World maps, Koopalings, and more power-ups.
Mario Maker roared to life back on the Wii U, a system with a handful of must-own games, and a dwindling, if not impatient, install base. Its arrival on the 3DS and, subsequently, the Switch seemed sure to succeed, however, and Mario Maker 2 has had its share of viral moments and outrageous stages.
True to form, Nintendo has supported the create-and-play game with free updates, and its final update drops tomorrow with perhaps its biggest additions yet. (Perhaps a Nintendo trade secret to leave the best for last as both Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 and Fire Emblem: Three Houses ended their paid DLC with massive, fan pleasing updates.)
A Super Mario Bros. 2 inspired mushroom changes the characters into their new-old palettes and gives them the ability to pluck and throw to their hearts’ content. We’re confident this will lead to unexpected ways to play: Mario is seen walking a Chain Chomp in the trailer. Terrifying.
The Frog Suit allows improved underwater mobility and running across bodies of water. Game style exclusive power-ups include the Power Balloon (Super Mario World), Super Acorn (New Super Mario Bros U style), and the Boomerang Flower (Super Mario 3D World). Other power-ups will be present as well.
Stage elements such as trampolines, cursed keys, and Mechakoopas add to an already versatile array of building tools.
Bowser’s children, the Koopalings, make their debut as enemies in all but the Super Mario 3D World style. The reveal trailer shows that the conniving kids can appear together; typically, they appear as castle bosses on their own.
Perhaps the largest reveal is that players can create their own worlds through the new World Maker mode. Players can finally tie together themed stages of their creations, add in mini-games, customize the overworld background, allowing for complex collections to be formed as your own Super Mario experience.
The free update goes live on April 22nd.