Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Roster, DLC Speculation & Fan Favorites
Last Updated: October 16, 2025
Super Mario Bros. Wonder launched on the Nintendo Switch to critical acclaim, reinvigorating the 2D Mario formula with its imaginative Wonder Effects and vibrant art style. One of the most celebrated aspects of the game was its expansive and inclusive playable character roster.
While the final lineup brought long-awaited favorites to the forefront, it also left fans wondering about other iconic characters and the possibility of future additions through DLC.
The Official Roster: Who Made the Cut in the Flower Kingdom?
Nintendo broke from tradition with Super Mario Bros. Wonder, offering the largest selection of playable characters in a mainline 2D Mario title to date. The final roster at launch includes 12 distinct characters:
- Mario
- Luigi
- Princess Peach
- Princess Daisy
- Yellow Toad
- Blue Toad
- Toadette
- Nabbit
- Green Yoshi
- Red Yoshi
- Yellow Yoshi
- Light-Blue Yoshi
A key design choice differentiated this roster from past titles like Super Mario 3D World. With the exception of the Yoshis and Nabbit, every character shares the exact same moveset and physics. This ensures player choice is purely aesthetic, allowing fans to play as their favorite without any gameplay advantages or disadvantages.
The Yoshis and Nabbit, however, serve as the game's "easy mode." These characters do not take damage from enemies, though they will still lose a life if they fall into a pit. The trade-off is that they cannot use any of the game's iconic power-ups, like the Elephant Fruit or Bubble Flower. This was a widely praised accessibility feature, making the game more approachable for younger or less experienced players.
Fan Frenzy Fulfilled: The Triumphant Return of Daisy
Long before the game's release, the biggest source of fan excitement was the confirmation that Princess Daisy would be playable. For the first time ever in a mainline 2D Mario platformer, the energetic princess of Sarasaland was a selectable hero from the start. This fulfilled a request fans have had for decades, placing her on equal footing with Mario, Luigi, and Peach. Her inclusion was a major talking point and a huge win for the community.
Notable Absences and the DLC Question
While the roster is robust, the absence of certain fan-favorites was quickly noted. Among the most requested characters not included in the base game is Rosalina. The cosmic guardian from Super Mario Galaxy has become a staple in spin-off titles like Mario Kart and Mario Party, and her unique aesthetic and dedicated fanbase led many to hope she would make the jump to Wonder.
Her absence, along with other mainstays like Wario and Waluigi, has fueled persistent speculation about potential post-launch content. Nintendo has a strong track record of supporting its major titles with DLC, from the Booster Course Pass for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to the extensive roster additions for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Even past 2D titles like New Super Mario Bros. 2 received paid level packs.
To date, Nintendo has not officially announced any DLC plans for Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The game launched as a complete and polished package. However, the game's structure, with its open-ended world map and creative foundation, seems ripe for expansion. Fans remain hopeful that new worlds, challenges, and—most importantly—new playable characters like Rosalina could be added in the future to keep the wonder alive.
Conclusion: A Celebrated Roster with Room to Grow
Super Mario Bros. Wonder delivered a fantastic and diverse cast of characters that celebrated the series' history while making modern strides in accessibility and fan service with the inclusion of Daisy. While the base game stands as a complete experience, the passionate desire from the community for even more characters like Rosalina keeps the conversation going. For now, fans can enjoy the Flower Kingdom with the excellent roster provided, all while keeping a hopeful eye on the horizon for a potential future Nintendo Direct announcement.