Building comparison
head to head
AftergrindervsSuper Mario World
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is execution, and it is a single point.
Aftergrinder
Execution · Pure Mechanics
A skating/grinding platformer emphasizing precise momentum-based movement.
Super Mario World
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Precise jump execution across fixed levels with secrets to memorise.
Aftergrinder leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Super Mario World leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
AftergrinderSuper Mario World
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 7
Aftergrinder leans a little harder on execution, though the gap is small.
Aftergrinder
precise grinding and platforming skill
Super Mario World
Perfect inputs trivialise every jump, spin and cape flight
Reads1 vs 0
Aftergrinder leans a little harder on reads, though the gap is small.
Aftergrinder
no adaptive opponent
Super Mario World
Scripted Koopas adapt to nothing
Variance2 vs 1
Aftergrinder leans a little harder on variance, though the gap is small.
Aftergrinder
minor level randomness
Super Mario World
Levels are fixed; nothing hidden survives one playthrough
Optimization5 vs 4
Aftergrinder leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Aftergrinder
route/combo optimization for scoring
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.