On September 13, 1985, Nintendo released a Famicom game titled Super Mario Bros. Needless to say, this ambitious little title revolutionized the video game industry by laying the foundation of what a fantastical digital adventure on home console should be like. It also, of course, introduced most mainstream audiences to Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Princess Peach, and all the quirky denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom.
The Mario franchise became a global phenomenon, and Nintendo’s iconic mascot has starred in a multitude of groundbreaking titles throughout his forty-year-long history. With his 40th anniversary being just around the corner, now is the perfect time to take a look at some of the most important Mario games, whether they’re mainline platforming entries or spin-offs that belong to other genres.
Donkey Kong
The Arcade Game That Introduced Mario (Or Jumpman) To The World
Donkey Kong
- Released
- July 31, 1981
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Arcade
While Mario’s anniversary is celebrated on the day of Super Mario Bros’ Japanese release, everybody knows that this Famicom platformer isn’t technically the first game this iconic character appeared in. He made his debut in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, back when he was a carpenter instead of a plumber, and he was known as Jumpman instead of Mario.
Donkey Kong is one of the most important video games ever made, not only because it introduced two massive video game icons — Mario and Donkey Kong — but also because it was a huge critical and commercial success that cemented Nintendo as a major player in the video game industry. Neither the character nor the company would exist today if it wasn’t for Donkey Kong and the cultural impact it made in the early 80s.
Super Mario Bros.
The 2D Platformer That Revolutionized Console Gaming
Super Mario Bros.
- Released
- November 17, 1985
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Jumpman was later renamed Mario, and went on to star in a few more games throughout the early 80s (including Mario Bros., which introduced his twin brother, Luigi). But everything changed when Nintendo released Super Mario Bros. In 1983. This was the game that popularized both the character and the franchise, to the point that he became a worldwide phenomenon.
For many people, Super Mario Bros. Was the first “real” adventure they could experience in a video game. It had an actual plot, characters with distinct designs, and a clear beginning and ending. This was especially important in North America, where the video game crash of 1983 led many critics to dismiss the medium as a dying fad. The 1985 release of Super Mario Bros. And the NES System indirectly saved the industry by proving them wrong. This game also introduced iconic characters, locations. And elements to the Mario franchise, like Princess Peach, Bowser, Toad, the Mushroom Kingdom, the Super Mushroom, the Fire Flower, and so much more.
Super Mario Bros. 3
One Of The Greatest Video Game Sequels Ever Made
Super Mario Bros. 3
- Released
- October 23, 1988
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
There’s no denying that Super Mario Bros. Is a legendary game that has aged surprisingly well, but it’s also one of the most simplistic and bare-bones entries in the series, especially compared to its sequels. Super Mario Bros. 2 is a solid title in and of itself, but it’s infamous for being a mere reskin of an entirely different game. In reality, the first true sequel to Super Mario Bros. Was 1988’s Super Mario Bros. 3, which ended up changing the franchise forever.
Super Mario Bros. 3 not only had better controls, graphics and gameplay than its predecessor, but it also introduced many classic key elements, like the world map, the Super Leaf, the Tanooki Suit, and the Koopalings. The first game defined what a 2D platformer on home consoles should be, but Super Mario Bros. 3 took that formula and improved on it in almost every way. It quickly became the best platforming game on the NES, and it ensured that the Mario franchise would carry its success to subsequent Nintendo consoles.
Super Mario Kart
Created & Popularized The Kart-Racing Genre
Super Mario Kart
- Released
- September 1, 1992
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Racing
Nowadays, Mario is known for two types of games: his platformers (whether they’re in 2D or 3D) and his multitude of spin-off titles. While Super Mario Kart was not the first non-platforming title the mustachioed plumber and his friends starred in, it is the most important, as it laid the foundation of what a Mario spin-off should be.
