Building comparison
head to head
Need for Speed: The RunvsSuper Mario World
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is reads, and it is a single point.
Need for Speed: The Run
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Reflex-driven point-to-point racing through heavily scripted setpieces.
Super Mario World
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Precise jump execution across fixed levels with secrets to memorise.
Need for Speed: The Run leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Super Mario World leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Need for Speed: The RunSuper Mario World
Axis by axis
Execution7 vs 7
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Need for Speed: The Run
Reaction driving through traffic and setpieces is the test
Super Mario World
Perfect inputs trivialise every jump, spin and cape flight
Reads1 vs 0
Need for Speed: The Run leans a little harder on reads, though the gap is small.
Need for Speed: The Run
Rivals rubber-band on scripts, nothing to out-think
Super Mario World
Scripted Koopas adapt to nothing
Variance2 vs 1
Need for Speed: The Run leans a little harder on variance, though the gap is small.
Need for Speed: The Run
Scripted events surprise once, then are known
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.
Need for Speed: The Run
Checkpoint routes and car choice are quickly solved
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.