Summary
As the latest games for Nintendo’s flagship franchise,Super Mario Bros. Wonderhas done more with its titular wondrous gimmick than charm players as one particular Wonder Effect could be the key to a long-awaitedSuper Mario Odysseysequel. Though Nintendo has always been unpredictable when it comes toSuper Mariosequels, many had hoped thatSuper Mario Odysseywould have been among the fortunate ones after it helped ensure the Switch’s success alongside others likeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Yet even as other Switch games from core Nintendo franchises received sequels and DLC,Super Mario Odysseywasn’t so lucky.
But whileSuper Mario Odysseyand its legacy will be closer to the likes ofSuper Mario SunshinethanSuper Mario Galaxywhen it comes to fans' demand for a sequel, there could still be hope following the recent release ofSuper Mario Bros. Wonder. As part of its central mechanic,Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s Wonder Flower and its effects have potentially opened up a path for Nintendo to revisit the world ofSuper Mario Odysseyand explore it in a new way. However, while some considerSuper Mario Bros. Wondera farewell to the Switch’s era, it may already be too late for a sequel altogether.
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Bringing Wonder to Super Mario Odyssey’s Sequel
Since many 3DSuper Mariogames are defined by their main gimmick,Super Mario Odyssey’s Capture mechanic was potentially one of the reasons why it became so popular alongside giving players the freedom to explore imaginative worlds packed with secrets. Yet replicating that gimmick in a new and interesting way for players in a sequel can be a challenge, something which could be even more difficult forSuper Mario Odysseywhen its gimmick is simply taking control of other objects, characters, and enemies. But one particular Wonder Effect fromSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s own gimmickthat transforms the player into a Goomba could help solve this problem.
While Cappy and the Wonder Flower take different approaches to transforming the player, they ultimately deliver the same outcome where the player’s new form adds a new dimension to gameplay. SinceSuper Mario Bros. Wonderis the latest 2D game in the franchise,featuring the Wonder Flower in the next 3DSuper Mariogame could take its Wonder Effects even further. WithSuper Mario Bros. Wonderalready proving the overlap with its own Goomba transformation, it seems fitting that a sequel toSuper Mario Odysseycould channel its focus on transformation and exploration through the use of the new Wonder Flower.
Moreover, bringing the two games together for a combined sequel would be effectively seamless, as the Flower Kingdom introduced inSuper Mario Bros. Wondercould joinSuper Mario Odyssey’s many other kingdoms. It even has a potential connection with the original story ofSuper Mario Odysseyfollowing Bowser stealing the Soiree Bouquet from the Wooded Kingdom, which could in turn ultimately allow the Wonder Flower to transition fromSuper Mario Bros. Wonderinto the sequel.Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s own Prince Florian could even be utilized once more as the player’s way of controlling Wonder Effects just as Cappy could forSuper Mario Odyssey’s Capture mechanic.
The Future of Super Mario on the Nintendo Switch
While there are rumors about a new 3DSuper Mariogame supposedly coming in2024 coinciding with Nintendo’s next-generation console, players should remain skeptical sinceSuper Mario’s recent development has been focused on remakes while a “Switch 2” has been theorized since 2021. However, while it’s possible that the next 3DSuper Mariocould be something entirely new, it is worth noting thatSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyseemed to channelSuper Mario Odyssey’s design for theBowser’s Furyexpansion. Between this,Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s Wonder Flower, and the Switch’s longevity, there’s still a good chance that players could see aSuper Mario Odysseysequel.
