Sequels are sometimes too tough to make, especially when the first game was such a smash hit. Luckily for Nintendo, the Wii U was grossly underplayed and now, Super Mario Maker 2 feels fresh to a lot of people who missed the first game. So, how does it stand up to its predecessor? It goomba stomps on it, making way for a much better, more refined experience.

I loved Super Mario Maker, and was very nervous we’d see a lot of the same stuff in this edition. I expected, for lack of a better word, a remake of the original. That was until info started coming out about the additions to this new Switch title. Primarily, I loved that all the features of level creation were ready from day one. Fans of the original will remember that some items and features were locked behind a week-long release delay to allow creators a chance to master the available tools before introducing more. It was dumb, and it’s still a weird decision from Nintendo that I don’t understand.

Having all items available at release could make for an intimidating interface for level creation. Luckily, everything you can use to make your dream Mario level is organized by easy to use category wheels. Simply find an enemy or item you’d like to place into the level from the wheel, and it’s there for you to use. It makes the sheer amount of things you can use in this game feel manageable.

On and off switches seem to be the most fun mechanic to play with, as is the addition of wind conditions. When the wind is blowing, items blow away, or enemies are forced toward you. This is a mechanic that is too much fun, and I greatly enjoyed it.

To master these tools, lessons are available that help you understand how to better implement features new and old. It’s handy for getting a grasp on level creation if that’s something you’re dedicated to getting good at. Me, I’m never going to love creating as much as I love playing. I’ll be sure to work on my skills, but for now, I’m playing much more than I’m creating.

A negative aspect of Super Mario Maker 2 is the fact that level creation is so much easier with the touch screen. Try to make a level with a controller while the Switch is in docked mode, and you’ll know what pain and agony are. For that reason, it could pose an annoyance for some who want to create levels on their big TV. To be honest, it’s a silly thing to be annoyed about. Control over level creation is easier on the handheld screen, so that’s what I’ve been using. It’s that simple.

Back again are the leaderboards on Course World that connect you to popular levels others have designed. I’m not a level creator fan, but Course World makes the game an endless array of levels to play for days, weeks, and months to come. Of course, you’ll need Nintendo Switch Online, but some copies actually come with it, so be on the lookout if you have not purchased this game yet.

There are a ton of levels already loaded from users that are just downright cruel. Anything lower than a 10% completion rate makes me hesitate to try it. Unfortunately, there are more of these near-impossible levels on Course World than truly creative levels, and it was a problem the first game had as well.

Need to spruce up on some Mario skills? Luckily, Super Mario Maker 2 has a Story Mode, but the story is shallow. The Mushroom Kingdom is destroyed, and you need to rebuild it using coins and hammers you earn from playing pre-loaded levels. These help you get a grasp of game mechanics and how some of the new features play in the game. It’s fun, and there are over 100 levels to master, before diving more into the Course World side of the game. As mentioned, some of the Course World levels are painfully hard, so Story Mode allows for a bit of relief.

Overall, the game plays as well as the original, with many more bells and whistles. The addition of Super Mario 3D World levels is great, as it was a very underrated Wii U title. If you love Mario, Super Mario Maker 2 is a must own. The Course World levels are going to seemingly never stop coming in, so it’s a game that keeps on giving, so long as the player base keeps playing. For that reason, the minor annoyances of difficulty and level creating in docked mode seem minuscule. Pick this one up. It’s a must own for Switch owners for sure.

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Super Mario Maker 2

$59.99

8.5

Score

8.5/10

Pros

• Endless Levels Via Course World
• Story Mode Gives a Great Intro/Refresher to Mechanics
• Easy to Navigate Categories for Level Creation
• All Around Great Experience

Cons

• Many Levels on Course World are Downright Near-Impossible
• Level Creation is Awful With Controller in Docked Mode

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