When you talk about the history of video games, you can’t avoid talking about Super Mario. He’s been around for decades, shaped multiple generations of gamers, and helped define everything from 2D platforming to full 3D exploration. Some Mario games changed the industry, others refined ideas that came before, and a few pushed Nintendo’s hardware to its absolute limits. But which ones truly stand tall above the rest?

Today, we’re breaking down the top ten Super Mario games of all time — the adventures that left a permanent mark on gaming history and continue to influence how platformers are made today. Whether you’re a longtime Nintendo fan or someone discovering Mario for the first time, these games showcase the very best the franchise has to offer.

Why Ranking Mario Games Is So Tough

Before jumping into the list, it’s worth acknowledging something: ranking Super Mario games is notoriously difficult. Many entries are masterpieces in their own right, each offering something unique. Some focus on pure platforming precision, others on exploration, creativity, puzzle elements, or even emotional storytelling. But when you step back and look at impact, innovation, and lasting popularity, a few titles rise above the rest.

This top ten list focuses exclusively on mainline Mario platformers, not spinoffs—so no Mario Kart, Paper Mario, Mario RPG, or Luigi’s Mansion here. Just pure Mario.

Let’s jump in.

10. Super Mario 3D Land (Nintendo 3DS)

When Nintendo released Super Mario 3D Land on the 3DS, many players expected a typical handheld Mario game. What they got instead was a hybrid — a near-perfect blend of classic 2D Mario stage design wrapped inside a compact but fully 3D world.

The game’s biggest strength is how it captures the spirit of older Mario titles while introducing fresh mechanics. Its use of perspective, small puzzle-like arenas, and clever visual tricks make every level feel playful and inventive. The Tanooki Suit’s return also added a nostalgic punch fans loved.

What elevates the experience is its pace. The first half is accessible fun, while the post-game ramps up difficulty dramatically, giving hardcore players the challenge they crave. It’s one of the finest handheld Mario games ever created.

9. Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES)

Yes, it’s the oddball cousin of the family — but Super Mario Bros. 2 deserves a spot here. While it started life as a different game entirely, it became one of the most stylistically memorable entries in the series.

Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Peach all have unique abilities, creating a sense of team strategy not seen in most platformers of the era. The gameplay introduced mechanics that still echo today:

  • Vertical climbing
  • Item throwing
  • Shy Guys
  • Birdo
  • Multi-character playstyles

Even if it doesn’t “feel” like a traditional Mario game, its impact is undeniable. Its boldness helped shape the modern franchise, and its charm hasn’t faded in decades.

8. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)

Super Mario Galaxy 2 takes the foundation of the first Galaxy title and builds an even more polished, creative experience. This sequel isn’t just more of the same—it’s a condensed, refined version of everything players loved about the original.

Every level feels like it could be a “best of” moment from another game. The puzzles are sharper, the gravity-shifting mechanics are more daring, and the game wastes no time delivering unique ideas. The addition of Yoshi elevates the experience further, giving players new movement tricks and power-based abilities.

While some fans debate whether Galaxy 1 or Galaxy 2 is the superior game, there’s no question that Galaxy 2 delivered one of the most consistently fun platforming experiences Nintendo has ever developed.

7. Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube)

Few Mario games divide players quite like Super Mario Sunshine, but even its critics recognize its originality. Set on the bright, tropical Isle Delfino, Sunshine introduced the water-powered FLUDD system, bringing a new type of movement rarely seen in platformers.

Instead of typical jumps and stomps, players spray, hover, and dash through environments with water-based abilities. The result is a Mario game that feels smoother and more fluid (literally) than most entries before or after it.

Sunshine’s challenges can be brutal, and the blue coin hunt still fuels debates among longtime fans. But its personality, its daring mechanical changes, and its tropical charm make it a standout title that continues to attract new appreciation.

6. Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64)

If we’re talking legacy, Super Mario 64 is one of the most influential video games ever made. It didn’t just bring Mario into 3D — it basically invented the rules for 3D platforming.

