Mario's face is one of the most well-known in gaming, and he has been the main character in a variety of different types of games throughout the years. These top-notch Mario games serve as a reminder of why the iconic plumber remains a beloved figure in the world of platforming.
In this article, Gurugamer is going to showcase the top 5 best Mario games of all time.
1. Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is the ultimate Mario game and a must-play for any fan of the series. Despite being 30 years since the plumber's first adventure, Odyssey manages to surprise gamers at every turn with its imaginative and nostalgic gameplay. One of the highlights of the game is Cappy, a living hat that adds a new level of craziness to Mario's platforming tricks. In addition to classic moves like ground-pounding and dodging enemies, players can now possess Goombas, Bullet Bills, and other creatures to achieve their objectives.
What sets Odyssey apart from other Mario games is its technical excellence and the sheer number of amazing ideas it presents. It's a game that reinvents what players consider to be a Super Mario adventure while still appealing to fans of the classic games. Newcomers to the series will be eased into its colorful world, while longtime fans will be thrilled by the abundance of nostalgic references. All in all, Super Mario Odyssey is a triumph and a game that every Mario fan should experience.
2. Super Mario 64
Mario 64 is not only one of the greatest games of all time, but it also holds the title of the most influential game ever created. While it wasn't the first 3D game, Mario 64 perfected the concept with exceptional confidence from the very beginning. It's astounding that a game from 1996 still plays better than most modern games on the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Although the camera may have its flaws, Mario's smooth and effortless movements make up for it. It's no wonder that Mario 64 is still considered one of the best N64 games to this day. Playing it on the Switch via Super Mario 3D All-Stars will give you a taste of the imaginative and creative gameplay that would later inspire Mario Odyssey, released 21 years later. With 120 exhilarating Power Star quests, each filled with new and exciting challenges, Mario 64 never fails to deliver fresh and innovative ideas. Until the day when video games can incorporate the fourth dimension, Mario 64 will remain the most groundbreaking 3D game of all time.
3. Super Mario World
Nintendo didn't rest on its laurels after creating Super Mario Bros 3, which seemed to perfect the Mario formula. Instead, the company immediately began working on a successor to the genre-defining game that would be ready for the launch of its second home console. Amazingly, they were able to create a game that surpassed its predecessor in almost every way, making it one of the best games available on the SNES.
Super Mario World built on the solid foundation established by Mario 3, with bright and energetic graphics that were far more vibrant than anything seen on the NES or Genesis. While it retained the classic Mario gameplay, it also introduced new tricks and abilities, such as the addition of the new dinosaur character Yoshi. It's hard to imagine that one of the all-time classics of the SNES wasn't just a launch game, but was also included with the console - a testament to how impressive the 16-bit era was.
4. Super Mario Galaxy 2
Super Mario Galaxy 2 distilled all the best elements from the series since Super Mario 64 and infused them with a plethora of new ideas, making it one of the standout games on the Wii console. The game's variety of challenges is impressive, with each star presenting a fresh and unique obstacle. From hanging off a bird to creating clouds in the sky or teaming up with Yoshi, Super Mario Galaxy 2 keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.
Nintendo's use of the Wii Remote is particularly noteworthy, as they incorporated it in ways that other companies might have built an entire game around. However, Nintendo was judicious in its use of the controller and quickly moved on to the next creative stage. Despite any technical limitations, Super Mario Galaxy 2 demonstrated that a wealth of innovation can overcome any hardware shortcomings. For serious gamers, Super Mario Galaxy 2 was reason enough to own a Wii console, surpassing even the many other great games available on the system.
5. Super Mario Bros. 3
The development team behind Mario created a sequel that was too similar to the original (Lost Levels) and a peculiar game that later became a Mario title (Super Mario Bros 2). However, they eventually returned to the core concepts of Mario and redefined the series in a revolutionary way, introducing features such as a world map and mid-bosses. With power-ups like the Frog, Hammer, and most notably, the Raccoon, Mario's abilities were significantly expanded. The Raccoon power-up allowed Mario to fly, which greatly impacted the level design and added a new level of verticality to the game.
Super Mario Bros. 3 was groundbreaking for its time, but it also strikes the perfect balance between new and classic Mario elements, making it one of the best games in the series. Its simple approach to fun has been the foundation for every Mario game that followed, even if some of them have built upon it in more meaningful ways than others. SMB3 is a prime example of pure gameplay that allows players to control Mario and his adventures in a seamless manner. Overall, Super Mario Bros 3 is an excellent game that showcases what makes Mario so super.
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