Published , by Kevin Tucker
Published , by Kevin Tucker
Like its predecessor, Super Mario Maker 2 makes a big show of touchscreen-based gameplay. However, players won't be able to use the Joy-Con controls in handheld mode. As such, those who spend time crafting levels in Super Mario Maker 2 will want to use a stylus, both for precision and for comfort. Here are our choices for the best stylus to use with Super Mario Maker 2.
Users may be inclined to use the touchscreen on the Nintendo Switch with their fingers, as with any other mobile device. However, for precision, a stylus is absolutely recommended. Not only will it help for general level building and item placement, it should also make playing the game easier in general, especially considering that Super Mario Maker 2 cannot be played using the Joy-Con controllers in handheld mode.
With that in mind, we've come up with our picks on the styluses best-suited to play Super Mario Maker 2 on the Nintendo switch. Just about any stylus should do the trick, but given that the game's official stylus is a soft-tipped capacitive offering, we've stuck to popular styluses with that general design.
When it comes to finding a stylus purpose-built for a video game, it's hard to go wrong with the official Super Mario Maker stylus. Offered only as a pre-order bonus in European and Japanese territories, it seems there's no way for North American players to buy the Super Mario Maker 2 stylus for themselves. Fortunately, there are plenty of comparable styluses on the market.
By far the most popular stylus on this list, the eight-dollar AmazonBasics Capacitive stylus should be just what players need to get the most out of Super Mario Maker 2. Featuring an aluminum construction and three differently sized coated stylus tips, the Amazon stylus looks like a pen and should be about as easy to lose. The pocket clip should help players keep track of it, but if not, it's also available in a four pack for $24.99.
The next item on this list is perhaps the most obvious, especially for parents of young gamers. ChaoQ has a bundle of four styluses sold on Amazon for a total of nine dollars, bringing individual costs down to about $2 each. These things are likely to be lost or misplaced, so it makes sense to buy more than one at a time. ChaoQ also throws in four additional stylus tips in case the old ones get worn out or destroyed, making this quite a good value.
Finally, our last option is for the gamer or parent who just doesn't trust styluses to stick around. On Amazon, Liberrway is offering a 10-pack of capacitive touchscreen styluses for just 6 dollars. At 60 pennies apiece, users shouldn't exactly expect a premium stylus. However, they should fit the bill nicely, and they're easily the best bargain on this entire list.
The best stylus for Super Mario Maker 2 is undoubtedly Nintendo's official stylus, but given that it isn't sold in America, players will have to settle for alternatives. Fortunately, any capacitive touchscreen stylus should do the trick, and the rest comes down to personal preference or budget friendliness. For more coverage of Nintendo's latest platforming release, check out Shacknews' collection of Super Mario Maker 2 guides.