Create on the go! 'Super Mario Maker' is coming to 3DS just in time for Christmas

By Gabe Gurwin Published September 8, 2016

Super Mario Maker was one of the best games of 2015 — and certainly among the best on the Wii U — but you’ll now be able to take the platformer and creation tool with you on the go. Super Mario Maker is coming to the Nintendo 3DS this year

Announced during Thursday’s Nintendo Direct event, Super Mario Maker on 3DS is designed to supplement the Wii U version instead of replacing it. The game comes preloaded with 100 Nintendo-designed levels, and includes the famous “100 Mario Challenge,” as well as a selection of the best Wii U levels. We’re hoping that the “Ryckoning” and “Klepocalypse” make an appearance.

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Some Wii U-created levels will not be available on the smaller system, though Nintendo didn’t specify exactly what would keep them from making the jump. The game also ditches the “Course ID” system used on the Wii U version to simplify searching, which may eliminate the ability to use the web-based “bookmark” tool to save levels for later.

Super Mario Maker for the 3DS isn’t focused on sharing creations online. Instead, you’re encouraged to go out and share them with real-life friends or find hidden gems via StreetPass.

Super Mario Maker launched to critical acclaim when it first hit the Wii U last September, with wonderful player-created levels available across the original Super Mario Bros., as well as Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World. In our review, we called it “exceptionally well-designed” and “effective in spurring creativity and ensuring that long design sessions are fun throughout.” It also remains the perfect game for sadists, as some truly dastardly creations have been uploaded over the last year, capable of destroying any hope of world peace.

Super Mario Maker launches on the 3DS on December 2. It doesn’t appear to be limited to the “New Nintendo 3DS” system.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…

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The day of reckoning is fast approaching: The Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop isclosing down on March 27. When that happens, you’ll no longer be able to make any digital purchases on those systems. Considering that several games on each platform only ever got digital releases, it’s creating a bit of a preservation nightmare. Hidden gems that never came to another platform, like Affordable Space Adventures, will be totally lost to time.

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While the Nintendo 3DS had a rocky launch, the handheld system recovered gracefully and ended up having one of the best game lineups of any Nintendo system. Many of these 3DS games, like Super Mario 3D Land and Fire Emblem Awakening, were very popular and well-known. Still, the 3DS had a lot of fantastic games that not as many people know about and threaten to be lost to time when the eShop closes down.
The 3DS eShop will shut down soon, preventing people from purchasing new games. As such, we've been reflecting on the system's vast library and all of the fantastic games that 3DS owners will no longer be able to buy digitally. From games that we think will skyrocket even further in price after the store shuts down to some enjoyable hidden gems that didn't get the attention they deserve, you might want to snag these 3DS games before you can't anymore after March 27.
Ever Oasis

Grezzo is one of Nintendo's most underrated developers. It's delivered top-notch The Legend of Zelda remakes like Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Link's Awakening. So what if I told you that it used that experience to make an original IP for 3DS that's one of the best-looking and expansive games on the system? Ever Oasis, a 2017 3DS game, follows a young kid as they help a water spirit named Esna build an oasis and try to save their brother from Chaos.
The result is a mix of 3D The Legend of Zelda and city management games. Players can venture out into surprisingly large open worlds and dungeons to restock and grow the number of "bloom booths." This mix of open-world exploration, dungeon crawling, and oasis-building will keep players engaged for dozens of hours, and it also stands as one of the deepest and best-looking action-adventure games on the platform.
Ever Oasis didn't get much attention when it launched because the Nintendo Switch had been released a couple of months earlier. Still, it stands as one of the 3DS' best games, so it's a shame that more people don't know about it. It risks being forgotten forever now the 3DS eShop is closing down, so check it out before the closure; it will surpass your expectations.
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Horses race in Pocket Card Jockey.

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