New Super Mario Bros vs Mario Wonder : quel jeu 2D choisir

New Super Mario Bros vs Mario Wonder: which 2D game to choose

953 words | Reading time : 4 minute(s)

AnalysisSuper Mario Bros. WonderNew Super Mario Bros

Modernised tradition versus visual madness: which one should you buy today? This comparison puts the two faces of modern 2D Mario head to head: the well-oiled formula of New Super Mario Bros. and the inventiveness of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. It goes through gameplay, art direction, content, playtime and multiplayer accessibility to help you decide.

Should you go for New Super Mario Bros or Super Mario Bros. Wonder in 2025? Here is the full comparison between tradition and innovation in 2D Mario.

Contents

The evolution of modern 2D Mario

New Super Mario Bros: a modernised return to the roots

The series launched in 2006 marks the return of 2D Mario. It serves up a classic formula spiced with local multiplayer and a difficulty curve that climbs gently.

  • New Super Mario Bros (2006, DS)
  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009)
  • New Super Mario Bros. 2 (2012, 3DS)
  • New Super Mario Bros. U (2012, Wii U; Switch version Deluxe in 2019)

Super Mario Bros. Wonder: the creative revolution

Released in 2023, Wonder shakes up the 2D formula with the Wonder Effects that transform the levels, and the Badges that grant customised abilities.

Group artwork from New Super Mario Bros. U, four heroes in a grassland level
Four entries in ten years: the New Super Mario Bros. series set the grammar of modern 2D Mario.

Gameplay comparison: innovation vs tradition

New Super Mario Bros

  • Gameplay classic and intuitive
  • Power-ups traditional
  • Local multiplayer for up to 4 players
  • Difficulty that ramps up gradually

Limitation: few major innovations from one entry to the next.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

  • Wonder Effects that rewrite the physics of the levels
  • A system of Badges for custom builds
  • Special characters (Yoshi, Nabbit) «damage-free»
  • Multiplayer played online, asynchronously
Elephant Mario, a transformation from Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Elephant Mario sums up Wonder's gamble: break the routine rather than perfect it.

Graphics and art direction

New Super Mario Bros

Understated 2.5D style; a palette that stays identical right across the series.

Mario Wonder

An atmosphere that is expressive and cartoonish; ultra-lively animations; spectacular visual effects unique to each world.

Pastel scenery from Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a distant castle in a gradient sky
Wonder drops the smooth, interchangeable look in favour of a hand-drawn palette.

Content and playtime

New Super Mario Bros

  • 80 – 100 levels
  • Collectibles: Star Coins
  • Playtime: 15 – 25 h

Mario Wonder

  • 120+ levels
  • Varied collectibles (Wonder Seeds, secrets)
  • Playtime: 25 – 40 h

Multiplayer and accessibility

New Super Mario Bros

A local multiplayer that is friendly, but sometimes messy.

Mario Wonder

  • Local + online (ghosts, mutual help)
  • Characters that are “ invincible ”, ideal for beginners
Five players around a Wii U playing New Super Mario Bros. U in Boost mode
The Wii U's Boost mode already let five people play, one of them on the GamePad.

Which game should you choose for your profile?

Choose New Super Mario Bros if:

  • You are here for the nostalgia of 2D
  • You mostly play with the family, offline
  • Your budget is tight (DS/3DS versions)

Go for Mario Wonder if:

  • You are looking for innovation
  • You own a Switch
  • Online multiplayer appeals to you

Recommendations by platform

  • Switch: Mario Wonder (+ NSMB U Deluxe as a bonus)
  • 3DS: New Super Mario Bros. 2
  • Wii / Wii U: NSMB Wii or U for local multiplayer

Final verdict: the future of 2D Mario

Mario Wonder proves that in 2025, 2D can still surprise you. NSMB remains the safe bet for family sessions. Together, they strike the perfect balance between tradition and innovation.

Comparison table: Mario Wonder vs New Super Mario Bros

Criteria New Super Mario Bros Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Launch year 2006 (series) 2023
Visual style Understated 2.5D Expressive cartoon
Innovation Moderate High (Wonder, Badges)
Multiplayer Local only Local + online
Replayability Average High
Playtime 15 – 25 h 25 – 40 h

🍄 Want to keep the adventure going? Take a look at our Mario posters in the shop.

FAQ: Mario Wonder vs New Super Mario Bros

  • Does Wonder replace NSMB? No: it refreshes the formula without cancelling out the series.
  • Does Mario Wonder have online play? Yes, through a ghost mode that is asynchronous.
  • Which one is more accessible for children? NSMB, but Wonder offers Nabbit/Yoshi as invincible options.
  • Do you need to know NSMB to enjoy Wonder? No, each game stands on its own.

Keywords: Mario Wonder vs New Super Mario Bros, best 2D Mario, 2025 comparison, Wonder gameplay, NSMB differences.

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From Donkey Kong in 1981 to the Switch episodes: our guide retraces the whole Mario saga, console by console.

🎮 All the Mario video games →
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