Super Mario Maker 2, developed by Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo, unleashed its creative power onto the Nintendo Switch in 2019. This sequel to the beloved Wii U original brought a plethora of new tools, features, and ways to play, cementing its status as the ultimate 2D Super Mario experience and a boundless canvas for platforming ingenuity. This Mario Maker 2 Switch review explores its expansive creation tools and vibrant community.
Gameplay: Create, Share, and Play Endless Mario Levels
At its heart, Super Mario Maker 2 on Switch is a powerful level editor that puts the magic of Mario development into players’ hands. The intuitive “Course Maker” interface allows for effortless drag-and-drop placement of objects, enemies, power-ups, and environmental elements. The sheer number of available elements is staggering, far exceeding the original game, including slopes, the Angry Sun, On/Off Switches, and even custom clear conditions.
The game features five distinct game styles: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. U, and the brand-new addition, Super Mario 3D World, each bringing its unique mechanics and visual flair to the 2D plane (with 3D World offering more unique 3D-like elements). Players can design levels with various themes (desert, snow, sky, etc.) and time of day (day/night cycles affecting gameplay). Beyond creation, the “Course World” is where players can upload their creations and play millions of courses made by others. The online multiplayer is a major draw, offering both chaotic “Vs. Mode” races and cooperative “Co-op Play” through user-created levels. The robust Story Mode provides hundreds of Nintendo-designed levels, serving as both a fun single-player experience and a masterclass in level design.
Expansive and intuitive Course Maker tools
Five distinct Super Mario game styles, including 3D World
Robust online Course World for sharing and playing levels
Engaging online Vs. Mode and Co-op Play
Comprehensive Story Mode with Nintendo-designed levels
Story and Setting: Rebuilding Princess Peach’s Castle
The narrative in Super Mario Maker 2‘s Story Mode is simple and charming. After a mishap destroys Princess Peach’s Castle, Mario must embark on a quest to complete various construction jobs (user-created levels curated by Nintendo) to earn coins and rebuild the castle. This provides a delightful framework for experiencing a wide variety of inventive levels.
The setting revolves around the construction site of Peach’s Castle, acting as a hub that slowly rebuilds as you progress. The true setting, however, is the limitless canvas of the Course Maker and the vast, ever-growing community-created Course World.
Graphics and Sound: Classic Mario, Modern Polish
Visually, Super Mario Maker 2 on the Switch is vibrant and crisp. The graphics faithfully recreate the distinct art styles of each chosen game, from the pixelated charm of Super Mario Bros. to the polished look of New Super Mario Bros. U and the unique aesthetic of Super Mario 3D World. The game runs smoothly whether docked or in handheld mode.
The sound design is equally impressive, featuring classic and remixed iconic soundtrack tunes from across the Mario series, perfectly adapting to the chosen game style and theme. The familiar sound effects for jumps, power-ups, and enemy stomps are all present and accounted for, adding to the authentic Mario feel.
Replayability: An Endless Well of Creativity
Super Mario Maker 2 boasts virtually endless replayability. The constant influx of new user-created levels means there’s always something fresh to play. Whether you’re designing your own challenging contraptions, tackling the toughest “Kaizo” levels, or simply enjoying the creative genius of the community, the game never runs out of content. The different game styles, themes, and unlockable elements provide constant incentive to revisit the Course Maker.
Is Super Mario Maker 2 on Switch Worth Playing Today?
Absolutely. For fans of Super Mario platformers, aspiring game designers, or anyone seeking a game with truly limitless content, Super Mario Maker 2 on Switch is a must-play. Its intuitive creation tools, vast library of user-generated levels, and robust online multiplayer make it an incredibly engaging and rewarding experience. It’s a true gaming masterpiece and a definitive classic Switch game that puts pure creative joy right at your fingertips.
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