Super Mario Maker: A Comprehensive Review and Guide – Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

Introduction:

Super Mario Maker, released in 2015 for the Wii U and later on the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch, is a groundbreaking game that allows players to create, share, and play their own custom-made Mario levels. With an extensive toolkit and a vast community, it has become a staple for both Mario enthusiasts and game designers. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of Super Mario Maker, provide a guide on how to play the game, and introduce five alternatives for those who are looking for similar experiences.

Pros of Super Mario Maker:

• Creative Freedom: Super Mario Maker empowers players to unleash their creativity by providing an extensive array of tools, assets, and level elements. You can design levels with different themes, challenges, and aesthetics, and even create entirely new styles of gameplay. The only limit is your imagination.
• Nostalgia and Iconic Characters: The game offers access to various classic Mario game styles, including Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros. Players can relive their favorite moments and characters from these iconic titles, invoking a strong sense of nostalgia.
• Community-Driven Content: Super Mario Maker is all about sharing and playing user-generated content. The online community is active and diverse, ensuring that there are always new and exciting levels to try. This dynamic ecosystem keeps the game fresh and engaging for years.
• User-Friendly Level Editor: The level editor in Super Mario Maker is remarkably user-friendly. It allows players of all skill levels to design their own levels with ease. You can drag and drop elements, test your creation on the fly, and fine-tune the experience until it’s just right.
• Course Creator Challenges: Nintendo introduced the “10 Mario Challenge” and “100 Mario Challenge” modes, where you play through a series of user-created levels. These challenges not only provide a unique gameplay experience but also reward you with medals and costumes for your in-game character.
• Learning and Game Design: Super Mario Maker serves as an educational tool for budding game designers. The game’s intuitive interface introduces players to the principles of level design, teaching them about pacing, difficulty, and the psychology of fun gameplay.
• Active Online Community: The Super Mario Maker community is vibrant and active. Players can share their creations, play levels made by others, and even engage in friendly competitions. The constant influx of new content keeps the game exciting and ensures there’s something for every player.
• Versatility in Control Schemes: Whether you’re playing on the Wii U GamePad, the Nintendo 3DS, or the Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Maker adapts to your control preferences, making it accessible to a wide range of players.
• Expansion Through Updates: Nintendo released updates that added new features and elements to the game, including the addition of new game styles like Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. These updates kept the game fresh and exciting.

Cons of Super Mario Maker:

• Limited Offline Play (Wii U and 3DS): On the Wii U and 3DS, Super Mario Maker required an internet connection for level sharing and downloading. This limitation meant that players without internet access couldn’t fully enjoy the game’s potential.
• Content Gating: Initially, Super Mario Maker imposed limitations on level uploads for new players, which could be frustrating for those eager to share their creations. However, this restriction was later relaxed after players spent enough time creating and playing levels.
• Inactive User Base (Wii U): With the Wii U’s dwindling popularity, the online community for Super Mario Maker on that platform began to decline. Finding new levels and sharing your creations became less dynamic as a result.
• Limited Enemy Types: While Super Mario Maker offers a wide range of assets, some players wished for more enemy types and interactive elements to expand the possibilities of level design.
• No Story Mode (Wii U and 3DS): The original Wii U and 3DS versions of Super Mario Maker lacked a story mode, which could have provided a structured single-player experience. This absence made it solely dependent on user-generated content.
• Difficulty of Discovering Good Levels: With the vast number of levels available, it can be challenging to discover high-quality and enjoyable creations. The search and rating system could be improved to help players find the best content.
• User-Generated Content Quality: As with any game that relies on user-generated content, there is a wide variation in the quality of levels. While there are many excellent creations, there are also low-effort and poorly designed levels that can be frustrating to play.
• Limited Collaboration Tools: Super Mario Maker’s level editor does not support true collaboration between multiple players. You can create levels with friends but not in real-time. This limitation might disappoint those who want to design levels together.

How to Play Super Mario Maker:

• Select Your Platform: Super Mario Maker is available on the Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch. Choose the platform you own or prefer to play on.
• Create or Play Levels:
  • To create levels, access the level editor in the game and start designing. You can use a wide variety of tools, enemies, power-ups, and objects to craft your unique level.
  • To play levels created by others, explore the online community, search for levels using filters, or participate in the “10 Mario Challenge” or “100 Mario Challenge.”
• Upload Your Creations (Wii U and Switch):
  • On the Wii U and Switch versions, after creating a level, you can upload it to the online server for others to play.
  • Keep in mind that there may be limitations on how many levels you can upload initially. Play and rate other players’ levels to increase your upload limit.
• Share and Collaborate: Share your levels with friends, the online community, or social media. You can also collaborate with others on level design, although it’s not real-time co-op.
• Challenge Yourself: Super Mario Maker offers various challenges, including the “10 Mario Challenge,” “100 Mario Challenge,” and the “Event Courses” introduced by Nintendo, each with unique objectives and rewards.
• Play Dress-Up: Collect costumes for your in-game character by completing specific challenges and objectives. These costumes change Mario’s appearance and can be used in your levels.

5 Alternatives to Super Mario Maker:

• LittleBigPlanet Series (PlayStation): LittleBigPlanet is a series of platformer games that focus on user-generated content. It offers similar creative freedom and level design tools, along with a charming art style and a strong community.
• Minecraft (Various Platforms): While not a traditional platformer, Minecraft’s Creative Mode allows players to build their own worlds, complete with challenges and adventures. The game’s vast modding community ensures there’s always something new to explore.
• Terraria (Various Platforms): Terraria combines elements of platforming, exploration, and sandbox gameplay. Players can create their own worlds, construct intricate structures, and challenge themselves with diverse enemies and bosses.
• Ori and the Blind Forest (Various Platforms): Ori and the Blind Forest is a visually stunning platformer that doesn’t offer level creation, but it excels in level design. It provides a meticulously crafted experience with a heartfelt story.
• Super Mario Maker 2 (Nintendo Switch): For those who enjoyed the original Super Mario Maker, Super Mario Maker 2 offers an improved experience on the Nintendo Switch, with additional features, assets, and an active online community. It addresses some of the shortcomings of the original.

Conclusion:

Super Mario Maker, with its impressive pros and few cons, remains a beloved game for creative minds and Mario fans alike. Its user-friendly level editor, rich community-driven content, and nostalgic appeal have secured its place in the gaming world. Whether you’re a casual player looking for fun challenges or an aspiring game designer eager to create, Super Mario Maker has something to offer.

The game’s cons, such as content gating, quality control, and limited offline play on older platforms, have been mitigated by updates and the release of Super Mario Maker 2 on the Nintendo Switch, which addressed many of these issues. While the original game may have some limitations, it paved the way for an even more refined experience on the Switch.

For those seeking alternatives, there are various games that offer creative freedom and platforming fun, from LittleBigPlanet’s whimsical charm to Minecraft’s sandbox creativity. Ori and the Blind Forest provides a beautifully designed experience, and Terraria offers an open world filled with adventures and challenges. Finally, if you’re a Super Mario Maker enthusiast, the sequel on the Nintendo Switch is a natural choice, providing even more tools and opportunities for level creation and play.