Mario has been jumping through pipes and stomping Goombas for nearly four decades. But which adventures truly stand out? This comprehensive ranking covers everything from groundbreaking classics to upcoming releases that promise to shake up the platforming world.
Whether you’re a veteran gamer who remembers blowing into NES cartridges or a newcomer exploring the Mushroom Kingdom for the first time, this list will help you discover which Mario games deserve your time. Let’s dive into the top 15 Super Mario games that defined generations.
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The Top 15 Best Super Mario Games of All Time Ranked
15. Super Mario 3D Land (2011, 3DS)
Portable perfection arrived when Nintendo shrunk the 3D Mario experience into bite-sized levels perfect for handheld gaming. Each stage took just a few minutes to complete, making this ideal for commutes or quick gaming sessions.
The glasses-free 3D innovation showcased the 3DS hardware brilliantly. Depth perception actually mattered in gameplay, helping you judge jumps and discover hidden secrets. This wasn’t just a gimmick but a genuine enhancement to classic Mario platforming.
14. Super Mario Sunshine (2002, GameCube)
Tropical paradise meets cleanup duty in this polarizing GameCube adventure. The F.L.U.D.D. water pack replaced traditional power-ups, giving Mario new movement options through hover jumps and turbo sprints.
Bold experimentation split fans down the middle. Some loved the fresh mechanics and vibrant Isle Delfino setting. Others missed classic Mario gameplay and found the water pack controls frustrating. Despite mixed reactions, Sunshine proved Nintendo wasn’t afraid to take risks with their flagship franchise.
13. Super Mario Bros. (1985, NES)
This game literally saved the gaming industry from collapse. After the 1983 crash, consumers had lost faith in video games. Super Mario Bros. showed that tight controls, clever level design, and pure fun could restore that trust.
The foundation of modern platformers started here. Running left to right, jumping on enemies, collecting coins, these fundamentals influenced countless games that followed. Without this NES classic, gaming might look completely different today.
12. Super Mario 3D World (2013, Wii U)
Multiplayer mayhem reached new heights with Cat Suits and cooperative chaos. Up to four players could tackle levels together, creating hilarious moments of teamwork and playful sabotage. Families discovered that working together (or against each other) made every level unpredictable.
Couch co-op bonding brought players back to living rooms during an era when online gaming dominated. Parents played alongside children, siblings competed for crowns, and friendships were tested during frantic scrambles to reach the flagpole first.
11. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010, Wii)
Refined gravity-based platforming took everything great about the original Galaxy and polished it to perfection. Nintendo removed the hub world, streamlined progression, and packed in more creative ideas per level than seemed possible.
Yoshi returned after his Galaxy absence, adding new puzzle-solving mechanics. Power-ups like Cloud Mario and Rock Mario expanded the gameplay vocabulary. Every world introduced fresh concepts that other developers would recycle for years.
10. Super Mario Galaxy (2007, Wii)
A whimsical orchestral soundtrack elevated this Wii masterpiece beyond typical gaming music. Live instruments brought emotional depth to Mario’s cosmic adventure, making every planet feel magical and alive.
Planetary-level design remains unmatched even today. Walking upside-down on tiny asteroids, launching between gravity fields, racing across two-dimensional surfaces wrapped around spheres. Galaxy fundamentally reimagined what 3D platforming could achieve.
9. Super Mario 64 (1996, N64)
Mario’s jump to three dimensions revolutionized gaming overnight. Analog stick control, free-roaming camera, open-ended level exploration. These innovations that seem obvious now were groundbreaking revelations in 1996.
Nearly 30 years later, speedrunners still discover new tricks and routes. Modders create entirely new adventures within the N64 framework. Super Mario 64 proved so influential that its shadow still looms over every 3D platformer released today.
8. Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990, NES)
Warp Whistles changed everything by giving players unprecedented freedom to skip difficult worlds. The Tanooki Suit let Mario fly or turn into a statue, adding strategic depth to level navigation.
Hardcore creativity and difficulty ramped up significantly from previous entries. World 8 still gives veteran players nightmares. Yet the game balanced challenge with fairness, rewarding skill without feeling punishing. Every power-up, every secret, every hidden level felt like a genuine discovery.
7. Super Mario Odyssey (2017, Switch)
Globe-trotting adventure with Cappy introduced possession mechanics that transformed everything. Capturing enemies and objects created hundreds of unique gameplay moments. Controlling a T-Rex, becoming a tank, possessing a fork to catapult yourself all showcased brilliant design thinking.
