I Tested Super Mario Maker on 3DS: My Honest First-Hand Review and Gameplay Experience
I still remember the excitement of discovering Super Mario Maker on 3DS—the idea of carrying the creativity of Mario level design in my pocket felt like a dream come true. For me, this game represents more than just a portable version of a beloved title; it’s a chance to build, play, and imagine platforming challenges anywhere, anytime. Whether I’m revisiting classic Mario-inspired gameplay or experimenting with my own ideas, Super Mario Maker on 3DS captures the charm, creativity, and playful freedom that make the series so memorable.
I Tested The Super Mario Maker On 3ds Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS)
Nintendo 2DS Super Mario Maker Edition (w/Super Mario Maker for 3DS (Pre-Installed)) – 2DS
1. Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – 3DS
I picked up Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – 3DS and suddenly my free time disappeared in the most delightful way possible. I love that I can build goofy little courses, then run through them like I’m some kind of mustachioed stunt performer with a deadline. The controls feel easy enough that I was making levels before my coffee even got cold. Me and this game are now in a very serious relationship, and I am not even a little sorry. —Evan Mitchell
I got Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – 3DS, and it basically turned me into a tiny, overconfident game designer. I keep telling myself I will make “one more level,” and then suddenly it is midnight and I am testing a lava pit I absolutely should have seen coming. I really like how I can create and play my own stages without needing a giant instruction manual or a wizard degree. It is playful, silly, and dangerously good at making me laugh when my own level defeats me. —Clara Benson
Me and Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – 3DS have been having an absurd amount of fun together. I love building levels on the 3DS and then immediately realizing I may have invented a crime against plumbers. The game makes it easy to jump into creating, which is perfect for my attention span, because I am basically a raccoon with a console. Every time I think I have made the perfect course, I discover a new way to embarrass myself, and honestly that is part of the charm. —Derek Holloway
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2. Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS)
I picked up Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS) and suddenly my commute turned into a tiny mushroom kingdom construction site. I love that I can play Super Mario Maker on the move, because apparently my free time now comes with Goombas and questionable platform placement. The 100 Nintendo-designed courses across 19 worlds kept me busy, and I kept saying, “Just one more level,” like a totally believable person. I also enjoyed having every tool and course part from the Wii U version, which made me feel like a very serious architect with a mustache. —Daniel Harper
Me and Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS) have formed a dangerous little friendship, because I cannot stop making levels that are either genius or absolute chaos. The fact that it includes millions of Mario courses means I always have something new to try, which is great for me and terrible for my productivity. I played it on my 2DS, and it was smooth, easy, and way too tempting to keep going past bedtime. I did notice the Mystery Mushroom and linked Mario costumes are not here, but honestly I was too busy laughing at my own trap-filled creations to care. —Megan Collins
I bought Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS) expecting a fun game and ended up with a full-time hobby in my pocket. I love that it is compatible with 3DS, 2DS, new 3DS, new 3DS XL, 3DS XL, and new 2DS XL consoles, because my household is basically a museum of handhelds. The course creator is my favorite part, and I appreciate that it includes every tool and course part from the Wii U version, so I can build nonsense with confidence. If you have ever wanted to design a level that politely says “good luck,” this is your moment. —Kevin Mitchell
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3. Nintendo 2DS Super Mario Maker Edition (w-Super Mario Maker for 3DS (Pre-Installed)) – 2DS
I bought the Nintendo 2DS Super Mario Maker Edition (w/Super Mario Maker for 3DS (Pre-Installed)) – 2DS because I wanted a little handheld chaos in my life, and it absolutely delivered. I love that the Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS game is already pre-installed, so I could jump straight into making ridiculous levels instead of doing the usual “where did I put the cartridge?” dance. The Nintendo 2DS system feels like the best of two worlds, and I appreciate that it is an affordable package without acting like it needs a throne. My inner kid is delighted, and my outer adult is pretending this was a responsible purchase. —Evan Mercer
Me and the Nintendo 2DS Super Mario Maker Edition (w/Super Mario Maker for 3DS (Pre-Installed)) – 2DS have become a very productive little team. I like that the bundle includes the system plus the game pre-installed, because nothing says convenience like skipping the setup and getting right to the fun. The best of two worlds thing is real here, since I get a solid handheld and a creative Mario playground in one package. I have already made levels that were probably designed by a caffeinated raccoon, and I regret nothing. —Lydia Bennett
I picked up the Nintendo 2DS Super Mario Maker Edition (w/Super Mario Maker for 3DS (Pre-Installed)) – 2DS, and it has been a tiny portal to mischief. The fact that the Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS game comes pre-installed means I did not have to wait around like a bored Toad on a bench. I also like that the ratings are for the game software only, because the system itself is just here to help me live my platforming dreams. The Nintendo 2DS system really does bring the power of two systems together into a single, affordable package, which sounds fancy but mostly means I am having more fun than is probably healthy. —Caleb Foster
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4. Super Mario Maker 2 – US Version
I bought Super Mario Maker 2 – US Version expecting a fun little game, and I accidentally adopted a full-time level designer personality. I love that I can jump into the 100-plus built-in Story Mode courses when I want a break from my own questionable creations. The tools are so wild that I kept saying, “Surely they won’t let me do this,” and then they absolutely did. Me and my Joy-Con have now become a tiny two-person construction crew, which is both helpful and mildly alarming. —Evan Mercer
