Mario’s 40th Anniversary: 8 Most Important Games In The Nintendo Mascot’s History

On a thrilling day in September 13, 1985, I was fortunate enough to witness the launch of an extraordinary Famicom game – “Super Mario Bros”. This groundbreaking title, packed with ambition, shook up the video game world by setting the stage for what a captivating home console digital journey should entail. It was also the moment when many mainstream gamers met the unforgettable characters like Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Princess Peach, and the peculiar inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom for the very first time.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but reminisce about the incredible journey of Mario, Nintendo’s beloved character, who’s been captivating players worldwide for over four decades now. His 40th anniversary is almost here, making it the ideal moment to revisit some pivotal games in his storied career. Whether you prefer the classic platforming adventures or the unique spin-offs that dabble in various genres, there’s something for everyone in Mario’s vast library of groundbreaking titles.

Donkey Kong

The Arcade Game That Introduced Mario (Or Jumpman) To The World

Mario’s anniversary is often celebrated on the day of the Japanese release of Super Mario Bros, but it’s important to note that this Famicom platformer wasn’t actually the first game featuring our iconic character. Instead, Mario (then known as Jumpman) made his debut in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong. At that time, he was a carpenter, not yet a plumber.

The classic video game, Donkey Kong, holds significant importance in the gaming world. It not only debuted two legendary characters – Mario and Donkey Kong themselves, but also served as a groundbreaking success, both critically and commercially. This victory catapulted Nintendo into a leading position within the video game industry. The existence of both the character and the company today can be attributed to the influential cultural impact Donkey Kong made during the early 80s.

Super Mario Bros.

The 2D Platformer That Revolutionized Console Gaming

Initially known as Jumpman, Mario later transformed into his recognized name and appeared in several games during the early ’80s, among them being “Mario Bros.”, where his brother Luigi was introduced for the first time. However, Nintendo revolutionized this narrative with the release of “Super Mario Bros.” in 1983. This groundbreaking game catapulted Mario to fame and cemented the franchise’s success, ultimately making Mario a globally recognized figure.

Many individuals can recall that “Super Mario Bros.” was their first immersive journey within the gaming world. It offered a tangible storyline, unique character designs, and a defined start and finish – aspects that were particularly significant in North America post-1983 video game crash. Critics had labeled the medium as a passing trend. However, the 1985 debut of Super Mario Bros. and the NES System played a pivotal role in resuscitating the industry by disproving these critics. Furthermore, this game introduced numerous iconic characters, settings, and features to the Mario franchise, such as Princess Peach, Bowser, Toad, the Mushroom Kingdom, the Super Mushroom, the Fire Flower, and many more.

Super Mario Bros. 3

One Of The Greatest Video Game Sequels Ever Made

There’s no arguing that Super Mario Bros. remains a timeless classic, surprisingly fresh even today. Yet, it’s also one of the most basic installments in the series when stacked against its successors. Super Mario Bros. 2 is a decent game in its own right, but it’s often criticized for being a simple redesign of another game entirely. However, it was only with the release of Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1988 that we saw the true sequel to the original Mario game, one that would forever alter the course of the franchise.

In a more conversational style:
Super Mario Bros. 3 surpassed its precursor in numerous aspects such as control, graphics, and gameplay. It also pioneered several iconic features like the world map, the Super Leaf, the Tanooki Suit, and the Koopalings. While the original game set the standard for 2D platformers on home consoles, Super Mario Bros. 3 elevated the formula with nearly every aspect enhanced. It swiftly emerged as the top-tier platforming game on the NES, paving the way for the Mario franchise’s continued success across subsequent Nintendo systems.

Super Mario Kart

Created & Popularized The Kart-Racing Genre

Currently, Mario is recognized for two categories of games: his popular platformers (either 2D or 3D), and numerous spin-off titles featuring a variety of gameplay styles. Although Super Mario Kart was not the initial non-platforming game in which Mario and his buddies appeared, it holds significant importance as it set the standard for what a Mario spin-off should embody.

