Mario, the iconic Italian plumber created by Shigeru Miyamoto, has been a cornerstone of the gaming world since his debut in 1981. From his early days as “Jumpman” in the arcade game Donkey Kong to his modern adventures on the Nintendo Switch, Mario has starred in over 200 games, evolving from simple 2D platformers to complex 3D masterpieces. This blog post traces the journey of Mario games, focusing on their progression from the beginning to the advanced stages on the Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch, as seen through a third-person perspective. The chart above showcases the major milestones throughout this timeline.

Early Years: The Birth of a Legend

Mario’s gaming career began in 1981 with Donkey Kong, an arcade game where he appeared as a carpenter named Jumpman, tasked with rescuing Pauline from a giant ape. This simple yet engaging game introduced Mario’s trademark look, including his red hat and Italian mustache. However, it was Super Mario Bros. (1985) on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that truly defined him. This side-scrolling platformer introduced players to the Mushroom Kingdom, where Mario navigated through vibrant levels to rescue Princess Toadstool (later known as Princess Peach) from the villainous Bowser. The game featured iconic power-ups like the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Starman, as well as memorable enemies like Goombas and Koopa Troopas. Its innovative gameplay and charming design made it a cultural phenomenon, selling millions of copies and establishing Mario as a gaming icon.

The NES era saw several sequels that refined the formula. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986), originally released in Japan, was notoriously difficult, introducing poison mushrooms and wind mechanics. Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988), adapted from the Japanese game Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic, introduced character selection with Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad, each with unique abilities, and new enemies like Birdo and Shy Guys. Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988) is often regarded as one of the greatest platformers of all time, introducing the Super Leaf for flight, a world map for navigation, and mini-games, further expanding the series’ depth and replayability.

NES and SNES Era: Perfecting 2D Platforming

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) elevated Mario’s adventures with enhanced graphics and sound. Super Mario World (1990) introduced Yoshi, Mario’s dinosaur companion, who could eat enemies and lay eggs as weapons. The game featured larger, more intricate levels, new power-ups like the Cape Feather for gliding, and a vibrant art style that showcased the SNES’s capabilities. Its open-ended world map and secrets made it a beloved classic.

The SNES also saw Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (1995), a prequel where players controlled Yoshi as he protected Baby Mario through whimsical, hand-drawn levels. This game introduced unique mechanics like the flutter jump and egg-throwing, and its artistic style set it apart from other Mario titles. Meanwhile, the handheld Game Boy brought Super Mario Land (1989), set in Sarasaland with Princess Daisy, and Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992), which introduced Wario and a non-linear world map. These games solidified Mario’s dominance in both console and portable gaming.

Transition to 3D: A Revolutionary Leap

The release of Super Mario 64 in 1996 on the Nintendo 64 revolutionized the franchise, introducing players to Mario’s first fully 3D adventure. This title revolutionized platforming by introducing fully three-dimensional movement and exploration. Players controlled Mario in an open-world environment, collecting Power Stars to unlock new areas in Princess Peach’s castle. With its smooth movement system and innovative camera controls, the game redefined what 3D platformers could achieve, leaving a lasting impact on the genre. Super Mario 64 continues to be celebrated as a groundbreaking title that championed player freedom and imaginative level design.

GameCube Era: A Tropical Adventure

On the GameCube, Super Mario Sunshine (2002) continued the 3D platforming tradition. Set on the tropical Isle Delfino, Mario used a water-spraying backpack called F.L.U.D.D. to clean up graffiti and solve puzzles. The game introduced new mechanics, such as hovering and spraying water to navigate levels, and featured a vibrant, sunny aesthetic. Although it sparked mixed reactions at launch for straying from classic Mario formula, Super Mario Sunshine has grown into a fan favorite, admired for its tropical backdrop and creative gameplay innovations.

Wii Era: Motion Controls and Galactic Adventures

Super Mario Galaxy, released in 2007, marked the Mario series’ debut of motion-controlled gameplay, made possible by the innovative features of the Nintendo Wii. The game earned acclaim for its groundbreaking gravity-based gameplay, allowing Mario to explore small planets with shifting gravitational pulls. Players interacted using the Wii Remote to gather Star Bits and execute spin moves, adding a fresh layer of immersion. The game’s stunning visuals, orchestral soundtrack, and imaginative level design earned it numerous Game of the Year awards, and it is often ranked among the best Mario games ever made. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010) built on this foundation, adding new power-ups like the Drill Suit and Cloud Suit, as well as Yoshi as a playable character. Its refined gameplay and additional challenges received universal acclaim.