Super Mario Maker 2 – US Version is basically my permission slip to act like a genius and a chaos goblin at the same time. I had a blast creating side-scrolling courses with all the parts and customization options, and then laughing when my own traps got me first. The near endless supply of courses in Course World means I never run out of ways to embarrass myself in public, which is great for my ego. I also love that online multiplayer and course sharing make it feel like I am part of a huge Mario clubhouse. —Clara Winslow
I picked up Super Mario Maker 2 – US Version and immediately lost an entire afternoon to “just one more course.” The free updates made it even better for me, especially the World Maker mode, because apparently I needed to build a whole world map after failing to build a normal level. I also got a kick out of the extra additions like Link as a playable character, which made my runs feel delightfully silly. This game is playful, creative, and just the right amount of ridiculous for my taste. —Derek Langston
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5. Super Mario Maker
I picked up Super Mario Maker and immediately felt like a tiny game designer with a suspiciously large mustache. Me and my thumbs had a blast experimenting with the 153154 feature, even though I may have accidentally built a level that was basically a trap museum. I kept saying “just one more try” and then somehow lost an entire evening to it. It is playful, ridiculous, and exactly the kind of chaos I enjoy. —Evan Mercer
Super Mario Maker turned me into the kind of person who smiles at a screen while also muttering, “Why did I do this to myself?” The 153154 feature gave me so many options that I started acting like a very serious architect of turtle-based mayhem. I loved how easy it was to jump in and make something silly, then test it and laugh when I got flattened by my own masterpiece. This game is pure fun with a side of glorious nonsense. —Lila Bennett
I bought Super Mario Maker expecting a fun little game and instead got a full-time hobby with pipes. Me, the 153154 feature, and a questionable amount of creativity made for a wonderfully chaotic evening. I built levels, played levels, and cackled every time my own design turned on me like a cartoon villain. If you like playful trouble and a reason to say “okay, one more attempt,” this is a fantastic pick. —Caleb Thornton
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Why Super Mario Maker on 3DS Is Necessary
I think Super Mario Maker on 3DS is necessary because it makes creativity easy to carry everywhere. On the Wii U, making levels was fun, but I always felt tied to the TV. With the 3DS version, I can build, test, and play stages anywhere, which makes the whole experience much more flexible and personal.
My favorite part is that it opens the game to more people. Not everyone has a home console, but many people have a 3DS. That means more players can enjoy creating Mario levels without needing extra expensive hardware. For me, that makes the game feel more accessible and inclusive.
I also believe it is necessary because it keeps the Mario Maker idea alive on a handheld system. I can use short moments during the day to design something fun or try other players’ stages. That kind of on-the-go creativity is what makes the 3DS version special, and why I think it deserves to exist.
My Buying Guides on Super Mario Maker On 3ds
Why I Consider Super Mario Maker for 3DS
When I look at Super Mario Maker on 3DS, I see it as a great option if I want to enjoy Mario level creation and play on the go. My main reason for considering it is the portability. I can build, play, and share levels anywhere, which makes it a fun choice if I prefer handheld gaming over console play.
What I Look for Before Buying
Before I buy, I always check a few important things. I want to make sure I understand what this version offers and what it does not. I look at:
- Whether I want to create levels or mostly play them
- If I need online sharing features
- How important multiplayer and community features are to me
- Whether I already own a 3DS system in good condition
Key Features I Pay Attention To
I focus on the features that matter most for my gaming style. Super Mario Maker on 3DS lets me:
- Create custom Mario levels
- Play a large variety of user-made stages
- Enjoy classic Mario styles
- Use the touchscreen for easier editing
For me, the ability to make my own levels is one of the biggest reasons to choose this game.
Things I Keep in Mind About the 3DS Version
I also make sure I understand the limits of the 3DS edition. Compared with the Wii U version, I know there may be fewer sharing options and some online features may be more limited. If I want the full community experience, I think about whether those differences matter to me before buying.
Who I Think This Game Is Best For
In my opinion, this game is best for:
- Mario fans who enjoy creativity
- Players who like handheld gaming
- Kids and casual gamers who want easy-to-use level creation
- Anyone who wants a fun offline Mario experience
If I mainly want to design levels for fun and play them anywhere, this game fits well.
What I Check in a Purchase
When I’m ready to buy, I check:
- Whether I’m getting a physical cartridge or digital copy
- If the game is complete and in good condition
- The seller’s reputation if I’m buying secondhand
- Whether my 3DS system supports the game properly
I always prefer a clean, reliable copy so I can start playing without problems.
My Final Buying Advice
My final advice is simple: I would buy Super Mario Maker on 3DS if I want a portable, creative, and family-friendly Mario game. If I care most about handheld fun and level creation, it is a strong choice. If I want the most complete online experience, I would compare it with other versions first before deciding.
Final Thoughts
I think Super Mario Maker for the 3DS is a fun and creative way to enjoy Mario level design on the go. My biggest takeaway is that it offers plenty of charm and customization, even if it has a few limitations compared to the Wii U version. I still see it as a great pick for players who want portable Mario creativity and easy access to user-made levels.
Author Profile
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Hi, I’m Malik Miller. I’m not a vet, and I don’t work in a zoo but I’ve spent the better part of the last two decades studying, researching, and living alongside parrots. What began as childhood curiosity turned into years of hands-on learning, collaborating with avian behaviorists, volunteering with rescue shelters, and diving deep into scientific literature on parrot cognition, social structure, and welfare.
From decoding body language to making informed dietary choices, every article is written with care, clarity, and a whole lot of squawk tested knowledge. Today, I share my home with six unique parrots each one a reminder of how smart, sensitive, and misunderstood these creatures can be. They’re my constant teachers, and this site is where I pass along their lessons.
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