Top 10 Best Super Mario Games of All Time

Mario is the most popular and well known video game icon of all time, but which games are his best?
The Top Ten
1 Super Mario Galaxy

Out of all of the many 3D Mario games, Super Mario Galaxy has to be my favorite. The graphics are amazing and they genuinely bring a tear to my eye. This game also introduced Rosalina, a character who quickly became very popular after the game was released, and I can see why. Her touching backstory makes it one of the saddest Mario games.

The levels are great. They're so unique and fun. I always enjoy playing them. They can be hard at times, but the difficulty just makes it even better! I love how black holes are in this game. They're realistic to what space is really like, and it's terrifying when Mario falls into one of them. I'm so happy that there's a sequel to this game, along with the fact that Super Mario Galaxy 1 made it to the Switch in the game Super Mario 3D All-Stars!

This is the greatest Mario game, period. The reason why it's so great is that it was different. It had a unique identity. It wasn't open-world like 64 and Sunshine were. It was more linear, but that allowed the player to witness how the developer wanted the game to be played. Almost everything about this game is a masterpiece and deserving of praise. Odyssey is close to second, and it's also great, but this is just something else.

2 Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 is such a great game. Whenever someone thinks of a Mario game, this one may come to mind first along with Odyssey and Super Mario Bros. It isn't my favorite, but I have to admit it's really good. The first 3D Mario game, it feels so nice to run around in so many directions instead of just going forward all the time. There are new moves, new unique levels, heck, you can even jump through paintings!

I think most people vote for the Mario game that they grew up with. I grew up with this one, but even if I put that aside, this is still the best one, and here's why. I recently played Super Mario World for the first time ever (I never got around to playing it), and to think that this game came after that is seriously impressive. The leap that Nintendo made with this game will never be done again.

Sunshine and Galaxy were clones of Mario 64. It is the original and the best. People are going to hate me for this, but I actually disliked Galaxy. The hub world was really bad, and the levels seemed small compared to 64 and Sunshine.

3 Super Mario World

This is my 3rd favorite Mario game. It's just so amazing! It's a great classic to revisit now and then. The game also includes the cape feather, an amazing power-up. Plus, it was the debut of Yoshi. Need I say more?

Super Mario World is the greatest Mario game ever created. With precise controls, excellent graphics, a multitude of cool secrets, an expansive world map to travel on from level to level, innovative power-ups (the cape being a prime example of amazing game design), and levels with design so perfect it's hard to comprehend, it offers several new bosses, challenging gameplay, and memorable music. All of these elements contribute to the overall sense that it is one of the greatest games of all time.

Super Mario World is the best, easily. It's a good, old day-one classic and is what makes Mario iconic. Sure, the Super Smash Bros series and Mario are classics, and I don't have a problem with them. However, the reason Super Mario World is better than all the other Mario games combined is its iconic status. Super Mario World is not only the best of the franchise, but it might also be one of the greatest video games ever made.

4 Super Mario Galaxy 2

Almost as good as the first, but it lacks a decent hub world and has a lack of story elements. However, I suppose it doesn't need a story to be good. It still has great, and arguably better, power-ups than its predecessor, along with superb level design.

If only this game had the same atmosphere and presentation as the first. Compared to other Mario games, this is the second-best video game. However, when you consider how it falls short in atmosphere and level design compared to the first game, it really detracts from the experience. I don't understand why this game isn't atmospherically and in terms of level design similar to the first game.

Only two-star galaxies do help sometimes, but otherwise, in normal situations, they really don't. There are very few exploratory galaxies here, but even still, this game is brilliant. Gameplay-wise, this is on par with the first game. But comparing it to the first game and saying it is better is rather nonsensical. This is a direct sequel, so it should follow in the footsteps of the first game. It only does that with the gameplay. Still, it's brilliant.

5 Super Mario Bros. 3

In 2018, my dad got me an old Nintendo console with this game, Punch-Out, and a few other old games. Once I started playing this as the first game, I loved it, even though newer game consoles like the Nintendo Switch now exist. Once I started to play, my mom joined in, and it became our game. One time I forgot to save, so we had to restart, but we were fine with that. It was a blast, and Bowser was fun!

Great, especially for the NES. Movement is good, and so is the level design. The only problem is that the power-ups are hit or miss, and the good ones (like the leaf) were made better in Super Mario World.

