What are some trends in SMBX episodes that annoy you?

[Sandwichface]

I get really annoyed when people put a super serious novel-size story in their episodes even though Mario isn't a series known for its story.

You'd REALLY despise my project then...

[Sednaiur]

I in general have four things that could fit into this category. Here they are:

1: Worldmaps that are linear. For me many worldmaps are too linear and too barren, to serve their purpose. In worldmap episodes I mostly saw one path accompanied by levels, but almost no hidden levels, no alternative levels, or other interesting things. Especially SMW-styled worldmaps hold the most potential for hidden content, in my opinion. But mostly they are just an walk from level 1-1 to castle1 and you are done.
2: Always the same number and kind of levels per world. For example, one makes an episode and when he lists his worlds, they are like "every world has 6 levels, a fortress, a toadhouse, a hidden level, and a castle" which is very boring for me. That is because when you already know all the facts about the worlds, then it just feels too linear somehow. Of course this goes mostly for worldmap episodes, but partly for HUB episodes too. People should play around more, instead of keep the number of levels all the same.
3: Color switch blockades in explorative levels. Everytime when I see them, they are just like a giant hint sign reading "here I am, blocking your way, so search for the switch to disable me", which makes me always smile :-). Not that this must be a bad thing, but around 90% it feels like it is there to stretch the level, instead of giving a gameplay mechanic to the level. I really prefer the use of color switches, like they are in the original SMW - to help the player, instead of blocking their way.
In rare circumstances color blockades are fun to see, but mostly not, at least for me (does this count as a rhyme ^^?).
4:Low quality in terms of testing and SMBX-bugs. Of course there is really much when it comes to bugs and glitches in SMBX, and not everyone can know about them or think about them all time. But when it comes to the most known ones (crouch glitch, for example) people could care more, since the crouch glitch can break a level easily and also can kill the player easily. Also does it feel rather strange when you just can skip big parts of the level, because you can fly above or below the screen boundaries of the level. I think quality is very important too, as it shows off how you care about the fun of the player, in my opinion.

Shared and not shared opinions are in the spoiler below:

Spoiler: show

I get really annoyed when people put a super serious novel-size story in their episodes even though Mario isn't a series known for its story, or when they put in characters that have no reason to be in a Mario game.

I don't take it really serious, when it comes to a plot in a SMBX-episode, but it is kind of strange that most stories are about "the princess got kidnapped" instead of something else. But some nice stories are out there too, of course ^^.
About characters that are inside an episode for no reason, I guess it is fun for most people (including me) to have references to their favorite game heroes, like Sonic, Samus Aran, Castlevania characters, or other characters. Of course it should have at least a half decent reason to include them, other than "it is a joke, so just take it as one", as this reason can only last for so long before it get's boring and unfun.

I hate when people save all of the good gimmicks and stuff until the last few worlds in the episode; seriously, it's NOT cool to bore the shit out of the player until they get to what, world 5/6/7?

I guess this mostly happens in first time episodes, because no one really knows all the stuff about "gimmicks" and events good enough when they start to publish their work (like me, for example), or because more than one person works onto a project (like TGCA/NGCA), and the balance for the levels differ because of that. Also it may feel better for the most designers, if the first worlds are more like simpler in gameplay, instead of the allaround gimmicky party. But I guess I understand what you mean ^^.

I get really annoyed when people put a super serious novel-size story in their episodes even though Mario isn't a series known for its story, or when they put in characters that have no reason to be in a Mario game.

Nowadays the "Mario" in Super Mario Bros X is only there because people fear changing the playable characters' sprites.

Partly you may be right, but many people may like it as a Mario-game. I mean, most of us know Mario from the youngest years on, so they might want to have a Mario-game created by themselves, but of course with plots and characters, that are usually not really in a Mario-title. But it sure would be fun to cross the SMBX-like Mario boarder for sure. I can say, when I ever do make another project, it will be based around a space station, all inclusive with my own characters, monsters, plot, and stuff. It will not resemble anything from a Mario-game, but will be like an Anime like Ghost in the Shell (inclusive GFX and cutscenes).

What I do not really like is that if a Level or Episode is not fully tested enough to play it properly. I do encounter various Levels/Episodes that are made but either not looked around the Area too much like glitching through a 1 block gap sideways or any glitches/bugs, misleading pathways to the World to Level by linking a Level Icon to it or Level to Level by linking a Warp to it and more related to that.

