For decades,Nintendohas brought joy and technological innovation to millions with theSuper Mario franchiseand its wide array of video games and lovable characters. From 8-bit arcade cabinets and the Nintendo Famicom, all the way to the hybrid console powerhouse of the NintendoSwitch, Mario and his peers have starred in sports games, racing titles, and platforming experiences of all shapes and sizes.
10 Best Mario Games, Ranked
Mario is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. With dozens of games under his belt, there are sure to be a few standouts.
After so many years, new characters have been added to the Mario roster and existing characters have gained added depth and intricacy as time has gone on. Some characters that may not be considered mainstream have acquired fan-favorite status, and have earned popularity independent of Nintendo and the heroic plumber himself.
Updated by Stefania Ikeda-Stavridi on the 20th of November, 2023:With even more new games being released in the world of Super Mario, we have updated our list to include five more characters, as well as, more relevant information and images in each entry. We have also rearranged the rankings to match the popularity of certain characters.
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Fun Facts About Birdo:
Birdohas a fascinating and vivid history.Super Mario Bros. 2first introduced this iconic character, who stands out with their unique appearance that includes abowand aprotruding snout, adding a touch of whimsy to the Mushroom Kingdom. This adorable dinosaur is one ofthe first trans game characters, and enjoys wearing girly attire. In Japan she prefers being called Catherine, while in the rest of the world as Birdetta.
Althoughinitiallyportrayed asan antagonist, Birdo has evolved into a more nuanced character and is often aligned with the protagonists. Despite limited appearances in mainline games, Birdo has gained recognition in spin-offs such as the Mario Kart series.
Bowser’s Chaotic Advisor
Fun Facts About Kamek:
Kamek, a mystical and enigmatic character in the Super Mario universe, has left an indelible mark on the series. Debuted in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island as anadviser to the young Bowser, Kamek quickly became a recurring figure known for his magical prowess andcunning strategies.
Despite not always taking center stage, Kamek’s influence is felt at critical moments, oftenorchestrating challengesfor Mario and his friends. ThisMagikoopa’sintriguing presence extends beyond the games, making appearances in various spin-offs and the Super Mario Bros. movie. Kamek’s presence proves that even behind the scenes, certain characters play pivotal roles in shaping the Mushroom Kingdom’s destiny.
Damsel In Distress Turned City Leader
Fan Facts About Pauline:
Pauline,Mario’s initial love interestfrom1981’s Donkey Kong, was his first damsel in distress before Princess Peach assumed the role. Despite this transition, Pauline has experienced a resurgence in recent Mario games. InSuper Mario Odyssey, she stole the spotlight,singingthe belovedJump Up, Super Star!.
Her enduring presence extends to titles likeMario Strikers, reaffirming her significance. Notably, the Super Mario Bros. movie featured a brief, yet memorable Paulinecameo, adding a nostalgic touch. These appearances showcase Pauline’s ability to transcend her original role, proving that her character continues to captivate audiences even after relinquishing her status as Mario’s love interest.
The Black Sheep Of The Super Mario World
Fun Facts About Wario:
Vulgar,greedy, addicted to eatingonions, and ready to throw the world under the bus if it conveniences him,Wariois anything but selfless. In spite of his disgusting nature, he’s done nothing but endear himself to players with his never-ending quest for riches and fortune, laying waste to anyone and anything standing in his way. Evenhis beloved spinoff series, Wario Land, is a theft in and of itself, as it hijacked the Super Mario Land series from the third entry onwards due to his appearance in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins making him a hit with fans.
10 Best 2D Mario Games, Ranked
Mario is a gaming icon, traversing from 2D to 3D with surprising success. But, which are the best of the 2D Mario games? This list breaks it down.
With an array of non-standard games under his belt to emphasize his bizarre nature compared to the rest of the Mario cast, Wario makes a big splash whenever he arrives on the scene, and players know that things have gotten interesting. Top to bottom, Wario is thebest black-sheep characterin gaming, and he’s happy to remind everyone of that fact upon request.
