10 Best Mario Games (2025)

You may be surprised to know that there are over 200 games that feature Mario and his bandmates. That’s a whopping ton, including 24 mainline Super Mario titles and blockbuster film adaptations. However, it’s probably not too surprising, given the franchise has been around for a long time now. Mario will have hit the forty-year mark by the end of this year. In anticipation of this incredible feat, we’re ranking the best Mario games this year down below.

10. Super Mario Galaxy (2007)

Super Mario Galaxy is a platformer game featuring 3D worlds and Mario in the spotlight. You’re still on the seemingly never-ending quest to save Princess Peach from Bowser. However, the universe, too, is in need of your saving, where you traverse several galaxies packed with several minor planets and worlds. The planets all differ in their own right, whether it’s varied gravity and biomes.

However, the main gameplay remains the same: to successfully complete missions wherein you beat bosses and collect special items called Power Stars. After that, you can always jump back in for a second go at it, controlling Mario’s brother, Luigi, across a more challenging run.

9. Super Mario Maker (2015)

Super Mario Maker will likely be remembered for years to come, thanks to its innovative take on platforming and user-created levels. Rather than make do with the levels created by developers, you’re free to design your own.

Afterward, you can play the levels you have created or, better yet, share them with other players online. The best part is that the user-creation tool and process are all free and adopt the ever-so-thrilling mechanics of the likes of Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario World.

8. Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023)

A bit more recently, the best Mario games in 2025 received another worthy contender: Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Also a platformer game, the title went back to the franchise’s roots and depicted a side-scrolling Super Mario world. You control either Mario or Luigi, alongside some of their buddies, and try to beat Bowser, who has managed to come up with a new way to cause chaos by exerting dominance on the Flower Kingdom.

The story changed, which ignited even more interest, but the mechanics, too, are smoother and won lots of awards upon launch.

7. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)

Kart racing has never been as good as in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the series that made the racing sub-genre popular in the first place. The characters this time have added up to as many as 42 player-controlled racers. Each one has their own unique perks to bring to the table. However, the diversity is further spruced up by the 48 tracks, including inspirations drawn from The Legend of Zelda and more. 

6. Super Mario 64 (1997)

To indulge in nostalgia, you can check out Super Mario 64. This platformer game is among the OGs that sit atop the best Mario games this year. Although pretty old, it’s renowned for introducing game-changing 3D environments to the Mario franchise.

You still enjoy the seamless Mario platforming gameplay. However, in addition, the character designs and graphics are all rendered in a vast open world, much to your explorative pleasure.

5. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (2022)

If you’d like a genre shift, be sure to check out Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope. It’s an action-adventure tactical RPG from Ubisoft that merges Mario’s and Ubisoft’s Rabbids worlds.

The sequel picked up from Kingdom Battle and elevated the graphics, music score, gameplay, and generally nearly every aspect of the series. Even the combat is more fluid and packs a punch. As you might expect, you control the Mario and Rabbids franchise characters as you strive to save the Sparks across the galaxy. 

4. Super Mario World (1990)

There’s no wrapping up the best Mario games this year without mentioning Super Mario World. This platformer game continues to top several ranking lists as one of the greatest Nintendo games ever made.

Even as early as 1990, when the original Super Mario World launched on the SNES, the freedom to ride Yoshi, the friendly dinosaur, and experience a new gameplay of eating enemies thrilled fans worldwide.

Now, you can play the classic on the Nintendo Switch Online. Or you can check out Super Mario 3D World, which brings to life Mario’s adventures in 3D.

3. Super Mario Odyssey (2017)

While at it, be sure to check out Super Mario Odyssey, also a platformer game on the Switch. This time, a new friend, Cappy, is added to the franchise to help Mario on his quest to save Princess Peach from Bowser’s forced marriage.

Rather than side-scrolling, this installment uses a 3D open world where you explore diverse kingdoms and collect Power Moons on the way to power the Odyssey airship and reach new heights. 

2. Mario & Luigi: Brothership (2024)

The most recent Mario & Luigi: Brothership effortlessly captures gamers’ hearts with its invigorating cartoon artwork. It shifts gears to the role-playing genre, where Mario and Luigi once again have to embark on a grueling mission to save Concordia.

Apparently, a dark force called the Glohm is threatening its people, and the plumbing brothers must gather the courage to solve puzzles, complete quests, beat enemies in turn-based combat, and reunite Concordia’s splitting worlds.

1. Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)

The classics remain easy contenders on the best Mario games list; among them is Super Mario Bros. 3. It’s the best title to venture into when you want to go down memory lane.

Yet you’ll still have a great time via a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, thanks to mechanics that have stood the test of time. Controlling Mario or Luigi feels grand, even as you beat enemies, unlock power-ups, and enjoy some of the level design features that still remain in the recent titles decades later.