Today’s Nintendo Direct presentation revealed a few new details about the upcoming Wii U game, Mario Maker. It is set to launch in September, but that’s as specific as it gets.
As you may know, the game allows you to build your own Mario levels. You can also select one of four themes for each level you make. These themes will make the level look like it would if it were in one of four different Mario games. Each theme also includes appropriate music from the corresponding game. The themes are the original Super Mario Bros. (NES), Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES), Super Mario World (SNES), and New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U).
There is an interesting detail in the video above at the 40-second mark. It shows a screen with six levels on it. You can see that the second stage is a water level in the theme of the original Super Mario Bros. This suggests that there are perhaps sub-themes in each of the four main themes. That screen is divided into worlds with four stages per world, as well, harkening back to the level layout used for each world in the original Super Mario Bros. for NES.
The editor uses very simple drag-and-drop mechanics to allow you to quickly build, tweak and test your levels using the Wii U GamePad. You can simply drag a pipe and place it where you want and then extend it if you wish to make it longer, or you could place a character and then drag a pair of wings onto him to turn a Koopa Troopa into a Paratroopa, for example.
Mario Maker promises to be a great addition to the Wii U’s library, with a huge helping of user-created content and a side of nostalgia. Custom content created by users is one of the greatest things to happen in gaming, as it allows you to get so much more out of a game than you could otherwise. It also allows you to flex your creative muscles to make your own creations. Mario Maker looks like it will be a very easy game to pick up and play, given how easy the editor looks like it is to use. Additionally, you will be able to share your levels online for players around the world to enjoy, as well as play devious levels made by other Mario fans.
One would think that the game might also come with a series of built-in levels for you to play through, when not building your own levels. We’ll likely find out more about the game in the coming months leading up to its launch in September. Whether you are a hardened Mario veteran or new to the series, Mario Maker is shaping up to be a great title for both new players and veterans alike. I am very much looking forward to this game!
