Ranking Mario games is basically a friendly way to start an argument with someone you love. Which is part of the magic.
Mario has been reinvented so many times2D precision platforming, open-ish 3D playgrounds, gravity-bending space vacations,
party chaos, kart heartbreakthat any “best” list says as much about the player as it does about the plumber.
This article is a curated, opinionated ranking (with explanations) designed to be useful whether you’re a lifelong fan,
a lapsed player returning for nostalgia, or someone who only knows Mario as “that guy who keeps jumping into paintings.”
Expect analysis, specific examples, and a few hot takes that might make you clutch your controller pearls.
How This Ranking Works
To keep the list fair (and to reduce the risk of a Mushroom Kingdom civil war), the core ranking focuses on mainline
Mario platformers2D and 3Dbecause they’re the backbone of the series. Spin-offs (Kart, RPGs, Party, sports) get their
own separate rankings, because comparing Super Mario World to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is like comparing pizza to
ice cream: both rule, but you’re asking for chaos.
Criteria used throughout:
- Control feel: movement clarity, responsiveness, and how often the game feels “unfair.”
- Level design: creativity, pacing, and whether exploration feels rewarding or like busywork.
- Innovation: new ideas that meaningfully change how you play (not just new hats… though hats help).
- Replay value: are you smiling on a second run, or speed-running the credits to be free again?
- Longevity: does it still feel great today, without needing nostalgia to do the heavy lifting?
Top 10 Mainline Mario Platformers, Ranked
These are the games that define “Mario platforming” in the cultural imagination: the ones people argue about at cookouts,
the ones that still get referenced in modern design, and the ones you’ll hear recommended even by folks who don’t play
many games. This is not a museum listit’s a “What still feels incredible to play?” list.
10) Super Mario Sunshine
Sunshine is the messy genius of the family: brilliant, charming, and occasionally one awkward conversation away from
starting a scene in public. FLUDD changes the platforming rhythmhovering, spraying, and momentum correction can feel
amazing when you’re “in sync,” and deeply annoying when you’re not. The game earns its spot because its best moments are
unforgettable: acrobatic movement, creative shines, and a playful vibe that still feels unlike anything else in the
mainline catalog. Sunshine’s biggest flaw is consistencysome challenges feel perfect, others feel like the level
designer threw a banana peel at your confidence and walked away laughing.
9) Super Mario Bros. (the original)
The original is not here because it’s the most comfortable today; it’s here because it’s the foundation. It’s the
blueprint for momentum-based platforming: simple jumps that become expressive once you learn timing, speed, and how to
“read” enemy patterns. The level design teaches without lecturingeach world adds a wrinkle, then tests it. If you play
it now, the minimalism can feel stark, but that’s part of the lesson: strong design doesn’t need a thousand mechanics.
It needs a few mechanics that feel good, and levels that respect them.
8) Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
This package earns points for giving you two very different flavors of Mario that both work. 3D World is crisp,
linear, and joyfullike a perfectly timed comedy sketch where every jump lands on the beat. Multiplayer adds delightful
chaos and turns “precision” into “group survival.” Meanwhile, Bowser’s Fury is a compact experiment in open-area
Mario: fast movement, a sense of momentum, and a flexible structure that rewards curiosity. Together, they show how Mario
can be both cleanly structured and playfully exploratory without losing his identity.
7) Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Wonder feels like the moment the series remembered it can be weirdin the best way. It’s a 2D Mario built around surprise:
levels that transform mid-run, playful badges that change your movement options, and set pieces that feel designed to make
you laugh out loud even while you’re missing jumps. It also does something important: it makes cooperative play feel more
welcoming and less like a friendship stress test. Not every boss or gimmick hits the same peak, but the overall creative
batting average is high. Wonder isn’t just “good 2D Mario.” It’s “Mario with fresh paint and fresh ideas.”
6) Super Mario Galaxy
Galaxy is Mario’s grand theatrical era: dramatic music, memorable set pieces, and a constant sense of wonder. The gravity
mechanics aren’t just a gimmickthey shape how you move and how levels get constructed. Some stages are like miniature
obstacle-course sculptures you run across, and the game is excellent at pacing: it rarely overstays an idea, and it keeps
introducing new twists. The small knock against Galaxy is that it can feel less “open” than other 3D entries; it’s a
curated experience more than a playground. But curated doesn’t mean constrainedit means relentlessly polished.
5) Super Mario 64
There’s a reason people still talk about 64 with the kind of reverence usually reserved for childhood pets and favorite
snacks that got discontinued. The move to 3D wasn’t just technicalit changed the language of platforming. The castle hub,
the sense of place, the freedom to approach goals in different ways: it all created a new “feel” that later 3D Marios
would refine. It shows its age in camera frustrations and occasional rough edges, but its best qualities remain
influential: movement that feels expressive, levels that invite experimentation, and secrets that reward curiosity.
