Throughout its 40 year history, the Super Mario series has had no shortage of platformers, with 19 solid mainline installments. However, there are three games that are quintessential for any Mario aficionados who are seeking the best the franchise has to offer. These entries feature sublime gameplay, clever level design, and music so infectious it will be playing on loop in players’ minds for weeks.
#3 – New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Released in 2009 for the Wii, the title of this game may well be the only uncreative thing about it. New Super Mario Bros. Wii is the first entry in the series to allow for four-player simultaneous multiplayer. This, intentionally or not, leads to one of the most hilarious, frustrating, yet fun gaming experiences. Players are able to pick up and throw, jump on the heads of, and generally impede the progress of each other in comedic fashion. Coupled with the pick-up-and-play nature of the game, and you’ve got a platformer that works as the perfect party game. This is understating the game’s wealth of content, with nine excellently designed worlds for players to jump, stomp, and power up through, as well as two multiplayer-exclusive battle modes. For those looking for a game that is pure chaos (and will potentially ruin friendships) while simultaneously providing a solid platforming experience, New Super Mario Bros. Wii will do that and then some.
#2 – Super Mario World
Super Mario World first entered the hearts of gamers over 35 years ago, and still reigns as the pinnacle of Super Mario side-scrollers. This game is one of the most genre-defining platformers ever released, featuring attributes that would go on to shape the gaming landscape. One of the most everlasting additions found in this game is Mario’s dinosaur companion, Yoshi. Mario’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, had wanted to add a rideable dinosaur ever since the series’ first entry, but couldn’t due to a lack of power in the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was with this game that he was finally able to achieve his dream. Yoshi provides a shakeup to the gameplay of Super Mario World with his ability to eat enemies and gain new powers when consuming differently colored shells. The game’s true claim to fame is its open ended nature. Players are able to find secret exits throughout the game’s 72 levels, leading to new stages and bonus areas. Overall, Super Mario World truly lives up to its name, giving newcomers and veterans alike a “world” of phenomenal level design, music, and exploration.
#1 – Super Mario Galaxy 2
While Super Mario World is the apex of the series’ side-scrollers, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is one of the greatest 3D platformers ever created. With over 240 Power Stars for players to collect and 49 galaxies to explore, the game is absolutely brimming with content. However, Super Mario Galaxy 2 strikes the perfect balance of quantity and quality. Every galaxy oozes love and care, providing memorable level gimmicks for players to enjoy and remember for decades to come. The game controls like a dream, and the player’s spin attack provides jump correction for more comfortable platforming. The music of Super Mario Galaxy 2 is some of the greatest ever crafted for a video game. The game features a bombastic, live orchestra providing the music for its many worlds, which is so brilliant that players may well be moved to tears. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a must play not only for Mario fans, but for all gamers.