Create your own Super Mario Maker 2 level with these easy tips

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Super Mario Maker 2
2. Step One: Choose a main mechanic
3. Step Two: Consider every evolution
4. Step Three: Introduce the mechanic
5. Step Four: Ramp up the challenge
6. Step Five: Find combinatorial mechanics
7. Step Six: Create the Second half
8. Step Seven: Add in enemies and items
9. Step Eight: Playtest and bugfix
10. Step Nine: Do your research
11. Step Ten: Start again

Super Mario Maker 2: A Guide to Creating Amazing Levels

Super Mario Maker 2 is an exciting game that allows players to Channel their inner game designer and create their own Mario levels. Released just a few days ago, this game lets players unleash their creativity by providing them with the tools to build and design their own Mario stages. The best part is that players can upload their creations to the web and see what other players think of their design skills. However, when faced with the blank canvas of the "make mode," many players often feel overwhelmed and don't know Where To start. If You find yourself in this situation, fear not! This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating your first level and help you build a legitimate, Mario-style stage that showcases your design skills.

Step One: Choose a main mechanic

One of the biggest mistakes players make in Super Mario Maker 2 is trying to cram every object from the toolbox into their levels. While it may be tempting to throw in a bunch of obstacles and enemies, this often leads to unfocused levels that lack cohesion. Instead, it's important to focus on one main mechanic that will serve as the central theme of your stage. This could be anything from a note block, trampoline, on/off switches, or the snake block. By choosing a main mechanic, you establish a strong foundation for your level and ensure that it has a clear focus.

Pros:

• By focusing on one main mechanic, your level becomes more Cohesive and engaging.
• Players can easily understand and Interact with the main mechanic, leading to a more enjoyable gameplay experience.

Cons:

• Using only one main mechanic may limit the variety in your level.
• It requires careful consideration to ensure that the chosen mechanic is interesting and versatile enough to create an engaging level.

Step Two: Consider every evolution

Once you have chosen your main mechanic, it's time to think about how you can make it more interesting and challenging. The basic presentation of the mechanic is a good starting point, but to create a truly engaging level, you need to explore different evolutions and permutations of the mechanic. Consider how you can introduce variations, twists, and additional challenges to test the player's skills. Some ideas may be too easy or too difficult, so it's important to experiment and find the combinations that provide the best experience for the player.

Pros:

• Adding variations and twists to the mechanic keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.
• It challenges the player to adapt and think creatively, enhancing their overall experience.

Cons:

• Experimenting with different variations may require additional time and effort.
• Striking the right balance between challenging and frustrating can be challenging.

Step Three: Introduce the mechanic

Now that you have a solid understanding of your main mechanic and its potential evolutions, it's time to start building your actual level. The first step should always be to introduce the mechanic to the player in a safe and controlled manner. This allows the player to familiarize themselves with the mechanic before diving into more complex challenges. It's crucial to strike a balance between providing a safe environment for learning and ensuring that the player cannot cheat their way through the level. This can be achieved by raising walls or using other design elements to guide the player.

Pros:

• Introducing the mechanic in a controlled environment allows the player to understand and master it before moving on to more challenging sections.
• It establishes a clear progression and ensures that the player has a solid foundation to build upon.

Cons:

• Striking the right balance between challenge and safety can be challenging.
• Creating a controlled environment that guides the player without feeling restrictive requires careful level design.

Step Four: Ramp up the challenge

After the player has mastered the mechanic in its basic form, it's time to ramp up the challenge by introducing additional complexities and twists. This is where your previously explored evolutions come into play. Gradually increase the difficulty of the challenges while maintaining a smooth difficulty curve. It's crucial to provide moments of rest in between challenges to prevent overwhelming the player. A well-paced level with a mixture of action and downtime creates a more enjoyable gameplay experience and keeps the player engaged.

Pros:

• Gradually increasing the challenge keeps the level engaging and prevents monotony.
• Providing moments of rest allows players to catch their breath and enhances the overall pacing of the level.

Cons:

• Balancing the difficulty curve can be challenging.
• Ensuring a smooth transition from one challenge to another requires careful level design.

Step Five: Find combinatorial mechanics

To further enhance your level, consider combining your main mechanic with other elements from the toolbox. Experiment with different combinations to create unique and unexpected interactions. For example, try placing the main mechanic on tracks or using on/off switches to control its movement. You can also explore how the main mechanic interacts with enemies or items such as trampolines and bombs. This experimentation and creativity will add depth and complexity to your level, making it more engaging for players.

Pros:

• Combining mechanics adds depth and variety to the level.
• Unexpected interactions between different mechanics create Memorable moments for players.

Cons:

• Finding the right combinations that work well together may require trial and error.
• Ensuring that the mechanics complement each other without overwhelming the player can be challenging.

Step Six: Create the second half

With the first half of your level complete, it's time to move on to the second half. Building upon the foundation you established earlier, you can now introduce more complex challenges and variations of your main mechanic. Just like in the first half, start by giving the player a chance to explore and understand the new ideas in a safe environment. Then, gradually increase the complexity and difficulty throughout the stage. Consider incorporating elements from the combinatorial mechanics you discovered in the previous step to create even more engaging gameplay.