Another notable Wii title was New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009), which returned to 2D platforming with modern graphics and introduced four-player cooperative multiplayer. New power-ups like the Propeller Suit and Penguin Suit, combined with motion controls, made it a family-friendly hit, appealing to both new and veteran players.

Wii U Era: Blending 2D and 3D

The Wii U era brought a mix of 2D and 3D Mario games, showcasing Nintendo’s versatility. New Super Mario Bros. U (2012) offered high-definition 2D platforming with new power-ups like the Super Acorn, which allowed Mario to glide and cling to walls. The game supported extensive multiplayer and included an expansion, New Super Luigi U (2013), which focused on Luigi’s higher jumps and unique physics.

Super Mario 3D World (2013) was a standout title, blending elements of 2D and 3D Mario games. It featured linear levels with a time limit, where players aimed to reach the Goal Pole while collecting Green Stars and stamps. The game introduced the Cat Suit, enabled by the Super Bell power-up, allowing Mario to climb walls, perform melee attacks, and leap in midair. Up to four players could play cooperatively or competitively, controlling Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, or Toad, each with distinct abilities (e.g., Luigi’s higher jump, Peach’s float). The game’s creative levels, such as Beep Block Skyway and Mount Must Dash, were praised for their variety and replayability. Additional features included Captain Toad’s Adventures, which later inspired a standalone game, and Miiverse integration for sharing stamps and ghost data.

Super Mario Maker (2015) was a groundbreaking title that empowered players to create and share their own 2D Mario levels using assets from various Mario games. Its robust level editor and online community fostered endless creativity, making it a favorite among speed runners and casual players alike.

Switch Era: Open-World Exploration and Innovation

The Nintendo Switch has ushered Mario into the modern era with groundbreaking titles that push the boundaries of the series. Super Mario Odyssey (2017) redefined 3D Mario games with its sandbox-like exploration and the Cappy capture mechanic, allowing Mario to possess enemies and objects, such as Goombas, Chain Chomps, and even a T-Rex. The game features 17 diverse kingdoms, each with unique themes and challenges, from the bustling New Donk City to the underwater Seaside Kingdom. To power up Mario’s airship, the Odyssey, players gather Power Moons while journeying across diverse kingdoms in a quest to thwart Bowser’s plan to marry Princess Peach against her will. The game’s two-player co-op mode, where the second player controls Cappy, and additional features like Balloon World minigames and amiibo support, add depth and replayability. Super Mario Odyssey is widely regarded as a bar-setting title for its creativity and polish.

Super Mario Maker 2 (2019) expanded on its Wii U predecessor with new tools, such as slopes and on/off switches, and introduced a story mode where players rebuild Princess Peach’s castle. Its multiplayer modes, including online co-op and versus, enhanced the community-driven experience, making it a haven for creative players.

Released in 2021, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury revived the beloved Wii U title on the Nintendo Switch with upgraded graphics and smoother gameplay. The new Bowser’s Fury mode added an open-world experience where a giant, rage-filled Bowser sporadically invades the cat-themed world of Lake Lapcat, creating thrilling, unpredictable encounters. Mario teams up with Bowser Jr. to collect Cat Shines and restore Bowser, blending traditional platforming with open-world exploration. This mode’s innovative approach was praised for its freshness and replayability.

The latest entry, Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023), returned to 2D platforming with a bold new art style and innovative mechanics. The game introduced Wonder Flowers, which dynamically alter levels in unexpected ways, such as turning Mario into an elephant, animating pipes, or transforming the environment. Its puzzling level designs and high replayability have made it a standout title, earning universal acclaim for revitalizing 2D Mario games.

Conclusion: A Timeless Journey

From his humble beginnings in Donkey Kong to the advanced stages on the Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch, Mario has continually evolved, setting new standards in game design and captivating players of all ages. Each console has brought fresh innovations, from the 3D revolution of Super Mario 64 to the gravity-defying planets of Super Mario Galaxy, the creative freedom of Super Mario Maker, and the open-world exploration of Super Mario Odyssey. Mario’s journey reflects Nintendo’s commitment to creativity and excellence, ensuring that the beloved plumber remains a central figure in gaming history.

Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting classics or a newcomer exploring the latest titles, Mario’s games offer a blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge gameplay. As we look to the future, Mario’s adventures are sure to continue inspiring and delighting gamers for generations to come.