The Most Successful Mario Game, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the game you think is the most successful!

Updated on May 3, 2024 06:57

Ever wondered which Mario game has brought gamers the most delight and challenge? Searching through gaming forums and articles for opinions can be tiring. By aggregating votes on which Mario game stands out as the most engaging, insightful comparisons can be drawn directly from the gaming community's consensus. Your vote helps ensure that the ranking reflects the true favorites of those who matter most - the players. These rankings are not static; they continuously update based on incoming votes, encouraging a lively participation from all. Whether you're a long-time Mario fan or new to the scene, your input is crucial in shaping the standings.

What Is the Most Successful Mario Game?

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74
votes
Umweltschützen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Super Mario Bros. (1985)

Shigeru Miyamoto

Considered the most iconic and influential Mario game, it introduced many of the series' core gameplay mechanics and characters.
Super Mario Bros. (1985) is a side-scrolling platform game developed and published by Nintendo. It is one of the most iconic and successful video games of all time, serving as the foundation for the Super Mario series. The game follows the adventures of Mario, a plumber, and his brother Luigi, as they traverse the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from the villainous Bowser.

Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Genre: Platform

Release Date: September 13, 1985 (Japan)

Single-Player: Yes

Multiplayer: No
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28
votes
Noa Kosanovic · CC BY 3.0

Super Mario 64 (1996)

Shigeru Miyamoto

Revolutionized 3D gaming and introduced new gameplay mechanics, such as the triple jump and wall jump.
Super Mario 64 is a 3D platform game released in 1996 for the Nintendo 64 console. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential video games in history, setting the standard for 3D platformers and defining the genre for years to come.

Platform: Nintendo 64

Genre: Platform

Release Date: June 23, 1996

Modes: Single-player

Number of Levels: 15 main courses, 3 secret levels
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17
votes
Super Mario Odyssey (2017)

Nintendo

Received critical acclaim for its innovative gameplay mechanics and large open-world design.
Super Mario Odyssey is a critically acclaimed platformer game released in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch console. It follows Mario's journey across various Kingdoms to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser, using his cap-shaped companion, named Cappy, who possesses the ability to possess enemies and objects. The game features a diverse range of gameplay mechanics, including open-world exploration, puzzle-solving, and traditional 3D platforming. With its stunning visuals, charming characters, and innovative gameplay, Super Mario Odyssey has become one of the most beloved and successful entries in the Mario franchise.

Release Date: October 27, 2017

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Genre: Platformer

Modes: Single-player, multiplayer

ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
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18
votes
Super Mario World (1990)

Nintendo

Introduced Yoshi and new power-ups, such as the cape feather and the spin jump.
Super Mario World (1990) is a 2D side-scrolling platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). The game follows Mario and his brother Luigi as they embark on a quest to rescue Princess Toadstool from the antagonist Bowser. It is considered one of the most successful and influential games in the Mario franchise, featuring colorful graphics, memorable levels, and innovative gameplay mechanics.

Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

Genre: Platformer

Release Year: 1990

Number of Players: 1-2

Worlds: 7
5

21
votes
Super Mario Galaxy (2007)

Nintendo

Received critical acclaim for its innovative gravity-based gameplay mechanics and immersive storyline.
Super Mario Galaxy is a critically acclaimed 3D platformer game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii console. It was released in 2007 and is considered one of the most successful Mario games of all time. In the game, players control Mario as he embarks on a space adventure to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of Bowser. With its innovative gravity-based gameplay and stunning visuals, Super Mario Galaxy received widespread praise for its level design, music, and overall polish.

Release Year: 2007

Platform: Wii

Genre: 3D Platformer

Game Modes: Single-player

Number of Players: 1-2
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8
votes
Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)

Nintendo

Introduced new power-ups, such as the frog and raccoon suits, and expanded the game's scope with new levels and worlds.
Super Mario Bros. 3 is a platform video game released by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1988. It is the third installment in the Super Mario Bros. series and is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time.

Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Release Year: 1988

Genre: Platformer

Players: 1-2

Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
7

11
votes
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)

Nintendo

The highest-selling Mario game on the Nintendo Switch, with over 35 million copies sold.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) is a popular racing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch console. It is an enhanced port of the original Mario Kart 8 game, released for the Wii U in 2014. The game features a diverse lineup of characters from the Mario franchise, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. Players compete in exciting kart races across colorful and imaginative tracks, utilizing various power-ups and items to gain an advantage over their opponents. With its impressive graphics, tight controls, and enjoyable multiplayer options, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is considered one of the most successful entries in the Mario Kart series.

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: April 28, 2017

Genre: Racing

Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer

Number of Players: 1-4 players locally, up to 12 players online
8

9
votes
Mario Party (1998)

Hudson Soft

Popularized the party game genre and remains a beloved classic with its multiplayer gameplay and mini-games.
Mario Party (1998) is a multiplayer party video game developed by Hudson Soft and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 console. It is part of the long-running Mario Party series, known for its competitive and cooperative gameplay. The game features a variety of virtual game boards, each with its own unique theme and set of mini-games.

Release Date: December 18, 1998

Platforms: Nintendo 64

Genre: Party

Number of Players: 1-4

Modes: Singleplayer, Multiplayer
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10
votes
Super Mario RPG

Square

Legend of the Seven Stars (1996) - A collaboration between Nintendo and Square, it introduced RPG elements to the Mario series and was praised for its storytelling and humor.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is a role-playing video game developed by Square and published by Nintendo in 1996. It combines the iconic characters and settings of the Super Mario series with role-playing elements, creating a unique and highly successful gameplay experience. The game follows Mario as he teams up with various characters to rescue Princess Toadstool from the main antagonist, Smithy. With its engaging storyline, charming graphics, and innovative gameplay mechanics, Super Mario RPG has become a beloved classic in the Mario franchise.

Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

Genre: Role-playing

Release Date: March 9, 1996 (Japan)

Players: Single-player

Game Modes: Story mode, Side quests
10

2
votes
Super Mario Maker 2 (2019)

Nintendo

Allows players to create and share their own Mario levels, expanding the game's replayability and creativity.
Super Mario Maker 2 (2019) is a side-scrolling platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It allows players to create, share, and play their own Mario levels using a wide variety of tools and assets.

Modes: Single-player, multiplayer

Level Editor: Extensive toolset and assets for creating custom levels

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Genre: Side-scrolling platform

Release Date: June 28, 2019

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Ranking factors for successful game

Popularity

How well-known and beloved is the game? The Mario franchise has many iconic titles that are widely recognized by gamers worldwide.
Critic reviews

What do gaming experts and critics say about the game? Their opinions and scores can give a good indication of the game's quality.
Player feedback

What are fans saying about the game? User reviews and ratings can provide insight into how well the game resonates with the audience.
Innovation and influence

Were there any groundbreaking features or mechanics that the game introduced? Did it influence the development of other games in the industry?
Legacy

What is the lasting impact the game has had on the Mario franchise and the gaming industry as a whole? Has it become a classic and still played today?

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful Mario game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1466 views
196 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful mario game

Since its release in 1985, the Mario franchise has become one of the most beloved and successful video game series of all time. With over 200 games and counting, Mario has appeared on almost every Nintendo console and handheld device. However, when it comes to determining the most successful Mario game, opinions vary widely. Some argue that the original Super Mario Bros. set the standard for all future platformers, while others point to more recent titles like Super Mario Odyssey and its innovative gameplay mechanics. Ultimately, the answer to this question is subjective and depends on individual preferences. But one thing is for sure: the Mario franchise will continue to captivate gamers for years to come.