Super Mario Maker 2 for Nintendo Switch will let players complete stages in a whole new way, as Link from The Legend of Zelda series will be playable in a free update that will go live this week. Super Mario Maker 2 is one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch games of 2019 and it added lots of new content to the series, but it also cut several popular features from the first game, the most notable of which was the Costume Mario power-up.

Super Mario Maker 2 lacks amiibo support, which means that the Mystery Mushroom item never made it into the game. The Mystery Mushrooms in the original Super Mario Maker transformed Mario into Costume Mario and changed his appearance. There were over one hundred and fifty costumes for Mario to wear and most of them could be unlocked straight away with amiibos. Mario didn't take on any special qualities when he changed appearance, but it allowed lots of players to design stages based on the different characters.

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It seems that the removal of the Mystery Mushrooms might have paved the way for something even more impressive. A new video on the Nintendo UK YouTube channel has revealed that Super Mario Maker 2 will be receiving a free update on December 5 and it will add new content to the game. The most notable addition to Super Mario Maker 2 is an item based on the Master Sword, which will allow Mario to transform into Link from The Legend of Zelda. The Master Sword can only be added to stages using the original Super Mario Bros. theme.

The Link transformation is different from the costumes in Super Mario Maker as Mario will be able to use unique abilities in combat. Link will able to defeat enemies with his sword, block attacks with his shield, perform a dash attack through enemies, use the down thrust to strike enemies while descending, fire arrows from his bow, and use bombs to clear a path. The previous update for Super Mario Maker 2 allows friends to play online, so four Link's can team up or compete across the Internet.

The update is also adding the Ninji Speedruns mode, allowing players to compete for the best time on stages developed by Nintendo in weekly events. The update will also add the Dash Block, Frozen Coin, and P Block items, as well as the Pokey and Spike enemies that can be used in stages.

Nintendo fans have been expecting a Zelda Maker game, due to Link's Awakening adding a basic dungeon builder mode. The addition of Link to Super Mario Maker 2 might be the closest thing we get to a Zelda Maker and it may lead to other classic Nintendo characters being added to the game, in order to create the crossover platform experience that has only ever been seen in fan projects.

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The Ver. 2.0.0. update for Super Mario Maker will be available on December 5, 2019.

Source: Nintendo UK/YouTube