4) Super Mario Bros. 3
If Mario games were cookbooks, Mario 3 would be the chapter where Nintendo casually invents half the recipes everyone
still uses. It’s packed with variety: themed worlds, memorable power-ups, smart pacing, and levels that feel distinct
without needing a massive mechanics list. The map screen adds strategy and personality, and the overall structure keeps
momentum: you rarely feel stuck in a slog. It also nails the “one more level” looptight stages, clear goals, and a sense
that you’re always learning something, even when you’re just running from a sun that’s angry for no reason.
3) Super Mario Galaxy 2
Galaxy 2 is what happens when a team looks at an already-beloved game and says, “Greatnow let’s make it sharper.”
It’s more direct, more level-focused, and (in many places) more challenging. The ideas come faster and cleaner, and the
level design feels like a highlight reel of platforming concepts that would be the “best level” in other games.
If Galaxy is the grand adventure, Galaxy 2 is the precision album: fewer pauses, more hits. The only reason it isn’t
#1 is that it’s less “new world discovery” and more “masterclass compilation.” For many players, that’s a feature.
2) Super Mario Odyssey
Odyssey is a modern 3D Mario that understands what makes 3D Mario special: movement as joy, exploration as reward, and
surprises that feel earned instead of random. The capture mechanic (throwing your cap to inhabit enemies and objects)
transforms level design: suddenly, everything is a potential tool, puzzle solution, or comedic bit. Odyssey also respects
different play stylesspeed through objectives, or poke every corner like a curiosity-powered detective. The “main path” is
approachable; the optional challenges can get delightfully spicy. Most importantly, it feels playful in a way that’s hard
to fake. It’s a game that wants you to experimentand then it rewards you for being the kind of person who can’t resist
trying something silly “just to see if it works.”
1) Super Mario World
World takes the tightness of classic 2D Mario and adds a sense of place, flow, and secret-hunting that still feels
unbelievably modern. The movement is clean and confident, and the level design has an intuitive rhythm: it teaches you
through play, then asks you to demonstrate what you learned without yelling instructions at your face. The world map makes
progress feel like an adventure, and the game is loaded with hidden paths that reward exploration without requiring a
spreadsheet. It’s also one of the best examples of “simple, deep design”easy to pick up, but always giving you room to
improve. If you want to understand why Mario became synonymous with platforming excellence, World is the clearest answer.
Spin-Off Rankings That Start Arguments at Family Dinners
Best Mario Kart Games
Mario Kart is a social experiment disguised as a racing game. It asks one question: “How quickly can friendship survive
an unlucky lightning bolt?” Here’s an opinionated mini-ranking based on how well each game balances skill, chaos, and
“one more race” energy.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe refined, deep, and built for both casual play and serious competition.
- Mario Kart DS beloved for its tight design and a strong mix of tracks and tech skill.
- Mario Kart Wii iconic for wild online memories and a party-friendly vibe.
- Mario Kart 64 nostalgic chaos with classic tracks that still get quoted like catchphrases.
- Super Mario Kart historically huge, but more “museum piece” than everyday comfort food now.
Best Mario RPGs
The Mario RPG corner is where the series gets to be extra charmingwitty writing, colorful companions, and combat systems
that reward timing and attention. If someone claims Mario has “no personality,” hand them one of these and watch the
opinion change in real time.
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door humor, pacing, and party members that feel genuinely memorable.
- Super Mario RPG a foundational classic with a playful tone and timeless battle rhythm.
- Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story inventive structure, great comedy, and clever combat twists.
- Paper Mario (N64) charming and well-structured, with a vibe that still feels cozy.
- Paper Mario: The Origami King gorgeous presentation and a fun adventure, even if the combat divides people.
Best “Group Night” Mario Games
For actual humans in a room (or on voice chat) who want laughs more than leaderboard glory:
- Mario Party Superstars a greatest-hits approach that’s easy to recommend for mixed-skill groups.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the universal “we can all play this” answer.
- Super Mario 3D World cooperative chaos with real platforming satisfaction.
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder approachable co-op with constant surprises.
Character Opinions That Are 70% Vibes, 30% Evidence
Most Underrated Character: Luigi
Luigi is the franchise’s most relatable energy: trying his best, slightly anxious, occasionally heroic, and always a
little bit funnier than he intends to be. Games that lean into Luigi’s personality (especially spooky adventures) show
why he’s not just “green Mario.” He’s a different flavorless swagger, more heart.
Best Sidekick: Yoshi
Yoshi is a mechanics upgrade and a mascot-level mood booster at the same time. Extra jump options, playful movement,
and a friendly design that makes even difficult levels feel less intimidating. Also: if a game lets you ride a dinosaur,
it’s automatically at least 12% more delightful.
Best Villain: Bowser
Bowser works because he’s both threatening and funny. He’s a classic big bad, but he’s also a character with personality:
sometimes menacing, sometimes dramatic, sometimes basically a theater kid in a spiky shell. The best Mario stories treat
him as a force of nature with comedic timing, which is an elite villain combo.
