Mario producer calls Sonic release date ‘an interesting coincidence’

Super Mario Bros. Wonder producer Takashi Tezuka has called the game’s proximity to Sega’s own side-scrolling revival, Sonic Superstars, “an interesting coincidence”.

The two classic platforming giants are set to go head-to-head for the first time in decades this month, with Sega’s game releasing on October 17 and Mario Bros. Wonder days later on October 20.

Speaking in the latest issue of Game Informer, which is available to purchase now, series producer Tezuka – who’s worked on every Mario game since the 1985 original – said he welcomed more side-scrolling games coming to market and that he wants “as many people as possible” to play them.

“I think it’s an interesting coincidence,” he said. “We’ve been creating 2D action games for a long time and we, of course, want as many players as possible to enjoy those games. We’re looking forward to as many people as possible having the opportunity to play these 2D side-scrolling action games, Mario and otherwise.”

Wonder is the first 2D Mario game since New Super Mario Bros. U in 2012 and appears to introduce the most significant changes to the classic formula since the 1990s, with a striking new art style and ‘Wonder’ mechanic which transforms stages in surprising ways.

Tezuka and Super Mario Bros. Wonder director Shiro Mouri have credited the game’s younger development team for many of its innovations.

In a recent hands-on Super Mario Bros. Wonder preview, VGC wrote: “The reveal trailer for Super Mario Bros Wonder in June hinted at a 2D game with some of the madness of its 3D cousins.

“After playing four levels (and a bonus one) at Nintendo Live in Seattle, I can say that this is shaping up to be the wildest 2D Mario games to date, but one that still holds true to that classic Mario Bros formula.”