In this list you’ll find the top 10 best Mario games of all time ranked from good to best
This list summarizes the pro’s and cons of each game, taking fan opinions into careful consideration as Mario is arguably the most iconic character in video game history.
10. New Super Mario Bros. (2006)
New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS kicks off our list of the Best Mario Games. After several years without a new 2D side-scroller, this game brought Mario back to his roots while adding a few modern twists. It was the first side-scrolling Super Mario game since Super Mario Land 2 in 1992, and it successfully blended classic platforming with new mechanics. Players could wall-jump, spin midair, and experiment with power-ups like the Mega Mushroom, which turns Mario into a giant capable of flattening enemies, or the Mini Mushroom, which lets him shrink down to reach hidden areas. These additions gave players more ways to explore levels and kept the gameplay feeling fresh.
Classic Gameplay
Fans praised New Super Mario Bros. for its smooth controls, solid physics, and the way it captured the familiar Mario feel while still introducing new ideas. Levels were cleverly designed to balance challenge and fun, making it engaging for both newcomers and longtime fans. The game quickly became one of the best-selling titles on the DS, proving that players were eager for a return to traditional 2D Mario platforming. While some critics felt the graphics and music were a little generic compared to older entries, most agreed that the level design, gameplay variety, and nostalgic charm more than made up for it.
A New Era
Beyond its immediate success, New Super Mario Bros. helped start a new era of 2D Mario games. Its popularity led to sequels on the Wii, 3DS, and Wii U, each building on the simple but addictive platforming formula. The game showed that 2D Mario could still feel modern and exciting while staying true to the classic style. It may not be the flashiest entry on this list, but its influence and enduring appeal earn it a well-deserved place among the Best Mario Games of all time.
9. Super Mario RPG (1996)
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury earns its spot among the Best Mario Games by combining classic Mario platforming with fresh ideas. The game first appeared on the Wii U, but the Switch version made everything faster and smoother, improving controls and visuals. 3D World keeps the familiar 3D Mario style while adding new mechanics like the Cat Suit, which lets Mario climb walls, jump higher, and explore levels in fun ways. These features make it feel both familiar and new, which is why it’s often listed as one of the Best Mario Games.
Battle and Strategy
Fans loved the game’s witty dialogue, creative story, and fun turn-based battles. The combat system added a clever twist: pressing buttons at the right time boosted attacks or blocked damage, a feature that later became a core part of future Mario RPGs. It gave the game a more active and rewarding feel than most RPGs of the time.
A Lasting Legacy
Even though its pixel art and pacing may feel dated today, Super Mario RPG remains a fan favorite and a key part of Mario history. It paved the way for Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi, two other great RPG series. Its mix of humor, heart, and adventure still earns it a spot among the Best Mario Games ever made with fans still hoping Geno makes a proper comeback someday.
8: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser´s Fury (2021)
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury earns its spot among the Best Mario Games by combining classic Mario platforming with fresh ideas. The game first appeared on the Wii U, but the Switch version made everything faster and smoother, improving controls and visuals. 3D World keeps the familiar 3D Mario style while adding new mechanics like the Cat Suit, which lets Mario climb walls, jump higher, and explore levels in fun ways. These features make it feel both familiar and new, which is why it’s often listed as one of the Best Mario Games.
Fun for Everyone
One of the reasons Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is considered one of the Best Mario Games is its multiplayer mode. Up to four players can play together as Mario, Luigi, Peach, or Toad, each with slightly different abilities. The levels are designed to be fun whether you’re working together or competing, and the hidden collectibles, power-ups, and secret areas add replay value. The multiplayer keeps the game exciting, making it a title that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers, which is part of why it ranks among the Best Mario Games.
A Bold New Adenture
The Bowser’s Fury section adds a new twist to the traditional Mario formula, giving players an open-world experience alongside the classic platforming of 3D World. Mario and Bowser Jr. explore a large island, collect Cat Shines, and face a giant Bowser. It’s shorter than 3D World, but packed with creative challenges, smart level design, and surprises that reward exploration. The combination of these two games makes Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury a standout in the series and a must-play title, cementing its place among the Best Mario Games for fans of all ages.
