Nintendo has uploaded a new video showcasing upcoming features in the next update for Super Mario Maker 2. Among some Super Mario Bros. classics—such as bad guys Spike and Pokey, and other features like frozen coins and P blocks—Nintendo included a surprise for Legend of Zelda fans: the Master Sword. As seen in the video, players can place the Master Sword in ? blocks for Mario to jump and obtain. When Mario grabs the Master Sword, he turns into Link.
Turning into Link expands the player’s abilities from Mario’s usual run and jump. Link can slash at enemies with his sword, shield himself from attacks, shoot enemies with his bow and arrow, and blast through walls with bombs. Though Super Mario Maker 2 allows players to build courses with both 2D and 3D models, the Zelda update will only be available in the classic 2D sprite form. Link will different colored tunics, which will be utilized in multiplayer mode.
This comes after the original Mario Maker included Link, in addition to many other Nintendo characters, through costumes that players could unlock. Unfortunately, these unlockable costumes haven’t made a reappearance in Mario Maker’s sequel, which upset some fans. Unlike Mario’s costumes in the original game, this Link addition can actually use other moves unique to his character, making his inclusion a little more special and can more greatly affect gameplay, which may placate some who were upset.
Super Mario Maker 2 also greatly upset fans when it was first announced that online multiplayer modes for the game wouldn’t include friend mode, so people would only be able to play with random matches. After the backlash, Nintendo announced at E3 their plans to add an online friend multiplayer mode to the game, which eventually made its way to the game in an update back in October.
Super Mario Maker 2 is available on the Nintendo Switch.