Modern magic compared to Mario 64’s revolutionary impact. Odyssey proved that even after decades, Nintendo could still reinvent their mascot’s core gameplay while maintaining the pure joy that defines Mario games.
6. Super Mario World (1990, SNES)
The expanded overworld map turned the Mushroom Kingdom into an interconnected adventure with multiple paths and secret exits. Finding alternate routes and unlocking hidden levels created genuine exploration satisfaction.
Yoshi’s debut changed Mario forever. This adorable dinosaur companion added eating mechanics, flutter jumps, and a friendship element that became central to future games. Super Mario World consistently ranks number one on countless best games lists, and for good reason.
5. New Super Mario Bros. Extreme (2025, Switch/Switch Pro)
Fresh side-scrolling action-adventure brings classic 2D gameplay into the modern era with stunning visuals and innovative power-ups. Early previews suggest this entry combines the best elements from decades of side-scrolling Mario games.
Launching September 13, 2025, this game aims to redefine what 2D Mario can accomplish. New movement mechanics and cooperative features promise to attract both longtime fans and newcomers discovering Mario for the first time.
4. Mario Party Superstars 2 (2025, Switch)
New boards and mini-games revitalize the party game formula that has brought friends together for over two decades. Classic board game strategy meets frantic mini-game competition in what promises to be the definitive Mario Party experience.
Launching July 12, 2025, this sequel builds on Superstars’ success by refining mechanics while adding fresh content. Perfect for family game nights and friend gatherings, this entry remembers that Mario Party works best when it brings people together.
3. Super Mario Galaxy (Switch Remaster, 2025)
Enhanced visuals bring this Wii masterpiece to modern consoles with sharper textures and smoother performance. Players who missed the original finally get to experience one of gaming’s greatest achievements without digging out old hardware.
Launching October 2, 2025, this remaster proves that brilliant design transcends technological limitations. The gravity mechanics and level creativity that wowed players in 2007 still feel innovative today.
2. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Switch Remaster, 2025)
The remastered sequel arrives with sharper graphics that showcase every detail of Yoshi’s vibrant colors and the cosmic backgrounds. Technical improvements enhance the experience without changing what made the original special.
Launching October 2, 2025 alongside its predecessor, this double release gives players the complete Galaxy experience. Playing both games back-to-back highlights Nintendo’s creative evolution between entries.
1. Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch 2 Edition, 2026)
The expanded version of 2023’s hit transforms an already excellent game into something extraordinary. New worlds, additional power-ups, and enhanced multiplayer features promise to redefine side-scrolling platformers once again.
Launching Spring 2026 alongside Nintendo’s next console, this edition represents Mario’s future. Early reports suggest revolutionary gameplay mechanics that will influence gaming for years to come. Missing this would mean missing gaming history in the making.
Read More: Nintendo Switch Error Codes: Complete List and Solutions
Conclusion
These 15 Super Mario games represent decades of innovation, creativity, and pure gaming joy. From the NES classic that saved an industry to upcoming releases that promise to redefine platforming, Mario’s adventures continue captivating players worldwide.
Rankings backed by expert reviews, sales data, and community consensus ensure this list reflects genuine quality rather than personal bias. Each game earned its position through lasting impact and exceptional design.
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FAQs
What is the best Super Mario game ever made?
Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey consistently rank as the best Mario games ever created. Galaxy revolutionized 3D platforming with gravity mechanics and orchestral music, while Odyssey introduced Cappy’s possession abilities that transformed gameplay. However, many fans argue Super Mario World deserves the top spot for perfecting 2D platforming. The “best” ultimately depends on whether you prefer 2D or 3D adventures.
Which Mario game should beginners play first?
New players should start with Super Mario Odyssey on Switch or Super Mario 3D World. Both games feature assist modes that help beginners learn core mechanics without frustration. Super Mario Bros. Wonder also offers excellent accessibility options for newcomers. Avoid starting with Super Mario Bros. 3 or Sunshine, as these games present steeper difficulty curves that might discourage new players.
What is the hardest Mario game to complete?
Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Sunshine are considered the hardest Mario games to fully complete. Super Mario Bros. 3’s World 8 levels demand perfect timing and pattern memorization. Sunshine’s blue coin hunt and challenging secret levels frustrate even veteran players. Super Mario Galaxy 2’s Perfect Run also deserves mention for requiring flawless execution across a lengthy gauntlet.
Hager Hesham
Content Writer and your go-to gaming expert. I'm here to share my best practices, valuable strategies, and professional gamer guidance. Also, I'm a gem hunter for the best deals and gift cards, just to enjoy games at almost zero cost with AR-pay.
