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If you don't already know everything that makes this game epic, you might want to double check your status as a gamer. I could talk about how it changed the face of the game industry, but this is about why it's the best Mario game ever, so let's get to it. First and foremost, Super Mario 64 re-invented what Mario is today. Successfully taking a sidescroller and making it into a 3D platformer was a milestone in transforming the franchise and moving it forward. Replacing the D-pad with a new analog stick gave Mario a brand new feel while maintaining the spot-on controls Mario is known for. Mario was also outfitted with some new moves, A double jump, a triple jump and a triangle jump, a butt stomp, or ground pound if you want to be technical, and the ability to punch and kick gave Mario a realistic quality he had been previously lacking. And what about power-ups? Super Mario 64 replaced the tradtional Muchroom, Fire Flower and Starman line-up with different hats Mario could wear, granting him different abilities. The Wing Cap, which allows Mario to fly, the Metal Cap which turns Mario into a pure metallic form, making him weighted and able to sink in water, and an Invisible Cap which turns Mario invisible and let's him run through gated walls. But what really makes this game revolutionary is how it changed the classic formula, Instead of racing to the end of each level and moving on to the next, you had large worlds to explore, with the goal being to collect Power Stars. This was done by completing different objectives within the world. The more stars you collect, the more doors you can open to gain access to new worlds. Your overall goal was to save Princess Peach, but the way you went about it was so unique and awesome, that this became the new benchmark on how 3D Platformers shoudl be made, directly imfluencing games like Banjo-Kazooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Donkey Kong 64 and more. I could go on and on, but to truly understand how awesome this game is, you need to play it for yourself. If you play it today, it may not seem like anything special compared to what games have become today, but for its time, Super Mario 64 was the absolute pinnacle of gaming. If you weren't around back then to experince the game when it was new, it will be impossible to truly understand the impact the game had, but you should still play it nonetheless, becuase it's awesome. For those of you who were around back then to play it, then you know what I'm talking about. This game is awesome in every way you can think of, which is why it's appeared on almost every "Best Games of All Time" list. This game kicks so much ass, and for all these reasons and more, Super Mario 64 is the best Mario game ever made.
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Is there really much to say here? I know many people would put this at #1, and honestly, you aren't wrong for doing so. The top two spots on this list are interchangeable, as both games are the epitome of awesome. There's really no point in disputing since both were so revolutionary for their time, so let's just get to the point. This game is epic. All 8 worlds are fantastic, and have distinctyly different themes from one another, which makes them all unique and awesome. The power-ups are fucking sweet--the classic Mushroom, Fire Flower and Starman are here, but so many new ones show their face--Frog Suit, Hammer, Music Box, P-Wing, Raccoon Suit, Magic Flute and that suit that turns you into stone that I can't rememebr how to spell and I don't want to butcher it, but you know what I'm talking about. The overworld map was awesome, showing you where you need to go, but also presenting bonus stages like the memory card game, the icon slot machine game, Hammer Bros. stages and Mushroom houses. What about secrets? Well, this game is packed to the brim. Being able to run behind the stage, warp zones, pipes in random places, you can't get enough. This game is just so much fucking fun, you can't even put it into words. It was so innovative and revolutionary for the original NES that an actual movie was made to promote it. If that's not a sign of sheer greatness, I don't know what is. Bottom Line: This game is better than anything you have ever done. Ever.
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Let's be honest. After Super Mario Sunshine, how many of you were thinking "what the fuck?" Well I sure was, and the sheer badness of that game made me questions Mario's 3D future. Then Super Mario Galaxy came out, and I wrote an apology letter to Miyamoto. OK, maybe not, but this game is awesome nonetheless. I mean really, look at what we have here. A typical 3D Mario platformer, but not so much. Talk about re-inventing a series, and for that matter, an entire genre. This game is amazing in every way possible. It takes the classic 3D mario blueprint of visiting different worlds and collecting stars, and completely revolutionized it. Sure, you still have a hub world and access the other worlds from it, but this time you are in space. There are so many different planets, each with their own distinct look, feel and style, which makes it a blast to visit each one. Mario is still running and jumping his way to collect those stars, but the biggest addition here is gravity. That is, the ability to walk upside down, backwards, sideways, even all three at once if you want. The different gravitational pulls of each planet and galaxy plays a huge part in traversing the worlds. And what's a Mario game without power-ups? Not only does the Fire Flower make a triumphant return, but there are brand new ones too like the Ice Flower and Bumblebee suit. This game is truly a remarkable achievement, in all aspects of design, gameplay and presentation, and in my opinion, if you could only have one Wii game in your collection, it has to be this one.
