• Levels must be made in SMBX v1.3
• Levels must be made FOR THIS PROJECT! No pre-made levels will be accepted!
• Levels must end in ONE SMB3 STAR. Furthermore, this star must be placed in the square frame with the black jagged backdrop like in SMB3. The only exceptions to this rule are mini-boss stages, where the star may appear in the room after the fight.
• Levels must contain FIVE DRAGON COINS. These are the SMW coins with the Yoshi emblem. These will be resprited into RMN Coins in the full game. Thematic resprites are allowed so long as they remain recognizable.
• Levels must have a DIFFICULTY RATING from 1-8. This determines what world it will go too. It may be adjusted depending on many factors.
• Levels must be submitted with the format "YourUserName_DifficultyRating_LevelName"

This naming rule applies to the compressed file you submit to the event, not the actual .lvl file. If you use any custom graphics or music, put the files in a folder with the EXACT SAME NAME as the .lvl file. You can make mp3's work in SMBX by specifying the file path in the Custom space (ex: Level Name/Name of Song.mp3). DO NOT PUT THE LEVEL FILE IN THIS FOLDER. Create a compressed file with everything included.

You may submit up to EIGHT LEVELS, and you can't submit more than one level to the same world. Worlds have no specific themes. Levels may be denied for quality reasons. If your level is denied, you can fix it up and resubmit it. If you want to submit more than eight, you'll have to withdraw another first.

1. Graphical Consistency

SMBX uses graphics from many different games. Just because you have them at your disposal doesn't mean you should use them. Pick a theme for your level and use graphics/enemies that fit together visually.

2. Pacing

Your levels should have a rhythm to them. Challenging sections should be offset with easier parts. Power-ups should be spaced well enough apart, but not so far that the player gets desperate. Try not to throw in too much (or little) of anything.

3. Aesthetics

Use your tile sets properly and fill background space adequately. Don't leave it too empty, but don't clutter it up too much, either.

4. Completable

This means it shouldn't contain any no-win situations. The player mustn't become hopelessly trapped. Similarly, they shouldn't be able to die after collecting the star. Check to make sure they can't fall off any cliffs after getting it.

5. Lengthy

Don't make your level too short OR too long. Consider where to put your checkpoint. It shouldn't take too long to reach it, nor to reach the end from the checkpoint. Keep in mind what they player has to do in each stretch of level.

6. Purposeful

Give your level a reason to exist. Try not to make it bland or forgettable.

1. Checkpoints

Every level should have one. If it can't for specific reasons (auto-scrolling, switch block shenanigans, etc.), then don't make the stage too long. SMBX can only support one checkpoint per level, so multiples don't work. Like Dragon Coins, you may resprite it so long as it's still recognizable.

2. Power-Ups

Your stage should have a good balance of items that are helpful to the player. ? Blocks should never contain lone Mushrooms; give the player Fire Flowers or Leaves. Exceptional items like the Tanooki and Hammer Suits should not be easily obtained.

Use discretion with where you place items. One at the start and one after the checkpoint would be the least you could do. Also, pick items that the player can put to good use. A Fire Flower in an area with monsters immune to fire does the player no good. Incidentally, SMB2 enemies and Nipper plants will be changed to be vulnerable to fireballs for this project.

3. Banned Objects
• SMB2 Crystal Ball, SMB3 Roulette, SMB3 ? Ball, SMW Keyhole, SMW Exit Gate

All banned because they end the level. All levels must end with an SMB3 Star.

• SMW Bowser Statue

Banned due to its glitchy hit box. You can still be hit by its fireballs while standing on top of it. Use the SMB3 Bowser Statue instead!

• SMW Star

These were used as Secret Stars in Super RMN Bros. 3, but they're more trouble than they're worth. You may not use them.

4. Bosses

Boss stages will be handled by the judges. You may still use boss NPCs in your stages, but only as mini-bosses. The fights must be kept simple and easier, so don't go overboard.

5. Different Characters

Mario, Luigi, Toad, Peach, and Link will be available to play as from the start, and all levels must be completable with all characters. You can't make a level where the player is forced to be a specific character. However, you can include a character block at the start if you want to recommend someone in particular. Let the player decide if they want to be that character or not, and don't include sections only they can get through (such as a pit only Peach could hover across).

6. Player 2 Start

SMBX has the option to play with a friend, so you need to include P1 and P2's start positions. Make sure your level can be completed by two players. Avoid situations where one player can get through while the other is stuck. The following are a few things you can do to make your level P2 safe:

• Don't block the level's main path with character blocks. All characters need to be able to get through, even in 1P mode.
• Use generators for things like falling platforms, P-Switches, or in any instance where the player needs an NPC to advance.
• Place exit warps carefully. If P2 warps into a spot P1 already occupies, collision detection bumps them apart, and possibly into nearby hazards. Warp exits should be safe anyway, so design carefully.
7. Misc. Stuff
• Tutorials

A tutorial level will be provided that explains the mechanics of SMBX, covering both the basics and advanced stuff.

• Water

All water must be SWIMMABLE. By contrast, waterfalls must NOT be swimmable. Don't fill your pits with water if they're supposed to be bottomless.

• Pipes, Doors, and Carry Items

All entrances in SMBX are set to disallow the player from carrying an item with them. Make sure you set them to allow carrying NPCs.

• One-Tile Passages

Avoid making paths that are only one tile high. If Mario stands up in one, he zips through the wall in the opposite direction he's facing. This can break the game in some places. Just don't do it.

• Ceilings

If you're making a water level or Mario is able to fly, you may want to block the area off the top of the screen so the player can't soar over everything. See this screen sides tutorial for more info.

Signups begin NOW, and EVERYONE is free to join! The project will run for one month (all of March), and levels may be submitted for testing during this time. When the month is up, no more levels will be accepted. For one week after, existing levels may still be updated based on feedback. Beyond that, no more revisions will be allowed and the full game will be produced. It may take a while, but the end result will be worth it. Now, get cracking! Let's make this the best community Mario game yet!