My first game was on my NES, and I never finished it :( The game never had a save feature, so I had to keep the console on for weeks. Then, when I was on World 8 (one of the first stages), my dog walked past and stepped on the reset button. Needless to say, I never played that game again until a couple of years back on an emulator. I found a cheat to warp straight to World 8. I played a couple of stages, but it was honestly just way too hard, and I didn't have the time, will, or motivation to battle through it. However, the first time I played up to World 8 was one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had. I used to wake up early on school days just so I could get an hour or so of game time.

6 Super Mario Sunshine

This game was the BEST! I loved every element about it. It's really creative, with all the little features like the fruits. The scenery is actually gorgeous, the people are fun to interact with, and the story is decent. Overall, it's quite an enjoyable game.

There's something about it that I liked more than any other game in my life. Maybe the fact that the vacation theme made me feel like I was on vacation, or the cool, welcoming, and brilliant setting. Whatever it is, I latched on and never let go of this game. I hope they make a sequel. Something about this game gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. I hope that next time there's more interaction with primary non-playable characters and that there is a more detailed storyline. 100/100, no doubt, the Mona Lisa of gaming in my eyes.

This should be number one. It's so much better than Super Mario 64 and definitely better than Super Mario Galaxy. Super Mario 64 has aged terribly, and I can't stand playing it now, though I would love an HD remake. Galaxy took away the big exploration elements of 64 and Sunshine. Speaking of exploration, Sunshine did it best with Isle Delfino. I loved playing it as a little kid and running around in the plaza. It's just the best.

7 Super Mario Odyssey

The best movement in a 3-D Mario game, plus the most interesting mechanic: the captures. It has some of the best levels in all of Mario, such as the Sand Kingdom, Wooded Kingdom, and Metro Kingdom. It also has some of the most "meh" Mario levels, like the Cloud and Ruined Kingdoms. These are just for bosses. The Ruined Kingdom is even worse because it had such a cool concept. I wish they had explored it more deeply.

However, the lackluster kingdoms serve a purpose: to house some expertly designed bosses. The bosses in this game are some of the best in any Mario game, alongside those in the Galaxy games and the first New Super Mario Bros. game. Overall, the game is well worth playing for the movement alone, as well as for the bosses, captures, and kingdoms.

No, I haven't played this game yet, but I have watched YouTube videos on it. It's just such a crazy game! Instead of a lava world, there's a cooking world. And Mario can capture creatures with his hat and runs around a city with real humans? Huh? There's even a Mario 64 reference at the end of the game.

8 Super Mario 3D World

I got the version on the Switch, but I believe it's basically the same. It's a really amazing game! The bosses are wonderful, the cat power-up is superb, and at the end, Bowser uses the cat bell and becomes a cute turtle kitty? Another thing I personally like about it is having to find the green stars and the stamps. It adds a fun challenge.

I love this game! I didn't vote for it, as it is probably my second or third favorite Mario game besides Thousand Year Door. But it was finally an innovative, creative Mario platformer that wasn't in Super Mario 64 form! Awesome bosses, levels, and power-ups make this the best standard-form Mario game by far.

Now we just need Nintendo to call it quits on these 2D-3D hybrids. Not that they're bad, but solely because we need more games that focus on collecting stars or shines. Also, if it seems like this list is flooded with Thousand Year Door comments, that's because the same person is obsessing over that game no matter where I go.

9 Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door

Easily the best RPG that I have ever played. The game makes you feel like you are watching a fantastic anime at the same time. The Thousand-Year Door succeeds on every level: unique and interesting characters that develop over time, some of the best turn-based combat in any game out there, graphics that have aged incredibly well, and a complex story filled with comedy, drama, and action. This story draws you in every time you play the game. This is one of the very few examples of when a sequel is better than the original. If you ever get the chance, PLAY THIS GAME! You won't regret it.

This, in my opinion, is the greatest RPG ever. From the highly intriguing story to the vast diversity of characters, this game is up there with all-time greats, not just for Mario but for any game, ever. The game runs smoothly yet is challenging at times, but you won't be able to stop playing it.

I love the turn-based battles and how you must adapt to the enemies you encounter, as only certain strategies work. Even though many characters in this game are not common in other Mario games, it just fits in so well that it doesn't even matter. It actually introduces characters for future Mario games to come. The relationship with your partners and enemies only fuels the fire that keeps you playing. This game is downright amazing in every way possible, and since 2004, I've been waiting for a sequel or a Paper Mario game that reaches the potential this game has set for future Mario games.

10 New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Superb level design, fiery gameplay, and so many treasured memories playing the heck out of this with my friends. Truly a multiplayer masterpiece.

