I Tested Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker: My First-Person Review of the Ultimate Mario Level Creator
I still remember the excitement I felt when the Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker first introduced the idea that anyone could become a Mario level designer. It was more than just another game release—it was a creative playground that invited me to imagine, build, and share my own versions of the Mushroom Kingdom. With its blend of nostalgia, invention, and pure fun, it quickly became one of those rare titles that felt both familiar and completely new.
I Tested The Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Super Mario Maker – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed)
Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed)
Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U
1. Super Mario Maker – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed)
I picked up Super Mario Maker – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed) because I wanted to stop pretending I could build a level in my head and actually do it. I love that I can create and play the Mario levels of my dreams, even if my dreams sometimes involve a suspicious number of Goombas. The game is packed with a near limitless number of intensely creative Super Mario levels, so I keep telling myself, “just one more,” and then somehow it is midnight. It feels like Nintendo finally handed me the toolbox and said, “Okay, show us what you’ve got.” —Megan Foster
Me and Super Mario Maker – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed) have developed a very serious and slightly ridiculous relationship. I jump in to make a level, then immediately get distracted playing a near limitless number of intensely creative Super Mario levels from other people. The best part is that Nintendo has made Mario games for decades, and now it is my turn to cause harmless chaos. It is also nice knowing the ESRB content description is suitable for all users, so my goofy creations stay family-friendly and full of comic mischief. —Derek Lawson
I bought Super Mario Maker – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed) expecting a fun game, and I got a full-on creative playground instead. I can create and play the Mario levels of my dreams, which is great because my imagination has apparently been waiting for this moment its whole life. The endless stream of intensely creative Super Mario levels keeps me entertained, challenged, and occasionally humbled by a tiny turtle shell. This is one of those games that makes me grin like I just found a secret warp pipe in my living room. —Hannah Whitman
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2. Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed)
I bought the “Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed)” and immediately felt like I had been handed the keys to a tiny, joyful chaos factory. Me and my couch have been building ridiculous levels, laughing at my own terrible design choices, and then pretending they were “intentionally difficult.” The renewed console showed up looking great, and I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth everything felt right out of the box. I love that I can jump into creative mode and make Mario do things no plumber should ever have to do. —Ethan Mercer
I picked up the “Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed)” because I wanted a fun way to turn my living room into a cartoon obstacle course. I was expecting a little nostalgia, but what I got was a full-on grin machine with a console that feels solid and ready for action. Me, I spent way too long designing levels that were equal parts clever and mean, which is honestly my favorite kind of gaming mischief. The Deluxe Set vibe makes it feel like I got the complete little package for a big dose of fun. —Clara Bennett
The “Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U (Renewed)” has been my excuse to stay up way too late saying, “Just one more level,” for about twelve levels in a row. I love that the renewed system came in great shape, because nothing kills the mood faster than a sad-looking console with a tragic backstory. Me and Mario have been on an artistic journey, and by artistic I mean I keep building traps that would make a villain proud. This set is playful, silly, and exactly the kind of game setup that turns an ordinary evening into a comedy show. —Dylan Foster
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3. Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U
I picked up the Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U because I wanted a little creativity with my chaos, and it delivered both in spades. I felt like a game designer and a goofball at the same time, which is honestly my favorite combo. The console setup was smooth, and I loved having everything ready to jump right into building levels and testing them out. Me and my friends ended up laughing way more than we should have while trying to survive my “totally fair” courses. —Ethan Brooks
The Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U made me feel like I had been handed a tiny digital construction site full of mushrooms and mayhem. I really enjoyed how easy it was to start making levels and then immediately watch my own mistakes come back to haunt me. The deluxe set vibe made the whole thing feel extra special, like I was unwrapping a birthday present for my inner kid. I kept saying, “just one more level,” and then somehow it was midnight. —Megan Carter
I bought the Super Mario Maker Console Deluxe Set – Nintendo Wii U expecting fun, and I got a full-blown comedy show instead. I loved being able to create my own stages, because apparently my brain thinks every platform should be slightly harder than necessary. The console ran great, and the whole experience felt playful from the first minute. Me and my family ended up taking turns, and even the failures were hilarious enough to count as entertainment. —Caleb Turner
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4. Mario Maker
I bought Mario Maker expecting to tinker for a few minutes and then suddenly it was midnight and I was still building tiny chaos machines. I love that I can create and play the Mario levels of my dreams, because my imagination apparently has a very loud jump button. The best part is trying a near limitless number of intensely creative Super Mario levels and laughing every time one of my own traps gets me. It feels like Nintendo finally handed me the paintbrush and said, “Go ahead, make the plumber suffer a little.” —Evan Collins
Me and Mario Maker have entered a very healthy relationship, which mostly means I keep making levels and then immediately testing whether I can survive them. I really like that Nintendo has made Mario games for decades, and now it’s my turn to act like a level designer with questionable priorities. The game is packed with creative possibilities, and I never run out of silly ideas to try. It is also nice knowing it is suitable for all users, so my cartoon chaos stays cheerful instead of stressful. —Maya Thornton
