Key Facts
- ✓ The plastic Talking Flower replica is available for preorder at the Nintendo Store for $34.99 with a release date of March 12.
- ✓ The device is designed as a decorative item, not a toy, intended for placement on desks or shelves rather than active play.
- ✓ It features a built-in clock and temperature sensor, allowing it to make context-aware comments about the time of day and ambient temperature.
- ✓ The flower lacks AI and a microphone, meaning it cannot engage in conversations or listen to users, but it does have a button for manual speech activation.
- ✓ It supports 11 languages and automatically remains silent during nighttime hours to avoid disturbing users.
- ✓ A new game expansion titled Meetup in Bellabell Park and a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade are scheduled for release on March 26.
A Talking Plant Comes to Life
The hallucinogenic talking flowers from Super Mario Bros. Wonder have been transformed into a tangible, plastic companion. Nintendo has announced that a physical replica of the iconic character is now available for preorder, allowing fans to bring a piece of the game's whimsical world into their homes.
This decorative item captures the essence of the game's inventive spirit. It serves as a unique collectible for enthusiasts of the franchise, offering a blend of nostalgia and interactive novelty. The release marks a significant expansion of the game's merchandise lineup, moving beyond traditional figures and apparel.
Product Details & Availability
The Talking Flower is available for preorder through the official Nintendo Store. Priced at $34.99, the item is scheduled for release on March 12. It is positioned not as a children's toy for active play, but rather as a decorative piece designed for placement on desks, shelves, or bedside tables.
Key specifications and features include:
- Periodic speech occurring approximately twice per hour
- Manual activation via a dedicated button
- Special phrases triggered by repeated button presses
- Support for 11 different languages
- Automatic silence during nighttime hours
The device is designed to function as a decorative ornament that occasionally engages with its environment through sound.
Interactive Features & Technology
The Talking Flower operates on a sophisticated yet non-AI system. It does not contain any built-in artificial intelligence or connect to a large language model. Crucially, it lacks a microphone, ensuring it does not listen to conversations like smart speakers, and it cannot engage in two-way dialogue.
However, the device incorporates several context-aware features. It contains a built-in clock, allowing it to make comments relevant to the time of day. Additionally, a temperature sensor enables it to remark on the ambient temperature of its location.
Audio functionality extends to game sounds. The flower can replicate the distinct sound effect from Super Mario Bros. Wonder that plays when a Wonder Seed is collected and the level transforms. It also plays music, and users can press the button in rhythm with the music to elicit a reactive response from the device.
User Controls & Functionality
Users have significant control over the flower's vocalizations. Beyond the standard button press for on-demand speech, the device includes a press-and-hold function to temporarily silence the unit. This feature is useful for meetings or quiet environments.
The flower's speech patterns are designed to be ambient rather than intrusive. It will not speak overnight, respecting the user's sleep schedule. For those seeking a morning wake-up call, the device can be activated to speak in the morning, functioning similarly to an alarm clock.
Is it weird for flowers to talk?
The device is programmed with a variety of phrases, including philosophical musings like the one above and observational comments such as, "Sometimes it’s nice to space out."
Broader Game Updates
The release of the Talking Flower coincides with significant news for the Super Mario Bros. Wonder game itself. A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade is in development, promising enhanced performance for the next-generation console.
Furthermore, a new expansion titled Meetup in Bellabell Park is slated for release on March 26. This downloadable content introduces a suite of new multiplayer-focused game modes and additional assist mode options, broadening the game's accessibility and social play potential.
Alongside the DLC, three new amiibo figures will launch, expanding the collectible figure lineup associated with the title. These developments indicate Nintendo's continued support and expansion of the Wonder ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
The Talking Flower represents a creative fusion of digital gaming and physical merchandise. It offers a tangible connection to the game's unique atmosphere without relying on complex AI or connectivity.
For collectors and fans, the item provides a novel interactive experience. Its release on March 12 aligns with a period of active development for the Super Mario Bros. Wonder franchise, including the upcoming Switch 2 Edition and the Meetup in Bellabell Park expansion.
Ultimately, the device stands as a testament to Nintendo's ability to extend its intellectual properties into innovative physical forms, offering fans new ways to engage with their favorite characters.
