Summary
TheMariofranchise has expanded and changed a lot since its debut in the 1980s. From the visuals to the gameplay, Mario has continued to evolve and adapt as he enters each new era of gaming, with the developers at Nintendo experimenting with new concepts and mechanics.
In the case of specificMariogames, they have not only provided gamers with entertaining experiences but have left an impact on the series as a whole. They proved to be so innovative that future games would continue to take from them with each continuing title, whether it’s the mainline games or the spin-offs.
Some might make the mistake of saying thatSuper Mario Bros.is where the franchise began, but that’s not entirely true. Mario and Luigi were the titular heroes of theMario Bros.arcade game, which was only one screen that looped infinitely while players rack up points.Super Mario Bros.was the sequel, and it cemented the series as a side-scrolling platformer going forward.
Super Mario Bros.is where fans were introduced to now-beloved characters like Princess Peach, Toad, and Bowser. Not only did the 1985 game change theMariofranchise forever, but it established a new norm for video games in general,with 2D side-scrolling platformersdominating the gaming market for years afterward.
Despite being an overhauled version of what was going to be a completely different game,Super Mario Bros. 2still delivered a memorable experience. It was the first time players could pick a character other than Mario to play as, with four characters available, and rather than a simple left-to-right structure, levels were sometimes non-linear to provide more of a challenge.
Iconic enemies and minions were also introduced inSuper Mario Bros. 2, with Birdo becoming a staple playable character in spin-off titles. Meanwhile, Shy Guys, Ninji, Bob-Ombs, and more made their debut and have remained part of the series ever since.
Returning to the classic sidescrolling style of the first game,Super Mario Bros. 3featured several revolutionary mechanics for the franchise. The first was a gauge that, when filled by running, could allow Marioand his little brother Luigito leap higher into the air—or fly, depending on the power-up. This allowed for new ways of puzzle-solving and speedrunning through levels.
The second revolutionary mechanic was thatSuper Mario Bros. 3featured an overworld map. Instead of just moving on to the next level, the player can move their character around the overworld to find bonus levels, item houses, and more. The overworlds would become commonplace inSuper Mario Worldand various other titles, most recently withSuper Mario Bros. Wonder.
The Game BoyMariogames are often forgotten due to not being as popular as the console games. However, they remain qualityMariogames, especiallySuper Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, which had its own set of unique worlds, power-ups, and a (then) new villain in the form of Wario, Mario’s greedy doppelgänger.
It was his introduction inSuper Mario Land 2that led to Wario getting his spin-offWario LandandWarioWarefranchises, and then becoming a recurring character inMario Party,Mario Kart, and theMariosports games. Additionally, without the creation of Wario, there would be no Waluigi as his partner in later games.
New Super Mario Bros.set a new standard forMariogames for a long time. It took the fundamentals established in previousMariogames but expanded on them with a new visual style, additional iconic power-ups to enjoy, and an emphasis on co-op gameplay rather than competitively seeing who gets the most points in a level.
After Nintendo had a hit withNew Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo DS, the game received sequels on the Wii, 3DS, and Wii U. It becamethe definitive form of 2DMariogamefor years, boasting quaint music, simplistic levels, and adding different characters to play with each title.
At the end of the day,Mariogames are meant to be for all ages, and there is no better example than theMario Partyseries. The original remains an iconic game thanks to its board game-like structure mixed with minigames where up to four players compete to see who comes out on top.
The simple concept ofMario Partyspawned its own franchise, which now has fans who don’t even play the mainlineMariogames, both children and adults alike. As a result, there areover a dozenMario Partytitles, which is more than most of theMariospin-off games.
The Mario franchise has stuck to a similar formula for decades, and there is nothing wrong with sticking to something that clearly works. However,Bowser’s Furyindicates new possibilities for the future as it is the first truly open-worldMariogame, built off the foundation ofSuper Mario 3D Worldand using its assets to create an entirely new game.
It is not the longest game in the world, but many gamers found it refreshing to freely explore Lake Lapcat as Mario and Bowser Jr., solving every mission in any order, listening to tranquil music, and fightingFury Bowser as a unique NPC. It showcases the possibilities of open-worldMario, with many fans hoping to see how Nintendo might expand on it with a newMariosequel.
Mario Kart 64was not the first game in the spin-off series, but it made the biggest impact. It was a sequel that took everything that the first game did so well and amplified it with new visuals, the inclusion of power-up attacks, and an even better roster full of characters, includingMario’s old rival Donkey Kong, his friend Toad, and more.
After its release in 1998,Mario Kart 64became the template for every subsequentMario Kartgame. Whether it’s the gameplay, the visuals, or even familiar maps making a return,Mario Kart 64continues to have an influence, even inMario Kart 8.
While it did not invent 3D platformer gameplay,Super Mario 64did revolutionize it thanks to its colorful and vibrant worlds combined with smooth and responsive controls. For 1996, it was unlike anything the fanbase had seen before, which led to it becoming a critical and financial success.
Rather than levels,Super Mario 64introduced worlds that were accessed via a hub, and each world was filled with a collection of missions to accomplish. This beloved Nintendo 64 title became the template forthe long line of 3DMariogamesthat followed, with Charles Martinet becoming the go-to voice of Mario for years.
Typically, theMariogames stick to the Mushroom Kingdom or other neighboring kingdoms within the same world.Super Mario Galaxyexpanded on the possibilities of theMariouniverse—quite literally—as Mario is sent on an intergalactic adventure to save Peach with the help of the Lumas and a mysterious new character named Rosalina.
An out-of-this-world adventure was just what the franchise needed, because ever sinceSuper Mario Galaxyand its sequel, the franchise continues to experiment. Whether it’sSuper Mario 3D World,Super Mario Odyssey, orBowser’s Fury, the plots have featured Mario traveling to other dimensions and planets to face new threats and gain new powers.
