The Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder Might Be Worth It for Meetup in Bellabel Park Alone

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Following the release of the Switch 2, Nintendo has been updating its popular games with improved versions. These new editions not only look and run better, but often include extra features that utilize the Switch 2’s power. The latest game to receive this treatment is Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and it’s launching with an additional expansion called Meetup in Bellabel Park, which I recently had the chance to play.

Released in 2023, Super Mario Bros. Wonder was a fantastic return to the classic side-scrolling gameplay the series is known for, and it quickly became a hit. That success likely explains why Nintendo is now releasing Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park. While the game will have some new additions for the Switch 2, the biggest new feature is Meetup in Bellabel Park, which Nintendo highlighted at a recent preview event. After getting a hands-on look, it’s easy to understand why they were excited about it.

Meetup in Bellabel Park Scratches the Itch for a New Mario Party Game

The Switch 2 version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder includes a bonus game called Meetup in Bellabel Park. This new area is only available on the Switch 2, but you can still play with friends who have a Switch using the GameShare feature. Meetup in Bellabel Park offers a variety of fun, quick mini-games you can play with friends, both competitively and cooperatively—it’s similar to a smaller Mario Party game within Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

I had a chance to play some of the new mini-games at a preview event, and there seems to be a good selection to keep gameplay fresh. A few of the games use the Joy-Con mouse controls, which require a flat surface to use. We tested a two-player game where you draw platforms for each other to run on using the mouse controls. The controls were very responsive and worked well – any wobbly platforms were definitely the fault of the players, not the game!

Besides the fun co-op game where we used the Joy-Con like mice, I also tried out some competitive mini-games. A lot of them were races to the finish, and they definitely took inspiration from the side-scrolling action in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. But just like the best Mario mini-games, they weren’t simple! They threw all sorts of obstacles at you – things like bouncy hippos and even a freeze-tag mechanic to keep things interesting.

One of my favorite games involved carrying a baby Yoshi and feeding him snacks. As Yoshi ate, he got heavier, which slowed you down as you tried to finish the level. The player with the biggest Yoshi won! We also played a Bomb-omb relay race with a fun twist: a talking flower would announce who had to carry the bomb next, and you had to quickly pass it off before it exploded. That created some really exciting and funny moments. Another game had us collecting coins while trying to avoid a giant Boo. If you weren’t quick enough to freeze, you’d lose everything you’d collected. It reminded me of the frustrating, but fun, days of playing early Mario Party games and losing stars to my friends. Luckily, I managed to keep my cool, even though King Boo kept stealing all my coins!

While the games themselves were fresh, the way they played felt comfortably familiar. Playing Meetup in Bellabel Park reminded us of Mario Party, but without the traditional board game aspect. The mini-games we tried weren’t groundbreaking, but they were still enjoyable. If you’re hoping for a new Mario Party experience, upgrading Super Mario Bros. Wonder for the Switch 2 could be a good option. Even though it’s one of the more expensive upgrade packs at $20, it’s probably cheaper than a brand new Mario Party game, if one ever comes out.

Along with New Mini-Games, Super Mario Bros. Wonder Will Get a Glow Up for Switch 2

Considering the new Switch 2 version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder costs $80, you might be wondering if it’s worth the price. If you don’t already have Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Switch, spending $80 just for the multiplayer mini-games seems a bit steep. The main game is largely the same, though with a few improvements. While the new features might not be enough to start a completely new game, they could be a good reason to revisit the game if you’ve played it before. And if you haven’t played it yet, this version could be a great way to experience this well-regarded Super Mario game.

We weren’t able to test the new features at the preview event, as it was completely dedicated to Meetup at Bellabel Park. Therefore, I’ll quickly go over what we know about the Switch 2 version, so you understand what else is new. Here’s a quick look at the highlights for Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Switch 2:

  • New boss courses for all 7 Koopalings
  • Rosalina and Co-Star Luma as newplayable characters
  • Super Flower Pot power-up

As you’d expect with a new Switch, the upgraded version will offer smoother gameplay, quicker loading, and better graphics. While fans of Super Mario Bros. Wonder might appreciate the new characters and levels, the biggest reason to upgrade, in my opinion, is the surprisingly fun collection of new multiplayer mini-games it will include.

Would you pay $20 extra for an updated version of Super Mario Bros. Wonder on the new Switch 2? Do you think the added mini-games and characters justify the cost? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-04 22:15