I Marathoned All 24 Super Mario Games for the 40th Anniversary and Here’s My Official Ranking

by

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a thrill of nostalgia as we approach September 13, marking an incredible milestone – the 40th anniversary of the beloved Super Mario franchise! Although Mario had been around for quite some time before the iconic Super Mario Bros. graced our NES screens in 1985, it was this game that truly catapulted the mustachioed plumber into global stardom and launched his legendary platforming journey. Super Mario, Nintendo’s cherished mascot, has graced almost every piece of hardware they’ve released since its inception, making it their flagship franchise!

Every five years, when a significant anniversary for the popular game series “Super Mario” rolls around, I make a point of replaying every game in the franchise. With services like Nintendo Switch Online, it’s getting more convenient to play these games, although I may need to dust off some older consoles to access a few titles. For “Super Mario‘s” 40th anniversary, not only did I conquer all the games once more, but I also decided to rank them according to the fun factor during my marathon playthrough.

Here is my listing, officially declared, of all primary Super Mario series games that will have been launched by the franchise’s 40th anniversary, falling on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

On September 13, 2025, which marks the 40th anniversary of the Super Mario series, here is my ranking of all main games in the franchise that have been released so far.

24. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

In the marathon of games I participated in, only one title, “Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels“, left me with a dislike for gameplay. For those who may not be familiar, “Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels” is essentially an extremely challenging expansion of the original “Super Mario Bros.” game. Originally released in Japan as “Super Mario Bros. 2“, this re-imagining of the 1985 classic can be quite frustrating. Despite its high level of difficulty, it does offer some fun elements, but at the cost of accessibility. Notably, “The Lost Levels” was the first game to differentiate Luigi from Mario in terms of character traits, and it also introduced the dreaded Poison Mushroom into the series for the first time.

Originally launched in Japan back in 1986, the game known as Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, or what was called Super Mario Bros. 2 overseas, wasn’t made available outside of Japan until the year 1993 when it was included in the Super Mario All-Stars compilation for the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System).

23. Super Mario Land

Nintendo typically launches a new gaming hardware with a Mario game as the norm, albeit there have been exceptions. The Mario game that debuted on the original Game Boy was none other than Super Mario Land, offering a compact twist on the well-known Super Mario Bros. formula. While I wasn’t fond of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Land provided an enjoyable experience, and most games in this list could be considered good, if not exceptional as we move higher. Super Mario Land features unique enemies, unexpected shooting segments, and it was the first game to introduce Princess Daisy. However, the game is remarkably short, and I managed to complete it within an hour. Though it offers a fun experience for that duration, other Super Mario games offer more content.

22. Super Mario Bros. 2

The game known as Super Mario Bros. 2, initially launched in Japan under the title Doki Doki Panic, had its characters replaced with those from Super Mario for global distribution. Unlike the original, Super Mario Bros. 2 offers a unique twist by focusing on vertically-scrolling levels and requiring players to pick up and throw items at enemies instead of jumping over them. Despite being less enjoyable during our marathon session, it’s still a respectable game with its own set of charms. However, it stands out as significantly different from other Super Mario games. Despite these differences, it deserves recognition for pushing the boundaries of the Super Mario series, expanding character development for characters like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad, and introducing concepts and characters that remain integral to the franchise today.

A more improved adaptation of “Super Mario Bros. 2” was launched on the Game Boy Advance, known as “Super Mario Advance”.

21. Super Mario Run

For years, Nintendo was reluctant to bring its popular franchises to mobile devices. However, they ultimately gave in and created a new, standalone version of Super Mario exclusively for iOS and Android systems. Dubbed as Super Mario Run, this game offers an exciting twist on traditional Super Mario games, blending the endless runner genre with classic levels presented in the style of New Super Mario Bros.. Despite being shorter than other console-based games, it’s a fantastic choice for quick mobile gaming sessions, delivering Nintendo’s signature quality. Post-launch updates have also added additional content, making it worth another look for those who haven’t played in a while.

