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Top 5 2D Mario Games

by the NWR Staff - July 11, 2019, 1:45 pm EDT
Total comments: 7

With help from our friends, we laid down a bold list of our favorite 2D Marios.

Nintendo’s console dominance began with 2D Mario and with the exception of a late ‘90s 3D-influenced breather, 2D Mario has been a staple of Nintendo’s console and handheld libraries for more than 30 years. From Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario Run, Mario (and most of the time Luigi) jumps around, stomping Goombas, defeating Bowser, and saving Peach. We took it upon ourselves to rank our favorite 2D Mario adventures with a little help from our Patrons (which you can be a part of by laying down as little as $1 a month to help us craft these lists and also get exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else). Our Top 2D Mario List boils down to what you’d expect, but we’ll keep some element of surprise before we get there.

Minor programming note: yes - Yoshi’s Island is considered by many, including Shigeru Miyamoto, to be a sequel to Super Mario World. However, for the purposes of this poll, we made the call to not include it. We love Yoshi’s Island, but it’s the start of a radical new spin-off series in our eyes. Likewise Super Mario Land 3 isn’t in the mix because of the same reasons. Finally, any port or remake was included with its original, so the benefits of the Super Mario Advance versions were counted in with the originals.

Be sure to check the video for more details, but here's the list for your debating desires.

  • 13. Super Mario Run
  • 12. Super Mario Bros. 2 (Japan)
  • 11. Super Mario Land
  • 10. New Super Mario Bros.
  • 9. Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA)
  • 8. New Super Mario Bros. 2
  • 7. New Super Luigi U
  • 6. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
  • 5. Super Mario Land 2
  • 4. Super Mario Bros.
  • 3. New Super Mario Bros. U
  • 2. Super Mario Bros. 3
  • 1. Super Mario World

Talkback

KITT 10KJuly 11, 2019

Super Mario World has been my favorite Mario game ever since I first played it along side Mario 64.

ShyGuyJuly 11, 2019

Super Mario Bros 2 should be higher.

WanderleiJuly 12, 2019

Super Mario Bros. 3 > Super Mario World

M.K.UltraJuly 12, 2019

Is Mario Bros. not eligible for this list or just not good enough?

GharnJuly 13, 2019

Quote from: Wanderlei

Super Mario Bros. 3 > Super Mario World

This has always been true for me also.  I was impressed with Super Mario World when it released and consider it a classic, but it just wasn't as earth-shattering as Super Mario Bros. 3. 

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJuly 13, 2019

Quote from: ShyGuy

Super Mario Bros 2 should be higher.

I agree. Lost Levels is fantastic fun.

Mop it upJuly 15, 2019

Surprisingly, there isn't a whole lot I would disagree with on this list, though there are a few things I would move around. The main one would be moving down SMB1; yes it's possibly the most groundbreaking game ever created, but the following games have built so much onto it that I'd rather play them in this day and age.

Quote from: Mr.

Is Mario Bros. not eligible for this list or just not good enough?

I think it simply isn't eligible. While it may be considered a 2D platformer, it isn't a part of the Super Mario series.

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