What are the best Super Mario games of all time?
Over three decades down the line, the Super Mario series has become a recognized name in the gaming industry.
Reported rumors have it, Nintendo would be revitalizing the franchise’s 3D outings for the Nintendo Switch.
Since its first release in 1985, the series has sold 600 million copies making it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.
The game has impacted almost across all genres of games, either inventing or elevating it.
We’ve ranked the top-15 best super mario games.
An objective ranking is unrealistic as every game of the series is simply good; however, this article’s ranking is determined on two factors, the longevity of the game standing test of time long after its release and the game’s impact.
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Best Super Mario Games of All Time
15. Super Mario Run (2016)
Unlike its predecessors, which was released on Nintendo consoles and other gaming platforms, Super Mario Run was made available for gaming strictly on mobile (iOS and Android devices).
Its story plot is just controlling a never stopping Mario in his run to escape hazard, dodge enemies, and collect coins.
It is an “endless runner” game.
In its first week of release, the game achieved 50 million downloads, thus becoming the most downloaded mobile game upon release.
As of September 2018, the game had peaked 300 million downloads.
Reviewers praise Super Mario Run gameplay, but complaints were made on the game’s internet connectivity requirements to be played; still, it was a success.
14. Super Mario 3D Land (2011)
The first in the Super Mario series to be released for the 3DS was Super Mario 3D Land, as evident in its name.
The game is unique among games in the franchise series as it is the only and its sequel to combine both elements of 2D side-scrolling games and the free-roaming 3D features.
Like its predecessors, the game story plot focuses on Mario’s fighting to rescue Princess Peach kidnapped by Bowser.
It received a positive review from critics, especially at large for 3D utilization.
It’s sold 12 million copies as of March 2020 and ranks sixth among best-selling game for the 3DS.
13. Super Mario 3D World (2013)
This was the sixth original 3D platform game in the Super Mario Games series.
Its story dwells on Mario and his friends’ attempt at liberating fairy-like creatures called Sprixies from Bowser’s threat, who invaded the Sprixies Kingdom.
This series introduced certain new features not present in the previous installment, such as a character selector and a power-up called Super Bell, enabling a player to change into a cat to quickly climb up walls and use the scratch attack.
The game was praised for its excellent design, presentation, and soundtrack.
However, it wasn’t much of commercial success compared to its predecessor.
It sold close to 6 million copies worldwide but was a bomb on the Wii U system platform.
12. Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988)
One wouldn’t be wrong to label Super Mario Bros. 2 the first weird game as it was a completely different game remodeled as a Super Mario game.
However, its strangeness didn’t dampen its success with over 7 million sales worldwide, and its gameplay would surely be memorable to fans of the franchise.
It enlivens the cast of Mario and his characters with several unique abilities they possess in this game.
11. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992)
Super Mario Land 2 was the sequel to Super Mario Land.
The game plot sees a player take on the role of the game’s protagonist, Mario, with the objective of reclaiming his island from the hands of Wario, a greedy rival making its debut in the series.
As expected, the game continues on the innovations and gameplay of its precursor, Super Mario Land.
It was a huge commercial success upon release.
It has sold over 11 million copies globally. Critics gave a positive review claiming it exceeds in every aspect of its predecessor.
10. New Super Mario Bros. (2006)
New Super Mario Bros. is a 2D side-scrolling game.
It was made available only on the Nintendo DS handheld console.
Mario has to fight through antagonist Bowser and his party to rescue Princess Peach in the game’s story.
He has access to a number of power-ups that give him special abilities useful in accomplishing his quest.
To save Princess Peach, Mario must defeat Bowser.
Although it pointed out the game’s similarity to its predecessor and its low difficulty level, the series was still a hit.
It sold over 30 million units and was the best-selling game for the Nintendo DS and became the birth for other Super Mario sequels released on several different gaming platforms.
9. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009)
In this 2D side-scrolling game, which was a follow up to the 2006 New Super Mario Bros., sees the game protagonist, Mario, in a journey through the eight worlds and his fights against Bower’s party to rescue the Princess Peach.