7: Super Mario Maker 2 (2019)
Super Mario Maker 2 easily earns its spot among the Best Mario Games for turning players into game designers. Released on the Nintendo Switch, it expands on the original Wii U version with new tools, enemies, themes, and even a full story mode. Players can create and share their own Mario levels using elements from games like Super Mario Bros., Super Mario World, and Super Mario 3D World. It’s a playground for creativity that captures the heart of Mario while letting fans shape their own adventures.
Creativity Without Limits
The magic of Super Mario Maker 2 lies in how much freedom it gives players. You can build simple speedruns, tricky puzzles, or massive obstacle courses of the same quality as Nintendo’s own designs. The online Course World lets players share their creations with the world, and discover millions of other fan-made levels, keeping the game fresh every day. Plus, with new building tools like slopes, clear pipes, and on/off switches, the possibilities are almost endless.
A Celebration of Mario’s Legacy
What truly makes Super Mario Maker 2 one of the Best Mario Games is how it celebrates the entire series. It brings together decades of Mario history into one creative package, from 8-bit nostalgia to modern 3D-inspired stages. Whether you’re building your dream level or playing someone else’s masterpiece, Super Mario Maker 2 proves that Mario’s charm and creativity never run out of lives.
6: Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)
Super Mario Bros. 3, released on the NES, easily earns its place among the Best Mario Games of all time for taking everything people loved about the first Super Mario Bros. and turning it into something much bigger and more creative. It introduced the world map, new power-ups like the Super Leaf that let Mario fly, and a ton of fun, themed worlds that felt completely new back in 1988. It was the game that made Mario a true gaming legend.
A Big Step Forward
What made Super Mario Bros. 3 so great was how much variety it had. Every world felt different, from deserts and oceans to sky and ice levels. The controls were smooth, the levels full of secrets, and the difficulty just right. Players could experiment, explore, and find hidden items in ways that felt fresh and exciting. It showed just how creative a Mario game could be.
A Classic That Still Shines
Even decades later, Super Mario Bros. 3 still stands out as one of the Best Mario Games ever. Its colorful art, catchy music, and perfect gameplay make it timeless. Many ideas that started here became key parts of later Mario titles. Whether you’re replaying it on modern systems or discovering it for the first time, it’s a game that never stops being fun.
5: Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2002)
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is often seen as one of the Best Mario Games ever made, and for good reason. Building on the success of the first Galaxy, this Wii sequel took everything that worked and made it even better. It added new power-ups like the Rock Mushroom and Cloud Flower, brought back the fun of gravity-based platforming, and introduced Yoshi as a major gameplay feature. Each level felt like its own little world, packed with clever ideas and challenges that kept players hooked from start to finish.
Increased Difficulty
While Super Mario Galaxy 2 followed the same basic style as its predecessor, it streamlined the experience and focused more on pure gameplay, helping it earn a place among the Best Mario Games. The hub world was replaced with a simpler map system, letting players jump straight into levels without extra steps. The game also added more challenging missions, tricky platforming sections, and hidden Power Stars to reward exploration and skill. Even with the tougher challenges, the gameplay remained fair and fun, giving players a sense of accomplishment while keeping the creative spirit of the original Galaxy alive.
A Worthy Sequel
Many fans see Super Mario Galaxy 2 as not just one of the Best Mario Games, but also one of the most fun 3D platformers ever. It keeps everything that made the first Galaxy great, like the gravity-based levels and creative ideas, while adding new power-ups, Yoshi sections, and plenty of hidden stars to discover. The levels feel clever without being unfair, the controls are smooth, and the music is as memorable as ever. It’s a sequel that really builds on the original while still feeling fresh and exciting.
4: Super Mario World (1990)
Super Mario World is one of the most important games on the list of Best Mario Games. Released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, it took everything that worked in Super Mario Bros. 3 and added new ideas that helped define the series. The game introduced an overworld map that let players choose different paths through each world. Many levels had multiple exits, which encouraged exploration and replay. For the first time, players could ride Yoshi, who added new abilities like eating enemies, flutter jumping, and using shells in creative ways. These features gave players more freedom while keeping the classic Mario platforming intact.
