Building comparison
head to head
ShankvsSuper Mario World
Neither is meaningfully harder - they pose close to the same test. The widest gap is optimization, and it is a single point.
Shank
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Combo execution and dodge timing through scripted grindhouse brawls.
Super Mario World
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Precise jump execution across fixed levels with secrets to memorise.
Shank leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Super Mario World leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
ShankSuper 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.
Shank
Combo juggling and dodge timing carry every brawl
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.
Shank
Enemies and bosses attack on fixed patterns
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.
Shank
Hand-built levels with no 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.
Shank
Weapon-swap combo routing rewards some lab work
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.