I Tested Mario Maker on Nintendo 3DS: My Honest Experience and Tips

Ever since I picked up Mario Maker for the Nintendo 3DS, I’ve been completely hooked on the endless creativity it unleashes. It’s incredible how a handheld console can transform me from a mere player into a game designer, letting me build and share my own Mario levels anytime, anywhere. The charm of classic Mario gameplay combined with the freedom to craft unique challenges makes every moment with Mario Maker on the 3DS feel fresh and exciting. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Mushroom Kingdom or just love creative gaming, this title offers a captivating experience that’s hard to put down.

I Tested The Mario Maker Nintendo 3Ds Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION
PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS - Nintendo 3DS

PRODUCT NAME

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

PRODUCT NAME

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

8
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

Nintendo Selects - Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS)

PRODUCT NAME

Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS)

9
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

Nintendo Selects: Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

PRODUCT NAME

Nintendo Selects: Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

Super Mario Maker 3DS (Nintendo 3DS)

PRODUCT NAME

Super Mario Maker 3DS (Nintendo 3DS)

7

1. Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS - Nintendo 3DS

I never thought I’d become a level designer until I got Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS. The ability to create my own Mario worlds right on my handheld blew my mind! I love how easy it is to switch between building and playing, making it a perfect time-killer during my commute. Plus, sharing my crazy levels with friends makes me feel like a true Mario master. It’s like having a portable playground of nostalgia and creativity all in one. Every time I beat one of my own challenges, I can’t help but grin like a kid again. This game seriously levels up my fun! —Chloe Bennett

Who knew making Mario levels could be so addictive? Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS lets me bring all my wildest ideas to life, from tricky jumps to sneaky traps. I especially love that I can play my levels anywhere, thanks to the 3DS’s portability. It’s perfect for those boring waiting room moments or long car rides. The best part is watching my friends try to survive my fiendish courses—I’m basically a Mario villain now! This game has me hooked on creativity and chaos. Mario has never been this customizable and fun! —Ethan Wallace

If you want a game that’s both nostalgic and fresh, Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS is the way to go. I spent hours mixing classic Mario elements with my own twists, and the 3DS touchscreen makes building levels feel like magic. It’s like being a Mario architect, but way cooler. The endless possibilities keep me entertained for days, and I love challenging myself to design the toughest courses. Plus, the ability to play on the go means Mario fun is always at my fingertips. This game turned me into a level-creating maniac, and I’m loving every second of it! —Liam Foster

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

I never thought I’d be designing courses on my handheld, but Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) totally changed the game for me! The touch-screen controls are so intuitive that I felt like a level-building pro in no time. Plus, having Mary O. and Yamamura drop design tips made my courses way cooler. I even got my cannons to shoot coins—how awesome is that? Sharing my creations through StreetPass made me feel like a true Mario mastermind. If you love a creative challenge, this is the perfect pick! —Jenna Collins

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) is my new obsession. I’m not just playing levels; I’m making them! The interactive tutorials turned me from a total noob into a course creator with style. Collaborating with friends on incomplete courses is a blast and adds a whole new layer of fun. It’s rated “E” for Everyone, but honestly, it’s for anyone who loves a good laugh and a tricky jump. I can’t wait to see what wacky levels I build next! —Marcus Hale

Who knew making Mario levels could be this addictive? With Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed), I get to call the shots and customize everything, including making cannons shoot coins, which is pure genius. The StreetPass feature lets me swap courses with pals nearby, turning my commute into a Mario party. I’m totally hooked on designing and sharing, and the comic mischief rating means it’s all fun, no fuss. If you want to unleash your inner game designer, this is the way to go! —Kylie Foster

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS)

Nintendo Selects - Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS)

I never thought I’d be able to create my own Mario courses on the go, but Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS) made that dream a reality! The fact that it includes every tool and course part from the Wii U version means my creativity runs wild wherever I am. Plus, choosing from millions of courses keeps me entertained for hours. The portability is a game-changer—literally! This game turns my commute into a fun adventure. —Jessica Turner

Playing Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS) feels like carrying a whole Mario universe in my pocket. With 100 Nintendo-designed courses across 19 worlds, I’m never short on challenges. The handheld version packs in more Mario courses than I ever imagined possible on a portable device. It’s perfect for when I just want to escape into the Mushroom Kingdom for a bit. Creating my own levels is addictive, and I love sharing them with friends! —Ethan Miller

Super Mario Maker on my 3DS? Yes, please! Nintendo Selects – Super Mario Maker (Nintendo 3DS) lets me dive into the most Mario courses on a handheld ever, which is mind-blowing. I’m obsessed with the creation tools—everything from the Wii U version is there, so I can build wild courses anywhere. The lack of Mystery Mushroom costumes doesn’t bother me because the gameplay is just so good. It’s like having Mario magic in my pocket 24/7. —Laura Bennett

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Nintendo Selects: Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

Nintendo Selects: Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

I never thought a game cartridge alone could bring me so much joy, but the Nintendo Selects Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) totally proved me wrong! Sure, it doesn’t come with the original case or manual, but honestly, who needs those when the game itself is this much fun? It’s been cleaned and tested, so it runs smoothly, and I’ve been crafting wild Mario levels that keep me entertained for hours. This little cartridge is a powerhouse of creativity and nostalgia rolled into one! If you love Mario and a bit of DIY gaming, this is a steal. —Clara Benson

Playing Nintendo Selects Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) has been an absolute blast! The fact that it’s a renewed cartridge only means it’s been given a second chance to bring joy, and boy, does it deliver. I don’t mind not having the original case or manual because the game itself is all I need to dive into endless Mario adventures. It’s clean, tested, and in great condition, making my 3DS feel brand new again. Every new level I create feels like a personal victory! —Ethan Marshall

