The Best Gimmicks In Mario Games

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Key Takeaways

  • Mario games use gimmicks to stand out, like collecting coins and introducing new characters.
  • Nintendo remakes like Super Mario Bros. All-Stars and Super Mario 64 DS add new content and characters.
  • Games like Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey introduce new gameplay mechanics and worlds for players to enjoy.

As someone who grew up playing Mario games and still holds a special place for them in my heart, I must say that Nintendo has consistently outdone themselves with each new iteration of this iconic franchise. Each game brings something fresh to the table while still retaining the charm and fun that we’ve come to know and love from Mario.

The popular “Mario” series doesn’t require much persuasion for gamers to buy the latest installments of the enormous “Super Mario Bros.” collection. Yet, Nintendo isn’t shy about experimenting with new ideas to attract even more players, using unique features to make each game distinct within the franchise’s rich history.

Various elements can greatly influence one’s experience with a game, ranging from key gameplay features to aesthetic aspects such as graphics and sound. These factors can significantly shape a player’s perception of a game, often enhancing titles like the Mario series, which have become iconic due to these elevating factors.

11 So Many Coins In New Super Mario Bros. 2

There Can Never Be Enough Coins

From the very start, gathering coins has always been an enjoyable aspect in Mario games, tapping into the innate and harmless greed that exists within us all. This is particularly evident in New Super Mario Bros. 2 for the Nintendo 3DS, as it leverages coin-collecting sounds and the sight of the counter steadily increasing as players amass coins by the dozens or even hundreds in each level.

In terms of its golden theme and coin-centric power-ups, New Super Mario Bros. 2 offers an exciting adventure centered around collecting coins. This game was widely praised for adding new innovations to the New Super Mario Bros. series, making it a beloved sequel that some believe warrants a remaster on the Nintendo Switch.

10 Remastered Games In Super Mario Bros. All-Stars

Four 16-Bit Remakes In One Package Was A Big Deal

In the past when remasters and remakes weren’t as prevalent, Nintendo showed foresight by upgrading four Mario games from the N.E.S. to the S.N.E.S. into a collection called “ Super Mario Bros. All-Stars “. Not only did the games receive an aesthetic improvement, but also the music was given a 16-bit upgrade while preserving what fans adored about the games.

Super Mario Bros. All-Stars isn’t just a straightforward remaster of the original Super Mario Bros.; it also reintroduced Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, and an international version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, which was previously only available in Japan.

9 The F.L.U.D.D. In Super Mario Sunshine

The Water-Spraying Backpack Has As Many Fans As It Does Critics

Over time, the game Super Mario Sunshine has gained a reputation for being a game that divides opinions on the Nintendo GameCube. This is largely due to the introduction of the F.L.U.D.D., a backpack created by Professor E. Gadd, which bears similarities to Luigi’s ghost-busting Poltergust pack from the Luigi’s Mansion series. The F.L.U.D.D. enables Mario to combat the corrosive ink that has infested Isle Delfino and provides him with new ways to move around.

Due to the incorporation of F.LUDD in Super Mario Sunshine, some people admired Nintendo for their commitment to the game’s gimmick, while others perceived it as an intrusion into the traditional Mario feel. Nevertheless, it undeniably provided a distinctive Mario experience, enabling Mario to perform various actions such as shooting water, hovering, spin jumping, and more, thanks to F.LUDD, whether positively or negatively.

8 Multiple Playable Characters In Super Mario Bros. 2

The First Game To Have More Than One Alternate Character

In contrast to many other sequels which typically introduce just one new playable character, Super Mario Bros. 2 stood out by introducing not one but two – Toad and Peach. This game is notable for establishing that Princess Peach could float, making Toad a swift character, and portraying a Luigi version who could leap higher than any other character.

Back then, in the initial game, Luigi was solely reserved for the second player. But in Super Mario Bros. 2, I got to choose any of the four characters at the start of each stage. It was a fun and engaging way to explore and figure out which character would be best for the entire game or perhaps excel in specific levels. This concept, interestingly enough, resurfaced in Super Mario 3D World.

7 Yoshi’s Introduction In Super Mario World

Everyone’s Favorite Dinosaur Had The Best Beginning

In Super Mario World’s transition to the S.N.E.S., players were delighted to find the adorable dinosaur companion named Yoshi. Apart from being able to swap between Mario and Luigi at will, gamers could also hop onto Yoshi for a ride. This friendly creature was swift, capable of consuming adversaries, and had the agility to leap to elevated areas, thereby assisting the brothers in their journey’s advancement.

In Super Mario World, Yoshi emerged as the central attraction, gracing every advertisement and even appearing on the game’s cover art. The adoration for this character was so intense among fans that Yoshis became integral to the Mario universe lore. It was later unveiled that these affectionate creatures played a pivotal role in saving Mario and Luigi when they were babies.

