Mario Maker and the future of 2D Mario

Image Source: Nintendo

I'm pretty hyped for Super Mario Maker, and judging by the reception on the internet, I'm not the only one. Combining the perfect controls of a Mario Game and the limitless creativity of players around the world, will surely create a great selection of memorable levels. (And at least the same amount of junk, but whatever.)

I have often thought about delving into game design and Mario Maker offers me an easy opportunity to try myself as a level designer. The Wii-U Gamepad also offers an easy and intituive way to create levels. One thing I always found off-putting in Little Big Planet was how clunky its editor often felt.

But enough about praising a game that isn't even released yet. I'll leave that to gaming websites and commercials. I want to talk about the impact that Super Mario Maker will have on the Mario Series. At least its 2D iterations.

Like I said above, Super Mario Maker offers nearly limitless opportunities to create levels and the creativity of the community will make sure that this actually happens. That is great and what's even better is, that this will force Nintendo to innovate the series again. Just releasing another game, that essentially is nothing but a level pack, won't cut it anymore. New Super Mario Bros. U was great, and probably the best modern 2D Mario, but it still felt stale. The new Super Mario Bros. Series is reaching a point of franchise fatigue, just like Assasssins Creed or Call of Duty. And now with Super Mario Maker, this won't cut it anymore. Why should I buy a new game for full price, when I can play dozens upon dozens of levels in Mario Maker?

That's why Nintendo will have to shake up the franchise if they want to keep it going. And looking at the sales of these games, they most certainly will. For the first time in over 8 years we may get more than just some new power ups and a world map.

Let's take a look at some of the possibilities. Super Mario 3D World already offered some refreshing alternatives from standard Mario courses. The circus levels, even though I didn't like them, were a great addition. The same goes for the japanese castle theme. But I want to take a look at an older game. A game that really offered fresh worlds that we've never seen in a Mario Game before and ever since.

Super Mario Land 2: The Six Golden Coins for the original Game Boy. It's currently available on the 3DS e-shop so take a look if you want. For anyone not familiar with this game, let me explain. It marked the debut off Wario, who took residence in Marios Castle, while he was away saving Princess Daisy during the events of Super Mario Land. Yes apparently Mario has castle. I guess in the end Peach gave him more than just a cake. But let's return to the game before we drift to far into Rule 34 territory. To regain access to his castle Mario has to find 6 Golden Coins scattered across the island. This takes him to six distinct worlds, which are unlike any he has seen so far.

Image source: http://tibots.deviantart.com/art/Super-Mario-Land-2-323274559

First of we have the Turtle Zone, which starts with a standard beach level, before entering a sunken submarine and finally the belly of a giant whale.

Then there is the Mario Zone, which basically is a giant Mario robot. You'll enter through his foot and fight your way up to his brain, avoiding screws, tin soldiers, cranes and conveyor belts.

Next up is the Pumpkin Zone. After besting a graveyard full of walking strawberrys with knives int heir heads, japanese Demons (Oni) and other dangers, Mario enters a witch's cottage.

There is also the Makro Zone. This is a simple, normal house. However, Mario is shrunk to the size of an ant. The first level even takes place in the garden outside the house with lot's of ant enemies. Then you'll battle yourself across the ground floor, before ascending to the attic through the chimney.

And if you're too bored down on boring old earth you can take a trip to space. First you have to deal with reduced gravity, while walking on the surface of the moon, before jumping into outer space and float towards victory. Even the final boss of the previous game returns for a brief intermezzo.

And finally there is the Tree Zone. Ascend a giant tree. First through it's branches and then either across it's leaves or through a beehive.

All of these Zones offer other gameplay ideas and different enemies, never before seen in a Mario game. Also Wario was a nice change from the usual Bowser monotony. He was even the first to use Marios Power ups against him in a pretty cool boss battle.

Image Source: Nintendo

The World Map was another strong point of the game. You didn't need to beat the 6 Worlds in any prescribed order. You could freely choose which one to tackle next. Some levels even had hidden exits, which let you skip some or took you to a bonus level. And in the Tree Zone you could choose which level you wanted to play to reach the top. All this combined offered a amount of freedom, which I truly found refreshing.

Of course there were problems, like the overall simplicity of the game. And it was pretty easy. But for me Mario (at least 2D) never reached this kind of variety ever again.

And that's what I hope Nintendo will return to after Mario Maker. Just giving us the same Grassland, Desert, Water, Snow, Forrest, Mountains, Clouds, Lava Word Design again and again won't cut it anymore. They really need to come up with some crazy new designs to justify another entry in the New Series.

Also it doesn't have to be restricted to just Level scenery. They also can change up the gameplay, which in return will have a huge effect on the level design. They could, for example, make the background more interactive, have Mario shift between two planes of existence or something we couldn't even dream off.
Of course there is the danger of loosing the Mario essence of great level design and perfect controlls a long those lines, but I trust Nintendo enough for them to not let that happen.

All in all I think that Mario Maker is a great package for Nintendo fans. Not only do we get a great game, with nearly limitless potential, but it also forces Nintendo to refocus and innovate the 2D Mario franchise. In the worst case the just won't do new 2D Marios, but at least that frees capacities to work on other franchises.

So for me Super Mario Maker is a complete win on all accounts. But what is your opinion? Do you share my hopes for the future of 2D Marios? What new features or scenarios would you love to see in New Super Mario Bros. NX?

And as always

thanks for reading