I just feel the same way about this ^^. I usually stop playing an episode, when I see that it is not really tested, but build on thoughts, plans, and math only. I think, when one dosn't testplays his/her level for real, then he or she maybe just dosn't have fun to play the own level, which is a bad sign for itself. I for myself are embarrassed everytime, when I see someone playing my levels and witness a design-bug ^^.

I also think name alliteration is pretty unnecessary.

I only like to do it sometimes, when it just fits too good to not be done ("buzzsaw bastion" for example), but doing it for the sake of "100%ing the alliteration-grade" is also not my kind of work.

I hate collecting those "power" stars. Most of the levels in the episodes uses a star as an exit. Can't you find anything else to use as an exit? This even gets more annoying when the stars are more than one (and usually the amount of the stars in a level is three).

I like when you do need the stars for extra content, like hidden levels and such, but usually they are mostly used as keys in "HUBisodes" (a lazy word maybe ^^). I am not too much a fan of HUB-styled episodes (because they usually don't have much hidden content, even if they could), but I don't dislike them, either. I rather would use only two stars per level (one at the goal and one is hidden somewhere), instead of more, and you would only need them, to enter areas with extra levels, worlds, or other interesting stuff. But of course this is just personnel preference :-).

Also, another thing, people always makes SMB3 styled levels. But why? There aren't so many levels that isn't SMB3 styled nor people that makes levels with other styles. I miss playing levels that created with other styles. This happens in graphics too. There are bunch of SMB3 graphics but I can only find 4-5 SMB1 styled graphics when I look for them in the forums.

Most people seem to like SMB3 the most, since it may be the most balanced Mario level-design among the old games. But the graphics can play a huge role too, of course. But when you just found 4 to 5 different SMB1-GFX (or did you mean topics for SMB1-GFX), then you probably missed some peoples GFX, like Valtteri's GFX-pack, Squishy Rex's and Red Yoshies GFX-pack (the ultimate CGFX-pack) or my SMB1 expanded GFX-pack, that is especially around SMB1:-).

The interesting fact is, people started to use more power stars and prefer SMB3 style after an episode come out, which is loved by everyone.

That goes not for me. The reason why I have stars in my project, is because I like how the DKC-series keep their design with that. There you collect DK-coins (in DKC3) or Kremling-coins (in DKC2) to unlock the real final world, but there it is optional and you can play from beginning to end without ever get all the coins.

[Emral]

Worldmaps that are linear.

All of my yes. This is such a big flaw with world maps in my opinion. But if designers decide on putting more levels into a world, maybe 6, two castles, 1 secret level and 1 bonus level, and are making an unlinear world map, they should watch out not to make the player run far between levels.

That is because when you already know all the facts about the worlds, then it just feels too linear somehow.

Yup. I think some kind of progression from 3 to 8 levels not including castles per world is something to be considered around here, as people are certainly able to create lots of difficult levels.

Another thing which I want to adress on the topic of world maps is something that I see done far too rarely: Meshing of two worlds:
For example, if you're in a beach/water world and want to progress to an ice world, you might already jump onto a piece of ice before finishing the water world and have a level on there. In a similar fashion, those world-meshing levels could have a secret exit which skips the world's castle entirely.

Color switch blockades in explorative levels

My favourite.

Low quality in terms of testing and SMBX-bugs

I agree to an extend. There should be solid testing with every level, but only to an extend of encounterable glitches. Glitches which only bossedit8 will find do not fall under that cathegory.

Partly you may be right, but many people may like it as a Mario-game. I mean, most of us know Mario from the youngest years on, so they might want to have a Mario-game created by themselves, but of course with plots and characters, that are usually not really in a Mario-title. But it sure would be fun to cross the SMBX-like Mario boarder for sure. I can say, when I ever do make another project, it will be based around a space station, all inclusive with my own characters, monsters, plot, and stuff. It will not resemble anything from a Mario-game, but will be like an Anime like Ghost in the Shell (inclusive GFX and cutscenes).

Mudkip and I had the idea of a dating sim using the SMBX engine. You might be able to create that.

Aside from that, these story based mario games which people want to be mario are, still, far off from legit mario games, not in terms of story, but in terms of design choices, etc, etc. I personally consider the only thing connecting this level builder to nintendo being the label "Super Mario Bros" in the name, therefure Yumetaro's nitpick isn't justified for me. I could've made that more clear.

[Vellidragon]

1: Worldmaps that are linear.

I sort of agree with this, but for a different reason. I don't mind if there are no secrets on the map, but the problem for me with world maps that are mostly one single long path is that they make it very time-consuming to walk back to an earlier level, especially if the roads are long and winding since Mario doesn't walk automatically. I really think a map should be laid out to have shortcuts and warps to earlier areas, even if the levels are played in a linear order.

