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Full Breakdown

Nintendo Deletes Over 1,000 Super Mario Maker 2 Levels Amid Controversy

4/8/2026, 2:17:46 PM

Overview of the Deletions

Nintendo has recently deleted approximately 1,000 user-generated stages from *Super Mario Maker 2*, citing violations related to "advertising content." This action comes after a period of relative inactivity regarding updates for the game, which was released on the Nintendo Switch in 2019. The deletions have sparked discussions within the gaming community, particularly concerning the motivations behind this decision.

The Role of MT94

The wave of deletions appears to have been instigated by a player known as MT94, who was previously recognized as the second-highest-rated player in the *Super Mario Maker* community. MT94's ranking was compromised after it was revealed that he had been using multiple Nintendo Switch units to challenge his own account, thereby artificially inflating his score. Following his ban from the game, MT94 reportedly began targeting levels associated with Team Shell, a Discord community for *Super Mario Maker 2* enthusiasts, leading to the mass reporting of stages linked to this group.

Community Reaction

The community's response to Nintendo's actions has been mixed. Many creators have expressed frustration over the deletions, feeling that the enforcement of the "advertising content" policy is overly stringent. The stages removed often included hashtags related to Team Shell, which has raised questions about the fairness of targeting specific groups within the player community. Some players view MT94's actions as a personal vendetta against Team Shell, further complicating the narrative surrounding the deletions.

Official Statements & Responses

While Nintendo has not issued a detailed statement regarding the specific deletions, the company's longstanding policy against user-generated content that includes advertising has been reiterated. This policy aims to maintain the integrity of the game and its community standards. The lack of recent updates from Nintendo has led to speculation about their ongoing engagement with *Super Mario Maker 2*, which has largely relied on its player base for continued activity.

Criticism & Opposition

Critics of Nintendo's decision argue that the deletions disproportionately affect creators who are simply trying to share their work within the community. Some players believe that the enforcement of the advertising policy should be more nuanced, taking into account the context of the content rather than applying blanket removals. This situation has ignited a broader conversation about the balance between maintaining community standards and fostering creative expression within user-generated platforms.

Conflicting Reports & Gaps

There are discrepancies regarding the exact number of stages deleted and the specific criteria used by Nintendo to determine what constitutes "advertising content." While reports indicate around 1,000 stages were removed, some creators claim the impact may be even broader, suggesting that the enforcement of these policies could lead to further deletions in the future.

What's Next

As the situation develops, the *Super Mario Maker 2* community is closely monitoring Nintendo's actions and any potential updates regarding the game's policies. Players are hopeful for clearer communication from Nintendo about the enforcement of content guidelines and the future of user-generated content within the game.