Developer(s): Nintendo EAD Group No. 4
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Platform(s): Wii U
Release date(s):
JP September 10, 2015
NA September 11, 2015
EU September 11, 2015
AUS September 12, 2015
Genre(s): Level editor, platform
Player(s): Single-player
Price: 44,99€ / 59,99$ (Artbook Edition); 59,99€ (Amiibo + Artbook)
Download Size: 1.4GB
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Platform(s): Wii U
Release date(s):
JP September 10, 2015
NA September 11, 2015
EU September 11, 2015
AUS September 12, 2015
Genre(s): Level editor, platform
Player(s): Single-player
Price: 44,99€ / 59,99$ (Artbook Edition); 59,99€ (Amiibo + Artbook)
Download Size: 1.4GB
Super Mario Maker is a creation tool video game which allows players to create their own levels from the Super Mario series using the Wii U GamePad, which they can then share
with other players. Players can base their levels on the gameplay and visual style of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros. U,
with some gameplay mechanics, and enemy behaviour changing accordingly. Those elements are limited to specific game styles while others can be added to game styles that
previously did not have them in the original game, such as Boos in Super Mario Bros.
In addition to traditional Mario elements such as Goombas, warp pipes, and power ups, players can manipulate the behavior of various elements in unique ways. For example,
they can stack enemies on top of one another, have hazards come out of question blocks, use shells as protective helmets, and make cannons shoot out coins, enemies, or
whatever the creator chooses. These combinations are possible because editing tools in the game work in tandem with one another. This allows players to make any enemy in
the game larger by giving them a mushroom, grant them the ability to fly by giving them wings, and so on, with combinations being possible to implement as well. Other elements
include the Sound Frog, which adds sound and visual effects to certain parts of the level, including voice recorded messages, and live Miiverse integration.
Aside from creating levels and sharing them, players can engage with other people's creations in various ways. This includes browsing the vast catalogue of online creations but
also a mode called '100 Mario Challenge' which pits the players against eight (on the Easy difficulty) or sixteen (on the Normal or Expert difficulty) user-created levels with
100 lives at their disposal. Beating the challenge unlocks another costume for Mario that can be used in the original Super Mario Bros. style by picking up a Mystery Mushroom.
The variety of costumes ranges from the inner circle of Nintendo characters (think Smash roster) to iconic characters from other Nintendo games! Rounding out the package is a
'10 Mario challenge' in which the players have to beat eight stages with no more than 10 lives available to them. The eight stages are randomly selected from an array of 68
Nintendo-created levels that are included in the game.
with other players. Players can base their levels on the gameplay and visual style of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros. U,
with some gameplay mechanics, and enemy behaviour changing accordingly. Those elements are limited to specific game styles while others can be added to game styles that
previously did not have them in the original game, such as Boos in Super Mario Bros.
In addition to traditional Mario elements such as Goombas, warp pipes, and power ups, players can manipulate the behavior of various elements in unique ways. For example,
they can stack enemies on top of one another, have hazards come out of question blocks, use shells as protective helmets, and make cannons shoot out coins, enemies, or
whatever the creator chooses. These combinations are possible because editing tools in the game work in tandem with one another. This allows players to make any enemy in
the game larger by giving them a mushroom, grant them the ability to fly by giving them wings, and so on, with combinations being possible to implement as well. Other elements
include the Sound Frog, which adds sound and visual effects to certain parts of the level, including voice recorded messages, and live Miiverse integration.
Aside from creating levels and sharing them, players can engage with other people's creations in various ways. This includes browsing the vast catalogue of online creations but
also a mode called '100 Mario Challenge' which pits the players against eight (on the Easy difficulty) or sixteen (on the Normal or Expert difficulty) user-created levels with
100 lives at their disposal. Beating the challenge unlocks another costume for Mario that can be used in the original Super Mario Bros. style by picking up a Mystery Mushroom.
The variety of costumes ranges from the inner circle of Nintendo characters (think Smash roster) to iconic characters from other Nintendo games! Rounding out the package is a
'10 Mario challenge' in which the players have to beat eight stages with no more than 10 lives available to them. The eight stages are randomly selected from an array of 68
Nintendo-created levels that are included in the game.
SCREENSHOTS
VIDEOS
VIDEOS
I have so many questions, I don't even know where to begin!
I urge everyone to read the 'Game Features' section as it includes a lot of vital information.
I started playing and I don't have all the tools available, what gives? I want them as quickly as possible.
With the new update, the levels are unlocked by extensive play in the editor. Here's the best way to ensure quick unlocks of the new sets: 1. Use all the new items,
backgrounds etc. (everything with a '!'), combine items, etc. Just use the new stuff for a while. At that point, you will get a notification that new features "will be available
soon". Now just clear the screen, choose a land block (something you can put down without lifting the stylus) and fill the whole screen with that by going back and forth
with the stick. The set that was announced to be arriving "soon" should unlock in a couple of minutes' time. Repeat at your leisure.