6 Giving Fans More To Do In Super Mario 64 DS

Nintendo Turned The DS Version Into A Completely Different Game

Initially released in 1996, “Super Mario 64” remains popular even after more than two decades. A remake on the Nintendo DS in 2005 had the potential to be an exact replica, and many would have been content with that. However, instead of a simple port, “Super Mario 64 DS” is a complete overhaul, offering new levels for players to explore as four distinct characters rather than just one.

Initially, Mario is on-scene, however, it’s Mario, Luigi, and Wario who are apprehended at the start. Yoshi serves as the initial playable character, while the others must be unlocked, each boasting a distinct skill that enhances gameplay exploration. This four-character concept played a significant role in making Super Mario 64 DS an unprecedented hit for the portable gaming platform.

5 The First 3D Mario Experience In Super Mario 64

The Game That Changed Mario Games Forever

Despite being popularly recognized for his sidescrolling adventures, Mario’s 3D games are equally cherished, primarily due to Super Mario 64. This groundbreaking game not only significantly transformed Mario series but also served as the blueprint for numerous 3D platformers from the late 90s and early 2000s.

1996 saw the astonishment as one could roam freely in a three-dimensional world similar to Peach’s castle within Super Mario 64. This was merely the starting point since the castle itself served as a central hub to access numerous other three-dimensional levels. These levels utilized traversal mechanics that are common today but were revolutionary back then on the Nintendo 64. They offered an experience unlike any other, and they forever altered the dynamics of Mario games.

4 Controlling With Cappy In Super Mario Odyssey

Mario Was Given Some Of His Best Controls

When Super Mario Odyssey debuted its hat character named Cappy, there were worries it might mirror the F.L.U.D.D. debacle; however, this wasn’t true at all. Unlike altering Mario himself as F.L.U.D.D. did, Cappy merely amplified the existing appeal of 3D Mario gameplay by serving as an extension to what fans admired about Mario’s control scheme.

In a novel manner, Cappy enabled Mario to leap further by functioning as another trampoline-like surface, granting him the ability to seize any adversary or movable object within the expansive realms. This innovation not only opened up fresh strategies for solving puzzles to obtain the new moon items but also offered players an opportunity to explore unique combat styles and navigation techniques, setting Mario apart from his previous adventures in virtually every aspect.

3 Brand New Visuals And Worlds In Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Everything Looks And Sounds Wonderfully Unique From Other Games

In recent times, a frequent criticism has been leveled at Mario games, suggesting they’ve grown repetitive in their visual design, with characters and adversaries appearing strikingly similar across multiple titles. However, Super Mario Bros. Wonder seems to address this concern head-on. Not only does it introduce a fresh voice for both Mario and Luigi, but it also brings about a vibrant, expressive art style that brims with character.

In the recently launched Flower Kingdom, each of its unique areas boasts a distinctive visual style, blending popular themes with their own unique twists. Characters from the classic Mario universe are playable, and in the game “Super Mario Bros. Wonder”, a badge system has been introduced for the first time. This system enables players to assign any ability they prefer to any character, offering an unprecedented level of customization.

2 A Godzilla-Sized Bowser And World In Bowser’s Fury

Roaming An Open World Could Be The New Standard For 3D Mario

People thought that the “Bowser’s Fury” campaign would merely be an expansion of the remastered version of “Super Mario 3D World.” However, it surprised fans by offering a vast, open world for Mario to traverse and collect new Cat Shines. Unlike previous games, there is no central hub world or loading screens, providing players with complete freedom in their approach to progression.

Apart from its open-world feature, “Bowser’s Fury” deserves its name due to an exclusive NPC mechanism where Bowser transforms into a colossal monster that periodically falls from the sky to assault Mario. During these brief attacks, Fury Bowser increases tension, and there are tasks that can only be accomplished during these instances. Additionally, some Cat Shines require precise timing, creating puzzling scenarios.

1 Exploring Outer Space In Super Mario Galaxy

Mario’s Adventures That Took Gamers Out Of This World

Nintendo opted for something more creative than simply replicating a popular sci-fi franchise and placing Mario at its core. Instead, they crafted Super Mario Galaxy, an innovative game for the Nintendo Wii. This unique title skillfully blends fantasy with science fiction, resulting in a captivating experience filled with awe and spectacle. With stunning graphics, intriguing new characters such as Rosalina, and a moving soundtrack, it keeps players engaged and emotionally invested.

The interstellar motif in the game Super Mario Galaxy influences its gameplay significantly, as Mario explores various alien planets and encounters gravity-manipulating puzzles. Fans were so enamored with this game that it’s one of the rare occasions where a Mario game received a direct sequel, continuing the style with Super Mario Galaxy 2, which further developed the idea by introducing Yoshi into the mix.

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2024-11-23 08:04