It features a Co-op and multiplayer mode where up to four players can play.
The super guide feature allows a player to observe a computer-controlled character complete a level, thus proving it beginners friendly.
The downside of this game is the chaos that results from four players competing.
As at Match 2020, the game has sold over 30 million copies on the Wii gaming platform alone.
8. Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
Super Mario Sunshine is an outburst of gaming ideas.
In this series, his usual power-ups were replaced by Sunshine’s water jetpack that enhanced his ability to jump.
He also could fly. Set in an ambitious open-world, Mario fights against the villain in the game, Shadow Mario, to rescue Princess Peach and is tasked to clean up an island he has been wrongfully convicted of vandalizing.
The game was praised for its graphics and soundtrack and sold over five million copies making it one of the best-selling video games on the GameCube platform where it was released only.
7. Super Mario Maker (2015)
The fun and fuss of Super Mario Maker was its custom feature where players could build their levels or course, play, share online, and also played courses created by other players.
This series is a must-own for loyal Mario game fans.
Since its release in 2015, over seven million courses had been made and played over 600 million times. Critics praise the game endlessly for its editing feature.
By the end of 2016, it had sold over 2 million copies.
6. Super Mario Odyssey (2017)
Fans of the series have a common opinion that Super Mario Odyssey is a promise fulfilled of Super Mario 64.
It sets in an Open World with secrets and stars waiting to be found, a camera you can control as desire, and an acrobatic Mario.
Its story plot is similar to its predecessor, Mario, with the objective to save Princess Peach from game antagonist Bowser, this time with an intent to marry her.
It is deemed one of the best games in the series has sold over 18 million copies.
5. Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Aside, the usual commercial success familiar with Super Mario games, the 1985 series was more than just a successful game.
It was the saving grace of the entire gaming industry due to the 1983 market crash.
Its gameplay was simple, easy to understand.
It is one of the best-selling franchise games with over 40 million physical copies sold.
It is a timeless classic.
4. Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990)
In this series, players will control Mario or his brother Luigi.
They must save Princess Toadstool and the rulers of the seven kingdoms from the menace Bowser.
Similar to previous games, enemies can be defeated by stomping them or the use of magical items.
Players have new abilities and can fight or slide downslope.
This series saw the introduction of many elements that became a constant feature in the Mario series that followed.
Reviewers gave the game a positive review.
It sold over 17 million copies.
Such was the impact of this series it inspired a TV series called, The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3.
3. Super Mario 64 (1996)
This was the first series that featured 3D gameplay.
Players once again are tasked with the responsibility of rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser.
The game graphic and design were beyond impressive as they serve as an eye-opener to the gaming industry on designs and movement of a 3D game.
It became the first game to receive a perfect score from edge magazine and was the best-selling game on Nintendo 64, with over 11 million sales by 2003.
2. Super Mario World (1991)
This series is truly one of the best 2D Mario game.
It was everything it needed to be in design, graphics, and control.
Just the right amount of difficulty.
Its story plot centers on Mario in his quest to save Princess Toadstool and Dinosaur Land from nemesis Bowser and his minions.
This series saw the introduction of a new character, a Dinosaur who feast on enemies.
The game sold over 20 million copies globally.
Such was the game influence, that an animated television series titled Yoshi’s Island was made.
It is considered one of the greatest video games of all time and the second best super mario game of all time..
1. Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
If one boasts about the Super Mario series’s confidence and gaming intrigues, one won’t fail to refer to the franchise third 3D game, Super Mario Galaxy.
With a similar story plot to its predecessor, Mario embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Peach, this time to save the universe.
The game made creative use of exploration to wonder players.
The game was such a success, Nintendo was necessitated to repeat it with Super Mario Galaxy 2.
After its release, the game sold over 12 million copies worldwide and inspired rerelease on several other gaming platforms.
It is the best of the best.
Final Words
Hope you enjoyed our collection of the best Super Mario games of all time you can play right now.
Think we missed out any top game?