The Beloved And Chaotic Underdog
Fan Facts About Waluigi:
Nintendo may sell him short sometimes, but he’s a fan favorite for good reason.Waluigispeaks most often inindecipherablemutteringsandlaughs, masking his true thoughts and letting his exaggerated, lanky body language do the work.Cartoonish, villainous, but almost always theunderdog,
Waluigi’ssheer absurdityhas earned him a spot in the hearts of players when compared to the three other plumbers. Sometimes being a walkingenigmaof a person is all it takes to become a beloved member of gaming’s finest characters.
10Princess Rosalina
The Motherly Guardian Of The Lumas
Fun Facts About Princess Rosalina:
Who can say no to agalactic Princess? Introduced in the belovedSuper Mario Galaxy, Princess Rosalinarules over the starsas opposed to a segment or neighboring land of the Mushroom Kingdom.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie: 10 Characters Who Belong In The Sequel
The Super Mario Bros. Movie brought some familiar and iconic characters to the screen, but here are some others that should get a spot in the sequel.
Mysterious,well-meaning, and coming to the franchise as the internet was booming in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, Rosalina shot to new heights of popularity and became a fan favorite almost instantly. When it comes to stealing the spotlight, and players' hearts, Rosalina is a tough opponent to beat, and the stars in the night sky can attest to it.
9Bowser Jr.
Adorable Trouble-Making Koopaling
Fun Facts About Bowser Jr.:
Thechaoticandscheming sonof the mighty King Koopa,Bowser Jr.made sure to cement his public image as soon as he arrived on the scene. Flying about in arotary clown carand helping his father plot against the Mushroom Kingdom gives this pint-sized turtle an ego and personality the size of a truck.
Though like most bad boy archetypes, Bowser Jr. has asoft spotunderneath his vile, goblin-like attitude. Bowser Jr. ultimatelywants a motherto make a complete family for himself and his father, hence his eagerness to help Bowser kidnap Princess Peach so often. He may have the wrong approach to things, but his pranks and subversions make Bowser Jr. an endearing child character to those that get to know him.
8Princess Daisy
Adventurous Sarasaland Princess
Fun Facts About Princess Daisy:
Anactive,outgoingPrincessthat throws out the traditional norms of royalty.Princess Daisyis often more active and involved than her peers, ready to get into a game of contact soccer or join in the Olympic Games withSonic the Hedgehog. This more involved,athletic personahas kept Daisy from being seen as a total copy-cat of Princess Peach, while giving her and Luigi a dynamic as mirror inverses of Peach and Mario.
From humble beginnings as the new Princess-in-danger in Super Mario Land, to standing alongsideSonic, Ken, Solid Snake, and Sora inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, Daisy’s rise to popularity has been a successful slow burn decades in the making.
Quirky And Loyal Retainer
Fun Facts About Toad:
Toad, a loyal companion in the Super Mario universe, has evolved beyond his humble origins. First appearing in Super Mario Bros. as a loyal attendant to Princess Peach,Toad quickly became an iconic characterwith his distinctivemushroom-shaped headand unwavering loyalty. The Super Mario Bros. movie expanded Toad’s role, portraying him as a street performer, adding depth to his character.
Demonstrating versatility, Toad stars inCaptain Toad, a cozy puzzle game on the Nintendo Switch. Steering away from traditional roles, this game lets players explore captivating diorama-like levels, showcasing Toad’s individuality. Whether in movies or his own adventures, Toad continuously evolves beyond a mere sidekick into a character capable of captivating audiences in diverse narratives.
Iconic Mushroom Kingdom Hero
Fun Facts About Mario:
A corporatemascotknown around the world, from humble beginnings.Mariois one of themost importantvideo game characters ever made, and helped revitalize the industry in the mid-1980’s to create the entertainment juggernaut we know today.
10 Best Franchises That Started On Nintendo
Nintendo has started many fantastic franchises over the years–these are the best of the best.
Having starred and appeared inover a hundred gamesacross decades of consoles, handheld devices, phones, and arcade cabinets, Mario makes up for a somewhat lacking depth of character and personality with charm,endlessoptimism, and the joy he’s brought to millions of people over the course of his life. He’ll always come to save the day from whatever comes his way, and he’ll do it with a smile.
