Parents' Guide to

Super Mario Maker

By Marc Saltzman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Extraordinarily fun game-maker for kids of all ages.

Game Nintendo Wii U 2015
Super Mario Maker Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

age 6+

Based on 6 parent reviews

age 2+

Jaunty animation meets jazzy songs in Disney classic.

age 2+

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6):
Kids say (34):

Not only is this game fun and accessible, but it lets you play a near-limitless number of Mario levels created by Nintendo and players from around the world. You too can try your hand at making Super Mario adventures to play and upload. The stylus and touchscreen on the Wii U GamePad controller works very well for the task at hand, as you add backgrounds (such as an airship, an underwater scene, a castle, and so on); environmental items such as girders, blocks, and pipes; enemies; and other objects. You can mix and match some (but not all) elements between games, such as a power-up from a newer Super Mario game added to the original 8-bit Super Mario Bros. Or you can tackle the 100 Mario Challenge mode that makes you play randomly selected levels made by other people. There also are secrets and other Easter eggs worth discovering.

It's not a perfect 10, mind you -- your hands are tied in some areas, such as only using Nintendo's art and music assets instead of uploading your own -- but Super Mario Maker is an engaging and exciting package nonetheless.

Game Details

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