Are we ready for Super Mario 3D maker?
Soapbox features allow our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random things they’re mulling over. Today, Kevin wonders if Nintendo is ready to bring another dimension to its Maker line…
If you can believe it, Super Mario maker was released for the Wii U almost nine years ago. The game was an integral part of Mario’s 30th anniversary, although quite a bit has happened since then. Back in 2015, the idea of Nintendo sharing a user-friendly toolkit and allowing us to create a new game ourselves was an incredibly exciting prospect. At the time, 8- and 16-bit style indie games were also experiencing a renaissance, and Mario Maker was essentially a crash course in the fundamentals of side-scrolling games.
Since then, we’ve gotten a 3DS version and a full Switch sequel with Super Mario 2 maker in 2019, essentially a very similar game to the first entry, just with more tools and improvements (like ramps).
Do the math here, Super Mario Bros.’ The 40th anniversary is coming up next year. What better way to celebrate another decade of the big plumber than with a potential Super Mario Maker 3(D) that takes things into a new dimension?
Model conversion
I’m old enough to remember the big change from 2D to 3D gaming. Around the time I started getting into video games was the end of the Super Nintendo generation. My cousin introduced me to Mario, Link, Mega Man, etc. and I was so impressed with them that my dad graciously bought a Nintendo 64 when it came out so my brother and I could play the console. This is brand new. system on Christmas Day 1996.
My little mind was completely stunned. When I have Super Mario 64, I couldn’t put that three-controller down for days – basically until winter break ended and I was forced to go back to school again. 3D gaming has come a long way since the Nintendo 64 era, but it’s become very apparent, especially in recent years, that the pointy, blocky, muddy graphics (and I say that lovingly) left a lasting impact on many players.
Similar to the era of indie games paying homage to the 8-bit classics and then the 16-bit generation, the 64-bit indie wave is no exception. Games like Cave of dreams, pseudoneurologyAnd Ngo Kidz 64 all pay homage to classic 3D platformers like Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooieand has attracted a lot of attention and created a lot of discussion among gamers.
I think it’s time Nintendo started letting us make our own 3D Mario games.
The stage has been set up
I’ve seen debates and discussions about whether implementing 3D development into a Mario Maker game is feasible or understandable. 2D side-scrolling is obviously a bit simpler and easier to convey to the casual player. Nintendo developers used to use hand-drawn grid paper to design Mario games for the NES, and it was an easy transition to bring to the screen with a drag-and-drop toolkit.
Aside from making a few Super Mario Maker levels (which I’m pretty proud of, by the way), I’m not a game developer and I don’t know much beyond the fundamentals I’ve read about. However, it seems like there are a lot of emerging developers and modders working on the 3D Mario toolkit with great success.
I keep getting videos of Nintendo 64 mods recommended to me on YouTube, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. Kaze Emanuar is just a YouTuber who considers himself an expert on Mario 64. He has taken assets from the game, modified and enhanced them to create whole new worlds that look like direct, complete sequels. adjustments we never had before. He ensures that his mods also work within the hardware limitations of the Nintendo 64, confirming that everything is playable on real N64 hardware plugged into a CRT TV.
The problem is that fans have already done that and are still hungry for more.
Choice, choice
When it comes to Mario 3D, there are essentially two different game modes at this point.
EQUAL Official infographic shared by Nintendo leading up to the release of the Super Mario Odyssey programs, Nintendo essentially divided them into ‘linear’ and ‘non-linear’ modes. Super Mario Galaxy And Super Mario 3D World has simpler gameplay, reaching the final stage reminiscent of the 2D generation. But with Mario 64 and Sunlight We have large sandboxes and hub worlds to explore, with many different types of mission objectives.
When it comes to what would be easier to convey and design in a Mario Maker 3D game, the linear option would be the obvious choice. You know, this time we could have a 3D World model that is actually 3D, as opposed to Mario Maker 2. Design individual planets and comets with unique gravity like in Mario Galaxy perhaps Is one little too advanced, but ‘isometric’ 3D platforming with simpler 3D planes and bosses to conquer seems viable. But I also don’t think the remaining option is entirely viable.
Thinking about designing for the ‘non-linear’ branch sounds very interesting. Creating a sandbox environment and filling it with unique quest objectives and NPCs would be a treat. You can also include more immersive 3D platforming, puzzle segments, and boss fights. Maybe asking for both styles is a bit much, but the original Mario Maker had a few different models so it’s not impossible!
Create the future
When asking about the future of the Mario Maker series, we have to consider the future of Nintendo’s hardware. The Switch is nearing the end of its life, and I seriously doubt we’ll get another Mario Maker sequel this generation. Super Mario Maker 2 works perfectly for the Switch because like many games for the system, it’s essentially a souped-up version of a Wii U game that many people haven’t played. Nintendo won’t be able to rely on that strategy with their next console and will have to find ways to win people over again.
The inclusion of a Mario Maker sequel to its next generation of hardware, one that celebrates another decade of Mario, sounds like the perfect thing to me and perhaps new hardware features may be useful. Some have theorized that we could return to another dual-screen setup on the ‘Switch 2’ with the ability to stream to a TV while displaying something else on the console’s own screen . When playing Mario Maker 2, I couldn’t help but remember the intuitiveness of the level design on the GamePad. I don’t always like having to focus on two screens while playing (looking at you, Fox Zero Star) but for games like Mario Maker, it makes total sense.
When I’m designing stages on a TV with the Switch docked, I sometimes wish I had the option of using two screens. Since the Switch’s successor will likely be another hybrid system, it will have to be able to operate in handheld-only mode, meaning dual screens will have to be a completely optional feature. And that’s completely okay! Two screens can be meaningless when playing a fast-paced game like Super Smash Bros., but if I’m exploring in Zelda and want a map to look over or design new levels in Mario Maker, it can be a really useful added benefit. And since 3D development is a bit more complicated, that added screen could help simplify the process for the average gamer.
We just have to look back at our gaming past to see how the future holds out. I really don’t think it’s likely we’ll see a Mario Maker sequel on new hardware, and it could very well include 3D design tools. After the success of the first two games, this seemed like the logical next step.
And Super Mario 3 MakerD right there.
