Super Dungeon Maker is, to put it simply, all the best aspects of an old-school Legend of Zelda game rolled into one, but with a twist; you are the dungeon crafter as well as the explorer.
The concept is simple to grasp, has a great art style, and contains enough 16-bit fun that you will soon ask for more. Much like Super Mario Maker, you split your time between designing devious dungeons and challenging other players’ creations to see if you have what it takes to beat them all.
More Zelda than Zelda
Do you miss the days of the old handheld Zelda titles like Minish Cap or Spirit Tracks? Super Dungeon Maker is there to fill the void that the latest Zelda games have created — a void where there are no longer difficult or intricately designed dungeons. It is a game that you can quickly fall in love with no matter what age you are.
The whole game is simple to learn but difficult to master. You are told how to craft your first dungeon in a quick tutorial and let loose to either start your own or take on other players. There are even some developer-made dungeons in the hub area if you want to attempt those.
You can easily get the hang of crafting dungeons thanks to the tutorial but there is a steep learning curve to making larger, more detailed designs. There isn’t a massive number of items, creatures, and scenery for you to use, but the ones that are there are able to be made into plenty of dungeons. After a few dungeons under your belt, you will quickly be crafting your own masterful and devious designs.
Taking on challenges
Outside of the crafting gameplay, Super Dungeon Maker feels like an old-school Zelda title. You have your standard sword to slay your foes and special tools like a roll, bombs, and even a hookshot. You and other players can place these items in dungeons for others to find and use to gain the advantage.
As I stated previously, Super Dungeon Maker has an online mode that allows you to take on challenges created by other players. It is such a joy playing through each player’s levels. One of the first ones I got into was an entire mini-golf course that blew my mind and I instantly replayed it for fun. The board is filled with amazing community creations that will keep you coming back for more.
Super Dungeon Maker is currently a work in progress but future updates promise more features will be added to the game. If you are looking for something to pass the time while you are waiting for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, look no further. This game has everything you could wish for.
