LogFAQs > #976806633

Unmarked spoilers for the games below.

Inspired by the recent poll of the day. All the 2D games which came out before Super Mario 64. Excluding SMW2: Yoshis Island here because despite what Nintendo says, I dont consider it mainline and *whispers* its a Yoshi game.

7) Super Mario Land (1989, Game Boy)

We have Mario at home. OK I can respect it was a launch title for the Game Boy but why did it have to feel like a Mario knockoff rather than a Mario game? Probably because its the first game in the series not to be developed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendos EAD division. Its not actually bad, and it did introduce Daisy. It has 12 adequate levels filled with not koopa troopas and not fire flowers and not as much fun as the other games. Its freaking Mario, the bar is set sky high. This game is alright. The SML games were originally not considered mainline by Nintendo and hmm this is the only mainline game before Sunshine not available on Nintendo Switch Online. Almost like Nintendo knows its the worst too.

6) Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1988, Famicom Disk System)

Has enough SMB in its DNA to be a good game even when its so frustrating. Sometimes its hard, sometimes its just plain cheap, and at times that leads to committing the cardinal sin the game isnt always fun. They made the right decision not bringing this over to the NA region because it does feel like its punishing the player at times. Playing this the intended way where your only checkpoints come when you make it to a new world certainly means you feel elated when you clear each x-4 level but the irritation often outweighs the delight. Still its Mario. Whoever decided to lock the bonus worlds behind beating the game 8 times needs to be chain chomped.

5) Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins (1992, Game Boy)

This game is really good. Its laughable how much it outclasses the original SML in every conceivable way. Its not a long game obviously but it has nearly triple the levels of SML, secret exits, and Bunny Mario. Bringing back SMLs big bad Tatanga as a world boss was an inspired choice, and Wario is a fun final villain in his debut.

4) Super Mario Bros. 2/USA (1988, NES)

The weirdest classic 2D Super Mario game. Plucking vegetables, the vertical scrolling, the non-standard enemies. Freaking Birdo. This game had to grow on me, but it certainly did and Im glad its part of the mainline Mario games. It cant touch the best of the classic games imo but you gotta respect what it does well four playable characters and the best bosses of the original games (there I said it, sorry koopalings). This game is possibly underrated because of the games above it on this ranking. Only beaten it on a Mario-only playthrough and I hope to beat it as all characters one day. Phanto scared me as a child =(

3) Super Mario Bros. (1986, NES)

First game I ever played. Immensely influential, a genuine masterpiece a 10/10. Every time I revisit this game Im blown away by how tight the controls are, its incredible how good movement feels. And of course the classic enemies, iconic OST and brilliant level design just work together to create something special. Its no wonder this was the game responsible for turning Mario into a tremendously popular franchise.

2) Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988, NES)

ITS SMB3. One of two valid choices imo for best of the classic 2D Super Mario games. The power-ups, the worlds and levels, everything is just cranked up to 11. I could brag on this game for paragraphs but it is perfection, no notes.

1) Super Mario World (1990, SNES)

I never owned an SNES and I beat this game for the first time in 2023 via Nintendo Switch Online. This is the ultimate classic 2D Mario platformer. Leveraging the new (at the time) technology of the SNES, Nintendo made a feast for the eyes and ears. World is constantly a joy to look at, listen to and play. Despite playing a ton of SMB3 growing up and no World, not even nostalgia goggles can keep me from recognizing the sheer delight of this game. Yoshi and the feather make things a lot of fun, though I wonder if Id put this game below 3 if I lacked the self control needed to avoid just flying through every level without really engaging. Oh yeah and they named an enemy after Trent Reznor thats pretty sweet. Insanely great game and one I regret not playing fully sooner. Great example of the joy video games can provide.