Back in 2023, I proudly proclaimed Super Mario Bros. Wonder to be “a new high-water mark for the 2D Super Mario Bros. line.” That’s a sentiment I still stand behind, but I’ll admit I hadn’t spent much time in the Flower Kingdom since I migrated from my OLED Switch model to my Nintendo Switch 2.
That changed a couple of weeks back when I was sent an early download code for Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park. Not only does this new iteration look fantastic on the Switch 2, but it combines all that’s great about the original (badges and standees and world-bending Wonder Effects) with some sweet new exclusive content.
As the title implies, much of this centers squarely around the newly discovered Bellabel Park. Inhabited by various members of the Toad Brigade (including some Poplin recruits) and the occasional chatty flower, Bellabel is a new hub that hosts various multiplayer offerings as well as ties in the new story elements.
At Camp Central, you’ll gather intel from the Brigade to help you on your mission to reclaim the Seven Bellabel Flowers stolen by those rascally Koopalings. Locate Brigade Tents scattered across the expansive Flower Kingdom map to find and defeat the Koopa Kids in their weirdly warped boss levels. (Or, y’know, you can just ask the helpful Poplin guide back at camp, and he’ll point you directly toward your next objective.)
These Koopaling showdown courses aren’t overly long, but they can be challenging, showcasing even more surreal enemy transformations. Thankfully, you, too, have a few new weapons in your arsenal. Super Mario Galaxy‘s Rosalina is now available as a playable character, complete with Co-Star Luma as her multiplayer Assist Character. There’s also the Super Flower Pot power-up, which can transform Mario and his allies into Flower characters that toss rising flower projectiles and can flutter jump for a more controlled descent.
While not chasing down Koopalings, you can spend your time in Bellabel Park conversing with the Curious Poplin as he decrypts ancient stone slabs, read dispatches from the front on the Brigade Board, and take on specialty challenge courses at Toad Brigade Training Camp.
These challenges—like collecting all the coins before time expires or clearing an entire course while staying invincible—reward the player with droplets of Bellabel Water that can be used to unlock decorative flowers to customize the Park and patches to add to your Toad Brigade backpack. With 74 training courses, there are plenty of fun, challenging ways to raise your rank in the illustrious Toad Brigade.
Cosmetic goodies and bragging rights aside, the coolest new component has got to be the Dual Badges. These combine two badge effects (like Parachute Cap + Boosting Spin Jump or Coin Reward + Coin Magnet) into one, providing double the buffs in a single equippable badge. Not only do these help when facing those pesky Koopalings, but they also provide new ways to approach the game’s myriad of worlds and courses, further supplementing the already astounding amount of gameplay offered in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
While it’s easy enough to share the fun of Camp Central with your friends and family—the Toad Brigade Training Camp courses support up to four players on a single system, which helps to temper some of the frustration found in the more difficult courses—Bellabel’s Attraction Central is a dedicated multiplayer zone.
To the left, the Local Multiplayer Plaza hosts ten versus and seven co-op attractions, available for up to four players on a single system. To the right, the Game Room Plaza houses six different attractions for up to eight players using local wireless or a dozen online. From feeding baby Yoshis to Propeller Flower racing, there are lots of ways to channel that Mario Party-style madness in the world of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. And thanks to the magic of the Switch 2’s GameShare feature, your loved ones can get in on the action even if they don’t own the game.
While not an official part of the Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park release, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also touch on the arrival of Wonder‘s Talking Flower to the real-world Nintendo lineup.
This cheerful little guy runs on two AA batteries and boasts an impressive number of language options. Using the hidden Menu Panel inside the flower pot, just choose your preferred language and set your wake-up and bedtime; he’ll talk throughout the day, announcing the hour, commenting on the weather, and making the occasional silly quip.
The easy-to-find Talk Button can be pressed whenever you like to make the flower speak. You can also long-press it (for about two seconds) to enter mute mode and, while muted, long-press again to enter BGM mode, where your Talking Flower plays a selection of background tracks.
For the most part, the Talking Flower has been a pleasant enough little fellow to have around the house. Except for on those rare occasions where I forget about him and then hear a cheerful but totally unexpected voice chime in from across my home. (Is it an intruder? A vengeful spirit, perhaps? No, it’s merely a harmless plastic flower welcoming the afternoon!)
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park is available on Thursday, March 26, with an MSRP of $79.99, while those who already own Super Mario Bros. Wonder can pick up the Switch 2 Upgrade Pack for $19.99. The Talking Flower is out now and priced at $34.99 (batteries not included).
Like Wonder before it, Bellabel Park is an easy recommendation to gamers of all stripes and skill levels. The Talking Flower, on the other hand, is mostly recommended for those with robust long-term memories and folks who don’t startle easily.
It’s also worth noting that both arrive just in time to help fans celebrate the April 1 opening of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Because you can’t get to Hot Girl Summer without first spending a little time in Mario Spring!
Review materials provided by Nintendo of America. This post contains affiliate links. The Talking Flower looks like an amiibo, but it ain’t.
