Super Mario Maker 2 is now officially out in the wild. It’s time for all you heathens to get to work on your auto scroller levels. You can never have too many of those. While much of the brand new Switch game is just Super Mario Maker but super-er and maker-er, there is quite a lot of new content as well. One of the new additions to this title is competitive online multiplayer, a race to the finish style game to see who can fly through a level the fastest. While there are certainly some problems with this mode (we’ll get into those a bit later), overall it is tons of fun. Today, we’ll be going over 10 tips to make sure that you can beat out the rest of the competition. Let’s get into it.
10 10. Don’t Skip Powerups
Oftentimes, the beginning of a level will contain some sort of mushroom, Yoshi, or other power-up. When playing competitively, it is important that you take a second to grab these power-ups. In competitive play, you’ll often find people skipping the power-ups so they can get right into the level as quickly as possible. However, later down the line, these power-ups can be the difference between dying and damage-boosting through a stage hazard and claiming that #1 position. This is the equivalent of don’t skip leg day for Mario Maker essentially.
9 9. Let Other People Do The Work
Honestly, just be as lazy as you possibly can 100% of the time. This is in the case, for example, of levels that require the players to get through challenges and obtain keys. The fact of the matter is, only one person actually needs to do it, so why have it be you? Get yourself a power-up, sit back, and let literally everyone that isn’t you do the work. Just make sure you’re waiting at the door when they come back with that key.
8 8. Slow And Steady
Be careful! Many of the levels that go into Super Mario Maker 2’s competitive circulation are filled to the brim with traps waiting to be walked into. While the power-up you obtained earlier in the level will help, it’s better you go a bit slower to make sure that you’re not taking unnecessary damage.
Rash players will likely hit some sort of a trap in the later stages of a level. Just make sure that you aren’t that rash player. Slow and steady always wins the race.
7 7. Fast And Speedy
Of course, fast and speedy wins the race because… duh, of course it does. While you do need to make sure you’re not hitting any unnecessary traps, that doesn’t mean that you need to dawdle. Watch out, but don’t feel the need to let up on that sprint button. You don’t want anyone getting too far ahead of you. So, yes, be cautious and slow when necessary, but don’t feel afraid to crank it up a notch or two whenever possible.
6 6. Know Your Art Styles
All of the different styles of levels featured in Super Mario Maker 2 all have their own quirks. Make sure that you familiarize yourself with those. The New Super Mario Bros. U style has wall jumps, and most of the other styles don’t. Super Mario 3D World is the best style because of cats. Things like that. As you’re preparing to get started on a level, just make sure that you know what is ahead of you. Know the ins and outs of the different art styles to be able to move as fast as possible. Don’t get caught out not knowing what to do.
5 5. Don’t Worry About The Lag
Remember when we mentioned that there are some issues? Yeah, this is issues. The lag in this game mode (since Nintendo is charging players but somehow also not using servers?) is atrocious. But don’t let it hinder your gameplay.
Ok, it definitely will hinder said gameplay, but the thing is if you’re experiencing lag, every other player in your game is as well. Basically, everyone is having a bad time, not just you.
4 4. Be Selfish
SHOW NO MERCY. YOU ARE TOADETTE. YOU ARE POWERFUL. YOU ARE A GOD. Just don’t let anyone trample you, basically. Make sure that you are here for you and only you, no second chances here. Competitive Super Mario Maker 2 is probably the most important thing you’ll ever be participating in throughout your entire life. Don’t let this opportunity slip by and go to waste.
3 3. Get In Everyone’s Way
Just be as annoying as possible. Jump when it isn’t necessary, jump in front of other people, just make yourself an obstacle. While we need to be moving as fast as possible in any given level, we also need to make sure that everyone else is as slowed down as possible. Be the nuisance that you were always meant to be. No one is having fun at all in this game except for you.
2 2. Look For Shortcuts
When people attempt to flex their creative muscles with Super Mario Maker 2, they’ll often include alternate paths for players to take. Use this to your advantage. If you see some sort of side path, take it. Odds are that it will lead you to some sort of faster path or a reward that will help you later in the level. When the opportunity presents itself, take it. We take risks here, people.
1 1. Take Risks
And that’s the name of the game for our final tip on this list. Take risks! If there’s a jump you can take that seems a bit far, go for it. You need to be able to step up and take risks that others aren’t able to if you want to win. The reality is, you lose very few points when you lose, but you gain a lot when you win. Take that into account during these levels. Don’t be afraid to take a chance during competitive Super Mario Maker 2 play.
NEXT: 10 Essential Tips For Building Levels In Mario Maker 2
