Alright gamers, Mateo here! Today, we’re diving deep into the Mushroom Kingdom to talk about arguably the most iconic video game character ever: Mario. It’s August 4th, 2025, and the legacy of this plumber spans decades and countless consoles. Picking the “best” is tough, but I’ve wrangled my thoughts and memories into a ranked list that covers every Nintendo console where Mario has made a significant appearance. Buckle up!
The Undisputed King: Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64)
Let’s be real, Super Mario 64 wasn’t just a game; it was a revolution. Taking Mario into 3D felt impossible until it wasn’t. The freedom of movement, the inventive level design, and that iconic castle hub? Pure magic. It set the standard for 3D platformers for years to come.
The Perfect Sequel: Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
While the first Galaxy was amazing, Galaxy 2 somehow refined everything. The gravity mechanics, the sheer creativity in planet design, and the introduction of Yoshi in space? Chef’s kiss. It’s a masterclass in joyful game design.
The Foundation: Super Mario Bros. (NES)
It all started here, right? Super Mario Bros. defined the side-scrolling platformer. Simple, addictive, and endlessly replayable. Running, jumping, and stomping Goombas became a global phenomenon for a reason.
The Leap Forward: Super Mario World (SNES)
Super Mario World felt like the ultimate evolution of the 2D Mario formula. The introduction of Yoshi, the secret exits, the massive world map, and that vibrant color palette on the SNES? Unforgettable.
The Masterpiece Return: Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)
After a few years away from pure 3D adventure, Odyssey brought Mario back with a vengeance. Cappy was a genius addition, adding a whole new layer to gameplay. The sheer variety of kingdoms and the freedom to explore made this a standout on the Switch.
Other Legends Worth Mentioning:
- Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES): Introduced so many power-ups we still love today.
- Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube): A bit divisive, but FLUDD offered unique gameplay mechanics.
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii): Brought back the 2D fun with fantastic 4-player co-op.
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch): The newest 2D entry, and wow, those Wonder Flowers are wild!
- Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Game Boy): A fantastic handheld Mario adventure that even introduced Wario.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch): Not a platformer, but the pinnacle of Mario Kart, a must-have party game.
- Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES): The quirky one, but still a fun deviation from the norm.
This list is just my take, of course. Every Mario game has something special that resonated with players. What are your personal favorites? Let me know in the comments!