Splatoon vs Super Mario Maker
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Splatoon is a vibrant, team‑based third‑person shooter where players control Inklings that can shift between humanoid and squid forms. Transforming lets you swim through your own colored ink, scale walls, and refill your ammo while staying hidden from opponents. The game features a single‑player campaign set after the Great Zapfish theft, as Agent 3 battles Octarians to recover lost Zapfish, Sunken Scrolls, and Power Eggs, while also offering fast‑paced 4‑vs‑4 multiplayer matches.
Super Mario Maker lets players unleash their imagination by designing custom Mario courses using the intuitive Wii U GamePad, turning level creation into a sketch‑like experience. Share your creations online and explore a vast library of community‑made stages, all while enjoying classic Mario gameplay and special amiibo‑powered features.
- Unique squid‑human transformation mechanic
- Highly colorful and engaging art style
- Strong single‑player narrative
- Robust multiplayer with ranking system
- Intuitive level‑creation tools
- Huge community of shared courses
- Amiibo integration adds fun variety
- Rich tutorial book for inspiration
- Limited to Nintendo Switch platform
- No cross‑play with other consoles
- Online matchmaking can have long wait times
- Limited to Wii U hardware
- Online sharing requires Nintendo Network account
- No local multiplayer mode
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Splatoon
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Explore diorama puzzles and rescue Toadette in Captain Toad's first solo adventure.
A yarn‑filled platform adventure where you knit your way through crafty worlds
Alternatives to Super Mario Maker
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Ink-splatting team shooter where you switch between human and squid to dominate the battlefield
Explore diorama puzzles and rescue Toadette in Captain Toad's first solo adventure.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataSuper Mario Maker offers a creative, single‑player level‑design experience on Wii U, while Splatoon delivers a fast‑paced, team‑based shooter on Switch with both single‑player and co‑op modes.
Key differences
- •Platform: Mario Maker is Wii U‑only; Splatoon is Switch‑only.
- •Core gameplay: Mario Maker is a sandbox level‑creation tool; Splatoon is an ink‑based team shooter.
- •Multiplayer: Mario Maker lacks local multiplayer; Splatoon includes co‑op and online ranked matches.
- •Audience focus: Mario Maker targets creative Mario fans; Splatoon targets players who enjoy competitive shooters.
- •Critic reception: Mario Maker scored 90/100 vs Splatoon 81/100.
Gameplay & fun factor
Splatoon provides dynamic team combat and a narrative campaign, whereas Mario Maker is primarily single‑player creation.
Platform availability
Both are exclusive to a single Nintendo console (Wii U vs Switch), so each requires its own hardware.
Price & value
Both retail for $59.99, offering comparable cost for a full game.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Splatoon supports online co‑op and ranked matches; Mario Maker only offers online sharing, no co‑op play.
Content & replayability
Mario Maker’s endless user‑generated levels give virtually unlimited replay, while Splatoon’s maps are fixed.
Difficulty & accessibility
Mario Maker is rated ESRB E (PEGI 3) and is designed for all ages; Splatoon is ESRB E10+ (PEGI 7).
Graphics & performance
Splatoon runs on the newer Switch hardware, likely offering higher fidelity than Wii U’s Mario Maker.
Choose Splatoon if…
Players seeking a colorful, competitive shooter with both solo and online team modes on Switch.
Choose Super Mario Maker if…
Creative players who want to design and share Mario levels and own a Wii U.
Common questions
Do I need a Nintendo account for online features?
Yes, both games require a Nintendo Network (Mario Maker) or Nintendo Switch Online (Splatoon) account for sharing or matchmaking.
Can I play with friends locally?
Splatoon offers online co‑op; Mario Maker has no local multiplayer mode.
Which game has more long‑term replay value?
Mario Maker’s user‑generated level library provides virtually endless content, while Splatoon’s replay value relies on its multiplayer matches.