The only flaw is that the game doesn't have enough content in it. If you've beaten Story Mode and you only have one Wii remote, there's nothing to do. Then, Free for All was just seemingly pointless, and Coin Rush mode got dry because you got no reward for winning. That aside, this could have been as nostalgic for anyone born from the late '90s to 2005 as Gen 1 Pokemon was for '90s kids.

This is one of my first Mario games ever! Stop hating on it because it's too easy or the Koopalings are in it! Do I need to mention 9-7, 7-6, 8-5, or the Final Castle? This game is really fun, and the final Bowser fight is amazing. The Penguin and Propeller suits are fun to use. Also, Ludwig and Iggy's castle fights are actually kind of challenging.

The Contenders
11 Super Mario Bros.

The game seems so simple, yet it is chock-full of hidden secrets. This is the first game to offer power-ups to upgrade your character. It's also the first game to offer warp zones to skip levels. It has hidden blocks and secret beanstalks.

I still remember the first time I managed to enter the minus world. Although I've never done it myself, I'm impressed with the people who can pull off infinite lives by jumping on a turtle shell on a staircase.

It's actually very underrated compared to Super Mario Galaxy. I love both games for how innovative they are, and they're unbelievably motivational. According to GameTrailers' list of top 10 Mario games, there are comments like "Super Mario 64 is overrated." In the past, I didn't see many positive opinions on Super Mario 64, but they were not top-positive, meaning at least a 9.5 rating. I am a hardcore fan of Classic Mario.

The game that started it all. A princess is kidnapped, and you have to save her by traveling through eight worlds while avoiding obstacles and battling a fire-breathing turtle. This is the true origin of Mario and is a hero to video games.

12 Mario Kart: Double Dash

This isn't just the best Mario game in my opinion. It's also my favorite video game! The idea of using two characters at once is really creative. More players mean more items on the track, so be ready to get hit a lot.

It has amazing tracks. My ratings in order are:

16. Peach Beach
15. Dry Dry Desert
14. Mario Circuit
13. Luigi Circuit
12. Sherbet Land
11. Mushroom City
10. Shroom Bridge
9. Waluigi Stadium
8. Dino Dino Jungle
7. Bowser Castle
6. Daisy Cruiser
5. Baby Park
4. Rainbow Road
3. Wario Coliseum
2. DK Mountain
1. Yoshi Circuit.

Another creative feature is the special items. My ratings in order are:

9. Fireballs
8. Triple shells of any kind
7. Giant banana
6. Hearts
5. Yoshi egg
4. Bob-omb
3. Golden Mushroom
2. Bowser Shell
1. Chain Chomp.

This is what I have to say about this unique game.

Best Mario Kart out there. I've put so many hours into this wonderful game since I picked it up in grade school. The fast-paced races in VS mode never get old, and you can even team up in the same kart with your friend. Don't even get me started on the bomb battles. Oh yeah, and this game holds the greatest Mario Kart tracks ever made: Baby Park, DK Mountain, Mushroom Bridge. Yeah, it's damn good!

13 Mario Kart Wii

This is the game I've been playing for almost my whole life! I really loved it all the way through and always got angry when I fell to Earth on Rainbow Road. Every moment of this game was special to me. I've been playing this game for so long that, in all the cups, I got an A rank and a Gold trophy! You can probably see me in almost ALL the top 5 worldwide rankings! If you look for me, I would be Jack or JK.

I love the music and how the volcano map (during each round) slowly falls apart as asteroids fall from the volcano. I also remember when I was trying to get Bowser Jr. (my favorite character) and found out that you had to achieve some CRAZY number of wins. I looked it up more and discovered you had to get an A or B rank on a cup. LOL. The fact that all the maps are unique, and some are fast or peaceful, makes me very happy!

As a tip for new people who struggle on Rainbow Road, use Diddy Kong and his dirt bike and just try to balance. I had a pretty sensitive controller, so it might not help. I wish I could continue, but it would be WAY too much.

14 New Super Mario Bros.

This was my last New Super Mario Bros game, and I love it. It is absolutely the most unique New Super Mario Bros game, but I'm not a huge fan of the power-ups and bosses. People only love the bosses because they are not the Koopalings. They are even easier than the Koopalings. Literally hit them with six fireballs or ground pound them, and they are dead in like 10 seconds. The Bowser Jr. and Bowser fights are so easy that they take barely any effort to beat.

