Summary
AsMinecraftcontinues to look for new ways to expand its gameplay, Mojang should take inspiration from the success ofSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s titular Wonder Flower for its own Overworld-bending twist.Minecraftitself has never shied away from embracing fantastical elements, from interdimensional portals toelemental mobs like the upcoming Breeze, even though it is still a sandbox game at its core. However, the two could be merged together with the introduction of a new mechanic or item that takes influence from the Wonder Flower, allowing players to push the boundaries ofMinecraft’s creativity in weird and wonderful ways.
Having launched to great success as a unique take onSuper Mario’s 2D style of games,Super Mario Bros. Wonderis arguably carried by the Wonder Flowerand the variety of Wonder Effects it offers. Thanks to these effects, otherwise ordinary aspects of game design can be figuratively and literally transformed to provide players with new yet familiar experiences. So,Minecraftmight capitalize on the idea behind the Wonder Flower and transform the world at random with all sorts of interesting and bizarre outcomes.
How Minecraft Could Take A Leaf From The Wonder Flower
WhileMinecraftwouldn’t need to limit itself to the flower theme when creating its own world-changing mechanic, it does have the ideal opportunity to make more use of its recent Trails and Tales update with 2022’s Mob Vote winner, the Sniffer. Perthe Sniffer’s gimmick of finding seedsfor plants like the Torchflower,Minecraftcould add its own Wonder Seed as both an homage toSuper Mario Bros. Wonderand as another incentive for finding and hatching Sniffer eggs. From there, the resulting Wonder Flower could either be used on its own or crafted into a new tool or block for players to use.
Adapting Wonder Effects Directly From Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Despite the many gameplay differences betweenMinecraftandSuper Maro Bros. Wonder, there are some overlapping Wonder Effects that the former could just directly take from the latter. Wonder Effects like changing the weather, spawning random enemies, altering their behavior, or transforming the player could all fit withinMinecraft’s game design. For example,Minecraft’s version of its Wonder Effect could spawn a horde of random mobs, alter their appearance, or even force them to break out into song for a limited time. The table below provides a selection ofSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s levels and the effectsMinecraftcould adapt.
Piranha Plants start to sing and dance
Mobs start to sing and “dance” around the player
Many Hoppos appear rolling around the level
Spawns a herd of pigs
Causes a stampede of Bulrushes
Spawns a herd of cows, goats, or both
Causes the player to become much taller
Increases the player’s block height
Causes snowfall and spawns snow blocks
Generates snow and ice blocks around the player
The Hoppycat Trials: Hop, Hop, and Awaaay!
Spawns an army of larger-than-normal frogs
Raarghs in the Ruins
Changes the player’s view to top-down
Changes the player’s view to top-down or a bird’s eye view
Pull, Turn, Burn
The player becomes invincible and can swim through lava
The player becomes invincible and can both see and swim through lava
Causes rainfall and spawns giant bubbles
Generates rain and transforms random surrounding blocks into water
Minecraft Could Add A Twist To Its Wonder Effect
However, the differencesMinecrafthas withSuper Mario Bros. Wondercould actually provide an opportunity to take a would-be Wonder Effect in new directions. Given that the core of the Wonder Flower’s main gimmick is to create random and unusual transformations,Minecraftcould introduce all-new effects that interact with the game’s world generation. For example,Minecraftcould take inspiration fromSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s other levels, likegenerating an out-of-place Desert Temple structureas seen in The Desert Mystery or transforming the surrounding area into a mountain biome similar to Rolla Koopa Derby’s magical slopes.
If world generation is factored intoMinecraft’s potential Wonder effect, it wouldn’t be limited by level design likeSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s formulaic Worlds. The option to regenerate biomes or chunks in-game could be the key toMinecraft’s own Wonder Effect, as players in both Creative and Survival modes could use this effect to change the world around them if they’re unhappy with how everything was generated.Minecraftcould even balance the effect’s risk versus reward, incentivizing players to take a chance as they could be lucky enough to spawn “special” biomes based on the Nether, the End, or even the rare Mushroom Fields.
Minecraft
WHERE TO PLAY
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