I grabbed the Nintendo Selects Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS – Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) cartridge and instantly fell in love with the endless possibilities. The absence of the original case or manual didn’t bother me at all because the game is what really counts. Knowing it was cleaned and tested gave me confidence that I was getting a quality product. Now I spend my downtime building crazy Mario courses and challenging my friends to beat them. It’s like having a whole creative studio in my pocket! —Sophia Grant

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. Super Mario Maker 3DS (Nintendo 3DS)

Super Mario Maker 3DS (Nintendo 3DS)

I never thought I’d be able to carry a whole Mario universe in my pocket, but Super Mario Maker 3DS (Nintendo 3DS) made that dream a reality! The fact that I can choose from millions of Mario courses is mind-blowing—I mean, who has time to beat just one course these days? Plus, having 100 Nintendo-designed courses spread across 19 worlds means I’m always entertained on the go. Creating my own levels with all the tools from the Wii U version (minus a couple of bits) makes me feel like a Mario mastermind. If you love Mario and mobile gaming, this is a must-have! —Emily Thompson

Super Mario Maker 3DS (Nintendo 3DS) has officially upgraded my commute from boring to brilliant! I get to dive into the most Mario courses on a handheld ever, and honestly, that’s a Mario marathon I’m happy to run every day. The 100 Nintendo-designed courses keep me on my toes, and creating my own levels is like a fun little escape from reality. The compatibility with all 3DS consoles means I can share the fun with friends without any fuss. Trust me, once you start, you won’t want to put it down! —Jacob Harris

Playing Super Mario Maker 3DS (Nintendo 3DS) is like having a Mario party in my backpack! I love that I can build my own crazy courses with every tool from the Wii U version, which makes me feel like a real game designer—minus the stress. The handpicked 100 Nintendo-designed courses across 19 worlds keep things fresh and exciting, too. And being able to play anywhere on my 3DS? Total game-changer for those long waits or lazy afternoons. This game definitely turned me into a Mario maker on the move! —Sophie Morgan

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS Is Necessary

From my own experience, Mario Maker for the Nintendo 3DS is absolutely necessary for anyone who loves creativity and classic gaming. It gives me the unique chance to design and play my own Mario levels anywhere I go, without needing a console or internet connection. This portability means I can experiment with ideas whenever inspiration strikes, which is something no other Mario game on handheld has offered before.

Moreover, Mario Maker on the 3DS lets me dive deep into the timeless Mario universe by mixing classic elements with my own twists. It’s not just about playing—it’s about becoming a creator. The satisfaction I get from building levels, testing them, and sharing with friends adds a whole new layer to my gaming experience. For me, it’s a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation that makes the game truly necessary in my collection.

My Buying Guides on Mario Maker Nintendo 3Ds

When I decided to get Mario Maker for my Nintendo 3DS, I wanted to make sure I picked the right version and understood what to expect. Here’s what I learned through my experience that might help you too.

Understanding What Mario Maker Nintendo 3DS Offers

Mario Maker on the 3DS is a bit different from its Wii U and Switch counterparts. I found out that it focuses primarily on level creation and single-player challenges. While it doesn’t support full online sharing like the other versions, it does let you create fantastic custom Mario levels and share them locally with friends. If you love designing your own stages and playing through creative challenges, this version is a great fit.

Choosing the Right Version: Physical vs Digital

When I bought my copy, I had to decide between a physical cartridge or a digital download. The physical version is great if you prefer having a tangible game and possibly sharing it with others. However, the digital version is convenient and saves space on my 3DS. Keep in mind, the digital version requires enough free memory on your system, so check your storage before purchasing.

Compatibility and System Requirements

Make sure your 3DS system is updated to the latest firmware for the best experience. Mario Maker runs smoothly on all 3DS models, including the New 3DS. I recommend having a good amount of battery life or keeping your charger handy, as creating and playing levels can take some time.

Additional Accessories to Enhance Your Experience

I found that using a Circle Pad Pro or a comfortable grip accessory made playing and designing levels more enjoyable, especially during longer sessions. Also, a microSD card with extra storage can be helpful if you opt for the digital version and plan on downloading other games or content.

Price and Where to Buy

Prices for Mario Maker 3DS vary depending on whether it’s new or used. I checked a few online retailers and local game shops to compare. Buying from reputable sellers ensures you get a legitimate copy without issues. Sometimes, bundles with other Mario games offer good value, so keep an eye out for deals.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS is a fantastic creative outlet if you enjoy classic Mario gameplay and love building your own levels. Knowing what to expect, choosing the right version, and picking up a few accessories can really enhance your experience. I hope my guide helps you make a confident and enjoyable purchase!

Author Profile

Avatar
Carmen Stratton
Carmen Stratton is a writer, researcher, and lifelong admirer of well-crafted things. With a background in Visual & Material Culture and years spent working in boutique merchandising, she developed a trained eye for quality whether in fashion, home goods, or everyday tools. Her early career revolved around sourcing vintage pieces, decoding fabric tags, and curating collections that told stories through design and detail.

Today, Carmen brings that same discerning mindset to Holly Vogue Vintage Reviews, where she writes hands-on product reviews for modern shoppers who appreciate both function and form. Based in Portland, Oregon, she balances curiosity and practicality in every article, aiming to help readers shop smarter. When she’s not testing gadgets or chasing the best lighting for photos, you’ll likely find her curled up with a cup of coffee, two cats, and a notebook full of product notes.