Today marks a significant milestone for one of the most recognized video game characters globally: it’s Mario’s 40th birthday! Back in 1985, his debut game, “Super Mario Bros.”, kickstarted his franchise on September 13. This game was a major factor boosting sales for the NES console. Remarkably, history seems to be repeating itself with “Mario Kart World” contributing to the initial success of the latest Nintendo Switch model. It’s a testament that certain aspects remain constant, as Mario continues to capture our hearts just as strongly as before.
The beloved character, Super Mario, is not only part of a massive gaming franchise, but he also stands out as a popular gaming icon in multiple ways. Numerous video games have been impacted by the Mario series, and on various occasions, Mario and his associates have graced our screens in homage or joint ventures. This comprehensive list gathers every single game that features Mario, in any capacity, excluding those from the Super Mario series itself.
In this list, since Donkey Kong is the initial game where Mario originated, and the Donkey Kong series is typically regarded as a separate entity, it will be categorized as a distinct franchise.
All the Games That Feature Mario Without Being Part of the Super Mario Franchise
Donkey Kong Franchise
- Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong Jr.
- Donkey Kong 2
- Donkey Kong Circus
- Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
- Donkey Kong Land 2
- Donkey Kong 64
Other Prominent Nintendo Franchises
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, as a mask on the Happy Mask Salesman’s back.
- Animal Crossing
- Animal Crossing: Wild World
- Animal Crossing: City Folk
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Kirby Super Star, kept in Super Star Ultra
- WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!
- WarioWare: Move It!
- Super Smash Bros.
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Although Mario is a fundamental character in the Super Smash Bros. series, being one of eight core fighters, he still shares this status with numerous other Nintendo characters. Moreover, his name does not appear in the title, suggesting that the game can be considered a contender for the list.
Miscellaneous NES games
- Tennis, kept in the Arcade release Vs Tennis.
- Pinball, kept in the Arcade release Vs Pinball.
- Family Basic
- Golf, kept in the Arcade release Vs Golf.
- Family Basic v3.0
- Wrecking Crew, kept in the Arcade release Vs Wrecking Crew.
- Mike Tyson’s Punch Out and all other rereleases and versions.
- Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race
- Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally
Family Basic is a programming language compatible with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Unlike games, it doesn’t operate as a standalone entertainment product. However, within its capabilities, users can select Mario as one of the available sprites, which they might utilize when creating their own projects or programs.
Miscellaneous Nintendo Games
- Baseball
- Alleyway
- F1 Race
- Super Scope 6
- Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind
- Mobile Golf
- NES Remix
- NES Remix 2
- Ultimate NES Remix
- Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but draw parallels between the NES Remix series and Super Smash Bros. While Mario certainly takes center stage in the NES Remix games, much like he does in Super Smash Bros., it’s important to remember that he isn’t the only iconic character from Nintendo’s early days featured in these titles. This makes the NES Remix series a strong contender for a list of games that prominently feature multiple prominent NES Nintendo stars.
Mario in Other Companies’ Games
- Just Dance 3, Just Dance Wii, Just Dance 2018 Unlimited in the Just Mario song.
- Tetris
- Captain Rainbow
- Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, as statues the player can shoot to knock over and play iconic sound effects.
- Rocket League, with Mario and Luigi-styled cars.
- 64 de Hakken!! Tamagotchi: Minna de Tamagotchi World, a Tamagotchi board game simulator that featured a Mariotchi and a Waruotokotchi based on Wario.
- Pac-Man Vs.
- Yakuman DS
- SSX on Tour
- Tetris DS
- Fortune Street,a Monopoly-like game featuring Mario and Dragon Quest characters.
- Fortune Street DS
- Minecraft
- Namco Museum
In various games throughout the NES and SNES eras, characters from the Mario universe took center stage, even without Mario himself being present. For instance, in the SNES version of Sim City, Bowser replaced Godzilla as the city’s antagonist. This demonstrates just how influential Mario was during this period, as he became Nintendo’s mascot around 1985 and could be found in numerous games. The fondness for the iconic red-capped plumber continues unabated, with his 40th anniversary celebrations only recently commencing. Exciting times are ahead for Mario enthusiasts, as a new Super Mario movie is slated for release next year, and there are several other game-related surprises in store. The future looks promising for Mario fans, with much to look forward to in the years to come.
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2025-09-13 15:30