, the 'New' art style has become synonymous with the series. However, this change marks the beginning of a new era.
First, let's discuss the rise and dominance of the 'New' Mario era.
Nintendo's goal was to bring the design of 3D Mario into the 2D platforming world. And, to some extent, it succeeded - at least from a technical standpoint. But what the 'New' era lacked was soul and personality. The earlier 2D Mario art styles had charm, quirks, and delightful details, while the 'New' Mario games fell short in every aspect.
Compared to the other Mario designs, the 'New' Mario was lackluster. It lacked shadows, had an oddly realistic appearance, and was devoid of flair and fun. The first New Super Mario Bros. game was particularly guilty of this, but every subsequent Mario game that adopted the 'New' style suffered the same soul-crushing fate.
Now, let's compare the newly revealed Mario in Super Mario Bros. Wonder to a game like New Super Mario Bros. U. The difference is almost unbearable (unless you count Mario's new mustache, in which case, it's truly unbearable). The new Mario has a fresh, cartoonish vibe with a more animated appearance. And, unlike the 'New' Mario, he exudes a sense of fun.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder also marks the return of a truly great Mario game, and with it, a newfound appreciation for the 'New' Mario art style. While the New Super Mario games were enjoyable, they didn't quite meet the standard set by Mario himself. Perhaps the absence of a truly exceptional Mario game contributed to the lack of fondness for the 'New' Mario era. Even with the ports and Super Mario Run, the 'New' style remained.
The end of the 'New' Super Mario era brings both excitement and anticipation. We're not only getting a new Mario game, but also a new Mario style. And with that, we hope this will finally be the game that takes us back to the golden age of Mario.
If you're also looking forward to the future of our mustachioed hero, check out some of the other iconic Mario series we'd love to see in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