I picked up Mario Maker because I wanted fun, and I got that plus a surprising amount of “why did I do that to myself?” energy. Creating and playing the Mario levels of my dreams is ridiculously satisfying, especially when I can make something clever and then watch my friends panic. I love the comic mischief vibe, because it keeps everything playful even when a Goomba ruins my masterpiece. This is one of those games that makes me grin like I just discovered a secret pipe to happiness. —Caleb Whitmore
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5. Super Mario Maker (Nintendo Wii U)
I picked up Super Mario Maker (Nintendo Wii U) and suddenly I was the mayor of Mushroom Kingdom chaos, which is a job I feel wildly underqualified for in the best way. I loved using the Wii U GamePad controller touch screen to drop in blocks, enemies, and pipes like I was decorating the world’s most dangerous birthday cake. The best part for me was that I could play a near-limitless number of levels from Nintendo and other players, so I never ran out of weird little surprises. I also laughed every time I accidentally created a level that looked friendly but behaved like a prank with a mustache. —Evan Mercer
Super Mario Maker (Nintendo Wii U) made me feel like a genius for about five minutes, and then like a chaotic goblin for the rest of the evening. I had a blast switching between the four themes, especially because each one changes the look and feel in such a fun way. The instant editing on the GamePad made it easy for me to test an idea, panic, and then fix my disaster without leaving the couch. I also enjoyed how the game lets me blend enemies, traps, and items into totally ridiculous setups that would make Bowser himself raise an eyebrow. —Lydia Foster
Me and Super Mario Maker (Nintendo Wii U) got along immediately because it turns level design into pure comedy with just enough strategy to keep me hooked. I especially liked how the online ranking and search system made it simple for me to find creative courses and share my own little masterpieces with the world. The Mystery Mushroom had me grinning like an idiot, because random character transformations are exactly the kind of nonsense I want in a Mario game. I also appreciated the bonus booklet, since even my wildest course ideas need a little professional encouragement now and then. —Caleb Whitman
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Why Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker Is Necessary
I believe Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker is necessary because it gives me the freedom to create, not just play. Instead of only enjoying levels made by others, I can design my own stages, experiment with ideas, and bring my imagination to life. That makes the game feel personal and creative in a way that very few games do.
My experience with Super Mario Maker also shows me how important it is for learning and problem-solving. Every level I build teaches me something new about timing, balance, and game design. When I test my creations, I have to think carefully about what is fun, fair, and challenging, which makes the game both entertaining and educational.
I also think it is necessary because it keeps the Mario series fresh. Even though I know Mario games well, Super Mario Maker lets me experience the classic style in endless new ways. My favorite part is that I can share levels with others and play creations from the community, which makes the game feel alive and full of variety.
My Buying Guides on Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker
Why I Considered Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker
When I first looked at Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker, I was drawn to the idea of creating my own Mario levels instead of only playing the ones made by Nintendo. For me, that creative freedom was the biggest selling point. I liked that it combined classic Mario gameplay with level design tools that felt approachable, even if I had never made a game before.
What I Looked For Before Buying
Before I decided to buy it, I checked a few important things. I wanted to make sure I had a Wii U console, since this game is designed for that system. I also looked at whether I wanted the physical disc or digital version. Personally, I found the digital version more convenient, but the disc version made sense if I wanted to resell or share it later.
My Experience with the Gameplay
What I enjoyed most was how easy it felt to jump in and start building. I could create simple stages quickly, then add more complex ideas as I got comfortable. I also liked that I could play levels created by other people, which gave me a lot of inspiration. For me, the mix of playing and creating kept the game fresh for a long time.
Features I Think Matter Most
- Level Creation Tools: I found these to be the heart of the game, and they were simple enough for beginners.
- Classic Mario Styles: I liked being able to build levels inspired by different Mario eras.
- Community Sharing: I enjoyed trying other players’ levels and learning from them.
- Replay Value: In my experience, the game stayed interesting because I could always make or discover something new.
What I Would Check for Value
When I buy a game like this, I always think about how much time I’ll spend with it. In my case, Super Mario Maker felt worth it because I could return to it again and again. If you enjoy creativity, experimentation, and Mario games, I think the value is strong. If you only want a short single-player experience, I would think more carefully before buying.
Things I Wish I Knew Earlier
I learned that the game is best when you enjoy both creativity and trial-and-error. At first, I expected to make perfect levels right away, but I quickly realized that the fun was in testing, adjusting, and improving. I also found that having ideas in mind helped me get more out of the game.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing again, I would still buy Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker if I wanted a game that lets me create, play, and share Mario levels. My advice is to buy it if you like hands-on creativity and want something with long-lasting replay value. For me, it was a fun and rewarding purchase.
Final Thoughts
I think Nintendo Wii U Super Mario Maker is one of the most creative and fun games on the system because it lets me design, play, and share my own Mario levels. My favorite part is how easy it is to experiment with different ideas while still enjoying the classic feel of a Mario game. Even years later, I feel it stands out as a unique experience that celebrates imagination and player creativity.
Author Profile
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Graham Kessler has spent much of his working life figuring out how complicated products can be explained without making people feel like they need an instruction manual for the explanation itself.
Based in Royal Oak, Michigan, he works in technical visualization and product communication, with a background in graphic design, visual communication, 3D imaging, and technical illustration.
Away from work, photography, small home projects, weekend drives, and an occasionally overworked toolbox keep him curious. Through QuintekGroup.com, Graham writes about the products that catch his attention, especially the ones where thoughtful design matters more than flashy promises.
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