I saw some debating about character choice in a Mario game. "Why choose Mario when Luigi, Toad, Peach, and others are available?" When I booted up Wonder, I had to ask myself a similar question. "Why do I always pick Mario?"
For some, Mario is the default pick. Default is Ryu. Guy Spelunky. Minecraft Steve. By the virtue of them being the most prominent character on the box, they are the default character of the game.
In other Mario's, when other characters are playable, Mario is the character with the default stats. The jump height, jump distance, and speed that the developers designed the game around. In Wonder, the main cast share the same stats and abilities. The choice is now cosmetic.
Wonder is the first Mario game to feature seamless online "multiplayer". When you boot up a level, you and three other players will be entered into a lobby. Players in the same lobby can see eachother, but can only interact in a few ways. The system has brilliant design. It allows for wholesome and funny moments to emerge from the game's design.
In some ways, whichever character you pick in Wonder becomes your online avatar. Now, even when you're playing alone, your character choice is now a social decision. Picking Mario, for some, is a show of defeat. This mindset poisoned me sometimes while playing. "Are the other players judging me?", I asked myself. "Is Mario just the character you pick because you have no personality?"
In an ensemble like the one in Wonder, picking Mario is like your favorite Ocean's 11 character being Danny Ocean. Sure, Danny Ocean has the benefit of being the protagonist and being played by George Clooney, but he doesn't do anything special in the movie. Why not pick the goofy Malloy Brothers or the flexible Yen? But Danny IS special. His romantic subplot with his ex-wife is the crux of the movie. Without him the movie wouldn't work at all.
I think Mario is special in his own games too. He's the man. Red shirt. Blue overalls. Yellow buttons. Such a classic color combo. And who could forget those stylish brown shoes. In contrast with his cowardly brother, Luigi, Mario is confident and brave. He's determined to take on a challenge, but he allows himself to have fun doing it. To say Mario lacks a personality is an absurd oversimplification. He has one and his personality is why I like to pick him. In some ways, Mario is the man I want to be. Mario is friendly and he applies himself. Mario is a highly skilled man and he can work any job he wants.
I'm currently unemployed and on the job hunt. Super Mario Bros. Wonder has brought me a lot of joy in this stressful time. It has helped me gain a sense of completion and achievement. Most games can do that. Completion helps the time not drift by. Mario is my favorite game franchise in the world. This review is heavily biased. Of course I'm giving it a perfect score.
For some, Mario is the default pick. Default is Ryu. Guy Spelunky. Minecraft Steve. By the virtue of them being the most prominent character on the box, they are the default character of the game.
In other Mario's, when other characters are playable, Mario is the character with the default stats. The jump height, jump distance, and speed that the developers designed the game around. In Wonder, the main cast share the same stats and abilities. The choice is now cosmetic.
Wonder is the first Mario game to feature seamless online "multiplayer". When you boot up a level, you and three other players will be entered into a lobby. Players in the same lobby can see eachother, but can only interact in a few ways. The system has brilliant design. It allows for wholesome and funny moments to emerge from the game's design.
In some ways, whichever character you pick in Wonder becomes your online avatar. Now, even when you're playing alone, your character choice is now a social decision. Picking Mario, for some, is a show of defeat. This mindset poisoned me sometimes while playing. "Are the other players judging me?", I asked myself. "Is Mario just the character you pick because you have no personality?"
In an ensemble like the one in Wonder, picking Mario is like your favorite Ocean's 11 character being Danny Ocean. Sure, Danny Ocean has the benefit of being the protagonist and being played by George Clooney, but he doesn't do anything special in the movie. Why not pick the goofy Malloy Brothers or the flexible Yen? But Danny IS special. His romantic subplot with his ex-wife is the crux of the movie. Without him the movie wouldn't work at all.
I think Mario is special in his own games too. He's the man. Red shirt. Blue overalls. Yellow buttons. Such a classic color combo. And who could forget those stylish brown shoes. In contrast with his cowardly brother, Luigi, Mario is confident and brave. He's determined to take on a challenge, but he allows himself to have fun doing it. To say Mario lacks a personality is an absurd oversimplification. He has one and his personality is why I like to pick him. In some ways, Mario is the man I want to be. Mario is friendly and he applies himself. Mario is a highly skilled man and he can work any job he wants.
I'm currently unemployed and on the job hunt. Super Mario Bros. Wonder has brought me a lot of joy in this stressful time. It has helped me gain a sense of completion and achievement. Most games can do that. Completion helps the time not drift by. Mario is my favorite game franchise in the world. This review is heavily biased. Of course I'm giving it a perfect score.
4 Comments
I'm playing as Luigi in my second playthrough. I do think Luigi is thematically a more compelling character. I've always argued he should've been the protagonist of the Mario Movie.
This is my favourite review on this website.
Thank you 😁
Lokuz
6 months ago