Upcoming Super Mario Maker 2 Update Adds The Master Sword

Super Mario Maker 2 is receiving a substantial free update in the near future, including new customisation options for courses, a new mode and even the iconic Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda.

The first of these additions is with two additional enemy types - Spike and Pokey. Spike originated from the 1988 classic Super Mario Bros. 3, attacking Mario by launching spike balls towards him. While these spike balls are a threat, they can also be used to the benefit of more savvy players as they can also be bounced off to gain extra air time as well as being used as a weight to alter the positioning of certain platforms.

Pokey is a tall cactus-type enemy that made its debut in Super Mario Bros. 2. Its height makes it a challenge to get past, but certain power-ups and the rideable Yoshi can easily whittle them down to a shorter size. The ice themed levels change certain properties for these two enemies, with the spike balls being altered to much more harmless snowballs, while Pokey gets turned into a snowman.

Ice Coins are also coming to the game. These are regular yellow coins encased within blocks of ice, and to access them players need to use fire to their advantage. The most obvious solution is the Fire Flower power-up, but items such as the Burner and Fire Bar can also melt the ice away.

Much like Ice Coins, P Blocks will allow players to add some more puzzle-solving elements to their courses. These blocks only become solid when a player steps on a corresponding switch, and when they do appear they’re unbreakable and only last for a set amount of time. These can be manipulated to fit a large variety of scenarios, whether that be traversal puzzles or tricky timed platforming sections.

The new Dash Blocks are relatively self explanatory - if a player steps on one, Mario will be propelled forward into a dash allowing for greater speeds and longer distance jumps. Line up several of them in a row and Mario can keep dashing forward for longer periods of time.

The last new additional item is the Master Sword. Upon picking it up, Mario will be transformed into Link and will also gain access to Link’s more offensive options, such as being able to attack enemies with the Master Sword and block with the shield. The sword and shield isn’t all players will have access to when transformed into Link, as they will also be able to use the Bow which can be fired in three different directions, and Bombs which can be used to destroy blocks that are in the way of progress.

Finally, a new mode is being added to the game titled Ninji Speedruns. As the name suggests, players will be tasked with getting through levels in the fastest time possible. Players will be competing with each other’s Ninji Ghosts which are left by other players, showing their own speed and progress throughout the levels. Nintendo have developed levels specifically for the new mode themselves, and new courses will be added periodically meaning that there will be an influx of new content for the mode over time. Completing courses in this mode will unlock stamps and new customisation options for Mii’s.

The new Super Mario Maker 2 update will be free to download from 5th December.