[ShadowStarX]

Unwanted shortcuts. (when you can walk above the ceiling and past the whole level just by walking/swimming)

[HeroLinik]

Unwanted shortcuts. (when you can walk above the ceiling and past the whole level just by walking/swimming)

I actually like it when they do that and it is intended, such as if it leads to rewards, but having it in so many levels will make the episode get boring as it's usually unexpected. It's when they accidentally forget to block up the ceiling and allow the player to skip the whole level (or for that matter, in an underwater level, swim under the whole thing) that it gets on my nerves, because I've broken a few levels using this trick.

[bossedit8]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention about one single thing that annoys me on a Level. Decimal Codes especially relative to speeds because when you add them and then play that Level on a different localized PC (Example: Europe), that NPC goes incredible fast since for some reason it can't read a single dot there. Further informations can be found here: http://www.smbxgame.com/forums/v ... =69&t=1659

[Vellidragon]

for some reason it can't read a single dot there.

Haven't tested and maybe this is known already, but I'm fairly confident it has to do with the decimal symbol set in the regional/language settings in control panel under Windows operating systems. It may be set to a comma , instead of a dot . so it's not treating a dot as a decimal point, but presumably ignoring it. It should be fixable simply by changing the local settings for it (in Windows 8, that's Control Panel -> Language -> Change date, time or number formats -> Additional settings...). (It's a major oversight that the program reacts like this in the first place, but there's nothing that can be done about that.)

[RudeGuy]

^ I tested this a lot of time ago and yes, it works. I recommend doing this if you have issues with decimals.

[bossedit8]

It may be set to a comma , instead of a dot . so it's not treating a dot as a decimal point, but presumably ignoring it.

Well, if I am replacing the dot with the comma specifically for SMBX by the decimal speed it literally crashes the Game with the Error Message 13 - Type mismatch.

I'm fairly confident it has to do with the decimal symbol set in the regional/language settings in control panel under Windows operating systems. It should be fixable simply by changing the local settings for it (in Windows 8, that's Control Panel -> Language -> Change date, time or number formats -> Additional settings...). (It's a major oversight that the program reacts like this in the first place, but there's nothing that can be done about that.)

To be honest, I never knew that you can do that but since I am using Windows 7 and not the 8th one I have no idea if over there works with that aswell or not. No idea if I really want it to though just to avaiable to play American's SMBX Episodes and Levels but we will see.

[Mable]

-People placing hammer suits before a boss
-The same story over and over again aka lol Bowser kidnapped the Princess now hurry and rescue her you fat plumber even though nothing will happen while you explore all the levels bc mario has no logic.

[Shidomaru]

The same story over and over again aka lol Bowser kidnapped the Princess now hurry and rescue her you fat plumber even though nothing will happen while you explore all the levels bc mario has no logic.

Now THAT is a VERY GOOD reason to make episodes with non-Mario characters despite how many people in these forums hate it!

[bossedit8]

