Mario has been the most iconic video game character in history. He is an icon primarily because of Nintendo’s Super Mario game franchise, which is the best platforming gaming series in history. The Super Mario platform games have enthralled players for decades, dating back to the 1980s when the plucky plumber made his debut on the NES. There have been more than 20 mainline games in the Super Mario series. These are the seven best Mario games in gaming history.
Super Mario All-Stars
Super Mario All-Stars was a landmark collection of classic Mario Bros NES games. It included the Super Mario Bros NES trilogy and The Lost Levels NES titles. However, Super Mario All-Stars also revamped those classic games by giving them a 16-bit graphical overhaul. The brilliant Super NES presentation of the original Mario NES games, combined with a new save feature, made Mario All-Stars a great value package for players to play through.
Super Mario World
For many players, Super Mario World on the SNES was the best 2D Mario game in the franchise’s history. This was the Mario game that expanded the series into Dinosaur Land with a non-linear world map for players to explore. Players loved Super Mario World for the introduction of Yoshi, a character that added a whole new dimension to the gameplay. This was also one of the best Mario games because of its great level design, vibrant aesthetic, intuitive jumping physics, and memorable soundtrack.
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy took the Mario game series into outer space on the Nintendo Wii. This was the game that threw the laws of physics out of the window with its spherical gravity. The innovative gravity mechanics in Super Mario Galaxy completely redefined 3D platform gaming. Players also loved Mario Galaxy because of its diverse level design, fully orchestrated soundtrack, and storybook charm. It was one of the most polished, creative, and enchanting platform games in history, which also inspired the new Mario Galaxy movie.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario Galaxy 2 was a rare 3D sequel to a Mario platformer that refined and polished the original Galaxy title. The addition of Yoshi was the most significant change introduced in Mario Galaxy 2, which added a fresh layer to the gravity-defining gameplay. With its refined, imaginative gameplay, new power-ups, and beautiful graphical quality, Super Mario Galaxy 2 was just as good, if not slightly better, than the original title.
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 is among the best Mario games that began a 3D platforming revolution. This was the game that showcased the Nintendo 64’s 3D capabilities within the 360-degree world of Princess Peach’s castle. Players loved Mario 64 because of its analog stick controls, which added a whole new dimension to its gameplay. That, combined with the thrilling new three-dimensional perspective Mario 64 introduced, made this game a classic.
Nintendo also released a Mario 64 remake for the DS console. That was another landmark title that enhanced a classic Mario game for a handheld. Although Mario 64 DS lacked the analog stick controls of the original, its enhanced visuals and four playable characters enhanced the game’s appeal. With more stars, new levels, and additional bosses, Mario 64 DS included somewhat more content than the original title.
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is another Nintendo masterpiece that perfected the 3D platform game formula on the Switch. This is a Mario game with a unique Cappy mechanic for controlling objects and enemies, which enhances its gameplay variety. Players love Odyssey because of its fluid movement, creative freedom, and exploration-focused level design. It was also a game packed with Power Moons and secrets for players to discover throughout. Few other platform games have offered so much unending creativity and variety as Mario Odyssey.
Super Mario 3D World
Super Mario 3D World is one of the best Mario games because of its great 3D and 2D gameplay mix. It includes a great Cat Suit that enables players to explore levels in new ways by climbing walls. Players love this Wii U game because of its high-level energy design, unique aesthetic, and four-player cooperative multiplayer.
Nintendo also released Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury for the Switch, a bolstered port of the game with faster gameplay and online multiplayer. That version includes Bowser’s Fury, an additional open-ended sandbox game with cat-themed islands. Bowser’s Fury is a mini-sequel that blends 3D World mechanics with Odyssey-style exploration.
The best Mario games above set a benchmark for platformers across numerous decades. Those games remain gold standards for the platform-hopping genre. So, check them out with a Nintendo Switch Online membership to sample the very best in Mario platforming magic.
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