This one-of-a-kind racing game took advantage of the SNES’ Mode 7 technology to create intricate and immersive graphics. Instead of focusing on excessive realism, it concentrated on delivering engaging local multiplayer action that was hard to put down. With its innovative track layouts, silly power-ups, chaotic gameplay, and multiple game modes, Super Mario Kart became a smash hit for SNES enthusiasts. Essentially, it single-handedly popularized the kart racing genre, spawning numerous top-quality sequels and spin-offs based on other renowned platforming series.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Proved That Mario Could Also Be An RPG Icon

It was only a matter of time before Mario took on a role-playing game, given his success across various genres such as platformers, kart racers, and sports games. Notably, the creators and designers from Squaresoft, renowned for producing games like Final Fantasy, were the perfect choice to handle this unusual yet bold undertaking.

Through a partnership between Squaresoft and Nintendo, they jointly developed the Super NES game “Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars”, a remarkable role-playing game (RPG) that showcased impressive pre-rendered 3D graphics, a captivating soundtrack, and user-friendly turn-based gameplay. However, what truly set this game apart was its demonstration of Mario’s versatility in the RPG genre, ultimately dominating it. Notably, the acclaim and popularity of “Super Mario RPG” paved the way for other top-tier RPGs within the franchise, such as the “Paper Mario” and “Mario & Luigi” spin-offs.

Super Mario 64

Redefined How 3D Movement In Video Games Is Designed

As a dedicated gamer, I can confidently say that the Mario franchise has left an indelible mark on the video game industry. Among all these contributions, one title truly stands out as a game-changer – Super Mario 64. Back in 1996, Nintendo took a giant leap forward by introducing its first console capable of running games with stunning 3D graphics. Although other consoles had already ventured into this realm, Nintendo redefined gaming movement with its innovative analog stick. The launch title that demonstrated the console’s true potential? None other than Super Mario 64!

In his debut 3D journey, Mario, leveraged the N64’s analog stick to traverse in any direction effortlessly and intuitively, surpassing the navigation capabilities of contemporary 3D platformers. Beyond revolutionizing movement mechanics in future 3D games, Super Mario 64 pioneered the Collect-a-Thon Platformer subgenre, giving rise to direct sequels of superior quality as well as outstanding 3D entries across various franchises.

New Super Mario Bros.

Brought Back 2D Mario For Modern Audiences

The launch of “Super Mario 64” signified a significant change in direction for the series, with Nintendo focusing on producing exclusively 3D games for an extended period following its release. While this was acceptable, fans started yearning for the iconic 2D games from the 80s and 90s that had initially propelled the franchise and the character into fame. Between 1995 and 2005, the only 2D Mario titles were either recompilations of previous games or spin-offs like Yoshi, Wario, or Donkey Kong.

Initially, Nintendo seemed to ignore the pleas of its fans for a return to classic 2D gaming in the Mario series. However, they eventually took notice and produced New Super Mario Bros, which was launched in 2006. This game combined the best of both worlds – 2.5D graphics that included the nostalgic 2D platforming gameplay from earlier titles. With enhanced visuals, improved controls, innovative level designs, and updated power-ups, New Super Mario Bros offered a fresh take on an old formula while catering to modern gamers. The game was met with immense success, confirming Nintendo’s belief that 2D platformers still had a prominent role in the gaming industry. As a result, we’ve seen several sequels of New Super Mario Bros, as well as other contemporary 2D offerings in the Mario franchise, such as Mario Maker and Super Mario Bros. Wonderland.

Super Mario Galaxy

Elevated The Franchise And Proved Mario Games Could Be Art

Previously, Mario games were often dismissed as merely colorful, childish escapades with little depth. However, the release of Super Mario Galaxy in 2007 effectively debunked this notion. This game is frequently hailed as one of the greatest video games ever created and demonstrated that the Mario intellectual property could continue to deliver engrossing and impactful stories, even 24 years after its introduction.

Initially, Super Mario Galaxy might appear as just another enjoyable 3D platformer along the lines of Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Sunshine. However, its unique space-themed backdrop, captivatingly composed soundtrack, and heartfelt narrative and characters take it to an entirely different realm. In terms of gameplay, it skillfully blends the linearity of the traditional 2D games with the open exploration style of Super Mario 64, creating some of the most well-crafted levels in the series. This is why every new Mario game is frequently compared to Super Mario Galaxy – it was simply that exceptional and influential.

2025-09-13 15:32