Super Mario Maker 2 Reviews
Super Mario Maker 2 is a perfectly fine way to pass the time, though you'll quickly begin to see the seams. As far as game-maker tools go, it's probably the easiest to use - but that doesn't mean it's the most entertaining or diverse.
But that toolkit is only half of the equation. The other half is a platform game with no quality control, no impetus for putting legitimate effort into your original designs, and no way to weed out poor content creators other than trusting that players will be able to discern the difference between a bad level and good level and rate them accordingly. Given how many positive messages I've seen attached to genuinely bad stages, I don't have much faith in the Mario Maker community right now and I question whether it'll get better down the line.
I expected Super Mario Maker 2 to be an outstanding sequel but instead, it’s simply good. It takes steps forward and back in near equal measure, having significant post-launch shortcomings that go beyond mere nitpicking.
Super Mario Maker 2 overall is entirely worth your time if you enjoyed the first game or if you've ever had a favorite Mario game that stood out to you, especially since the game encompasses worlds that come from the original Super Mario Bros. experience to more modern versions. Other games in the past have attempted and failed to make enjoyable experiences out of player-driven content while placing the onus on the community, Super Mario Maker 2 is a prime example of what that strategy looks like when it works. Considering the thriving community the Nintendo Switch boasts, this feels like a game that's in no risk of running out of content for the foreseeable future.
Super Mario Maker 2 is similar to other Nintendo titles in that it offers a level of creativity not seen elsewhere in the gaming industry but also misses the mark in a few areas which other developers more than often get right. In particular, the online play is brilliant in concept but lacking in execution, which is more of an issue now Nintendo is charging Switch owners to play over their network. That being said, Super Mario Maker 2 succeeds where the likes of Little Big Planet or Dreams have failed in offering creators a rigid framework on which to build their creations, something even a child can have fun with. The options are less varied, but nothing can be truly be broken and very few levels are painful to play. Super Mario Maker 2 is absolutely essential for Nintendo Switch owners and another jewel in the crown of what is shaping up to be Nintendo’s best console. I give it the Thumb Culture gold award, since I didn’t have any stars or coins lying around.
In the end what will make or break Super Mario Maker 2 is the online community and the quality of content it provides. Super Mario Maker 2 is both a homage to the games from the past that we know and love and a creative addition to the franchise.
Super Mario Maker 2 didn't present any substantial changes from its predecessor, yet the game unique course building and thousands of user generated content is a blast to experience years to come.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
The definitive version of the Mario Maker concept, for better or worse. Super Mario Maker 2 delivers a charming, easy-to-use, but tool-heavy creative romp with near endless potential future content.
Super Mario Maker 2 improves upon the original in almost every way.
Super Mario Maker 2 is both a worthy sequel and a fantastic entry point for newcomers.
Super Mario Maker 2 will please both dedicated level-builders and newcomers. Story Mode gives players a nice pu-pu platter of professionally made Mario levels, and the inclusion of 3D World’s suite of tools and moves offer even the most seasoned veterans more with which to experiment.
A new stone - solid and ingeniously carved - in the building construction "MarioWare".
Review in French | Read full review
Despite a couple of necessary compromises, we still find it hard to put down Super Mario Maker 2.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
It is a pure blast creating and sharing levels with friends, and of course letting my son’s creativity run wild in creating new levels. The single player content is a welcome addition to an already impressive package. Super Mario Maker 2 is a fine addition to the Switch library, now can we please get that Zelda Maker stat?
Between the story mode, online challenges and tutorials there’s loads to learn and do, but the learning is a really enjoyable and rewarding experience, and you can happily get lost in creating your dream Mario Land.
Super Mario Maker 2 is all that the original was and more. The Story Mode feels like a proper campaign, demoing all of the old and new feature and barmy possibilities found in the intuitive level creator. It's a shame that it features some typical Nintendo online stumbles, but it shouldn't be long before that's forgotten in the face of the boundless creativity of the Super Mario Maker community.
Super Mario Maker 2 brings the course creator to Nintendo Switch with a bevy of new tricks to delight creators and players alike.
Not just one of the most versatile 2D game creation tools on consoles but the best collection of new Super Mario courses since the 90s.
Super Mario Maker 2 does a fantastic job of laying the foundation for a seemingly endless supply of 2D platforming fun.
Super Mario Maker 2 offers the complete construction kit-package for hobby Level Designer as well as Super Mario Veterans that want to challenge themselves or their friends offline and online. A little bit more creativity in the adventure mode of the game would've helped the game to reach its full potential but besides that Super Mario Maker 2 offers more than enough new content to get old fans of the first game to change to the Nintendo Switch.
Review in German | Read full review