Top 10 Mario Games Not by Nintendo: Surprising Hits!

Summary

Not all great Mario games are made by Nintendo.
Mario has ventured into puzzle games, sports, and even turn-based RPGs with success.
Collaboration with Ubisoft for “Mario + Rabbids” led to a hit tactical game.

It’s well-known that Mario isn’t limited to platformer games – he’s made appearances in numerous other titles too. What might shock some is that not all games bearing Mario’s name were developed by Nintendo or one of its subsidiaries. Given the close-knit nature of the company, it could come as a surprise that they sometimes entrust their iconic character to other developers.

It turns out that there are more games featuring Mario developed by different companies than those listed here, but it might prove challenging to locate titles that surpass the quality of those specifically mentioned. For a game to be classified as a Mario game and not just one with Mario himself, his name should appear in the title.

10. Mario’s Picross

Chisel Out A Picture

Developer: Jupiter Games
Release: March 16, 1995
Platforms: Game Boy

Mario has plenty of experience with puzzle games. For instance, he’s well-acquainted with the beloved Dr. Mario series where gamers use falling blocks to eliminate viruses from the game board. Additionally, there are the more sedate Picross games. In these games, players carve squares on a board over time, eventually uncovering the hidden image beneath.

Since it falls under the category of a Mario game, the associated image typically revolves around the character and the Mushroom Kingdom. While the game garnered acclaim overall, some critics found issue with the majority of the gameplay being mental rather than visual.

9. Mario Tennis Aces

Fun And Fast Tennis

There’s an allure to seeing Mario participate in sports. It’s not just amusing to watch these iconic figures play Tennis, but the gameplay itself usually offers a simplified, user-friendly representation of the sport compared to a simulator.

The Mario Tennis series consistently delivers enjoyable gaming experiences, and among them, Mario Tennis Aces stands out as the finest, boasting a wealth of content exceeding what’s typical for a Mario sports title. Additionally, the Joy-Con controllers enable motion-controlled special shot setups.

8. Mario Strikers: Battle League

Aggressive Soccer

In these multiplayer Mario games, there’s usually a friendly rivalry in the air. However, Mario Strikers: Battle League stands apart. The game adheres to soccer fundamentals but allows players to physically tackle and strike each other without any repercussions. Additionally, players can utilize diverse items to gain an edge on the playing field.

Battle League, being the third installment in a soccer-themed franchise, returns after a 15-year hiatus. Much like other Mario sports games, its core gameplay received positive feedback; however, the absence of substantial content or single-player options was noted as a concern. Regardless, it remains an enjoyable experience when played with others.

7. Super Paper Mario

Switch Dimensions On The Fly

In my gaming adventure, I found that Super Paper Mario deviated from the traditional Paper Mario games I was used to. Instead of being primarily turn-based RPGs, it leaned heavily into platformer gameplay. Although it retained some RPG aspects, the standout feature was the quick switch between 3D and 2D environments. In combat, Mario still battles adversaries and accumulates experience, but these encounters happen in real-time. This shift towards action-oriented titles didn’t sit well with many longtime series fans like me.

6. Mario Party 7

Great For Multiplayer, Not So Great For Single-Player

While it’s challenging to determine which Mario Party is the finest, Mario Party 7 offers an unique appeal due to its eight-player modes. Given that each installment in the series presents fresh boards and minigames rather than advancing the storyline, it can be difficult to definitively say whether Mario Party 7 is the best one.

In essence, Mario Party 7 primarily offers fresh minigames, and some games incorporate a microphone, albeit they aren’t particularly enjoyable to play in practice. Mario Party 7 is an absolute blast when played with a group of friends, but it falls short when used as a solo gaming experience.

5. Mario And Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

Mario Meets Fantastic Voyage

In an ingenious fashion, the Mario and Luigi series masterfully blended role-playing game mechanics with problem-solving puzzles. Real-time battle systems were also incorporated into the gameplay. In the third installment, Bowser’s Inside Story, the brothers find themselves unintentionally trapped within Bowser, where they confront a fresh peril called Fawful.

This game combines elements of “Super Mario Bros.” with “Fantastic Voyage”. Just like the main game, players have control over characters such as Bowser, but also get to experience fully developed sections focused on him. The antagonist, Kupa, offers his own battles and exploration stages too.

4. Paper Mario

One Of The Last Great N64 Games

Paper Mario served as one of the final triumphs for the Nintendo 64. Remarkably, the game boasts an impressive visual quality considering its console era, and it continues to be enjoyable today due to its distinctive artistic style.

In contrast to Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario elevates its style and humor significantly through its witty dialogue and timeless jokes. Just like any good RPG, it offers exploration and combat, but what sets it apart is its enchanting setting within the Mushroom Kingdom.

3. Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

Mario And The Rabbids Meets XCOM

A combination of two good things isn’t always a fantastic one. The idea of Mario working with Ubisoft’s Rabbids might have seemed odd at first, but their common ground is the strategic, turn-based gameplay reminiscent of XCOM that binds them together.

The title exudes both appeal and allure, and it serves as an excellent gateway into the genre due to its gentle learning curve and forgiving difficulty level. Given the widespread praise this game has earned, it’s intriguing that Mario hasn’t collaborated with more Ubisoft characters. It would be fascinating to envision a crossover titled “Mario Meets Sam Fisher: Stealth Operation.

2. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

All The Game’s A Stage

In the next installment of “Paper Mario,” they masterfully applied the valuable insights gleaned from its predecessor, preserving the appealing combination of straightforward yet rewarding gameplay alongside an intelligent storyline.

The visual appeal of the paper design in the paper has never been more striking, elevating Thousand Year Door as one of the most visually impressive games on the GameCube. The game skillfully utilizes its distinctive look, with battles resembling performances on a stage before an audience, and even allowing Mario to transform into a paper airplane.

Restating in a conversational manner: The updated Nintendo Switch version of the game certainly showcases its visual appeal, but it’s running at just 30 frames per second compared to the original which operated at 60 frames per second.

1. Super Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars

Square’s Take On The Mushroom Kingdom

Super Mario RPG holds its own alongside top-tier RPGs for the Super Nintendo, thanks to being developed by Square, the creators of Final Fantasy. Released towards the tail end of the SNES’s lifespan in 1996, it boasts some of the most visually stunning graphics on the console.

It adopts an isometric perspective for its pseudo-3D visuals. Its combat system incorporates a timing feature to enable more powerful strikes, a concept that was carried forward in subsequent Mario RPG games.

This game stands out distinctly within the vast ocean of Mario games due to its inclusion of less frequently spotlighted characters such as Mallow and Geno, who are primarily known for brief appearances in other titles.

2025-02-11 11:34