Construction Zone
- Not to be confused with Construction Site or Work Zone.
Construction Zone is a game mode which allows the player to create and save their own levels. It is introduced in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, and returns in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars, where in the latter it is known as the Workshop mode. Before the discontinuation of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service in 2014, players could utilize the service to distribute their own levels online.
There are two types of levels:
- Local Levels (or "Your Levels"): the levels that the player has created. The game can hold up to eight of those levels in March of the Minis.
- Received Levels: the levels that the player has received from other levels via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The game can hold up to 24 of those levels in March of the Minis.
The concept for the Construction Zone dates back to the "Design" mode of Wrecking Crew and was going to be in the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong, but it was replaced by e-Reader support in the final game. In Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move, a similar mode called "Create & Share" makes its debut.
Modes
After opening the Construction Zone, the player can enter one of its modes:
- Play Level - Players can play any levels that they have made which have passed the play test, signified by having a blue outline instead of a yellow one. Players can also play levels received from other players via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
- Edit Level - Players can make a local level with a specific construction kit.
- Erase Level - Players can delete local levels.
- Nintendo WFC - Players could use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to send or receive levels from other players.
- Synchronize - Players must connect to the WFC to get their own levels ready to send to others.
- Receive - As long as each player know each other's friend codes and have them installed under their friends list, levels can be received from either at will. Nintendo also has been publishing a level every so often.
- Nintendo WFC Config - Players can get WFC setting ready here, like in any Wi-Fi game.
- WFC Friends - Up to 60 friends can be stored here, registered with a friend code. The player's friend code is on the top screen.
- Multi-Card - Two friends, each with a copy of the game and close to each other, can send and receive levels locally.
- Broadcast - Same as sending. The other player must choose "Receive" for this to work.
- Receive - The other player must choose "Broadcast" and choose a level for this to work.
Creating a level
To start creating a level, the player should tap Edit Level, choose an empty slot, then choose a construction kit for the level.
There are a total of 11 construction kits to choose from, with one from each floor plus three Bonus Kits. Completing the DK Boss Battle of any floor unlocks its construction kit, excluding Mushroom Mayhem, whose kit is unlocked from the beginning of the game.
When selecting a construction kit, the player can press the Template button before continuing to create a sample level instead of a level with only one Mini Mario and the goal.
Editing toolbar
- Confirmation Menu:[1] Represented by a green Mini Mario button. Lets the player add objects to the level.
- Edit Menu:[1] Represented by a blue hammer button. Lets the player change the current mode.
- End Menu:[1] Represented by a red gear button. Lets the player save the level, test it, or exit editing.
- Undo & Redo[1] buttons: Let the player undo their last action or restore their last undone action, respectively.
- Meter:[1] Decreases as more level elements are placed. If the meter runs out, the player cannot place any more objects into the level.
Editing modes
The icon to the immediate right of the Edit Menu button shows the current editing mode. The player can change the editing mode by clicking on the Edit Menu button.
- Erase: Lets the player remove objects.
- Move: Lets the player move objects.
- Flip: Lets the player flip objects.
- Reset: Clears the level (if Template is set to off) or resets the level back to the sample level (if Template is set to on).
If no icon is displayed, the player has selected an object from the Confirmation Menu; tapping the Touch Screen allows the player to insert that object into the level.
Inserting objects
Once the player enters the Confirmation Menu, a list of objects appears in two columns. The left column contains blocks and inanimate objects and items, while the right column contains a Mini, enemies, and other objects and items. To insert an object the player should tap on an object, then tap where the object should be placed. For some objects, like Pink Blocks, the player can drag the stylus across the Touch Screen to change the size of the object.
Removing objects
To remove an object, the player must activate Erase mode, then tap on the object. To remove multiple objects at the same time, the player should tap and drag the selection rectangle around the objects. However, if there is only one Mini present in the level, that Mini cannot be removed; additionally, the goal can never be removed.
Move and Resize Objects
To move an object, the player should active Move mode, then tap on the object, and then drag the object to another location. To move multiple objects at the same time, the player should drag around the objects and drag them to another location. While in Move mode, tapping the edge of some objects (like Pink Blocks) and dragging them lets the player change the size of that object.
Flipping objects
To flip an object, the player should active Flip mode, then tap on an object. Mainly Mini Marios and enemies are flip-able and most still objects aren't.
Testing the level
To share a level created in the Construction Zone with other players, the level must pass the play test. To test a level, the player can press the red button on the editing toolbar, then choose "Play Test". The player must save their level before testing it. To pass the play test, the player must direct all of the Minis in the level so that they reach the goal (referred to as the exit). If all of the Minis in the level do not reach the exit within 600 seconds, the level does not pass the play test.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | エディタールーム Editā Rūmu |
Editor Room |
Trivia
- It is possible to create a level with only one Mini - it is an all or nothing deal (Mini in (1,000) + all in (5,000) + perfect chain (5,000) = 11,000 points OR Mini out = failed level, 0 points). The G/S/B is 18200/13200/7200, so the player is guaranteed a bronze star at least if they complete the level.
