In Super Mario Maker 2, players have two primary modes through which they can explore and enjoy user-created courses: Course World and the 100 Mario Challenge. Each mode offers unique gameplay experiences and features that cater to different playstyles and preferences.

1. Course World
Course World serves as the central online hub for users to share, play, and discover a vast array of courses designed by other players globally. To fully access Course World, players must have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Here are some key features of Course World:

– Course Discovery: Players can search for courses based on various criteria, including popularity, freshness, or specific keywords.
– Featured Courses: The mode highlights popular, trending, and newly created courses, ensuring players have access to the community’s best offerings.
– Bookmarking: Users can bookmark their favorite courses via the official Super Mario Maker website, making it easier to revisit them in-game.
– Modification and Sharing: Players can download and play courses made by others, and while they can modify these courses for personal use, there’s a restriction against re-uploading modified versions to protect original creators.
– Event Courses: Nintendo frequently releases special “Event Courses” that provide unique challenges and rewards, often tied to certain themes or game events.
– Online Multiplayer: Players can engage in global multiplayer (Global Play), where they can either compete or cooperate with up to three other players on courses from Course World. This feature also incorporates a matchmaking system that considers player skill, enhancing the competitive aspect of the game.
– Community Interaction: Players can leave comments and “star” (like) courses, which contribute to the rankings and visibility of those courses within the community.

2. 100 Mario Challenge
The 100 Mario Challenge presents a different gameplay format where players can experience a series of either randomly selected or curated levels crafted by other users or designed by Nintendo. The challenge provides players with:

– Limited Lives: Players start with a set pool of 100 lives and must try to complete as many levels as possible before running out. This adds an exciting layer of skill and strategy.
– Variety of Levels: The challenge showcases a diverse range of level designs and play styles, allowing players to experience different aspects of user creativity.
– Skill Development: As players work through various levels, they can improve their platforming skills, adapt to different challenges, and learn from the intricacies of community-created courses.

Additional Sharing and Collaboration Features
In addition to the online modes, Super Mario Maker 2 includes several local features that facilitate sharing and playing with friends:

– Local Wireless Sharing: Friends can connect locally to share and play custom-made courses without needing an internet connection.
– Collaborative Building: There is an option for friends to come together in real-time to either build new courses or tackle existing ones cooperatively.
– Online Multiplayer Local Mode: A unique feature allows one player with an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to create a virtual room, inviting friends nearby who do not have subscriptions to join and play together.

Conclusion
Overall, Course World and the 100 Mario Challenge provide distinct yet complementary experiences in Super Mario Maker 2. Course World emphasizes exploration and community engagement, while the 100 Mario Challenge offers a thrilling test of skill across a variety of levels. Both modes necessitate a Nintendo Switch Online membership for online access, although local play options ensure that friends can still enjoy the game together without subscriptions.