
So we all know that Super Mario Maker for the Wii U is awesome. With everything from music levels to ridiculously hard challenges to millions and millions of other courses in between, you can never run out of things to do.
However with so many levels out there, plenty of them are far from perfect, and some of them outright troll the player. So in an effort to try to educate the gaming populace in the art of not making horrible levels, Nintendo Japan has released some helpful comics to help us all become better builders.
Ready to be educated in the way of making Mario by a pigeon? Then read on!
As anyone who has played the 100 Mario Challenge knows, Super Mario Maker may boast millions of levels, but only a fraction of them are worth playing. Thankfully Nintendo of Japan has taken notice and started putting out a regular comic to help players become better at building levels that don’t make people want to throw their Wii U controller out the window.
The characters in the comic include Mashiko, a woman who is good at playing Mario but not so great at making levels. She’s assisted by the helpful pigeon Yamamura. Let’s see what they have to say:
▼ Mashiko: “I made a level! Yamamura-san, can you take a look at it?”
Yamamura: “Ooh, okay. Let me try it out.”
▼ Here’s the video of Mashiko’s level, so you can see for yourself what Yamamura-san played:
▼ Yamamura-san…are you okay?
▼ Did you, uh…did you like the level?
▼ “What the heck was that?!”
▼ Mashiko: “What? Is my level bad?”
Yamamura: “Yes. I don’t want to play it again! All I felt while playing it was my sense of duty to tell you how bad it was.”
▼ Mashiko: “Well, give it to me straight. What was bad about it?”
Yamamura: “First, there were some horrible surprise attacks. The Thwomp that came down from so high up you couldn’t see it, the lava bubbles that come out of nowhere… these are all not good.”
▼ Mashiko: “But why? Isn’t it fun to get some surprises?”
Yamamura: “Maybe for the person making it yes, but not for the person playing it. It’s fun to dodge surprise attacks that you have time to prepare for, but things coming out of nowhere is not fun at all.”
▼ Mashiko: “I suppose you’re right.”
Yamamura: “Also you have too many enemies. There’s so many different ones in a single area that the player has no idea what’s going on, and spends the whole time worrying about dodging them. It’s more fun to have places where the player can relax sprinkled in.”
▼ Mashiko: “I see! Now I understand. I want to get better at making courses! Can you tell me what to do?”
Yamamura: “I’ll tell you what. You give me some delicious edamame (soy beans), and I’ll give you some homework to help make more understandable and enjoyable courses.”
▼ Mashiko’s homework: Make a course using only these twelve items. No more trolling with Thwomps, Magikoopas, and multiple Bowsers.
Restriction breeds creativity, so hopefully Mashiko will be able to create something halfway decent by the next comic.
Until then, what about you? Are you more of a Mashiko or a Yamamura-san when it comes to making Mario levels? Feel free to let us know by sharing the codes for your levels the comments, and we’ll let you know what we think. Just remember though: friends don’t let friends post levels with hidden blocks placed over holes. That’s just mean.
Source: Nintendo News via My Game News Flash
Images: Nintendo News











Troll levels still abound in Mario Maker, Nintendo releases another sassy pigeon comic to help
Nintendo is shutting down the level upload feature for Super Mario Maker
Nintendo will delete your Mario Maker course if it’s boring, can make a buck off it if it’s good
Super Mario Maker gets an official release date, will be playable at Best Buy soon【E3 2015】
Babymetal becomes the newest alternate character for Nintendo’s Super Mario Maker 【Video】
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
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
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’s Mario Maker lets you do exactly what it promises 【E3】
Nintendo launches awesome, free Super Mario Wallpaper Maker website for PCs and smartphones
Splatoon’s Inklings get a retro makeover in Super Mario Maker【Video】
Super Mario Bros. creator explains how and why he designed World 1-1 of the 8-bit classic 【Video】
Super Mario Maker update doubles down on creepy “Skinny Mario” with weird easter egg【Video】
See how this Japanese player clears this demonically difficult Super Mario Maker level!
The more you know Mario: The unusual Japanese names of Nintendo’s Super Mario characters
Amazing Super Mario Maker 2 player creates level that’s also a brilliant 3-D maze【Video】
Super Mario isn’t a plumber, Nintendo officially says
Expert gamer builds and beats most insane Super Mario Maker level yet 【Video】
Hello Kitty joins Mario Maker, may possibly break Japanese-ness level-measuring equipment 【Video】
Nintendo is coming to iPhones with Super Mario Run for iOS devices
Dozens of new Nintendo games available to play for free at Comic-Con 2013!
Japanese gamer beats insanely hard Mario course, goes insane with joy and breaks down in tears
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto shows what to do with your other hand while playing Super Mario Run