.png)
Super Mario Bros. Wonder returned 2D Mario to form in 2023, restoring a sense of invention that had been in short supply among the franchise's recent 'New' entries. A Switch 2 Edition arrives on 26 March 2026, carrying a few additions aimed at expanding the game's social offering. A recent hands-on with the multiplayer segment suggests those additions do not yet constitute a compelling reason to upgrade.
The Switch 2 Edition centres its new multiplayer content around the "Meetup at Bellabel Park" feature, which functions as a social hub for players to gather and play together. The concept offers the promise of communal mayhem, but the current implementation feels underwhelming in practice. The flow of multiplayer sessions, pacing of encounters and the overall payoff from cooperative and competitive interactions struggle to match the satisfying solo platforming found in the original release.
Context is important. The preview's author admits a personal preference for single-player experiences, where immersion and uninterrupted focus are priorities. That predisposition colours the assessment of Wonder's multiplayer layer, which leans into chaotic, shared-session design rather than the curated, solitary runs that made the 2023 game so enjoyable for many players. Those partial to multiplayer may still find value in the new modes; the additions are not without charm when viewed through a social lens.
From a broader standpoint, the Switch 2 Edition, as previewed, does not yet make a persuasive case as a must-have upgrade for solo-focused players. The core platforming that defined Wonder's comeback remains intact, but the new social features feel tacked-on rather than transformative. Final judgement will hinge on the full release and whether further polish or additional content enhances the multiplayer experience before or after launch.
Expect a full review once the Switch 2 Edition has been tested in greater depth across its single-player and multiplayer offerings ahead of its 26 March 2026 release.