Well guys and gals, it’s time for some good news / bad news. The good news is, it’s time for another segment of Making It Rainfall, oprainfall’s ongoing feature that presents custom themed stages using Super Mario Maker 2. The bad news is, this will be the last one for a while. Mostly cause I personally have less flexibility to do creative things like this in the current pandemic atmosphere. It’s just hard to be upbeat and happy go lucky when you’re regularly anxious. But, that’s doesn’t mean this is the last Making It Rainfall, just the last one for the immediate future. Hopefully the pandemic dies down sooner than later, cause once it does, I wager it won’t be long til we’re back.
The theme for today’s Making It Rainfall is, unsurprisingly, Outbreak. Because you can’t go anywhere without seeing news about virus this or death that. But we’re trying to explore the theme with a bit more lightness than you’ll generally find, and I’m proud of what we came up with. First, let’s check out what Michael Fontanini came up with to explore this theme.
Font’s Levels
Level 1 – Germ Blaster
Course ID – P3Q-V5C-6NF
Dr. Mario has shrunk down and entered a patient’s blood stream to rid it of the nasty germs that are causing sickness! He’ll pilot a microscopic koopa clown car and use it to shoot down those pesky germs. However, he’ll need to be careful, as some of them have defenses! There are 60 germs to destroy in total. Dr. Mario can also find two 50 coins in this stage, and a few hidden 1-Ups, too.
I really enjoyed this level. Thematically it’s perfect, and it was creative how Font used a Clown Car in an underwater setting. While there’s no Dr. Mario skin, I liked the idea of him shrinking down to kill germs. Those germs are all Blooper shaped, and they can definitely get you if you’re not careful. Also watch out for cannons and other traps as you navigate the watery depths.
Level 2 – Goomba Scourge
Course ID – 3SH-YLW-GVF
The goombas have bred out of control in the Mushroom Kingdom sewers! As a result, they are bursting out onto the surface and causing problems for everyone! Jump on as many as you can on your way to the goal! There are two 50 coins to be found in this stage, and as usual a few 1-Ups are also hiding here and there.
Whereas the previous level is all about carefully navigating and destroying a set number of pests, this one is all about a never ending scourge of Goombas! It’s much more of a platforming level, though it’s not too hard. The trickiest part involves using a P-Switch to get higher up towards the exit. And if Goombas don’t say virus, I don’t know what does.
Level 3 – Link’s Dungeon Escape
Course ID – WB8-BMF-WSF
Link has been locked away in a dark dungeon! He must now escape, but the guards are onto him. Every so often, they burst out of the walls in pursuit! Link can find three 50 coins in this level, though two of them are a bit tougher to reach than in the other two levels. The two trickier ones involve platforming challenges, with the third and final 50 coin being the hardest to get. A few elusive 1-Ups are also hiding around the dungeon.
Instead of an outbreak, this Making It Rainfall level is more of a “breakout” theme. But it’s well made and challenging, so I’m fine with that. This stage is built so that even if you lose your Link suit, you’ll be able to beat it. It’s just more difficult that way. There’s lots of nasty Bob-Ombs and moles to harass you, but patience and timing should get you to the exit.
Josh’s Levels
Level 4 – Overgrown Weeds
Course ID – M8M-H9N-NTF
Piranha plants have infested the building, shorting out the lights.
I’m gonna be frank. I usually feel like the weakest link when it comes to my stage design for Making It Rainfall, but I’m kinda proud of this one. I took the outbreak theme to an interesting place, and made it make sense functionally. There’s tons of Piranha plants here, and they want nothing more than to gobble up or burn Mario. Use some well placed Fire Flowers to get to safety!
Level 5 – All you can Cheep Buffet
Course ID – 9PX-R1H-SKF
Cheep Cheep flooded Mario’s fave sushi joint! Grab enough cash for repairs.
I’ve been told that this level, which I categorized as short and sweet, is neither. But that’s okay, cause I think it’s fun, albeit challenging. The name of the game is collecting 100 coins to open up the exit. All that blocks your path is a school of crazed Cheep Cheep. And you without a Mushroom… Practice your timing and swim to victory!
Level 6 – The Bony Dead
Course ID – 95S-KKR-FVF
Kamek’s dark magic started an undead invasion! Defeat the Dry Bone King.
What better expression of an outbreak than a zombie apocalypse? I had a lot of fun with this level, and filled it with fire, lava and Dry Bones aplenty. They’ll even parachute into your path. Since your only means of safety is Dry Bones shells, you’ll need to avoid getting damaged to safely progress. It’s not all that hard, but you’ll do well to pay attention to fire bars and sprint past zombies. A fun Making It Rainfall jaunt.
Ken’s Levels
Level 7 – Remove the wiggle infected.
Course ID – THH-8P2-84G
Infected wigglers are poisoning the water, take them out with the clown copter. Inspired by classic game Choplifter. Hidden way to defeat them without dropping bombs in level.
I really enjoyed this Making It Rainfall level. The theme of Wigglers poisoning the water is unique, as is bombing them with a Link piloted Clown Car! Though I did get sidetracked wandering around, it’s a fun and not too harrowing adventure.
Level 8 – Poison mushrooms just want a hug.
Course ID – R6H-XXB-Y0H
Small stage all about staying above the troubles down below. Fall and you are doomed.
Ken wasn’t joking when he said this was a small stage. You can beat it in probably less than a couple minutes. But he makes up for that by packing it full to bursting with poison mushrooms! I only died once playing this, but it’s a very clever idea.
Level 9 – Keep your distance, no touching.
Course ID – 95L-65P-JBG
Practice keeping your distance and don’t let an enemy touch you or it’s all over. Yoshi only offers so much protection.
100 Coins to find.
I found this to be a perfectly clever exploration of this month’s Making It Rainfall theme. After all, we’re being told every day to avoid contact with others, so why not turn that into a level concept? You’ll have some tools at your disposal like Yoshi, but be wary. This is a tough level if you’re not careful, and there’s lots of frenetic foes ready to force you to start over.
And that’s it for this month’s Making It Rainfall. Be sure you all stay safe and enjoy gaming at home if possible. Hopefully this series will return sooner than later.
