Super Mario Bros Wonder Dazzles in 4K on Switch 2
But the lack of a 120fps option feels like a missed opportunity.
Review: Super Mario Bros Wonder's 4K Upgrade For Switch 2 Shines
Nintendo's beloved platformer Super Mario Bros Wonder has received a stunning visual upgrade as part of the Switch 2 launch lineup, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Running at native 4K resolution when docked, the game's already gorgeous hand-drawn art style pops off the screen with a level of clarity and vibrancy that makes it feel like an entirely new experience. Every animation flourish, every Wonder Flower transformation, and every meticulously crafted background element benefits enormously from the increased pixel count, proving that great art direction only gets better with more powerful hardware.
The improvements extend beyond raw resolution. Load times have been cut dramatically, textures appear sharper and more detailed, and the lighting effects throughout each world feel richer and more dynamic. In handheld mode, the game runs at a crisp 1080p on the Switch 2's larger screen, which is a significant step up from the original Switch's 720p portable output. Colors are more accurate and blacks are deeper, making those late-night handheld sessions all the more enjoyable.
However, the upgrade is not without its disappointments. Despite the Switch 2's confirmed ability to handle higher frame rates in select titles, Super Mario Bros Wonder remains locked at 60 frames per second. For a precision platformer that demands tight inputs and split-second timing, a 120fps option would have been a welcome addition and a natural fit. Several other upgraded titles have embraced the higher refresh rate, making its absence here feel like a notable missed opportunity from Nintendo.
Still, it is hard to complain too much when the overall package is this polished. Super Mario Bros Wonder was already one of the finest 2D platformers ever made, and the Switch 2 upgrade only reinforces that status. Players experiencing it for the first time on the new hardware are in for a treat, and returning fans will find plenty of reason to revisit the Flower Kingdom. It may not be the definitive upgrade fans were dreaming of, but it is a beautiful reminder of why this game captured so many hearts in the first place.