Pros:

• Building upon the first half of the level adds depth and complexity to the gameplay experience.
• Introducing new challenges keeps the player engaged and prevents the level from becoming repetitive.

Cons:

• Ensuring a smooth transition from the first half to the second half can be challenging.
• Striking the right balance between familiarity and novelty requires careful level design.

Step Seven: Add in enemies and items

A well-designed Mario level is not just about platforming mechanics; it should also include enemy encounters and items. These elements can be used to ramp up the complexity of the level or provide a change of pace for the player. However, it's important to use them sparingly and strategically. Sprinkle a few enemies throughout the level rather than overwhelming the screen with obstacles. Additionally, strategically place items such as coins and 1-up mushrooms to guide the player and reward their skill.

Pros:

• Enemy encounters and items add variety and surprise to the gameplay.
• Proper placement of enemies and items can guide the player and reward their skill.

Cons:

• Overusing enemies and items can clutter the level and make it confusing for the player.
• Poor placement of enemies and items can disrupt the flow of the level and make it frustrating to play.

Step Eight: Playtest and bugfix

Before sharing your level with the world, it's essential to playtest it and address any issues or bugs. While you may know your level inside and out, it's important to see how other players experience it. Invite friends, family, or even strangers to playtest your level and Gather their feedback. This will help you identify areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments. Additionally, playtest your own level by purposefully trying to break it and find any potential shortcuts or unintended solutions.

Pros:

• Playtesting allows you to gather valuable feedback and identify areas for improvement.
• Fixing bugs and addressing issues ensures a smoother and more enjoyable gameplay experience.

Cons:

• Playtesting can be time-consuming and may require multiple iterations.
• Identifying and fixing all potential issues can be challenging.

Step Nine: Do your research

As you embark on your level-making Journey, take the opportunity to play through levels in your favorite Mario games. Observe and analyze how Nintendo introduces, evolves, and twists its ideas across each level. Pay Attention to the placement of enemies and items, the pacing of the stages, and the overall level design. Don't limit yourself to just Mario games; explore other platformers and learn from their level design as well. Good level design principles are universal and can be applied to any game.

Pros:

• Studying levels from existing games provides inspiration and Insight into effective level design techniques.
• Analyzing level design from different games broadens your understanding of the subject and allows you to take inspiration from various sources.

Cons:

• Analyzing and studying levels from different games requires time and effort.
• Identifying and implementing the lessons learned without directly copying or imitating the original levels can be challenging.

Step Ten: Start again

Now that you have successfully created your first level, it's time to Continue exploring and experimenting with new ideas. You can either repeat the process with a different mechanic or theme, or you can push your creative boundaries and try something completely different. Super Mario Maker 2 offers a variety of tools and options that allow you to create unique and innovative levels. Whether you decide to focus on multiple mechanics, thematic concepts, or a specific Mario skill, the key is to have fun and keep challenging yourself to create even better levels.

Pros:

• Continuing to create new levels helps you refine your level design skills and develop new techniques.
• Experimenting with different mechanics and themes allows you to expand your creative horizons and create unique levels.

Cons:

• Generating new ideas and maintaining creativity may become challenging over time.
• Ensuring that each new level remains engaging and enjoyable for players can be a daunting task.

Highlights:

• Super Mario Maker 2 provides players with the tools to create their own Mario levels and share them with others.
• Choosing a main mechanic lays the foundation for a well-designed level and ensures a cohesive gameplay experience.
• Experimenting with different evolutions and permutations of the main mechanic adds depth and variety to the level.
• Introducing the mechanic in a safe and controlled manner allows players to understand and master it before progressing further.
• Ramping up the challenge by introducing additional complexities and twists keeps the level engaging and prevents monotonous gameplay.
• Combining the main mechanic with other elements from the toolbox creates surprising interactions and adds depth to the level.
• Playtesting the level and gathering feedback from others helps identify areas for improvement and ensures a smoother gameplay experience.
• Studying levels from other Mario games and platformers provides inspiration and insight into effective level design techniques.
• Continually creating new levels allows players to refine their level design skills and explore new creative possibilities.
• Super Mario Maker 2 offers endless opportunities for players to unleash their creativity and challenge themselves in level design.

FAQ

Q: Can I use multiple mechanics in a single level? A: While it is possible to use multiple mechanics in a level, it is important to ensure that they complement each other and do not overwhelm the player. Start with a clear focus on one main mechanic and then introduce additional mechanics gradually.

Q: How do I test if my level is balanced and challenging enough? A: Playtesting is crucial to ensure the balance and challenge of your level. Share your level with friends, family, or even online communities and gather their feedback. Additionally, playtest your own level by deliberately trying to break it or find shortcuts.

Q: Can I create levels similar to those in other Mario games? A: Yes, you can draw inspiration from existing Mario levels, but it's important to add your own unique twist. Avoid directly copying or imitating existing levels, as this can lead to unoriginal and unengaging gameplay.

Q: How can I make my level stand out from others? A: Experiment with unique combinations of mechanics, create unexpected challenges, and use creative elements to surprise and engage players. Think outside the box and let your creativity shine through in your level design.