The game introduced free movement, analog control, a dynamic camera system, and open-ended levels that encouraged experimentation. Mario’s moveset became legendary:

  • Wall jumps
  • Long jumps
  • Triple jumps
  • Backflips
  • Crawling
  • Swimming
  • Punch-kick combos

Peach’s Castle remains one of gaming’s most iconic hub worlds, and the sense of discovery still feels magical today. Though later Mario titles refined its ideas, Mario 64 remains a masterpiece of invention.

5. New Super Mario Bros. Wii

The 2009 release of New Super Mario Bros. Wii brought the classic 2D Mario formula roaring back with style. Nintendo returned to what made the franchise timeless — tight controls, inventive levels, and chaotic fun — then added four-player co-op to push the formula into new territory.

The result? One of the most accessible and replayable Mario games ever made.

The co-op alone created unforgettable moments, both cooperative and delightfully chaotic. The game also introduced excellent new power-ups like the Propeller Suit and Penguin Suit, helping it stand out from earlier 2D entries.

It’s a perfect example of old-school Mario design polished to a modern shine.

4. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

Super Mario Galaxy felt like a revelation when it launched. Suddenly, Mario wasn’t just exploring castles or tropical islands — he was hopping from planet to planet across a cosmic playground.

The galaxy theme allowed Nintendo’s designers to throw out traditional rules and embrace creative weirdness. Spherical worlds, gravity shifts, planetoids that wrapped around themselves — every area felt like a small puzzle box begging to be explored.

Combine that with an orchestral score that remains one of Nintendo’s greatest achievements, and you have one of the most magical Mario adventures ever created.

3. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)

Few games have aged as gracefully as Super Mario Bros. 3. It’s not just one of the best NES games ever made — it’s one of the best platformers in gaming history.

Everything about Mario 3 feels tightly designed and endlessly imaginative:

  • World maps
  • Secret Warp Whistles
  • Themed kingdoms
  • Airships
  • Power suits like Raccoon Mario, Tanooki Mario, and Frog Mario

The level variety is astonishing, and even decades later, players still discover tricks, secrets, and shortcuts. Mario 3 is pure platforming bliss.

2. Super Mario World (SNES)

If Mario 3 is a triumph of design, Super Mario World is a triumph of polish. Everything about it feels smooth, confident, and effortless.

The controls are tighter, the visuals are sharper, and the soundtrack is instantly iconic. The introduction of Yoshi changed how players approached platforming, and the massive overworld — with secret paths and hidden exits — created a sense of exploration that felt revolutionary.

It’s one of those rare games where every level feels like a classic.

Even today, many fans argue that Super Mario World is the greatest 2D platformer ever made.

1. Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo Switch)

At the top of the list is Super Mario Odyssey, a vibrant celebration of everything Mario has ever been. From its open-ended kingdoms to its brilliant “capture” mechanic, Odyssey embraces creativity in every corner.

Each kingdom feels like a mini sandbox filled with secrets, characters, platforming challenges, and quirky surprises. The movement system is one of Mario’s most expressive yet — speedrunners still invent new tricks years later.

Odyssey succeeds because it blends exploration with creativity, nostalgia with innovation. It’s incredibly accessible while offering deep skill expression for advanced players. And its world variety — from cities to forests to surreal dreamscapes — makes it feel like multiple Mario games in one package.

Simply put, Super Mario Odyssey represents Mario at his absolute peak.

Final Thoughts: Mario’s Legacy Keeps Growing

Choosing the ten best Super Mario games is no easy task, especially when nearly every entry in the series is celebrated. But the games listed here represent the finest moments from one of the most important and influential franchises in gaming history.

Mario titles continue to reinvent what platformers can be — whether in 2D, 3D, or something entirely in-between — and fans know that each new release brings a fresh sense of excitement.

Which Mario Game Tops Your List?

Every fan has a different Mario experience they cherish the most. Maybe you grew up with Super Mario World or Mario 64. Maybe you fell in love with the Galaxy games or discovered Mario for the first time on the Switch.

Which Super Mario game do you think deserves the number one spot?

Drop your picks in the comments — the debate never gets old.