'Super Mario Wonder's Sports-Style Live Commentary Also Features a Tsundere Option'

Super Mario Bros. Wonder had a sport-style commentary that didn't make it into the final game, but players could have had an angrily berating option.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the highly anticipated game, had an interesting and unique feature that unfortunately didn't make it into the final version. The Wonder team spent a significant amount of time, six months to be exact, developing and implementing a live commentary to run alongside the gameplay. This commentary had different options, including a default newscaster-style option and even a "Tsundere" option, where the game would angrily berate the players as they progressed.

Now, you might think this sounds a bit silly, but let's not forget that Mario games have never been known for their grounded realism. In fact, it's the whimsical and fantastical elements that make them so enjoyable. After all, this is a game where you can transform into an elephant at a moment's notice.

Interestingly, Rage 2, another game developed by Bethesda, showed us that commentaries can work remarkably well. Despite its flaws, the game's commentary feature, with Danny Dyer passionately voicing his approval, left a lasting impression on players. This got us thinking about the different directions Super Mario Bros. Wonder could have taken with its commentary.

Imagine a Mystery Science Theatre 3000-style commentary track, where witty and humorous remarks are made throughout the game. Or perhaps even bringing in WWE commentators to add their own flair to the gameplay. Picture it now: "As God is my witness, Mario is broken in half!" It may seem unconventional, but it just might work.

Interestingly, about half of the team was in favor of implementing the Tsundere commentary, and many of them were even using it while playing the game. However, as developer Takashi Tezuka explains in an interview, it would have required an immense amount of work to implement the commentary throughout the entire game. Nevertheless, they didn't want to completely abandon the idea, so they brought in an additional team member solely dedicated to developing this feature.

Ultimately, the commentary feature evolved into the game's Talking Flowers. These flowers interact with the player when approached, but they don't provide a running commentary from a God's-eye-view perspective. While it's a shame that the live commentary didn't make it into the final game, the Talking Flowers still add a touch of whimsy and engagement to the overall experience.

In conclusion, Super Mario Bros. Wonder had an ambitious plan to include a live commentary alongside the gameplay, but due to the complexities and resources required, it ultimately didn't come to fruition. However, the game's developers explored unique and entertaining options, such as the Tsundere commentary and the possibility of incorporating different commentary styles like Mystery Science Theatre 3000 or WWE. Despite the setback, the game still offers delightful interactions through the Talking Flowers. It's a reminder of the creative and imaginative nature of the Super Mario Bros. franchise that continues to captivate players worldwide.

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