Super Mario Maker is one of those rare games that's exactly what it promises: a legitimate creative tool wrapped in Nintendo polish. Kids aren't just consuming content—they're learning how games work, why certain jumps feel satisfying, what makes a level too hard or too easy.
The big caveat? It's a 2015 Wii U exclusive, so unless you've got old hardware lying around, you're better off grabbing Super Mario Maker 2 on Switch. But if you do have access, this is the real deal: no manipulative monetization, no toxic chat, just kids building stuff and sharing it. The online component is handled smartly—you share levels but never directly interact with strangers.
Parents consistently praise it as a bonding activity. You'll find yourself genuinely challenged by your 8-year-old's devious platform placement. That's the magic here—it flips the script from passive consumption to active creation, and it does it with Mario's timeless charm.
Age Fit
Best for ages 6-14, though younger kids can create with help and older teens/adults genuinely enjoy it. The creation tools are accessible enough for early elementary but deep enough for sophisticated designers.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
92
Classic Mario charm with no violence, no inappropriate content, and positive creative collaboration. ESRB rated E with only Comic Mischief. Players share levels they've built, fostering a community of makers. The tone is playful and encouraging—frustration comes from player-designed challenge, not toxicity.
Imaginative
98
This is creativity incarnate. Players design entire Mario levels from scratch using an intuitive interface, experimenting with power-ups, enemies, platforms, and physics. The game literally hands you the tools Nintendo used to make Mario games. Mystery Mushroom costumes (Link, Kirby, etc.) add whimsy. The 100-page idea book inspires boundless possibilities.
Safe
88
No in-game purchases, no loot boxes, no chat. Users interact by sharing levels online, which means kids will encounter user-generated content—some levels can be brutally difficult or poorly designed. No direct communication with strangers, but level names/designs could theoretically contain inappropriate content (though Nintendo moderates). Overall very safe with minor caveats around online sharing.
Enriching
89
Teaches game design principles, spatial reasoning, cause-and-effect, iteration, and problem-solving. Kids learn that creating good levels requires playtesting and refinement. Playing others' levels builds perseverance and pattern recognition. The 100 Mario Challenge mode rewards completion. Parents report it as an 'awesome bonding experience' that goes beyond passive entertainment.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
Genuine creative expression: kids design entire platformer levels from scratch, learning game design principles through play
No purchases, no chat, no ads—just pure making and playing
The GamePad interface makes level creation as intuitive as drawing on paper
Parents report it as bonding gold—build levels together, challenge each other, iterate on designs
Teaches perseverance and problem-solving: good levels require playtesting, refinement, and thinking about player experience
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What to Watch For
User-generated content means wildly varying difficulty—some community levels are absurdly hard and designed to frustrate (see: 'Pit of Panga' levels)
Requires a Wii U, which Nintendo discontinued in 2017—you'll need to hunt down used hardware or opt for the Switch sequel
Kids might get discouraged if their levels don't get plays/stars from the online community
Conversation Starters
"What made that level fun to play? What made it frustrating?"
"If you were going to make a level for me, what would you want me to feel?"
"Why do you think some levels get more stars than others?"
"What's harder—beating a tough level or designing one that's fun?"
