2023 has been a fantastic year for video games, as I’ve discussed many times in my articles. The GOTY race already has many great contenders: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur’s Gate 3, Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Final Fantasy XVI, just to name a few. If you read my article on titles to still come out this year (here), you would notice two particular titles: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for the PS5 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder for the Nintendo Switch. What makes the two special is that they release on the same day: October 20th, 2023.
We’ve already had a double feature this year that blew people’s minds in Hollywood with Barbie (review here) and Oppenheimer (review here) in July (also known as Barbenheimer). In gaming, many remember when, in 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and DOOM: Eternal launched on the same day. This occurrence has happened, but to see it again in an already-packed year is insane. The big question is: which will outdo the other? Let’s look at each game and see how it might play out.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Improves Upon Its Predecessors and Then Some
For Insomniac Studios’ sequel to the 2016 open-world action game Marvel’s Spider-Man and 2020’s Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales spinoff, bigger means better. The original was chockfull of side quests and collectibles set in a sprawling New York City. In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, there are two new boroughs for players to swing through alongside Web Wings, which let you glide above the city streets. Fans of previous titles will see much-needed changes to the combat and a bevy of new suits to try. Players get to play as Peter Parker and Miles Morales, offering unique experiences for each character. For Spider-Man fanatics, fan-favorite villains Venom and Kraven the Hunter play significant parts in the narrative alongside returning characters such as Ganke Lee and Mary-Jane Watson.
Compared to Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder, there are apparent differences in graphics and themes. While Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man series has light-hearted moments, it’s not afraid to show some dark stuff and not pull punches. Mario’s style is more cartoon-oriented, whereas realism is essential for Marvel’s Spider-Man. However, that’s not to say that Nintendo is at a disadvantage, but rather an advantage.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder Takes Its Beloved Formula And Reinvents It
The Mario series has had many entries in its 38-year history that stick to the basics. That is especially evident in the Super Mario Bros. series of games, as they stick to the side-scrolling nature of the 1985 classic. The last entry in the series, Super Mario Bros. U, came out in 2012 for the Wii U and remains one of the best-selling Mario titles. 11 years later, the series will take those roots and flip them upside down in Wonder. The title adds a brighter color palette to coincide with an interactive landscape in the Flower Kingdom. All-new Wonder Flowers and powerups open up crazy opportunities for players to explore and utilize. Local multiplayer and online play are available, so groups both near and far can share in the fun.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder keeps the form of its predecessors and puts a new spin on it, whereas Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 adds on top of it. Both are great strategies to abide by and can succeed if done right. Looking at both companies’ track records, it’s a safe bet that they’ll find massive success. When it comes to who’ll win, it depends on perspective. Sales-wise, Mario has an edge since it appeals to a larger demographic. In acclaim, Mario and Marvel’s Spider-Man have garnered numerous awards. Even still, Insomniac’s take on the famed web-slinger has been a hit with critics and fans despite only having two titles. No matter how you slice it, October 20th is a great day for gaming. It’ll be exciting to see how each title will do.
Conclusion
What do you all think? Whose side are you on? Team Spidey or Team Maro? Which will you be getting on October 20th? Let me know in the comments. If you like this type of content, leave a like and share it with friends. Until next time, everyone!
