Nintendo Credits Super Mario Wonder’s Sales Success to Multiplayer

Nintendo is attributing the financial success of Super Mario Bros. Wonder to its multiplayer mode, as Mario’s latest outing becomes the latest Nintendo game to offer another way for one to make memories with their friends and loved ones.

In a Q&A with investors following its recent earnings report, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explained some of the likely contributing factors to Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s success. Furukawa explained how the multiplayer feature in Wonder was vital in that it “suited the need for a game many people can enjoy with family and friends” as the game was released ahead of the holiday season and was likely a gift for many during that period.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder offers local and online multiplayer. The latter allows four players to play on one Nintendo Switch and run through the game’s levels; in contrast, the latter allows up to 12 players to gather in a private lobby before breaking off into groups of four to run through the levels. According to Furukawa, “around half” of Mario Wonder’s users played in multiplayer.

More interestingly, Furukawa noted that The Super Mario Bros. Movie, released in theatres and is available to stream on Peacock and Netflix, was also an influential factor in Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s sales.

“So even though the theatrical release is over, the number of people who have seen the movie for the first time continues to increase, and we believe this has also helped drive the good sales of Super Mario Bros. Wonder,” Furukawa explained.

Nintendo has previously been vocal about Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s success. In early November, the company revealed that it was the fastest-selling Mario game to date, selling 4,3 million units within the first two weeks of its release with the company anticipating the number would continue to grow.

In our review of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, IGN said: “Super Mario Bros. Wonder looks and plays like the true next step for 2D Mario platformers. Wonder effects change each stage in both surprising and delightful ways, the Flower Kingdom makes for a vibrant and refreshing change of pace, and Elephant Mario steals the show.”

Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.