Power-Up Tier List
Power-ups are Mario’s secret sauce: they’re not just buffs, they’re mood changes. Here’s a simple tier list based on
usefulness, fun factor, and how quickly they make you feel like you can do impossible things.
S-Tier
- Cape Feather freedom, control, and the joy of mastering flight mechanics.
- Super Leaf / Raccoon Suit iconic, versatile, and still feels great.
- Fire Flower simple, reliable, and instantly satisfying.
A-Tier
- Cat Suit movement options that make levels feel like playgrounds.
- Propeller / similar mobility power-ups great for exploration and recovery.
- Wonder-style transformation gimmicks not always permanent, but often unforgettable.
“I Love You, But You’re Complicated” Tier
- FLUDD can feel amazing, can also feel like you’re negotiating with physics.
- Tanooki Statue moments hilarious, occasionally too safe, always meme-worthy.
Hot Takes With Minimal Apologies
Hot Take #1: “Best” often means “best for what you want today.”
Some days you want tight 2D platforming with crisp levels and zero fluff. Other days you want a 3D playground where you
can explore, collect, and chase small dopamine rewards for an hour. Your ranking shifting over time isn’t inconsistency;
it’s taste evolving with your mood, schedule, and patience for being bullied by disappearing platforms.
Hot Take #2: Linear Mario is not “lesser” Mario.
Open exploration is great, but there’s a special satisfaction in a perfectly paced sequence of levels that build
difficulty like a good comedy builds a punchline. Games like 3D World prove that “go forward, do cool jumps”
is not a downgradeit’s a design choice that can be executed brilliantly.
Hot Take #3: Sunshine is a “favorite,” not a “best,” and that’s okay.
A game can be flawed and still be the one you think about years later. Sunshine’s vibe, music, and standout moments
create a kind of attachment that pure design perfection can’t always replicate. In other words: sometimes your heart
chooses the chaos, and your brain can learn to live with that.
How to Build Your Own Mario Ranking Without Losing Friends
If you want to create a ranking that feels thoughtful instead of random, try this:
- Pick a category first: mainline platformers, spin-offs, or “games I’d replay tomorrow.”
- Write one sentence per game: what it does best, what it does worst.
- Separate “impact” from “fun today”: both matter, but they’re different measurements.
- Be honest about your taste: do you love exploration, precision, speed, co-op, or spectacle?
- Revisit your list yearly: rankings are snapshots, not commandments carved into a Power Star.
Player Experiences: Living With Your Mario Rankings (Extra )
The most interesting thing about Mario rankings isn’t the final orderit’s how often the order changes when life changes.
Players commonly notice that the “best Mario game” shifts depending on how they’re playing and who they’re playing with.
A busy adult with limited time might suddenly value games with quick, satisfying sessions: a handful of moons in
Odyssey, a few tight levels in a 2D entry, or a couple of races in Mario Kart. Meanwhile, someone with a
free weekend may crave deep exploration and the slow burn of masterylearning advanced movement, hunting secrets, or
pushing for completion goals that feel like a personal challenge rather than a checklist.
Another common experience: nostalgia doesn’t just make older games feel “better”it makes them feel personal.
Players often connect specific Mario titles to specific eras: a summer where Super Mario World was the after-dinner
ritual, a school year where Mario Kart became the default weekend hangout, or a family phase where co-op play meant
passing the controller with helpful advice like “Don’t fall.” Those memories can elevate a game in a ranking, not because
the design is flawless, but because the game became a time capsule. That’s not “bias” so much as it is the entire point
of entertainment: it attaches itself to your life.
Rankings also reveal how players relate to challenge. Some people love a Mario game that feels like a friendly teacher:
it shows you a concept, lets you practice, then gently increases the difficulty until you feel genuinely skilled.
Others prefer a Mario game that behaves like a mischievous friend: it dares you to try ridiculous jumps, rewards creative
experimentation, and occasionally laughs when you faceplantthen immediately invites you back for another attempt. This is
why two players can argue endlessly about the same game: one is measuring comfort and flow, the other is measuring
surprise and peak moments.
Cooperative play is another ranking “wild card.” Players frequently report that a game becomes dramatically betteror
dramatically worsedepending on co-op design. In some Mario titles, co-op feels like shared joy: you celebrate discoveries,
rescue each other from mistakes, and laugh at the chaos. In others, co-op becomes an accidental obstacle: crowded screens,
conflicting movement goals, or the classic tragedy where one player is trying to appreciate level design while the other
is sprinting ahead like a speedrunner who drank three espressos. If your ranking includes “best for group night,” it may
look completely different from “best solo.”
Finally, players often discover that their strongest opinions come from tiny, specific moments: the first time they
nailed a tricky cape-flight route, the first time a capture mechanic turned an enemy into a solution, the first time a
Wonder-style transformation made them laugh because the level suddenly behaved like it had its own sense of humor. Those
moments are why Mario rankings never truly end. A Mario game isn’t just a product you finishit’s a set of feelings you
revisit, compare, and retell. And that’s why arguing about the rankings can be as fun as playing the games.