When he came out Super Mario Maker per Wii U, the potential of the game and the synergy between hardware and software, with the ability to design levels on the controller screen and then try them out on TV. For this, how much Nintendo announced the arrival of Super Mario Maker 2 is preferably used for Switch, a platform in some ways similar but in practically every respect better than the Wii U, expectations were immediately very high. We have therefore tried the game in preview, and we are here to tell you our opinion on it.
Super Mario Maker 2
Every time you open the game, on the home screen, you are immediately launched into a random level between those available online and those created by us, which we can decide to face or ignore, to go to the main menu of the game instead. A small detail, but one that immediately sets the tone of the game, based on the creativeness and on try different things every time.
There are two main game modes: "Creates!", Core of the title and where we will be able to design, test and share our levels, and"Play! ”, Which introduces a story mode for the first time in the series. The latter, although not strictly necessary, certainly helps the longevity of Super Mario Maker 2, allowing us both to "disconnect" from the creative mode in the moments when we will be less inspired and to take a cue from the very particular and well-constructed levels present at the interior of the plot.
Creates!
But let's immediately see what is the most important piece of the game, namely it layer creation tool. Those who have already played the first title in the series will find themselves in front of a familiar interface, but with some additions and changes that make it easier to use.
One of these, not directly linked to the screen as much as to the gaming platform, is precisely the versatility of the Switch: in portable mode, the touch screen allows you to scroll through the elements and position them in an extremely natural way, making the most of the “tablet” aspect of the Switch. Once the level is finished, we could then try it immediately with the simple press of the button '- ', or we could play on the big screen by attaching the Switch to the dock. If to try the levels it is quite indifferent to be in portable mode or attached to the TV, it is decidedly different to design the levels with the Joy-Con or the Pro Controller: in this case we will have to use the left analogue to move a cursor and interact with the various elements, which however have been designed for an interaction with the touch.
Speaking instead of the actual elements available to build a level, we could first of all choose between various graphic styles, from pixelated Super Mario Bros. e Super Mario Bros. 3 to the most modern Super Mario World e New Super Mario Bros. U, finally coming to Super Mario 3D World. If, even in the middle of the design, we could easily switch from one of the first four graphic styles to the other, switching to the "3D" style (in practice, a 2D with perspective) will make us reset what is built, due to the elements and very different mechanics and therefore not "convertible".
Once we have chosen the graphics of our game, the only limit will be practically only our imagination: between more than 80 elements that can be positioned and the possibility of retouching every detail (give him sound effects at the speed with which the camera moves) almost any crazy idea will be within our grasp. To the customization options already present for the Wii U version, however, a new one is added: the special condition. In fact, we can request that the player, to complete the level, must respect a certain condition, such as get to the finish line without taking damage, collect a certain number of coins or even don't jump all the way through the level. This new addition allows you to transform seemingly mundane levels into real puzzles, changing the paradigm of Super Mario where what matters is often only getting to the end of the level alive.
Lots of features and options, in short, so many that we could almost be intimidated by them. Do not worry, however, because Nintendo has also thought of this, offering us the first time we open the game a short guide to the various editor tools, and providing us with a whole series of tutorials on how to create levels. These tutorials, collected in the "Yamamura School ", they are not simple technical instructions on how to navigate the various sections of the game and how to use the various tools, but they are proposed as real style guides. The goal is in fact to convey the mentality of a designer, able to create well-balanced levels and to learn from his mistakes, proceeding gradually and methodically.
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Plays!
In moments of pause from the creative process, we will be able to delight in the levels present in the story mode. The plot is very simple, with Mario and the Toads busy rebuilding Princess Peach's castle. It presents no worlds to explore or particular developments, serving as a simple pretext to play a hundred to new levels with very varied objectives and graphic styles.
The purpose is obviously that of inspire gamers, with slightly crazy levels that exploit particular and original dynamics, to be eventually replicated in our creations. From using the aforementioned special conditions to thematic levels, and passing through the secondary missions that the various characters in the game will assign us, we will have many opportunities to learn from Nintendo's professional designers. Playing it one almost thinks that, in addition to the creativity of the players, also the creativity of the developers has been left to act undisturbed, and that the latter have genuinely enjoyed creating these levels.
Apart from the ability to unlock some items for the level editor and some costumes to use for our avatar, the story mode is still very accessory to the "Create!" - so much so that, if we find ourselves in difficulty with one of the assigned missions, we can ask Luigi to complete it for us.
Online e multiplayer
The beauty of creating a level is obviously having other people try it out, and that's where that comes into play online mode, so popular in the original for the Wii U. Here, players can share their creations and try other users' levels, eventually downloading them for offline play. It is possible to see which are the most played and commented levels, and to leave a judgment in turn.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this new online mode is the multiplayer: if in fact we can play locally with other players from the same console with the levels created or downloaded, it is also possible, both in co-operative and in competition, to challenge users both in the same room, each with their own Switch, and online.
However, an indispensable requirement is necessary to enjoy this fun and in some ways fundamental mode: a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, conveniently bundled with the game (in the version from one year) a € 69.99. Conversely, the game alone comes €59.99, while a one-year subscription would come € 19.99.
Given the need to join Nintendo Online for other multiplayer games, such as Splatoon 2 e Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, probably fans of the Japanese software house will already have this subscription, which can also be shared with other users with theFamily Registration. Super Mario Maker 2, however, could convince users who are still undecided, given that its longevity is based almost solely, once the story mode is over, on being able to share your levels with other players and being able to download an infinity of them uploaded by others. users.
Super Mario Maker 2 - Rating: 8
Pro 
- Very natural editor to use with the touch screen
- Very useful tutorial for building balanced levels
- Story mode with fun levels to play
- Online community of fans and new levels to play created by other users
Cons 
- Little expanded story mode
- Little optimized editor for analogs
- Longevity uncertain, as it depends on the presence of people capable of churning out, from time to time, ever new levels
We hope we've helped you decide whether or not to buy this new title in the Super Mario universe. If you've already tried it, we can't wait to hear your opinion about it.
