There is no doubt that 2023 is one of the best years in the video game industry. Rarely have we seen such a showcase of AAA releases, big stakes, covers and great indies. But only six games They will compete for the award at The Game Awards 2023.
Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Resident Evil 4 Remake and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Only one will receive the 2023 GOTY award at the gala concert, which will take place in the early afternoon of December 7-8 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
If you miss a game (like Hogwarts Legacy or Hi-Fi Rush), you can vote for your own GOTY with the Player’s Voice award. yes indeed neither Starfield nor Final Fantasy 16 made the final version.
All of you will have a clear favorite to win this award, as will my colleagues at HobbyConsolas. And so I will tell you why new mario should be GOTY 2023.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder hits stores on October 20th (the same day as Spider-Man 2) as a brand new Nintendo Switch exclusive. Why is the return of pure and simple 2D Mario the best thing in a year as competitive as this one?
Mario is evolving (and cherishing) his 40th birthday
My colleagues have already argued their main favorites for the GOTY award. There’s no denying that they’re all great, so here’s The Game Awards 2023 will be determined by the finer details.
There are many reasons for that The wonder of Super Mario Bros This is one of the great games of the year, but in my opinion, only one to determine why it deserves the award.
New Mario 2D has an important trailer: its gameplay is related to the origin of the plumber. After all, it’s a side-scrolling platform game, like all 2D installments (it’s obvious predecessor is New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe).
However, Nintendo took the board and smashed it against the wall. It’s the same game, but with new rules that make us feel like we’re playing Super Mario for the first time.
Yes, there are pipes, blocks, goombas, piles, a very evil Bowser, and of course legendary characters from the Super Mario universe. But nothing feels the same, positively speaking.
From Mario’s elephant form to the craziness he unleashes a wonderful flower (some are a real spectacle), and of course for those moments that break the fourth wall. Is it a pure and simple 2D game? Not really, and it is another example of rebellion from Nintendo with this game.
Another very positive point is that, unlike the other GOTY nominees, Super Mario Bros. Wonder It is available for all agesfrom big to small.
If video games aren’t your thing, playing with Yoshi and Kako Gazappa ensures that you don’t “die” while playing and have some comforts. Someone will think that it is too easy, but there is a great merit in the fact that all people for this experience.
Note, not everything is simple. Wonder inherits the most “hardcore” bases from previous shipments, which means passing the level at 100% (with all its secrets, hidden exits, seeds and flower coins) You’ll need a lot of hours in front of the Nintendo Switch.
In short, I think that taking so many classic elements and giving them a new twist (defining that doesn’t fit) is something very worthy, and that’s the main reason Super Mario Bros. Wonder is different from the rest. But not the only one.
Forced changes and other unexpected
no doubt a great absence with Super Mario Bros. The Miracle of Charles Martin. The historic actor debuted as the voice of the plumber 31 years ago (in the Super Mario Bros. pinball game), and now it’s time to say goodbye for good (he’ll be the character’s ambassador).
It must be admitted that Martine’s absence is very noticeable in the beginning. But a few games in, the excellent Spanish dub shuts us up.
The same goes for character design and modeling. They are less stylized than New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, and it is noticeable that Nintendo is based on the movie Super Mario when it comes to giving it that artistic touch (the same thing will happen with Showtime’s Princess Peach).
Perhaps less important, but which also feed this idea new multiplayer game concepts (both locally and online).
This may seem like a minor thing, but to me it seems like a huge improvement that you can no longer bump into or get in the way of your friends while playing co-op. Or the revolutionary concept of “ghosts” in an online multiplayer game (as if they were souls).
I would like to close with protection of “old fashioned” video gameswhich in my opinion is the strongest strength of Super Mario Bros. Wonder before the rest of the candidates.
I’m not saying that a great story (Alan Wake 2), hundreds of hours of gameplay (Baldur’s Gate 3 or Zelda) or an incredible technical section (Resident Evil 4 and Spider-Man 2) don’t have merit, but it’s impossible because I forget those games from my childhood that put more emphasis on other things.
Video games have come a long way, but Your main factor should always be fun.. And this new Mario is so crazy, friendly and nostalgic that it feels like a game from the 90s. former name, one of those “play the game” and something else, so to speak.
It’s not the most impressive game (on a technical level) of the year, and not the most difficult in its history, but Yes, the most exciting, enjoyable, crazy, kind, ground-breaking and at the same time respectful experience. with his past. And that, my friends, has great, great value.
Reasons for and against Super Mario Bros. Wonder to be GOTY 2023
The wonder of Super Mario Bros it’s not a perfect game. I think nothing (in this life) is, not even my favorite video game of all time. And I think this Nintendo Switch exclusive has a harder time than any other, because it’s owned by an IP with a 40-year history.
However, Wonder knows how to reinvent a classic concept and give us a new way of understanding 2D platforms (with 3D elements). What are his best points and weakest points?
Reasons for Super Mario Bros. Wonder for GOTY 2023
- It knows how to redefine the classic 2D Mario gameplay.
- It breaks a premise seen a thousand times at the plot level.
- The art design and level design are the best we’ve seen.
- Various actions of the calendula flower.
- Small improvements that are much appreciated (like characters not getting in each other’s way in co-op).
- Full of hidden exits, secrets and easter eggs.
Reasons against Super Mario Bros. Wonder for GOTY 2023
- Absence of Charles Martin as the voice of Mario.
- A multiplayer online game with good concepts, but with few options.
- Despite the plethora of new features, it’s not a HUGE leap from what’s already been seen (neither in story levels nor in level development).
After a few days, We find out if the new 2D Super Mario game is the best game of 2023, but it’s definitely a big triumph for the longtime plumbing franchise. Will Nintendo manage to surprise us with a new 3D game after Super Mario Odyssey?
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a fresh start for a saga that, at 40 years old, continues to work like a charm. Is it repeated? As usual? Try it yourself on the Nintendo Switch and you’ll see just the opposite.
Remember this The Game Awards 2023 It will take place on December 7 next year, although in Spain we will be able to follow it live in the first hours from 7 to 8. Which of the nominated games will win GOTY 2023 and succeed Elden Ring?
