Building comparison
head to head
Crystal CavesvsSuper Mario World
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is execution, and it is a single point.
Crystal Caves
Execution · Pure Mechanics
A classic platform-shooter testing reflexes and level memorization.
Super Mario World
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Precise jump execution across fixed levels with secrets to memorise.
Crystal Caves leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Super Mario World leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Crystal CavesSuper Mario World
Axis by axis
Execution6 vs 7
Super Mario World leans a little harder on execution, though the gap is small.
Crystal Caves
platforming precision and shooting reflexes
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.
Crystal Caves
fixed enemy patterns, no adaptation
Super Mario World
Scripted Koopas adapt to nothing
Variance2 vs 1
Crystal Caves leans a little harder on variance, though the gap is small.
Crystal Caves
minor enemy placement randomness
Super Mario World
Levels are fixed; nothing hidden survives one playthrough
Optimization3 vs 4
Super Mario World leans a little harder on optimization, though the gap is small.
Crystal Caves
level route knowledge
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.