Nintendo has announced that Super Mario Maker, its extensive Mario-themed level creator software for Wii U, will go on sale from September 11 this year. A new Amiibo figure and level designer’s guide book are also scheduled for release.
Super Mario Maker, which allows players to make use of the Wii U’s touchscreen controller to design levels in and using a variety of visual styles from past Mario games, is an evolution of Nintendo’s own in-house design tools.
Would-be level designers will also be able to combine elements from various Mario games, from the NES’s Super Mario Bros. all the way up to Wii U’s New Super Mario Bros, resulting in all kinds of madcap combinations and game mechanics.
▼ Chaos. Glorious Mario chaos.
▼ Goombas don’t really swim, but you can put them in your underwater level anyway if you like.
▼ Want to stack bad guys on top of each other to create horrible weapons of Mushroom Kingdom war? Go nuts!
While discussing the game, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto shared images of his paper level designs for the original Super Mario Bros. game. Many of the team’s ideas, he noted, weren’t achievable back then but could now be realised with Super Mario Maker, and he challenged players to find their inner level designer.
▼ Players can now do what the original game’s designers wished they could – have Mario pilot clouds and rain fireballs down on unsuspecting enemies.
Nintendo later announced that a special, large-size 8-bit Mario Amiibo figure will be released to coincide with Super Mario Maker‘s launch. A special book containing level design ideas and techniques will also go on sale.
Finally, Nintendo’s Reggie Fils-Aime announced to viewers of the E3 live-stream that those in the US who simply couldn’t wait until September 11 to play Super Mario Maker would be able to trial the game at selected Best Buy stores across the country this Wednesday and Saturday. You can find out more by visiting e3.Nintendo.com. Happy level building!
Source and images: Nintendo E3 livestream
Nintendo’s Mario Maker lets you do exactly what it promises 【E3】
Splatoon’s Inklings get a retro makeover in Super Mario Maker【Video】
We play Super Smash Bros. for Wii U【RN24@E3】
Nintendo launches awesome, free Super Mario Wallpaper Maker website for PCs and smartphones
Our favorite photos from Day One of E3 2014【E3】
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Eight great words for talking about summer in Japan in Japanese
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Nintendo will delete your Mario Maker course if it’s boring, can make a buck off it if it’s good
Super Mario Maker update doubles down on creepy “Skinny Mario” with weird easter egg【Video】
Nintendo is shutting down the level upload feature for Super Mario Maker
See how this Japanese player clears this demonically difficult Super Mario Maker level!
Expert gamer builds and beats most insane Super Mario Maker level yet 【Video】
These new Gamecube-style Wii U controllers are gorgeous, (almost) exactly what we wanted【E3】
Super Mario 3D World’s new Goomba Cat will cute your face off
Super Mario is turning 30, Nintendo celebrates with a trip down memory lane and a new project
Super Mario Maker level recreates intense Vocaloid hit with carefully positioned music blocks
Super Mario Bros. creator explains how and why he designed World 1-1 of the 8-bit classic 【Video】
Nintendo Wii U: Our Impressions of the New Console’s Biggest Launch Titles
Official Nintendo comic has sassy pigeon explain how to not be a horrible troll in Mario Maker
Babymetal becomes the newest alternate character for Nintendo’s Super Mario Maker 【Video】
Amazing Super Mario Maker 2 player creates level that’s also a brilliant 3-D maze【Video】