The Ultimate Definitive Ranking of All Super Mario Games: Unveiling the Best!
Explore the evolution of the beloved Super Mario series with a comprehensive ranking of every New Super Mario game From the classic to the latest, discover the ultimate lineup, showcasing the finest gameplay experiences
Highlights
New Super Mario Bros. 2 was criticized for being too easy and not adding enough new content compared to the original.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe garnered acclaim for its engaging gameplay and well-designed levels, but faced backlash due to its limited additional content as a remastered version.
As Super Mario Bros. Wonder approaches, players are reminiscing about past Mario releases to pass the time until the next 2D Mario adventure begins. Spanning multiple consoles and a decade, the New Super Mario Bros. series has become a classic platformer series.
But how do the six main series releases compare to each other? Surprisingly, they are all quite evenly matched! Each New Super Mario Bros. game has its own distinct qualities and while they excel in different areas, some entries are slightly superior to others.
6 New Super Mario Bros. 2
| Release Date | July 28, 2012 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo 3DS |
Released in 2012, the New Super Mario Bros. 2 for 3DS systems had a confusingly similar name to its predecessor. Interestingly, another installment of the New Super Mario Bros. series had been launched on the Wii in 2009.
Regarding the peculiar choice of name, New Super Mario Bros. 2 was criticized for its lack of challenge, as the focus on collecting coins resulted in an excessive number of lives for the player. Furthermore, it failed to measure up to the original game, featuring levels that were strikingly similar to those seen in previous installments and lacking substantial additions expected from a third entry in the series.
5 New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
| Release Date | January 11, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
The problem with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe did not lie in the gameplay or the levels themselves. The issue was that it was the only 2D Mario game released on Nintendo's successful platform until October, and it was just a remaster of a Wii U game.
In terms of value, U Deluxe offered a decent amount of content for its high price. However, there was very little additional content added to justify this game's re-release and its price tag being similar to other newly released Nintendo games. A few small mini-games and a new character were not enough to satisfy the craving for a new Mario experience that many players had since the days of the Wii U. Despite this, the game is a well-executed port of a beloved modern Mario title.
4 New Super Luigi U
| Release Date | June 19, 2013 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo Wii U |
New Super Luigi U presented a fascinating scenario within the Mario franchise. Positioned as a sort of advanced mode within Mario Bros. U, while simultaneously introducing an entirely new installment, it offered a distinctive level of challenge. This distinctiveness set it apart from the rest of the series, which had already been established for quite some time.
The main drawback of New Super Luigi U was the limited duration of the timer and the shorter length of the levels. Despite its captivating concept, the expansion fell short in terms of playtime compared to a typical Mario game, taking only half the time to complete. Nevertheless, it served as an intriguing experiment that Nintendo could potentially delve into further in the future.
3 New Super Mario Bros. U
| Release Date | November 18, 2012 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo Wii U |
Super Mario Bros. U, released during the early stages of the Wii U's lifespan, did not receive the recognition it deserved due to its choice of platform. However, this installment showcased remarkable creativity, particularly through its visually stunning levels inspired by Van Gogh's paintings and its inventive power-ups.
As the New Super Mario Bros. formula had become somewhat stale by the time Mario Bros. U was introduced, this game is often ranked lower compared to other entries in the series. The excessive use of the same formula made the game appear less original and intelligent than it actually was, which mirrored the feelings of many fans towards the overall series at this point.
2 New Super Mario Bros Wii
| Release Date | November 12, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo Wii |
One game can be credited for ushering in the golden age of the Wii and the beloved New Super Mario Bros. series. New Super Mario Bros. Wii truly exemplified the essence of multiplayer excitement. Designed with the intention of accommodating four players at a time and introducing the much-anticipated four-player local play feature, this game expertly tapped into the Wii's renowned reputation for enjoyable camaraderie.
1 New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii, despite its flaws like an imbalanced gameplay and overly easy difficulty in solo mode, will always be remembered for its ability to unite people in the comfort of their own living rooms. While it may not be considered the most innovative or exceptional game of its time, it undeniably excelled in creating a joyful experience that was enjoyed by fans of all generations.
| Release Date | May 15, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo DS |
The release of New Super Mario Bros. marked a significant turning point for the series, which had been lacking inspiration in its 2D games for a while. While the 3D Mario games continued to evolve with each installment, the 2D games struggled to recapture the magic of Super Mario World.
However, New Super Mario Bros. breathed new life into the franchise with its innovative take on two-dimensional platforming. Drawing on assets from the acclaimed Mario 64, the game featured creative levels that delighted players. Additionally, unique power-ups added an exciting twist to the gameplay, making it a standout title during the DS era.
During a time when 2D platformers were scarce, New Super Mario Bros. stood out as a shining example of the genre. This is one of the many reasons why it has garnered such a dedicated fanbase and is often considered the pinnacle of the New Super Mario Bros. series. It quickly became a beloved classic and remains highly regarded by players to this day.