This unique racing game utilized the SNES' Mode 7 to generate deep and complex visuals. It also prioritized addictive local multiplayer fun instead of unnecessary realism. With its unique course design, wacky selectable items, chaotic gameplay, and various game modes, Super Mario Kart became a massive hit among SNES users. It popularized the kart-racing genre pretty much by itself, which led to the creation of many high-quality sequels and similar kart-racing spin-offs from other popular platforming franchises.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Proved That Mario Could Also Be An RPG Icon
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
- Released
- May 13, 1996
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Mario has conquered many different video game genres, like platformers, kart-racers, and sports games, so it was inevitable that he would also get to star in his own role-playing adventure. And there was no one better than the developers and designers at Squaresoft — the company that created Final Fantasy — to tackle this bizarre but ambitious project.
This collaboration between Squaresoft and Nintendo led to the creation of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, an excellent RPG for the SNES. The game is famous for its pre-rendered 3D graphics, beautiful soundtrack, and intuitive turn-based gameplay. But this game’s most important contribution was proving how adaptable Mario was, and that he could dominate the RPG genre as well. Naturally, the critical and commercial success of Super Mario RPG inspired many other high-quality RPGs in this franchise, like the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi subseries.
Super Mario 64
Redefined How 3D Movement In Video Games Is Designed
Super Mario 64
- Released
- September 26, 1996
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone
- Genre(s)
- 3D Platformer
The Mario franchise has made numerous significant contributions to the video game industry, but there’s one title that is often considered the most important and influential one. In 1996, Nintendo released its first console that could run video games with 3D graphics. While this was far from the first of its kind on the market, it did revolutionize movement in gaming with its analog stick and the launch title that showcased what it could do: Super Mario 64.
In his first full-3D adventure, Mario could move in every direction thanks to the N64’s analog stick, which was way more comfortable and intuitive than any other 3D platformer at the time. Super Mario 64 not only directly inspired how movement in 3D video games would be designed in the following years, but it also laid the foundation for the Collect-a-Thon Platformer sub-genre, which led to incredible direct sequels as well as many excellent 3D entries in other franchises.
New Super Mario Bros.
Brought Back 2D Mario For Modern Audiences
New Super Mario Bros.
- Released
- May 15, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
The release of Super Mario 64 marked a major shift in direction for the franchise, as Nintendo stuck to making only 3D games for many years after that. This was fine, but gamers began getting nostalgic for the classic 2D entries from the 80s and 90s that had popularized the franchise and the character in the first place. From 1995 to 2005, the only 2D Mario games were either collections of older titles or part of other connected series, like Yoshi, Wario, or Donkey Kong.
But Nintendo finally listened to its fans when it released New Super Mario Bros. In 2006. This was the first 2.5D entry in the series that also brought back the old-school 2D platforming gameplay. This game finally reintroduced this formula while also polishing it for modern audiences, with better graphics, controls, level design, and power-ups. New Super Mario Bros. Was a huge success, and it proved to Nintendo that 2D platformers still had a place in the gaming market. It spawned both its three direct sequels and many other modern 2D Mario games, like Mario Maker and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Super Mario Galaxy
Elevated The Franchise And Proved Mario Games Could Be Art
Super Mario Galaxy
- Released
- November 1, 2007
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence
- Genre(s)
- 3D Platformer
Mario games were always (mistakenly) seen as colorful and silly adventures for children and not much more, until the release of Super Mario Galaxy in 2007 shattered that misconception. This is often considered one of the best video games ever made, and it proved that the Mario IP could still deliver captivating and memorable adventures, even 24 years after its inception.
At first glance, Super Mario Galaxy seems like yet another fun 3D platformer like Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Sunshine. But its fascinating space-themed setting, beautifully orchestrated soundtrack, and surprisingly emotional plot and characters elevate it to a whole new level. Gameplay-wise, it struck that perfect balance between the linearity of the classic 2D games and the free-roaming nature of Super Mario 64, which resulted in some of the best-designed levels in the entire franchise. There’s a reason fans keep comparing every new Mario game to Super Mario Galaxy: it was just that good and impactful.
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Super Mario fans and board game lovers can delight in several amazing Super Mario board games available on Amazon.