I made an absolutely terrible level in Mario Maker

Paint Mario Levels

If you've heard of Mario Maker, you already know pretty much everything there is to know about it. Using simplistic tools and a touch screen, you're able to make your own 2D Mario levels styled after either the original NES release or the more recent New Super Mario Bros. games--just tap on a block, cloud, or platform, and you can go about placing them into a world. It's not as in-depth as the tools in Little Big Planet or anything, but you're able to create quick, simple levels in only a matter of minutes. Or, you're able to make sadomasochistic monstrosities if you put your mind to it. Up to you.

Since I didn't have a huge amount of time, the first thing I did was create a pyramid of sorts using destructible blocks. Then, feeling like a young Shigeru Miyamoto, I carved out the middle of the tower, turning it into something that resembled a volcano. I dropped some turtles in it, created some platforms, and tried to kick a turtle shell in such a way where it would destroy the tower. After a while, it worked. My level freaking sucked.

I was able to play some of the pre-made levels, though, in order to see what was possible. Here, I witnessed true brilliance--levels made entirely of springs, worlds filled with so many Koopas the NES would have melted, and other cool concepts. So long as the game contains adequate sharing functionality, I've no doubt that Mario Maker will be worth spending time with when it launches in 2015.

Check out the following slides for additional images and more information.

It would take you like, two minutes to remake the original Super Mario Bros' first level.

Seriously, there's no way the NES could have handled that.

Levels can be played with either retro or modern visuals.

The UI has a Mario Paint vibe about it. It's obvious Nintendo hasn't forgotten.

You're able to jump in and play at any point--it's seamless.