Top 10 Tricks and Twists in Super Mario Maker

Whilst Super Mario Maker is arguably the easiest level editor we’ve ever come across, there’s so much there it’s possible you might miss some of the many twists and tricks available to you. Here’s our top ten!

10. Sub-Areas

Of course, Super Mario Maker has pipes but, did you know that – if you drag Mario on top of one of them in edit mode – it’ll open up a whole new sub-area for you to add to your level! Congratulations, your levels just got twice as big, thanks to our number ten pick.

9. Bigger Enemies

And at number nine, speaking of things getting bigger, did you know that, if you drag a mushroom on top of pretty much any enemy, it’ll increase it’s size. Bigger levels, and bigger enemies! Brilliant!

8. Different Block Items

Next up, at number eight: While we’re on the subject of mushrooms, obviously in traditional Mario you’d find those hidden in question blocks but, in Super Mario Maker we can swap mushrooms for a whole range of alternative items and, if you’re feeling particularly cruel, enemies – even some of those super-sized ones we told you about earlier!

7. Wings

That’s more than enough about mushrooms for now but at number seven there’s an alternative to mushrooms you can whack on top of things to mix it up – wings! From flying stars to fluttering piranha plants, wings are the new mushrooms. At least within the context of this top ten list, where they’ve replaced mushrooms as the latest thing we’re talking about that you can attach to other things.

6. Tracks

But wait! Rather than attaching mushrooms and wings to items and enemies, what if we attached the items and enemies to THEM? Well, it doesn’t work like that. But we CAN attach them to our NUMBER six pick, tracks! With these, you can set paths for any number of objects!

5. Mystery Mushrooms

As you’d expect, after that brief diversion, as we enter the top five we want to talk about mushrooms again. Specifically, mystery mushrooms. Only available in the original Super Mario Bros style, these can be converted to another character using your amiibo or, more excitingly, by unlocking alternatives through completing multiple run-throughs of the Course World’s 100 Mario Challenge. We’ve unlocked an Arwing from Star Fox. Absolutely ridiculous! As we said though, you can only access these in the original Super Mario Bros – go to your item menu in the other versions and you’ll get a Super Leaf in Mario 3, a Cape Feather in Super Mario World, or a Propeller Mushroom in New Super Mario Bros.

4. Yoshi

Just missing out on a top 3 spot, it’s everyone’s favourite green dinosaur, Yoshi! Again, you need to have the right level selected – in this case, Super Mario World or New Super Mario Bros, else you’ll be rewarded not with a green dinosaur, but a goomba boot!

3. Doors

At number 3, it’s pairs of doors! Which sounds incredibly boring, but actually it isn’t! Previously only rarely seen anywhere other than Ghost Houses, you can now plop pairs of doors in any level, to add a satisfying puzzle element to proceedings.

2. Retro-fit Stages

And at number two, speaking of ghost houses, you can now get a lot more of them for your money. Originally making their debut in Super Mario World, the Nintendo team have lovingly created all new art and music for the previously non-existant N.E.S. titles. Seeing how additions to the series are retro-fitted into the earlier games is one of the most satisfying elements of the whole game and, if you like that, you can also finally get Super Mario Bros and Super Mario World airships as well! But they’re not number one, so what is?

1. The Title Screen

Well, believe it or not, it’s the Title Screen! Which sounds ridiculous but hear us out. If you tap on pretty much anything on that screen, there’s lovely little surprises waiting for you which, as well as anything, shows you the level of love poured into every corner of this game. A fitting tribute to Mario’s 30 years as the King of Videogames!