2. “Extended Athletics” by KevinM and Dogemaster

A collaboration between two creators, “Extended Athletics” takes a simple concept—allowing certain sprites that don’t normally interact with on/off switches to be able to toggle them —and builds a complex set of tricks and setups that expands what Mario can be while still feeling like a Mario level. Conceptually inspired by KevinM’s submission in the Bad Level Design Contest prior to KLDC 2021, the level was designed in such a way that “the main focus was to make something that would force interesting and unique setups and make the player do some unusual but fun maneuvers,” says Dogemaster. “I also really wanted the level to have some non-linear movements where you loop around a certain obstacle.”

At the end of the level is an innovative hybrid boss battle featuring two of Super Mario World’s minibosses, Reznors and a Big Boo. Mainly in charge of this boss fight, KevinM explains: “For the boss, I didn’t have any clear inspirations, but I was probably influenced by The Binding of Isaac and worldpeace’s level Cool or Cruel: “Tubular,” which both have heavy bullet hell-style elements. Although the idea of having a Big Boo and Reznors in the same boss [fight] was probably original as I haven’t seen it elsewhere before.” The fight was recognized as one of the best boss encounters in the contest with a Best Boss award.