Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Play it on: Switch
Current goal: Find out if the home stretch leaves me impressed
Buy it from: Amazon | Best Buy | GameStop

When I like a Mario game, I aim for 100 percent completion. I just love seeing what diabolical challenges Nintendo comes up with for the toughest levels and most difficult goals in its flagship platforming series, and throwing myself against them again and again until I finally emerge victorious results in a tremendously satisfying feeling of accomplishment. Thus far, however, Super Mario Bros. Wonder has done little to light my fire.

Sure, I love the expressive new art style, but rather than feeling like a bold new idea that reinvigorates 2D Mario platforming, the Wonder Seeds that change up each stage when you find them strike me as more of a grab-bag of small, shallow ideas. Hardly enough to make this the next great Mario game. Meanwhile, the level design has done little to get my pulse racing.

Still, I have a ways to go yet. (I got sidetracked by Alan Wake II.) It’s still totally possible that in the stages ahead, Nintendo will demonstrate the brilliance that’s characteristic of its best games. It’s totally possible that I’ll encounter stage design that makes me feel the same thrill I always felt upon getting to World 8 back in the original Super Mario Bros. It’s totally possible that Nintendo is saving its best Wonder Seed ideas for the late game, and I’ll see those change up levels in ways that strike me as truly inspired. I’m rooting for you, Wonder. Now show me what you’re made of. — Carolyn Petit