Our ideas for potential DLC to be included in the Wii U smash hit


If there's one thing true with many Wii U games of late, it's that the experiences we have with them can be enriched with well-planned add-on content packs. In just the Mario series alone, we saw a full-blown, Luigi-themed expansion game for New Super Mario Bros. U, as well as seven characters (counting the male and female Villagers separately) and 16 additional courses for Mario Kart 8. This means that DLC is almost certainly here to stay.

Super Mario Maker is already a rich experience, with potentially limitless stages that could be created. However, that does not mean there couldn't be new content added to the game at some point which could add a far greater diversity to the experience. To wit, here are our ideas for add-on content which could be added to the game.

Idea #1: Themed Environments
Super Mario Maker already has a full suite of basic stage themes, including Ground, Underground, Water, Airship, Ghost House and Castle, which can be chosen in any of the four game themes included. But many of the diverse environments seen throughout the series are currently missing, which would be a welcome addition to the package. Such themes could include:

Desert

A staple environment since Super Mario Bros. 3, with quicksand traps and strong desert winds!
Included enemies/hazards: Pokey, Angry Sun, Tweester

Ice

Slippery floors and falling snowbanks are just the beginning in this wintry wonderland!
Included enemies: Freezy, Ice Bro

Beach

It's a lush vacation in a tropical setting, but mind the hazards across the sands!
Included allies/enemies: Dolphin, Urchin

Forest/Swamp

Avoid the poisonous purple waters by catching a lift on Dorrie's back!
Included allies/enemies: Dorrie, Scuttlebug, Skeeter

Night

A platforming adventure underneath a starry sky!
Included enemies: Chargin' Chuck, Swooper, Boomerang Bro

Mountain

Climb the cliffs and jagged peaks, but watch out for rolling rocks!
Included enemies/hazards: Boom Boom, Thwimp, Boulder

Sky

Traverse the fluffy skies, but watch your step as it's a long way down!
Included enemies/hazards: Flyin' Hammer Bro, Fwoosh

Fire

Flames fall from the sky, and the ground crumbles beneath your feet!
Included enemies: Fire Snake, Fire Bro

Idea #2: New Game Themes
We already have four complete themes based on past classics including Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. U. One thing which would help enrich the diversity of courses on offer would be to provide variations of these game themes, effectively doubling the number of game styles without needing to adjust things like jumping physics or enemy behaviour:

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

A variation of the Super Mario Bros. theme, this would be a retexture of environments and certain enemies to match the style of the Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2, aka Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.

Super Mario All-Stars

This second variation of the Super Mario Bros. theme would reskin the levels and remix the music and sound effects in the 16-Bit style of the Super Mario All-Stars version of Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Advance 4

A reskin of the Super Mario Bros. 3 theme to match the style and sounds seen in its Super Mario All-Stars and Game Boy Advance versions.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

A retooling of the New Super Mario Bros. U theme with backgrounds and music from the Wii entry in the series.

Idea #3: New Ice Flower Power-Up

With just a simple shake, the objects you place in stages can change into an alternative form. A minor update could allow a second use of the Fire Flower by changing into an Ice Flower, diversifying the number of power-ups without taking up a slot in the object menu.

With these options added to the tools, the sheer potential of created courses would be unprecedented. What did you think of this list? What content would you like to see added to the game? Be sure to leave a comment below!

Big thanks to Super Mario Wiki for the images!