The Ultimate Ranking: Unveiling the #1 Mario Stage of All Time!

Highlights

The stages and levels in the

Super Mario

franchise have consistently maintained a high level of quality throughout its evolution.

World 4-2 is a highly significant level in

Mario

speed running history, despite its seemingly standard appearance.

Super Mario Sunshine

Gusty Garden Galaxy captures the same sense of wonder and energy as a Disney ride. Since the launch of the original Super Mario Bros., the beloved plumber from Brooklyn has undergone numerous transformations. However, one aspect of the Super Mario franchise that has remained constant is the consistently superb quality of its stages and levels.

10 World 4-2 (Super Mario Bros.)

: Nintendo's recent releases have embraced a design philosophy reminiscent of four-part Chinese poetry, resulting in mechanics that are designed to be utilized and then discarded. This harmonious coexistence of contemporary techniques and traditional game design has proven to be the key behind Mario's triumphant achievements.

World 4-2 may seem like just another typical underground level with its share of Goombas, Buzzy Beetles, and hidden spots. However, its significance in the realm of Mario speed running cannot be emphasized enough. This niche community thriving on the internet has turned it into a pivotal cornerstone.

World 4-2: Unveiling the Miraculous Journey of Mario Speedrunners

9 World 1-1 (Super Mario Bros.)

The level designated as 1-1 not only marked the inception of this game, but it also stands out as an exemplar of impeccable game design. Its approach cleverly imparts knowledge to players, functioning more as a baptism by fire rather than a conventional tutorial. It plunges players into a captivating world, featuring a solitary Goomba and a line of boxes that are poised to challenge their skills.

8 World 8-6 (New Super Mario Bros.)

Mario acquires his inaugural mushroom in this location, yet the level also showcases an assemblage of his most renowned power-ups in a seamless sequence. The illustrious debut of a super mushroom, a superstar, a fire flower, and a 1-up mushroom all takes place within this diminutive stage, evoking a sensation of Mario's timeless presence amalgamated into one harmonious depiction.

In New Super Mario Bros., Mario often confronts various elemental threats, such as water, wind, and in level 8-6, an intense challenge awaits him as he must navigate an erupting volcano brimming with searing hot lava. As the player skillfully evades Goombas and Koopa Paratroopas, the intensity of the fiery eruption steadily escalates.

It makes remarkable utilization of secondary travel, moreover, incorporating springs, ropes, and swinging bridges to heighten the traversal's precariousness over time. Ascending to the top is a fervent, frenzied race that stands out as one of the shining moments in the frequently criticized NSMB line.

7 Ricco Harbor (Super Mario Sunshine)

Nintendo introduced a fresh gameplay approach with Super Mario Sunshine by building upon the N64 release while adding innovative elements. Ricco Harbor stands out as one of the top experiences in the game, featuring enclosed environments divided into "episodes" that serve as missions.

This all-encompassing coastal haven is teeming with exciting hidden treasures, clandestine quests, formidable secondary paths, and a thrilling encounter with a colossal Blooper adversary. It represented a subtle but noteworthy departure in the game design of Mario, permitting the magnificent principles of design to take center stage.

6 World 8-4 (Super Mario Bros.)

World 8-4 marks the start of a long and intense rivalry between Bowser and Mario, spanning over three decades. It stands out as a distinctive stage within the franchise, featuring a treacherous castle filled with deadly lava pits, fiery obstacles, and all the adversaries the player has encountered thus far.

5 Wario's Castle (Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins)

Once the player delves further into the castle's depths, the intensity reaches new heights. An intricate puzzle involving a warp pipe adds an extra layer of challenge, as it either leads the player onward to the next room, bringing them closer to their confrontation with Bowser, or cunningly sends them back to the starting point, adding a sense of frustration and excitement. This final test perfectly encapsulates the game's ability to continually raise the stakes and provide an unparalleled gaming experience.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins often gets overlooked among the various titles in the franchise. Within the Mario Land subseries, this handheld platformer stands out as a shining example. Originally released on the Gameboy, the second installment presents players with a formidable castle as the final level – a castle that was once Mario's, but has now been taken over and transformed by Wario. This particular level ranks as one of the most challenging experiences in the entire Mario franchise.

This castle features a challenging array of hazards such as trap mechanisms, fiery pits, menacing spiked balls, and mechanical fists adorned with Wario's iconic W glove. Similar to its predecessor, the game's monochrome visual style adds a touch of surreal peculiarity that sets it apart from other titles in the franchise.

4 Shifty Boo Mansion (Super Mario 3D World)

Playing any level in a Boo house is always worthwhile, and the same can be said for Shifty Boo Mansion in Super Mario 3D World. This eerie adventure through the exquisitely designed Boo Mansion stands out as one of the finest achievements in Super Mario 3D World.

Often,

3 Plessie's Plunging Falls (Super Mario 3D World)

will engage in mischievous behavior towards Mario, such as deceiving him with a counterfeit 1-Up Mushroom or transforming a checkpoint flag into a horde of ghostly apparitions. All of these cunning tactics are accompanied by Super Mario 3D World's exceptional musical score, culminating in a delightfully eerie experience.

Plessie's Plunging Falls offers players the exciting opportunity to ride on the back of a dinosaur and navigate down an exhilarating river. This whimsical creature not only allows players to embark on a thrilling adventure, but also presents the chance to gather coins and stamps throughout the thrilling journey.

2 Gusty Garden Galaxy (Super Mario Sunshine)

Plessie's Plunging Falls offers a revamped rendition of the beloved Slider theme, known for its prominent presence in the franchise since Super Mario 64. This captivating level holds the remarkable quality of being infinitely replayable. While it may not boast the intricate challenges found in other stages, the sheer delight it brings far compensates for any complexities that may be lacking.

For those within a particular age bracket, it is difficult to overemphasize the significance of Gusty Garden Galaxy. Emerging from a distinctive era in the realm of video games, it exudes exuberance, delightful vibes, and an awe-inspiring sensation. Gusty Garden Galaxy resembles an enchanting Mario-themed adventure crafted by Disney.

Everything, from the ambiance and soundtrack to the awe-inspiring architectural layout, seamlessly harmonizes into an extraordinary masterpiece of game design. It's truly unparalleled to experience the exhilaration of navigating the world as Mario, skillfully wielding the Wiimote and being inexplicably moved by the enchanting sentiments it evokes.

1 Metro Kingdom (Super Mario Odyssey)

After deviating from the N64-style design for a period of time, Mario games shifted towards restricted map-based levels that followed a somewhat linear progression. Despite still providing enjoyable gameplay, Nintendo made a triumphant return to the N64 method with the launch of Super Mario Odyssey.

The Metro Kingdom represents the epitome of the entire franchise, blending nostalgia with a drive to embark on new territories. It harmoniously merges Mario's classic essence with Nintendo's vision for its future, cultivating a gaming experience that future installments in the series may find hard to surpass.