Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s gameplay footage does not reveal exactly what the powers of Elephant Mario will be, but the assumption is that it’s a matter of increased size and strength. This may be the case, but it’s equally possible that the transformation’s real power will come from the Mario Bros. game‘s trunk, which could allow the plumber to grab objects or ledges. Regardless, the fanart of Peach and Daisy as elephants that flooded the internet following the Nintendo Direct are a strong indication of the enthusiasm for this outcome.
Beyond the Introduction of Elephant Mario
The gameplay evolution promises to be exciting. The assumption that other characters will also transform into elephants, however, may not be correct. In mainline Mario games, the characters are typically mechanically identical, with the exception of moves that call upon the powers of the various suits. If Mario becomes an elephant, then it should apply to all characters as well.
The fruit that Mario eats resembles an elephant, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s overall aesthetic design is heavily influenced by the world of ‘90s videogames, so it’s reasonable to assume that the designers specifically intended for the fruit to turn Mario into an elephant. The real question is whether the other characters will receive their own unique variations. Super Mario Odyssey is the exception, as Mario embodies different creatures by throwing Cappy at them, but there is a precedent for aesthetic differences between characters in the mainline Mario games.
On the other hand, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a return to the roots of the series, and a great deal of the game’s aesthetic design is inspired by the ‘90s, so it’s possible that each character could have a unique variant of the elephant transformation. The marketability of Elephant Mario suggests that Nintendo did consider giving each character a unique variation to increase the viral potential, but it remains to be seen whether that’s actually the case.
Regardless, Elephant Mario is already a standout feature of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and the gameplay evolution promises to be exciting. The hope for additional transformations like Hippo Daisy adds to the anticipation surrounding the game. It remains to be seen whether Mario games will continue to be as unpredictable as they’ve always been, but it’s fair to say that Super Mario Bros. Wonder is already shaping up to be one of the most unique entries in the long-running series.
