10 Best Mario Games Without Mario, Ranked

As a gamer, I’d say the Super Mario series is all about me (or rather, my character) embarking on thrilling platform journeys alongside my pals like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad, Donkey Kong, and many others.

Occasionally, Mario might be missing from these games due to him being preoccupied with other activities such as participating in sports events or organizing parties.

As a dedicated gamer, I sometimes find myself needing a break from my beloved Super Mario adventures. However, just because Mario takes a breather doesn’t make these games any less enjoyable. In fact, some of them are just as captivating, if not more so, than the traditional Super Mario Games.

Today, we’re celebrating the best Mario games without Mario.

10. Yoshi’s Story

Pop-up platforming

Nintendo is known for its willingness to innovate when it comes to their non-Mario titles featuring Mario characters, and Yoshi’s Story stands out as an excellent demonstration of this experimental approach.

This game’s playstyle diverges significantly from typical Super Mario games. It opts for a simpler, direct style instead of the complex mechanics found in Yoshi’s Island.

The allure of Yoshi’s Story lies in its endearing nature. It’s like a delightful, interactive children’s pop-up book that captivates players.

Consequently, it serves as an ideal starting point for diving into the world of Nintendo gaming or a relaxed pastime featuring a straightforward gameplay, yet be aware that it lacks depth and complexity.

9. Princess Peach: Showtime!

Lights, camera, action

Peach has played a leading part in two productions so far, this one and “Super Princess Peach” for the Nintendo DS. However, we prefer the role she plays in the Switch version.

The story and gameplay are robust enough to convincingly establish Peach as a leading character deserving of top billing.

As a fan myself, I’d like to emphasize that while Princess Peach: Showtime! might not be as challenging as some other games we’ll explore, it definitely deserves your attention. There’s a wealth of sights and activities to engage with, making it a worthy investment for any gaming enthusiast.

8. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

Wario time!

Following his debut in “Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins”, Wario receives a dedicated game titled “Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3” for the initial Game Boy console.

The game represents the pinnacle of knowledge and improvements Nintendo gathered from their previous Super Mario Land series, blended skillfully with a host of fresh and distinct concepts that make it distinctive among other Mario titles.

Super Mario Land 3 offers a thrilling, action-filled adventure that combines a sense of familiarity with an unique twist. Its gameplay continues to influence the genre, as seen in games such as Pizza Tower and Antonblast.

7. Donkey Kong 64

Walnuts, peanuts, pineapple smells

Speaking frankly, “Donkey Kong 64” is not just large; it’s a colossal gaming experience teeming with vast levels and countless items to gather.

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I’ve noticed some critics claim that the scale of certain games is overwhelming. However, unlike the inflated feel of Banjo-Tooie, Donkey Kong 64 never leaves me with the sensation that the game becomes unattainable or beyond my grasp.

One potential issue is the absence of features that improve user experience; having to manually switch between characters frequently necessitates a significant amount of revisiting previous actions.

In contrast to that, Donkey Kong 64 stands as an impressive milestone within the realm of platform gaming, masterfully refining 3D controls while offering endless fun for numerous hours.

6. Luigi’s Mansion 3

Boo

In the latest installment of the Luigi’s Mansion series, elements that were successful in the first two games have been fine-tuned, while simultaneously advancing the franchise to new heights.

Although it follows a more straightforward structure compared to previous versions, the gameplay consistently offers a sense of novelty and maintains an engaging pace all along.

This linear game design offers ample opportunity for fine-tuning details. Not only does it boast an impressive visual aesthetic, but it’s also one of the most thoughtfully crafted games available on the Nintendo Switch.

In simpler terms, the third installment of Luigi’s Mansion offers a more streamlined gameplay without unnecessary parts or slow sections, ensuring an engaging experience all through the game.

5. New Super Luigi U

The year of Luigi

2013 was dubbed by Nintendo as the “Year of Luigi,” with New Super Luigi U serving as a key promotional highlight.

The game is an enhancement of “New Super Mario Bros. U”. Although the gameplay resembles its 2012 forerunner, “New Super Luigi U” achieves something that other “New Super Mario Bros” games often don’t: it provides a distinctive, novel playthrough.

Nintendo leverages Luigi’s distinctive traits, notably his exceptional jumping height compared to Mario. This difference offers a recognizable yet novel encounter, providing a refreshing change that’s truly invigorating.

4. Yoshi’s Wolly World

Well-crafted

As a dedicated fan, I found that Yoshi’s Story was rich in style but lacked depth, leaving me wanting more. However, Yoshi’s Woolly World has managed to strike a perfect balance between captivating aesthetics and substantial gameplay – a combination that was desperately needed.

Among Nintendo’s platformers, it stands out as relatively user-friendly, yet there are still numerous obstacles for those eager to take them on.

In my opinion, I’m thoroughly captivated by Yoshi’s Woolly World! It masterfully blends its distinctive yarn-inspired visuals with engaging gameplay mechanics that truly highlight its inventiveness.

appearances can be misleading when it comes to Yoshi’s Woolly World; although its visual design might initially catch your eye, it is the game’s innovative concepts that will ultimately captivate you.

3. Donkey Kong Country

Kong

Donkey Kong Country, renowned for its distinctive theme, advanced 3D visuals, and outstanding gameplay, demonstrated that platformers are not confined to the domain of Mario, proving they can thrive with other characters too.

Donkey Kong Country stands as the benchmark for platformers during the Super Nintendo era, boasting a diverse range of levels, thoughtful environmental design, tough but fair challenges, and precise control mechanisms.

It offers a refreshing shift from the usual games in the Super Mario series, consistently introducing fresh concepts and obstacles for the player to overcome.

To put it simply, even though the challenge is significant, it never seems unattainable. In other words, when you conquer a level, it turns out to be a rewarding and fulfilling moment.

2. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Cold as ice

Prior to the launch of “Super Mario Odyssey”, it could be debated that the “Donkey Kong Country” series was superior in terms of platformer games.

As a dedicated gamer, let me tell you that Exhibit A is none other than “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze,” a game that faithfully upholds the core elements of the classic “Donkey Kong Country” series – the intricate levels and nail-biting platforming challenges. But this time around, it’s all wrapped up in a fresh, modern gaming package.

Tropical Freeze skilfully steers clear of the traps found in the New Super Mario Bros. series by providing a thrilling blend of challenging gameplay and approachable platforming action, all the while maintaining an exciting level of novelty and continuous change.

It knows how to push the genre forward rather than relying on nostalgia.

1. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Puzzle platforming perfection

Initially designed as a playable stage in Super Mario 3D World, it ultimately evolved into the top-notch Mario game featuring no Mario character.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker offers a pleasurable experience all around. The puzzle-platforming aspect is incredibly enjoyable, and the level designs showcased are among the finest found in any Nintendo title.

Each level is designed with a diorama-like structure that encourages extensive exploration, enabling players to move through the level and manipulate the game’s camera to uncover hidden details.

The game “Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker” is an exceptionally well-executed take on a straightforward concept. If you haven’t played it yet, despite any reasons, you should reconsider and enjoy the experience it offers.

Read More

2025-01-08 17:39