Also, I don't like the Mini Mushroom and Shell Power-up. The Shell Power-up is annoying because it causes me to die so much. I lose control of Mario. The Mega Mushroom is cool, but it only lasts for about 10 seconds and appears in like four levels. Despite these problems, I loved this game. I love all the New Super Mario Bros games, and they get way too much hate.

This is the best Mario game in the world for me. Since I was little, it has brought back memories. We have the best New Super Mario Bros DS game out of all. This is one of my most favorite video games of all time for the Nintendo DS. This was the first video game I played, out of all the Mario series, with the best sound effects and music. Vote for this game because it is the BEST!

15 Super Mario RPG: Legend of The Seven Stars

I got this game on my virtual console about a year or two ago, and I have to say, it was awesome. It was also kind of easy since I was a little over-leveled. In fact, I thought Smithy was harder than Culex, but I was at level 30. I couldn't stop playing this game for about a week or two. I got to Smithy and beat him on my first try. Then the credits rolled, and it said THE END. I left for a little while and got mad, so I turned off the game. I backtracked all the way to Culex, took him on, thought of the Final Fantasy IV reference, and took him down without using the Frying Pan. I think this game needs more attention. It's in my top 5 favorite Mario games, maybe even top 3.

As a Mario fan who grew up during the 2000s, I never got the chance to experience this game when it first came out. Somehow, that made actually playing the game for the first time even better. I thought it was a surprisingly good-looking game for 1996. The controls were simplistic, nothing like the familiar Wii remotes I was used to. Additionally, the way the world was set up was much different than the newer Super Mario games we have now.

Let me tell you, I fell in love instantly. This specific game has this strange charm about it that makes it so memorable. It gives you so much nostalgia, even though you haven't even heard of it prior to playing it. Since this was my very first Mario RPG game, I marveled at the fact that Bowser wasn't the main villain for once. I was also impressed by how Peach stepped up to the plate and became more than just a damsel in distress.

I loved how the characters had these cute little victory poses they did at the end of each battle as they stared at the player through the screen. It made me sympathize with, and want to help, Geno and Mallow on their missions. Speaking of which, Geno and Mallow quickly became two of my favorite Mario characters of all time because of this very game.

If you have access to an SNES, I urge you to play this game. You won't regret it.

16 Super Paper Mario

This game is so underrated. Sure, the title is misleading, but I can say from the bottom of my heart that this is the best Mario game. The gameplay is tough and amazing. The boss battles are not lame and easy, like in the Super Mario Bros series. They are challenging, unique, and tough. The 3D-2D dimensions add a lot of great puzzles. Last but not least, the story is absolutely beautiful. It is unlike any other Mario game story. You don't have Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach. In fact, it is nothing like the classic one, and it is very well-written!

This game is so much fun. So many people hate this game just because it was not an RPG. The game is fantastic as a platformer mixed with RPG elements. The best part about this game is the story. In this game, Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser are all the main playable characters, not just Mario. This game also had unique characters before the next game, where every character is the same red, generic Toad.

17 Paper Mario

I think the first game I ever played was Megaman X6. Obviously, that didn't go well for me when I was 6, so I gave this game a try. It's still my favorite Nintendo game for a multitude of reasons. I could go on and on about this game, but I'm sure the comment bar wouldn't fit it all.

I have beaten this game too many times to count, and it never gets old. I have a tradition of playing through this game every summer, and I have to say it's one of my favorite games of all time, no matter how old I get.

This game made my childhood. Shiny badges, diverse partners, creative landscapes, cute enemies, tough boss battles, a turn-based fighting system, and engaging music - I don't see why this isn't in the top 5 yet.

18 Super Mario 3D Land

Ok, you kind of have to get some facts. 3D Land was for 3DS, and 3D World is for Wii U. I have both, and I have to say this is a good game and all, but there are some pros and cons for both games. For one, 3D World is much easier than Land. But World has better gameplay, graphics, etc.

You can play as Mario, Luigi, Toad, Peach, Rosalina, and Captain Toad. They are all unique. New power-ups, and the Bowser fight is super weird and unique. Love it!

This is the first 3D Mario game to play like a classic 2D Mario game. In the first few, you could drown and you had power. Now it works like a classic 2D Mario in 3D!

19 Super Mario Maker

Let's make something clear. In my opinion, Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are great, and Super Mario Odyssey will be even better. But they can't stand the fact that being able to create our own levels is the best thing ever. So why is Super Mario Maker only number 25? I mean, even my sister plays that game, and she almost never plays video games! I would be so excited if they announced Super Mario 3D Maker.

If only I had a Wii U, I could play this great game.