20. Super Mario Maker

Using “Super Mario Maker,” Nintendo empowered fans to design their personalized “Super Mario” stages inspired by classic series such as “Super Mario Bros.,” “Super Mario Bros. 3,” “Super Mario World,” and “New Super Mario Bros. U.” The Wii U GamePad simplified level creation, and the feature allowing downloads of courses crafted by fellow players ensured an endless amount of replay value for “Super Mario Maker.”

Unfortunately, “Super Mario Maker” is no longer operational, significantly decreasing its worth compared to other “Super Mario” games. However, it remains a remarkable project and one of the finest demonstrations of the Wii U GamePad’s capabilities.

Super Mario Maker was ported to the Nintendo 3DS with new levels made by Nintendo.

19. New Super Mario Bros. 2

In an isolated context, New Super Mario Bros. 2 stands above many other 2D platform games available at the time. However, by the time of its release, the New Super Mario Bros. formula was starting to feel repetitive. The game’s main attraction – encouraging players to gather as many coins as they could – wasn’t particularly captivating, and it fell short of meeting the high expectations set by the original DS version. Yet, New Super Mario Bros. 2 still delivers more classic Super Mario fun, which is generally a positive, and it’s now easier to appreciate, 13 years after its launch, than it was when it initially came out.

18. New Super Mario Bros. U

The sequel to “New Super Mario Bros. 2,” titled “New Super Mario Bros. U,” arrived just a few months later, and by then, the excitement for the series had started to wane slightly due to its frequent releases. Nevertheless, it surpassed “New Super Mario Bros. 2” in overall quality, serving as an impressive launch title for the Wii U console. “New Super Mario Bros. U” primarily delivers more of the classic 2D platforming action that the series is renowned for, but with fresh elements like the flying squirrel ability and innovative use of the GamePad. Additionally, a fifth player can interact with the game levels using the Wii U GamePad, although this doesn’t compare to controlling an on-screen character. However, it can provide some enjoyable moments of camaraderie or laughter. For me, what sets “New Super Mario Bros. U” apart from “New Super Mario Bros. 2” is its support for four-player cooperative gameplay, which significantly enhances its replay value, and the fact that it marked the first time the “Super Mario” series appeared in high definition.

The original game, New Super Mario Bros. U, was lauded post-launch with the expansion pack known as New Super Luigi U, which offered a more difficult experience compared to the base game. Later on, New Super Mario Bros. U was upgraded for the Nintendo Switch in the form of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.

17. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins” offers the finest “Super Mario” experience on the Game Boy. Unlike the original “Super Mario Land”, this game feels like a complete adventure with far better graphics and an expansive world map to explore. The creative level designs in “Super Mario Land 2” are impressive, featuring distinct zones such as Macro Zone, Mario Zone, and Space Zone. Additionally, this game marks the debut of Wario, who would later become a significant adversary for Mario. Aside from being an enjoyable 2D platformer, “Super Mario Land 2” plays a crucial role in the franchise’s history.

16. Super Mario Bros.

There’s no denying that the original “Super Mario Bros.” game holds a significant place in video game history. This groundbreaking title played a pivotal role in revitalizing the entire industry and made the NES a highly sought-after console, positioning Nintendo as a dominant force during the mid-1980s. Its simple side-scrolling gameplay set the stage for countless imitators and laid the foundation for the numerous “Super Mario” series that followed. Although it’s now four decades old, the original “Super Mario Bros.” remains an entertaining choice by modern standards. While some aspects, like the one-way scrolling screen and basic visual style, may seem dated compared to other 2D “Super Mario” games, the classic version continues to deliver a satisfying gaming experience.

15. Bowser’s Fury

The additional content titled “Bowser’s Fury” in the Nintendo Switch re-release of Super Mario 3D World, while an expansion, is substantial enough to be considered a standalone entity. In this spinoff, Mario partners up with Bowser Jr., and together they face off against the formidable Fury Bowser. One of its most captivating aspects is its open-world design, which offers a glimpse into what a fully open-world Super Mario game might feel like. Although it’s a brief adventure, it enhances the overall appeal of the Super Mario 3D World collection on the Switch.

Read More

2025-09-13 07:05