It was not about hate... it is just if they want to make one or not. About unique Super Mario Games, even on "The Invasion 2" had their own original Idea. I played "Super Mario Legends: Part 1" by @SuperMario7 and that Story was very unique. This is why it even has 2 Parts instead of one and I am absolutely looking Forward to it. Creators are trying to make different Storylines and not be the same sort of Thing. On my first SMBX Episode, it was surely generic because same Story. Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser again and you gotta save her but I even put sidequest (a Little bit) by adding Stars to the Game to Access to the Starworld and after Starworld you get everything what you Need in order to beat the main Game easily but of course it is optional. The second SMBX Episode I made called Airship Attack, that Story is different. Bowser and Bowser Jr. took every Yoshis and later Shoes so the Mario Brothers has way less Chance to get to the end of the Game and during that, Airships are invading the whole World and attacking the landmass, trying to destroy the Earth and become to the wasteland of where Bowser lives. After his defeat, the World restored to Normal and every Airships has been destroyed and landed in the Water (but not noticeable in the Game, just imaginagion). My 3rd through 5th SMBX Episode was a failed one. The 3rd was Mario and Luigi fighting through 8 Bosses to get These Stars in order to get to the Castle to defeat the "Evil" at the end or else the whole baddies are covering up the whole Island and also invading the other nearby Islands. After the defeat you earn Powerful Items and the Game Ends. The 4th one was Kind of generic but also entirely different. A Toad Standing next to Mario and Luigi, asking of what is Happening. One random Enemy kidnapped Princess Peach but it wasn't Bowser, it was "Dark Bowser", luring around on his Castle after the Kidnapping Progression and also, the World is not the same as before. It has been transformed into the World what is called "RKS" where the Battle lurs about anything on the Island. After you gain 8 stars from These 8 RKS Members you can get to "Dark Bowser's Castle" where you have to get through Obstacles and Bosses in order to get to him. During the meet up from Mario (& Luigi) and Dark Bowser, Toad just appeared from the Pipe above and knows what RKS means during "his" Adventure. Dark Bowser was angry that he knows what it means and immediadly takes Action and breathes blue Flames at Toad who he is defeated and after that, the fight Begins. After Dark Bowser has been defeated, Princess Peach has been rescued by Mario (& Luigi) and everything gets happy... but not quite. Suddenly a blue swapped 'R' Mushroom Comes towards Peach and transformed into a Darker Version just like Dark Bowser, attacks Mario/Luigi with a swapped 'R' Mushroom and disappears into her own Castle. Now they have to get to Dark Princess Peach after getting through the hassle of the Areas even with refighting the Bosses from the 8 RKS Members. After that, Dark Peach appears and you have to fight her with 2 Forms. After These 2 Forms has been defeated, she flies away and Mario gets to the last Area of the Game where you met Dark Peach once again and asked to her what "RKS" means. She refused to tell that to Mario (& Luigi) and gets to the fight. This time it's a survival fight. After the survival. Dark Peach has been defeated due to the wrong commando of what the flying Airship does. At the End, Dark Peach finally reveals of what "RKS" means. It means "Rosenkreuzstilette". By revealing that word, the "other" World transforms into the regular World and everything went happy even with Peach, Bowser and the 8 RKS Members. The 5th one doesn't reveal the Story ingame at all.

About the annoyances what I have on some of the Games that even if I beat everything in the main Game, the Game Save File % says at 99. Others if I just Play a Game and save it somewhere and go back to it, it actually says somewhere over 100%...

[Shidomaru]

By "hate towards episodes with non-Mario characters" I meant this:

Yumetaro wrote:
I get really annoyed (...) when they put in characters that have no reason to be in a Mario game.

...and this:

Mr Pancake Guy wrote:
1.Bosses that have nothing to do with Mario or any other game "sort of" included. -Some people just don't know anything about Mother or some obscure Metroid game.

It worries me because almost none of my ideas have any Mario things in them aside from the engine, and if people get annoyed at supposed "Mario" games not having Mario characters (i.e: an episode about Cirno) then I'm fucked.

[Vellidragon]

It worries me because almost none of my ideas have any Mario things in them aside from the engine, and if people get annoyed at supposed "Mario" games not having Mario characters (i.e: an episode about Cirno) then I'm fucked. :|

As far as I can tell, the thread is more about personal nitpicks than anything else. Everyone has their preferences, and some people don't like the non-Mario characters. I don't think statements in this thread should be taken as "you're not allowed to do this", just people saying what they personally dislike. If you want to use non-Mario characters, you should be able to do so, and I'm sure there are people who like seeing them and even more (such as myself) who are indifferent.

[Shidomaru]

As far as I can tell, the thread is more about personal nitpicks than anything else. Everyone has their preferences, and some people don't like the non-Mario characters. I don't think statements in this thread should be taken as "you're not allowed to do this", just people saying what they personally dislike. If you want to use non-Mario characters, you should be able to do so, and I'm sure there are people who like seeing them and even more (such as myself) who are indifferent.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[HealthyMario]

Over usage of Mario and Luigi

Really, I found many people block Peach, Toad and Link in their episodes mainly because they can't ride Yoshi and boots.
Maybe creators should try to find a way to make them seem a bit more noticeable.

[JupiHornet]

Over usage of Mario and Luigi

Really, I found many people block Peach, Toad and Link in their episodes mainly because they can't ride Yoshi and boots.
Maybe creators should try to find a way to make them seem a bit more noticeable.

*points to my episode*

Anyway, I do think Link is a very hard character to design for, but an episode based around him might be cool.

[ShadowStarX]

There are some levels which had levels for Link. (Temple of Despair in NGCA)

[Shidomaru]

I do think Link is a very hard character to design for, but an episode based around him might be cool.

Now THAT's something I want to see! (or make!) An episode designed to be played with Link or Peach (or both!). Not so much for Toad, since he's not that much different from Mario and Luigi aside from running faster than both of them and not being able to ride Yoshi. My Cirno episode actually uses Toad for Cirno.