Welcome to the timeless realm of the Mario Games series, where ordinary plumbers become extraordinary heroes and fantastical realms await your exploration. Embark on an unforgettable odyssey through a universe that has captivated generations of gamers and sparked an insatiable sense of wonder. Brace yourself for a riveting adventure as we unravel the remarkable origins of this iconic franchise, introduce you to an unforgettable cast of characters, unveil the thrilling objectives that lie ahead, and unveil a treasure trove of acclaimed titles that have shaped the gaming landscape. So, prepare to be transported into a world where mushrooms hold mysterious powers, turtles become formidable adversaries, and saving princesses is a plumber's noble duty. Get ready to immerse yourself in the magical tapestry of Mario Games!
Nintendo: Where It All Began
Founded in 1889, Nintendo (originally known as Nintendo Koppai) was established by Fusajiro Yamauchi to manufacture Japanese playing cards. However, once Hiroshi, Fusajiro’s great-grandson, took over the company, he transformed Nintendo from a card-printing company in Japan to an international video game publisher and conglomerate. Since then, Nintendo has produced many successful video consoles and game franchises, including Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Kirby, Pokemon, and Animal Crossing. The iconic character Mario has become the mascot of the company and the video game industry as a whole.
What Makes Mario Games So Unique?
One of the standout features of the Mario Games series is its rich and diverse cast of characters. Mario, the courageous plumber clad in blue overalls and a red cap, takes center stage as the series' protagonist. His loyal brother Luigi, the green-suited sibling, often joins him on his quests. Princess Peach, the graceful ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, frequently finds herself in need of rescuing, while the mischievous antagonist Bowser tirelessly schemes to thwart Mario's efforts. Alongside these beloved characters, the Mario Games series boasts an array of memorable friends and foes, including Yoshi, Toad, Wario, and many more. The objective of the Mario Games series typically revolves around platforming adventures, where players guide Mario through various colorful and imaginative worlds. These worlds are filled with challenging obstacles, cunning enemies, and hidden secrets. Mario must navigate treacherous landscapes, overcome perilous jumps, and collect power-ups like the iconic Super Mushroom and Fire Flower to enhance his abilities. Each game presents unique objectives, such as rescuing Princess Peach, retrieving stolen artifacts, or thwarting Bowser's wicked plans.
Over the years, the Mario Games series has expanded its repertoire, encompassing a wide variety of genres and gameplay styles. Some notable titles within the series include Super Mario Bros., which revolutionized the platforming genre and became a hallmark of the Nintendo Entertainment System. Super Mario 64 brought Mario into the realm of 3D gaming, allowing players to explore vast open worlds and embark on a quest to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser once again. Super Mario Galaxy introduced gravity-defying platforming across celestial landscapes, while Super Mario Odyssey embraced a sandbox-style approach, granting players the freedom to explore vibrant, interconnected kingdoms.
Genres of Mario Games
- Platformer: As the most popular and defining genre of Mario games, platformers let players embark on their own adventure in different worlds, defeat enemies on the way, and reach the end of each stage before the timer runs out. Notable platform games include the Super Mario and Wario Land series.
- Action: Action is actually the original genre of the very first games that feature Mario, including the first Donkey Kong games and the arcade game titled Mario Bros.
- Fighting: Within this genre, players may be familiar with the Super Smash Bros. series, in which notable characters from Nintendo and more are put in intense battle against one another. They include Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, and even Toad!
- Racing: Another exciting series that brings success to the Mario franchise is Mario Kart. In these games, players get to participate in exciting and fast-paced races inside the colorful world of Mushroom Kingdom.
- Role-playing (RPG): With this genre, Mario games follow a more traditional approach to the battles, which are usually turn-based. Notable examples include the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series.
- Puzzle: With puzzle games, players can take a break and enjoy Mario games with simple and intuitive gameplay, such as the Dr. Mario series.
- Party/Minigames: Players can enjoy a series of minigames and compete with friends in the Mario Party series.
- Sports: With games such as Mario Golf and Mario Tennis, players can take part in exciting sports battles and challenge other players.
Best Super Mario Games of All Time
Super Mario Bros. is the sequel to the highly popular 1983 arcade game Mario Bros. The game also marks the beginning of the Super Mario games. In this game, players assume the roles of the Mario and Luigi brothers and set out on an adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom in order to save Princess Toadstool, whom King Koopa has kidnapped. Super Mario Bros. is regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time and has captured the love of millions of players since its release.
Super Mario World is yet another amazing side-scroller platform game in which players take control of the Mario and Luigi brothers, but this time, they will be accompanied by Yoshi, a green dinosaur friend. They have to venture around Dinosaur Land in order to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of Bowser and Koopalings. Super Mario World is widely considered to be one of the best Super Mario games and one of the best video games of all time.
Super Mario 3D Land
Before the appearance of the Nintendo Switch, Super Mario 3D Land was among the best Mario games on handheld consoles, offering tons of well-designed levels and content. Players can have plenty of fun exploring the Mushroom Kingdom by bringing the Nintendo 3DS anywhere they want!
Super Mario Sunshine
While Super Mario Sunshine may have a rather strange premise, beginning with Mario cleaning a tropical island with a special device, the game proved itself to be one of the most cleverly-made Mario games ever. The cleaning device (called F.L.U.D.D.) can be used in many ways, giving players plenty of ideas as they try to complete puzzles and reach different platforms.
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey brings Mario to the modern world we all know, giving a stark contrast between the bustling city and the very cartoon-ish character! The game lets players explore different words, meticulously made in 3D, like never before. In addition, with his special red hat, Mario can transfer his consciousness to other objects and enemies, opening up the possibility of completely unique gameplay!
Explore Similar Games with Our Extensive List!
Some featured series are similar to Mario Games; here are a few suggestions:
- Mario Games: compilation of the best games around the character plumber Mario and his friends.
- Sonic Games: Sega's iconic blue hedgehog, Sonic, offers fast-paced platformer adventures with a focus on speed and agility.
- Crash Bandicoot: Join Crash, the energetic marsupial, as he navigates challenging levels, battles enemies, and collects valuable items.
- Rayman: Embark on whimsical adventures with Rayman, a limbless hero, and explore beautifully crafted worlds filled with imaginative creatures and unique gameplay mechanics.
- Donkey Kong: Journey through lush jungles and treacherous caves as Donkey Kong and his trusty sidekick Diddy Kong in this acclaimed platforming series.
- Kirby: Step into the adorable world of Kirby, a lovable pink puffball with the ability to inhale enemies and gain their powers, offering a delightful mix of platforming and puzzle-solving.
- Google Games: Some of the most popular Google games include Snake, Pacman, and Sports Games, which feature a variety of sports such as running, swimming, and basketball.