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Paper Mario on the N64 was revolutionary in that it re-invented the Mario RPG formula by transforming Mario, and the world around him into paper. Sure, it sounds stilly but the concept worked brilliantly and resulted in a fantastic and classic game. Many still regard the original as the best in the series to date, but I beg to differ. The original is great, but Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door took everything about the first game and perfected it. From the hilarious writing, the great visual style and effects, the goofy characters and everything in between, Paper Mario TYD engulfs you in its world, and doesn't let you go. The greatest improvement from the original game is the addition of paper related abilities for Mario. Since he is a piece of paper, he can now fold up into a paper airplane to glide through the air, roll up into a tube of paper to roll under obstacles and barracades, turn into a paper sailboat to float through the water, and even turn on his side, making himself flat to fit through cracks in the wall or vents on the ground. This aspect really establishes the paper gimmick, and it works great. And lastly, what about the story? It is an RPG after all, but it's also a Mario game, so what can we expect? Well, I'm glad to say that the main story is fantastic, with smaller, chapter related stories taking place at the same time. It all mixes well and adds variety, althogh the main quest has plenty of twists and turns as well. All in all, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is the perfect Paper Mario games, and also one of the best games on the Gamecube.
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Super Mario World did exactly what it was supposed to--take the existing Mario formula and imrpove it in every way possible. Mission Accomplished. Super Mario World is not only one of the best Mario games ever, but also one of the best SNES games ever, and even one of the best 2D sidescrollers ever. Adopting the overworld map from Super Mario Bros. 3 before it, implementing new and old power-ups, and including the ability to ride that green dinosaur named Yoshi, Mario fans were in love. Not only was this game massive, but the 32,000 colors and updated technology used to make this game made Mario and co. look the best they ever had. New enemies, alternate paths, secret worlds, new bonus stages, Bowser in a weird clown copter thing--need I say more? This game kicks ass, and if you haven't played it, then you suck. Hard.
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This game hold a special place in my heart, but not for a nostalgic reason. Infact, I didn't actually play this game until 2008, so I was late to the party. After playing it though, I understand why it holds the legacy it doess. Typically a 2D sidescrolling series, Nintendo and Square took a big chance making an RPG based around Mario--but did it ever pay off. Not to sound cliche, but this game is the definition of epic. Being a huge RPG fan, I can appreciate what's been created here. The battle syste, is simple yet innovative, the variety of worlds is great, the story is standard but enjoyable, and this game introduced some new characters into the Mario universe--Geno being the most popular--who we haven't really heard from since, but would no doubt be welcomed with open arms if they decided to appear in any future Mario titles. Super Mario RPG also had a large influence on more current games. Showing that it was possible for a Mario themed RPG to be successful, it was the inspiration for both the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi RPG series. You can even see the the similarities in the battle system. As a Mario lover and an RPG lover, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is the perfect marriage of those two things, and deserves all the praise it receives.
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New Super Mario Bros. is a return to form for Mario. Going back to his 2D sidescrolling roots with an updated 3D graphical style is the best thing we could have asked for. A perfect blend of old and new, NSMB is a great introduction for younger gamers as to what made Mario great, but also a great classic revival for the old school fans. With new power-ups, worlds, gameplay mechanics and some minor DS touch screen functionality, New Super Mario Bros. is exactly what a Mario game should be--action packed and fun as hell.
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Let the angry rants begin. I know there are plenty of people out there who don't like the Mario Party series, but not me. I love this series, and I think the Mario universe is perfect for a party game. I also know there's about 10 different games in the series now, but if you are only going to play one, Mario Party 2 is the best choice. The original Mario Party was definitely a fun and innovative game, but MP2 was that and so much more. Things like better game boards and mini-games, more game modes and tons of additional features all contribute to making this game awesome, but there's one thing that trumps all and makes this the superior game in the series--the characters wear costumes. Enough said.
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I know there will be plenty of debate on this one, but this is my favorite Mario Kart game. I agree that the DS version is right up there with it, but Mario Kart 64 wins for a couple reasons. Firstly, it's the one I'm most familiar with and the one I had the most fun with. I never really played the original on SNES, and all post-64 versions just didn't have the same effect on me. I would no doubt put the DS version as second best, as it's character roster, track variety and online play make it a fantastic game, but it just doesn't beat picking up that trident shaped controller again and steering with an analog stick rather than a d-pad.
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The original Super Mario Land was a great game, but the sequal really refined the formula and made it better. Although not belonging to the true Mario cannon, it's still a fantastic Mario game, and one of the best games on the Game Boy.
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