Nintendo Surprise-Drops New 2D Mario Game, *Super Mario Bros. Wonder*, on Switch

In a move that has shocked and delighted fans around the world, Nintendo has surprise-released *Super Mario Bros. Wonder*, a brand-new 2D Mario platformer, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch eShop. Previously unannounced, the game was stealth-dropped early this morning, igniting a frenzy across social media and gaming forums.

*Super Mario Bros. Wonder* marks the first new 2D entry in the franchise since *New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe*, released in 2019. While Nintendo has seen success with 3D entries like *Super Mario Odyssey*, longtime fans have been clamoring for a fresh take on side-scrolling Mario action — and Wonder appears to be a vibrant response to that demand.

Initial impressions suggest that *Wonder* takes inspiration from classic Mario gameplay but with a healthy injection of new ideas. Players can look forward to visually lush, animated environments and innovative level mechanics unseen in past titles. Perhaps most notable is the new “Wonder Flower” power-up, which radically transforms levels mid-play — warping pipes, altering gravity, or even shifting art styles entirely for a few electrifying seconds. It’s a chaotic, unpredictable twist that makes even veteran levels feel brand new.

The game features the return of fan-favorite characters such as Luigi, Peach, Toad, and even Daisy as playable options, providing co-op capabilities for up to four players. Online leaderboards and a new asynchronous multiplayer mode let players leave “echoes” to help others through difficult challenges.

Nintendo has not yet explained the lack of any prior marketing or teasers. Some fans speculate the surprise launch is a strategic move to generate viral buzz ahead of the summer gaming season and deflect attention from competitors’ announcements. Regardless of the reasoning, it’s clear that the gambit is paying off: early reactions have praised not only the gameplay mechanics but also the game’s bold, colorful art direction and lively soundtrack.

With *Super Mario Bros. Wonder*, Nintendo reminds the world why the company remains a master of delight and surprise — proving once again that when it comes to Mario, anything can happen.