Exploration and Secrets
One of the reasons Super Mario World is considered one of the Best Mario Games is how it rewards exploration. Each world is full of hidden items, secret exits, and warp zones that open up new areas. Some levels have alternate paths that lead to bonus worlds or shortcuts, giving players a reason to replay stages and look closely at every corner. Riding Yoshi adds another layer of depth, letting players reach places that would be impossible on foot. The game makes exploration feel exciting without being frustrating, which helps it stand out even today.
Influence and Legacy
Super Mario World has had a huge impact on the Mario series and on 2D platformers in general, which is why it is still ranked among the Best Mario Games. Its ideas, from the overworld map to hidden exits and Yoshi’s abilities, became standard features in later Mario titles. The level design encourages creativity and curiosity, and the game’s music and world-building make it feel alive. Even decades after its release, it remains a game that both longtime fans and new players can enjoy, proving that clever design and smooth gameplay never go out of style.
3: Super Mario Odyssey (2017)
Super Mario Odyssey easily earns its place among the Best Mario Games by reinventing what a 3D Mario adventure could be. Released for the Nintendo Switch in 2017, the game introduced players to massive open-ended kingdoms filled with secrets, collectibles, and creative challenges. Instead of following a strictly linear path, players are encouraged to explore at their own pace, collecting Power Moons in dozens of different ways.
Capture and Creativity
What truly sets Super Mario Odyssey apart is Cappy, Mario’s sentient hat companion. With Cappy, Mario can “capture” enemies, objects, and even creatures, temporarily taking control of them and using their abilities to solve puzzles or reach new areas. This mechanic constantly changes how the game is played and keeps each kingdom feeling fresh. From controlling a T-Rex to becoming a lightning bolt, the creativity never stops.
A Modern Classic
Fans and critics alike consider Super Mario Odyssey one of the Best Mario Games because of its freedom, charm, and near-endless replay value. The colorful worlds, tight controls, and incredible attention to detail make it a standout 3D platformer. It perfectly balances nostalgia with innovation, proving that even decades later, Mario can still surprise players in completely new ways.
2: Super Mario 64 (1996)
Super Mario 64 is not just one of the Best Mario Games — it’s one of the most important video games ever made. Released for the Nintendo 64, it brought Mario into the third dimension for the very first time. At a time when 3D gaming was still new and experimental, Super Mario 64 set the standard for how 3D platformers should control and feel.
A Revolutionary Leap
The game introduced analog stick movement, dynamic camera control, and open 3D levels that allowed players to tackle objectives in different ways. Instead of simply running from left to right, players could explore large worlds inside paintings, collecting Power Stars through a variety of missions. The freedom of movement — triple jumps, wall kicks, long jumps — felt groundbreaking and is still satisfying today.
Timeless Impact
Super Mario 64 remains one of the Best Mario Games because of its lasting influence. Nearly every 3D platformer that followed borrowed ideas from it. While the camera can feel slightly dated compared to modern standards, the core gameplay remains incredibly strong. It redefined what Mario could be and changed gaming history forever, which is why it sits just below the top spot.
1: Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
Taking the number one spot on our list of the Best Mario Games is Super Mario Galaxy. Released for the Wii in 2007, this game combined creativity, emotion, and innovative gameplay in a way no Mario title had done before. It built upon the 3D foundation of Super Mario 64 but added a completely new twist: gravity.
A Universe of Innovation
In Super Mario Galaxy, players travel between small planets and galaxies, each with its own gravitational pull. Mario runs upside down, sideways, and across tiny spherical worlds in ways that constantly surprise the player. The gravity mechanics make every level feel unique, and the game never stops introducing new ideas. From bee suits to sling stars, every galaxy feels like a fresh experience.
Heart, Music, and Magic
What truly elevates Super Mario Galaxy above the rest of the Best Mario Games is its atmosphere. The fully orchestrated soundtrack is widely considered one of the best in gaming history, and the storybook elements add unexpected emotional depth. Rosalina’s story gives the adventure a sense of heart rarely seen in platformers, making the journey feel bigger than just saving Princess Peach once again.
Super Mario Galaxy perfectly blends challenge, creativity, music, and emotion into one unforgettable experience. It respects Mario’s legacy while pushing the series forward in bold ways. For many fans, it represents the absolute peak of the franchise — which is why it confidently earns the number one spot among the Best Mario Games of all time.
Leave a Reply