Building comparison
head to head
AfterbeatvsSuper Mario World
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is execution, and it is a single point.
Afterbeat
Execution · Pure Mechanics
A rhythm bullet-hell about dodging deadly shapes synced to music.
Super Mario World
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Precise jump execution across fixed levels with secrets to memorise.
Afterbeat leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Super Mario World leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
AfterbeatSuper Mario World
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 7
Afterbeat leans a little harder on execution, though the gap is small.
Afterbeat
Dodging shapes precisely on the beat is the core
Super Mario World
Perfect inputs trivialise every jump, spin and cape flight
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Afterbeat
Solo, no adaptive opponent
Super Mario World
Scripted Koopas adapt to nothing
Variance1 vs 1
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Afterbeat
Patterns fixed to the track, no randomness
Super Mario World
Levels are fixed; nothing hidden survives one playthrough
Optimization4 vs 4
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Afterbeat
Reading upcoming patterns secondary to twitch timing
Super Mario World
Secret exits and route knowledge add a modest solvable layer
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.