It's like Super Mario ROM hacks, where you get to make your own levels. But now you don't need to buy all those flash carts or get illegal emulators and ROMs to play them.

You make your own Mario levels! How awesome is that? Not only that, but you can also play other levels made by people! You have to love how creative people are in the game too!

20 Luigi's Mansion

I love Luigi, and getting to play a game with this much personality with him is such a fun experience. You MUST play this game at least once. Also, the button that allows you to yell "Mario!" was just such a genius inclusion.

I really like this game, as there is a protagonist besides Mario this time. I've always liked Luigi's facial features (moustache for example). The only problem is that he's more easily startled, but that's okay.

So much better than Dark Moon. Although Mario is not in it, Luigi is a lot better than Mario and makes this game awesome. If it were Mario's mansion, it would not be good.

21 Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story

Bowser's Inside Story was truly an epic for the ages. An amazing, layered story is topped with hilarious, over-the-top characters that have solid backstories. And come on - playable Bowser for the win! Bowser plays much differently than the Bros, and it gives a nice shift in gameplay whenever you change sides to start a new chapter. The boss battles in this game are insanely well-designed, with a good progression of difficulty (except they're kind of easy when you've played the game as many times as me). Also, the music is truly something to behold. All Mario RPGs have amazing soundtracks, so it's no surprise that this awesome adventure is backed with sweet tunes. All of this is on a handheld! AlphaDream outdid themselves, and it's the best Mario game, in my opinion.

Amazing game that shows what we love about Mario, and you can even play as Bowser! This game is a must for all DS owners, even though I wish it was longer. It also uses the DS features very well, including the DS mic and holding the system sideways.

22 Mario Kart 8

Best one ever! Better item balance, better controls, better everything! Except for the battle mode. Vote for Mario Kart Wii if you only like overpowered items, really annoying character voices, and crappy controls. Mario Kart 8 is a refreshed version of Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 7, just better.

The only problem with this game is that unlike in Mario Kart Wii, you can't earn characters or tracks from racing. In Mario Kart 8, you actually have to purchase them. Selling for $12.00, gamers could choose to buy a $7.99 version which gave them half the stuff. That's right. You would have to get half of it to subsidize the cost.

The only bad thing about this game is that it brought Pink Gold Peach into existence. Peach is a good character, but fans of Daisy and Rosalina spread lies about her. This hate should be directed at Pink Gold Peach instead. Otherwise, Mario Kart 8 is a good game.

23 Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

This is my favorite Mario game. Or should I say it's a Yoshi game? I don't know. Either way, it's my favorite game. Yoshi is so cute! I even have a picture of Yoshi from this game as my phone screen. I think the bosses are creative, even if they are a bit on the easy side. Not to mention, the art style and level design are great.

This game is wow. One of the finest SNES masterpieces to date. It's my fourth favorite SNES game (after F-Zero, Mario RPG, and Mario World) and a true masterpiece as well. The level design and music are way ahead of its time. 10/10.

This is my favorite SNES game of all time, and it's the cutest. However, this game isn't just about a cute little Yoshi running around. The DS version is the best-selling Yoshi game of all time.

24 Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Although not the best Mario game in my opinion, the graphics and controls are extremely easy to learn and give the true feeling of a brawl game. It is very fun, even if you are playing by yourself, and the randomness of battling a new character makes it even better. Four-star game in my opinion and probably one of the best fighting games created.

Why is this game only number 15 and not number 1? This epic video game is not only the best Mario game. It is also the best Wii game and one of the best games ever to date. This needs to be number one. This is my favorite fighting game and is also the best fighting game ever! Only Super Smash Bros Universe can beat this.

The best Super Smash Bros. in the series, Brawl is the only Smash Bros. that has a story mode. It also had Sonic and Snake. No doubt, it's the best.

25 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Great game. What else is there to say? Great track songs, good carts, a great character roster, amazing remade retro tracks, and more! Although I will say that the tracks aren't as replayable as those on the Wii.

I think the game is awesome compared to the vanilla version, and I can't wait for more DLC tracks. However, I do have some issues with it. 1. I dislike the coin item. 2. Like in MK8, even when you are in first place for most of the race, you could get RNG'd into a lower placement on the last lap. 3. They didn't add new characters for the updated platform.

Overall, though, it deserves the money spent.

This game is the same as Mario Kart 8, and Pink Gold Peach is still a character! Now, like I said, this game is similar to Mario Kart 8, but with more characters, no problems with battle mode, customizable settings for battle mode, and the free deluxe version that Mario Kart 8 had.

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