Summary
Super Mario Bros. Wonderset the Mario fandom ablaze when its very first trailer showcased Mario transforming into an Elephant. The plumber’s 2D adventures are no stranger to animal-themed power-ups, with other titles introducing various “suits” that grant Mario and friends unique attacks and abilities.Wonder’s Elephant Fruit stands apart, as it actuallytransforms classicSuper Mariocharacters into elephants, with no in-universe explanation. In the time since the game’s release, the Elephant Fruit has proven to be a hit with fans, with many delighted by the strange, yet adorable, visual that Elephant forms bring to their favorite characters. Considering the transformation’s massive impact inSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, Nintendo’s animal power-ups shouldn’t end with the Elephant Fruit, as future titles could grow and evolve the concept into an era-defining mechanic.
Super Mario Bros. Wonderis the first new 2D Mario game since 2012 and transports Mario and his pals to a new location, the Flower Kingdom. The Flower Kingdom, a previously unseen neighbor of the Mushroom Kingdom, is home to powerful items called Wonder Flowers which cause a series of reality-bending effects to occur when put in contact with the title’s characters. However, in the wrong hands, they can be utilized to cataclysmic effect, leading Bowser to use the game’s very first to become the massive entity called Castle Bowser. Mario, Luigi, Daisy, Peach, and Yoshi join the Flower Kingdom’s ruler, Prince Florian, to reverse Castle Bowser’s ongoing Wonder Effects and stop the villain before he can make the inhabitants of the Flower Kingdom his captive audience for all time.
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Mario Wonder’s Elephant Fruit is One of its Most Mysterious Elements
While the core concept ofSuper Mario Bros. Wonderis the reality-bending Wonder Flower, its most mysterious element may be the Elephant Fruit. The item is introduced within moments of the title’s introductory level, transforming the player-character into an elephant, unless they have chosen one ofWonder’s invincible characters. Throughout players' journeys through the Flower Kingdom, the Elephant Fruit is obtainable in nearly every course, This prominence makes the item one ofWonder’s most constant, silly, and tonally unique elements.
From beginning to end,Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s Elephant Fruit and resulting transformation remain a mystery. The item’s effects are unrelated to the wacky andtransformative nature of the Wonder Flowerand its effects. Players can trigger the transformation before, during, or after touching a Wonder Flower, including times when a character is exploring Break Time courses and the game’s overworld. WithSuper Mario Bros. Wonderboasting an in-universe post-game, the Elephant Fruit likewise cannot be attributed to Bowser’s initial Wonder influencing the Flower Kingdom. With this in mind, Nintendo has left the concept open to more exploration and the possibility of other animal-based transformations appearing down the line.
Wonder’s Elephant Fruit Could Be an Era-Defining Concept
The concept behindSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s Elephant Fruit is one that Nintendo could reasonably evolve into an era-defining concept. Future titles could explore the nature of the fruit and why its power differs from theanimal suit power-ups of the Mushroom Kingdom. Expanding on that concept, the new era thatWonderhas now kicked off could explore other neighbors of the Mushroom Kingdom, which feature their own animal-themed power-ups. With the Wonder Flower exclusive to the Flower Kingdom, the Elephant Fruit and its related power-ups could form the backbone for 2DMariotitles' overarching mechanics.
Since its release earlier this month,Super Mario Bros. Wonderhas been celebrated for many unique firsts. While the Wonder Flower and its highly memorable effects are what fans will remember best from Mario’s newest 2D adventure, it’s the Elephant Fruit and its introduction of full-on transformations that have the most staying power. WithWonderonly having just released, it remains to be seen which elements Nintendo will choose to carry forward. Fans of theSuper Marioseries' newest power-up hope to see its weird and wonderful transformations appear in future titles, and, with the Elephant Fruit proving so popular, they may get their wish.
