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You can't play Super Mario Maker 2's online modes with friends

The ability to play Super Mario Maker 2 online with other players is one of the sequel's biggest new additions.

Unfortunately, as it's often the case with online modes in Nintendo games, there's a major caveat.

At a recent preview event for Super Mario Maker 2, Nintendo confirmed to Nintendo World Report the game's online modes can only be played with randoms. This goes for competitive, as well as co-op.

Outside of being in the same room with a friend, or both of you sharing the same console, there's currently no way to party up with a friend in Super Mario Maker 2. According to the site, Nintendo believes taking away matchmaking will maintain the integrity of the scores on the game's leaderboards.

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As the site notes, however, co-op mode does not have a leaderboard of its own, which is what makes its exclusion puzzling. Of course, it's possible the feature will be enabled at a later time. Nintendo could also go the other way with it and decide to bring leaderboards to co-op games.

That said, Nintendo's decision left many of those looking to create levels with friends at launch disappointed.

You can read Alex's hands-on preview at the link, focusing mostly on the game's new story mode.

Super Mario Maker 2 is out June 28 on Switch.

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