Super Mario Bros. Wonder: The Exciting Transformation of Elephant Mario
June 2023 marked the highly anticipated reveal of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and fans were buzzing with excitement over the new game. The art direction, the music, and the introduction of new enemies all promised a delightful evolution from the beloved New Super Mario Bros. series. However, it was the final shot of the trailer that truly stole the show. Mario was seen grabbing a peculiar fruit and transforming into a massive elephant version of himself. This transformation, aptly named Elephant Mario, quickly became one of the most iconic elements of Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Elephant Mario Takes Center Stage
Unlike previous games where players had to wait for special power-ups, Elephant Mario makes its debut right in the first stage called “Welcome to the Flower Kingdom.” As showcased in the trailer, Mario encounters the Elephant Fruit, which emerges from a block, and he undergoes the exciting transformation. Witnessing such a distinct change in one of pop culture’s most recognizable characters might initially feel jarring, even for those who have watched the reveal trailer countless times. However, Elephant Mario brings new gameplay mechanics and unique abilities to the table.
The Power of Elephant Mario
In this form, Mario can utilize his trunk to swing and attack enemies, as well as break bricks from the side. Additionally, Elephant Mario has the ability to spray water, leading to all sorts of fascinating interactions. For instance, by spraying water on withered flowers known as Wow Buds, they bloom and reward players with previously unseen items and collectibles.
The Vision Behind Elephant Mario
According to director Shiro Mouri, Elephant Mario was conceived with specific gameplay experiences in mind. The team wanted to enhance Mario’s ability to navigate the game world and interact with elements like blocks, enemies, and coins. The decision to make Mario’s body bigger formed the foundation for this transformation. A larger body allows for easier block-breaking, enemy stomping, and coin collecting. The team believed that changing Mario’s fundamental mechanics would provide players with a refreshing gameplay experience. The choice to transform Mario into an elephant perfectly aligned with the goals of making him bigger and enabling him to hit blocks from the side, while also introducing the water spraying ability.
A Recognizable Transformation
When designing Elephant Mario, maintaining his iconic features was a top priority. Art director Masanobu Sato and his team carefully studied the characters and their distinguishing characteristics – such as Mario’s red color, large nose, and mustache – to ensure that these elements remained intact even in their elephant forms. This attention to detail ensured that players would still easily recognize the transformed characters.
Inspiration from Past Games: The Bubble Flower
Super Mario Bros. Wonder doesn’t just introduce Elephant Mario; it also features other exciting power-ups. One of these is the Bubble Flower, which was inspired by a desire to improve upon a previous mechanic. Director Shiro Mouri reflected on the Bubble Baby Yoshi from New Super Mario Bros. U and realized it could benefit from refinement. As a result, the team developed the Bubble Flower and its associated transformation, Bubble Mario. This power-up allows players to defeat enemies and create platforms for jumping, making it a particularly interesting and enticing addition to the game.
The Plethora of Power-Ups
In addition to Elephant Mario and the Bubble Flower, players can expect a variety of other power-ups throughout Super Mario Bros. Wonder. From new items like the Drill Mushroom to classic favorites like the Super Mushroom, Super Star, and Fire Flower, the game offers a diverse range of abilities. It’s highly likely that Nintendo has yet to reveal all the power-ups players will encounter when Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches on October 20 for the Nintendo Switch.
Experience Super Mario Bros. Wonder
For more information on Super Mario Bros. Wonder, check out our exclusive coverage hub by clicking on the banner below. Make sure to also read our hands-on impressions of the game. Get ready to embark on a thrilling new adventure with Elephant Mario and explore the wonders that await!