We realised the other day, while playing Mad Max, that the modern equivalent of the platform game is the open world, UbiSoft-style map-mopper (we really do have to come up with a better name for the genre).
Once upon a time - in the wake of Super Mario Bros. world-swaddling success - every other game was a me-too platformer with a cartoon lead.
Now, every other game finds you riding around huge environments looking for stuff and raiding bases, while playing as a gritty male lead. It seems to be the default genre for most major releases... and just as everyone got a bit blasé about platform games towards the end of their golden period, so too we find ourselves starting to suffer giant map fatigue.
Regrettably, we're even sensing a hint of that ennui setting in with Metal Gear Solid V now - arguably the pinnacle of the genre, but still of the genre regardless.
However, while the 2D platformer fell out of fashion, Nintendo and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto never really gave up on it - continuing to find new ways to contort the rules they had laid down. And now? Now it is your turn to wear the perfumed skin of Mr Miyamoto.
Once upon a time - in the wake of Super Mario Bros. world-swaddling success - every other game was a me-too platformer with a cartoon lead.
Now, every other game finds you riding around huge environments looking for stuff and raiding bases, while playing as a gritty male lead. It seems to be the default genre for most major releases... and just as everyone got a bit blasé about platform games towards the end of their golden period, so too we find ourselves starting to suffer giant map fatigue.
Regrettably, we're even sensing a hint of that ennui setting in with Metal Gear Solid V now - arguably the pinnacle of the genre, but still of the genre regardless.
However, while the 2D platformer fell out of fashion, Nintendo and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto never really gave up on it - continuing to find new ways to contort the rules they had laid down. And now? Now it is your turn to wear the perfumed skin of Mr Miyamoto.
MASSIVE DETAIL
We don't know the worth of going into massive depth about how Mario Maker works - we're drunk, and there are other websites out there that have already done that in depth.
But the real reason is this: there isn't much to say, because this is a game (but not really a game in the traditional sense) that does what it says on the packaging in quite the most literal sense.
Using the Gamepad, Super Mario Maker allows you to create 2D Mario levels, using elements drawn from the series' three decades of history. It's as simple as dragging and dropping, and then experimenting, and then sharing, and playing other people's creations (including 100 of Nintendo's own). It's utterly intuitive and simple to use.
Consequently, there's almost an infinite amount of gameplay here, and some have described it as Nintendo's own Minecraft; they're not far off.
It isn't perfect - you can't completely break the rules of the Mario universe (though you can import other Nintendo character Amiibos), but giving the game boundaries is exactly what's going to inspire the greatest creativity. How do you make a side-scrolling shoot 'em up out of a system that apparently doesn't want you to? Some have already sort of managed it; art through adversity.
Also, in the early stages Nintendo have made the decision to - frustratingly - hold back some features on a time delay; you'll have to wait a week or so to get the full set of creation tools and elements (UPDATE: looks like this has been patched - more here). But it's a minor niggle in what might just be the most Nintendo-y Nintendo release ever.
This isn't the only platform creation set of recent years - Little Big Planet tried the same sort of thing to general apathy - but it's hands down exactly what such a thing should be, and mercifuly doesn't feature a horrifying knitted gimp mask man with dead eyes as its unifying character.
We don't know the worth of going into massive depth about how Mario Maker works - we're drunk, and there are other websites out there that have already done that in depth.
But the real reason is this: there isn't much to say, because this is a game (but not really a game in the traditional sense) that does what it says on the packaging in quite the most literal sense.
Using the Gamepad, Super Mario Maker allows you to create 2D Mario levels, using elements drawn from the series' three decades of history. It's as simple as dragging and dropping, and then experimenting, and then sharing, and playing other people's creations (including 100 of Nintendo's own). It's utterly intuitive and simple to use.
Consequently, there's almost an infinite amount of gameplay here, and some have described it as Nintendo's own Minecraft; they're not far off.
It isn't perfect - you can't completely break the rules of the Mario universe (though you can import other Nintendo character Amiibos), but giving the game boundaries is exactly what's going to inspire the greatest creativity. How do you make a side-scrolling shoot 'em up out of a system that apparently doesn't want you to? Some have already sort of managed it; art through adversity.
Also, in the early stages Nintendo have made the decision to - frustratingly - hold back some features on a time delay; you'll have to wait a week or so to get the full set of creation tools and elements (UPDATE: looks like this has been patched - more here). But it's a minor niggle in what might just be the most Nintendo-y Nintendo release ever.
This isn't the only platform creation set of recent years - Little Big Planet tried the same sort of thing to general apathy - but it's hands down exactly what such a thing should be, and mercifuly doesn't feature a horrifying knitted gimp mask man with dead eyes as its unifying character.
TRENDS
Mario Maker is testament to what Nintendo does best. To wit: create inclusive, characterful, utterly charming and engaging products that go completely against prevailing trends.
It's like Nintendo exists in a bubble - apart and aside from the rest of the games industry. They just get on with what they do with a sort of fun, quiet, stubborn dignity.
It's a shame customers mostly want to shoot people in the face these days, because Nintendo is still producing the best, most pure examples of video game art in the world.
Super Mario Maker isn't entirely a case of them turning over the keys to the kingdom, but it is a chance for the rest of us to run our fingers through their sandbox, in a uniquely Nintendo way, while going "Blurrrbrrl-lrrbrr-lbrrrurrrbr-lurrrb". It's the perfect celebration of Mario's 30 years.
SUMMARY: Even if you've never thought you wanted to create your own game, we can't see anyone not enjoying what's on offer here. Also comes with a nice little book.
SCORE: A VILLION out of A CILLION
Mario Maker is testament to what Nintendo does best. To wit: create inclusive, characterful, utterly charming and engaging products that go completely against prevailing trends.
It's like Nintendo exists in a bubble - apart and aside from the rest of the games industry. They just get on with what they do with a sort of fun, quiet, stubborn dignity.
It's a shame customers mostly want to shoot people in the face these days, because Nintendo is still producing the best, most pure examples of video game art in the world.
Super Mario Maker isn't entirely a case of them turning over the keys to the kingdom, but it is a chance for the rest of us to run our fingers through their sandbox, in a uniquely Nintendo way, while going "Blurrrbrrl-lrrbrr-lbrrrurrrbr-lurrrb". It's the perfect celebration of Mario's 30 years.
SUMMARY: Even if you've never thought you wanted to create your own game, we can't see anyone not enjoying what's on offer here. Also comes with a nice little book.
SCORE: A VILLION out of A CILLION
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