Are the individual physics of the four Mario titles recreated in a faithful fashion?
Not exactly. While some idiosyncracies have been accurately reproduced for the different artstyles, a lot of elements had to be standardised across the board for level sharing
to work, as well as seamless transitioning from one artstyle to the other. This includes the jumping physics which are based on NSMBU. You can read more about the changes here.
Is there a digital version of the booklet that is bundled with the game?
Yup, and you can find it for free right here!
Will there be DLC for this game?
The first piece of costume DLC has been announced today. The Famitsu mascot Necky the Fox will be released in Japan soon, details forthcoming. As of now, it is unclear
whether that is a one-off and if it will be free or paid DLC.
What's the maximum size of a level?
10x2 screens with one sub-area (reached via pipes or doors) of the same size. That's a lot of level to work with!
How many levels can I save locally?
You can have up to 120 creations stored on your Maker profile, including your own. However, you can play levels without downloading them, just like in Trials,
for example.
Can I create my own overworlds?
Don't be silly! You can, however, arrange levels into a world structure locally.
How do I change the hand that is visible on the TV while editing?
Press in the L and R sticks to cycle through the different hands/paws.
Is the frog icon in the level editor a callback to Frog Hop?
If you want it to be, sure! However, the frog icon originally appeared in Mario Paint so your question should be the other way around.
What is up with Amiibo?
What IS up with Amiibo?
I urge everyone to read the 'Game Features' section as it includes a lot of vital information.
I started playing and I don't have all the tools available, what gives? I want them as quickly as possible.
With the new update, the levels are unlocked by extensive play in the editor. Here's the best way to ensure quick unlocks of the new sets: 1. Use all the new items,
backgrounds etc. (everything with a '!'), combine items, etc. Just use the new stuff for a while. At that point, you will get a notification that new features "will be available
soon". Now just clear the screen, choose a land block (something you can put down without lifting the stylus) and fill the whole screen with that by going back and forth
with the stick. The set that was announced to be arriving "soon" should unlock in a couple of minutes' time. Repeat at your leisure.
Are the individual physics of the four Mario titles recreated in a faithful fashion?
Not exactly. While some idiosyncracies have been accurately reproduced for the different artstyles, a lot of elements had to be standardised across the board for level sharing
to work, as well as seamless transitioning from one artstyle to the other. This includes the jumping physics which are based on NSMBU. You can read more about the changes here.
Is there a digital version of the booklet that is bundled with the game?
Yup, and you can find it for free right here!
Will there be DLC for this game?
The first piece of costume DLC has been announced today. The Famitsu mascot Necky the Fox will be released in Japan soon, details forthcoming. As of now, it is unclear
whether that is a one-off and if it will be free or paid DLC.
What's the maximum size of a level?
10x2 screens with one sub-area (reached via pipes or doors) of the same size. That's a lot of level to work with!
How many levels can I save locally?
You can have up to 120 creations stored on your Maker profile, including your own. However, you can play levels without downloading them, just like in Trials,
for example.
Can I create my own overworlds?
Don't be silly! You can, however, arrange levels into a world structure locally.
How do I change the hand that is visible on the TV while editing?
Press in the L and R sticks to cycle through the different hands/paws.
Is the frog icon in the level editor a callback to Frog Hop?
If you want it to be, sure! However, the frog icon originally appeared in Mario Paint so your question should be the other way around.
What is up with Amiibo?
What IS up with Amiibo?
The 8-bit Mario releases in Europe and Australia in two colours - a classic style and a modern style. The classic style releases with the game in a special bundle (see
'Editions') in Europe whereas modern Mario follows October 23 in Europe and a day later in Australia. Note that US collectors will have to turn to a Walmart bundle(!) for the
modern colour palette.
The classic 8-bit Mario amiibo unlocks a Mega Mushroom in the game which is comparable to the Mega Mushroom found in the NSMB games.
Furthermore, all amiibos that have been released so far are compatible with the game, unlocking a special costume that can be used in the Super Mario Bros. artstyle in-game.
Keep in mind that these costumes can also be unlocked without amiibo, by way of playing and beating the 100 Mario Challenge (see 'Game Features').
'Editions') in Europe whereas modern Mario follows October 23 in Europe and a day later in Australia. Note that US collectors will have to turn to a Walmart bundle(!) for the
modern colour palette.
The classic 8-bit Mario amiibo unlocks a Mega Mushroom in the game which is comparable to the Mega Mushroom found in the NSMB games.
Furthermore, all amiibos that have been released so far are compatible with the game, unlocking a special costume that can be used in the Super Mario Bros. artstyle in-game.
Keep in mind that these costumes can also be unlocked without amiibo, by way of playing and beating the 100 Mario Challenge (see 'Game Features').
You can find many more reviews in the review thread! And I wanna give huge thanks to kubus for the beautiful banners!
