Release (UK): 11/09/2015
WUP-R-AMAP-EUR
Release (USA): 11/09/2015
WUP-R-AMAE-USZ
Release (Jap): 10/09/2015
WUP-R-AMAJ-JPN
Genre: Action, Creative, Platform
Developer: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Manufacturer: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Creativity unleashed on the Wii U
Super Mario Maker for the Wii U gave players the power to design and share their own Mario levels, creating an endless supply of platforming challenges. Released in 2015 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., it featured tools inspired by multiple eras of Mario games, from the pixelated days of the NES to the modern New Super Mario Bros. U style. The Wii U GamePad made level creation intuitive, allowing players to drag and drop elements like pipes, enemies, and power-ups with ease.
A thriving online community
One of the biggest draws was its online sharing system, where players could upload their creations and try out levels from around the world. Nintendo even hosted official event courses, featuring collaborations with third-party developers and special character costumes. Some levels pushed the game’s mechanics to their limits, resulting in puzzles, speedrun challenges, and even music-based stages.
A game that paved the way
Although Super Mario Maker was well-received, it had some limitations, like the absence of slopes and more advanced level elements. These were later addressed in Super Mario Maker 2 on the Switch. Despite this, the Wii U original remains a milestone in the Mario series, showing how community-driven content could extend the life of a game far beyond its release.