Nintendo is facing renewed criticism from players after unveiling a $19.99 upgrade pack for Super Mario Bros. Wonder on the upcoming Switch 2, with some fans arguing the price is high for additional content tied to a game they already own. The upgrade, due to launch on March 26, adds new modes, areas and characters, along with performance enhancements such as 4K gameplay at 60 frames per second.
The company said the upgrade will introduce Bellabel Park, featuring new mini-games and boss challenges, and will add Rosalina and her companion Luma as playable characters. Much of the new material, however, is designed around multiplayer and co-operative play, a focus that has drawn criticism from players who primarily enjoy solo 2D platforming experiences.
Reaction on social media has been mixed. A post by gaming deals account Wario64 highlighting the upgrade prompted a range of responses, including one of the most shared comments: “I ain’t spending $20 for multiplayer DLC, come on man. This should be free with online.” Nintendo has previously bundled added features into older titles available through its Switch Online service.
Some players said they would prefer a lower-cost option that offers only technical improvements without additional content. While Nintendo typically enhances older games to perform more like native releases on newer hardware, the company has not provided detailed information beyond the promised 4K and frame-rate upgrades.
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For fans who paid $59.99 for the original Switch release, the total cost rises to $79.99 with the upgrade, reviving complaints seen during earlier re-releases of classic Mario titles. Other players say they are waiting for Nintendo to announce a new flagship Mario game, arguing that updated versions of existing titles are not enough to drive interest in the new console.