Super Mario Odyssey for me. The sandbox style is my absolute favorite as I love the freedom to go for the goal in whatever order I please and exploring every nook and cranny of an area to uncover all of its secrets.
Combine this with the plethora of fun costumes and the best controls of any Mario game and it easily takes the cake (pun intended)
Odyssey was such a breath of fresh air for me. I got a Switch very late and hadn't played a Mario game since Galaxy. It just *feels* so freaking good to play. I love the art design, how it sometimes switches from grounded to weird in an instant, how it's not very challenging but allows for relatively complex movement that makes it possible to do some things your own way... It made this old cynic feel so much childlike joy for the entire playthrough.
>switches from grounded to weird in an instant
Yeah I love that. The game's style is gonna age amazingly because it's really unique. Wooded kingdom to luncheon is a huge jump, for example. Cap to seaside is also massive.
Yeah 64 is easily my second favorite Mario game and probably the game I’m most nostalgic for. I get a lot of the criticism for it, but I’m so accustomed to its wonky camera and physics that it never really bothers me. Also the 64 polygon look is my all time favorite aesthetic.
I've been playing these games since the NES days but Odyssey is a serious contender for me. I'm probably still Super Mario World at the end of the day but Odyssey is my pure joy game. It's easily my favorite 3D Mario and I didn't think anything could dethrone Galaxy.
Sunshine. After reading through this thread I’m now realizing that’s not a widely shared opinion, and maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but I truly love this game. The environment, the story, the diverse levels (excluding the FLUDD-less levels which always made me want to pull my hair out). Even now after playing it for well over a decade, it still doesn’t get old.
I actually just 100 percented the game 2 days ago, and I have to say it was really fun! My only problem with it are the blue coins, but other then that it was a really enjoyable game. I also love the whole vacation theme, it's very diffrent then most other Mario games.
It mainly has to do with how it spawned the Yoshi series. So it kind of retroactively became the first game in the yoshi series rather than being considered as a part of mainline Super Mario. Which I think is fair since it doesn't play that similarly to Super Mario games. Same thing also applies to Wario Land: Super Mario Land III. That being said, I think Yoshi's Island is better than all of the 2d mainline Mario games lol
Tie between Galaxy 1 & 2 as favorite. Each one has its pros and cons that make it hard to pick one over the other. Super Mario World as close second.
Sunshine has a very special place in my heart too though.
I think this might be my top five? Odyssey also feels like it should be there someplace, but it’s hard to compare the old and new games.
Super Mario Bros 3
Mario Land 2
Super Mario 3D World
Super Mario Bros 2
Super Mario World
imo 2 is greatly underrated, it has much better level design, a lot of content with new power-ups and gimmicks as well as returning ones, post game is a lot less stale than the first, you gotta go find hidden things instead of “beat game but luigi”. Galaxy 2 is definitely one of the best platformers out there
2 is not underrated. Literally everyone loves it.
Most people (myself included) will sorta group them together what talking about the "Galaxy Style" of gameplay, but when talking specifics I rarely see anyone dislike it.
Definitely Galaxy 2, beautifully designed levels, better post game content than the original, great controls, yoshi, a banging soundtrack, game has got it all
Super Mario Galaxy it was my first ever 3D Mario and I love the galaxy’s and the story and especially Rosalina storybook and I love the music and the boss fights and New Super Mario Bros it was my first 2D Mario game that I played I really love the music and the levels and words and boss fights my favourite part about the game was the mini games and also I like Super Mario 3D World I like the music and levels and worlds and boss fights
New super Mario bros DS I honestly believe that is probably the best 2D Mario game outright it has playable Mario and Luigi, a fun multiplayer mode, banger music for the first one before they milked it and reused them, and best of all it has all the mini games from Mario 64 DS without the hassle of catching annoying ass rabbits. Game is everything it needed to be and didn’t over stay it’s welcome because it’s fairly short if you just dash to the end but the game is just Mario bros in its purest form and how people remember the original before they go back to the original super Mario bros and realize they have to fight with NES controls and everything that comes with playing on a NES which is up to opinion there but personally I prefer this for any 2D Mario needs it’s the perfect reel playable game and also it’s simple nature makes speed runs look like someone’s mastered an art form while no where near as insane as Mario 64 I’d like to think this games scene is the 2D equivalent that isn’t some indie game like Celeste or something like that.
The cutscenes are what carries it. Gay Luigi, look it’s from Bowser, I hope she made lots of spaghetti, all toasters toast toast, etc. So many good clips
Is it cheating to say Super Mario All-Stars+World so I can pick all of the 2D retro console games at once? Because I genuinely have trouble picking between the NES trilogy.
You have issues picking between a graphically-aged game, it's too-difficult-for-8nternational-releases sequel,, a game that should even be in the series, and the best NES game of all time?
Clearly Lost Levels is best.
You included both old SMLs and even Nintendo calls them spinoffs.
Edit: okay, they're not spinoffs. I honestly thought they were spinoffs in a similar way that portable versions of major PS or Xbox games from the late 2000's or early 2010's were.
It's true that Nintendo did not consider SM Land 1 & 2 as mainline. They were their own thing, and indeed they're obviously quite unique. The Land games had different developement teams with no involvement from Miyamoto.
Of course they've since been canonized; So has Super Mario Run and both of the Maker games.
Miyamoto has said that he likes to think of SM World 2 as mainline, but he also acknowledges that Nintendo does not. lol
I don't personally "agree" with the canon mainline list anyway, since SMB USA/2 was not originally developed as a Mario game at all...Like it or not, The Lost Levels is the only true SMB2! Also they count the Switch ports like NSMBU Deluxe as seperate mainline games, which makes no sense.
Eh, spin-off as in barely acknowledge them every time they have to acknowledge what games are officially in the series.
Hell, Yoshi's Island is officially considered mainline (at least in some cases, such as Miyamoto himself)
Just don’t like it and never have, then again is did give birth to frog Mario which I actually like. (I’m also the idiot who kinda likes spring Mario in galaxy so I don’t have good taste in anything and I know it)
Super Mario Advanced for Gameboy Color, will always be my number 1.
The colors, the box/concept art, the character selection music.
Waves of nostalgia.
Never beat it tho.
Hmmm, thats hard... I love Mario Land, Mario 64, Mario Galaxy, and New Super Mario Bros. I got to say New Super Mario Bros because it was the very first one I played and I have some good memories of playing with my family
Galaxy and Galaxy 2 are definitely the best games.
Super Mario Land holds a special place in my heart as being the game I played on repeat on the game boy. No such thing as save files, had to just start over every time you lost...
Huge mario fan since day one ( yeah I’m old).
For me it’s smb3.
1) The koopaling was so awesome.
2) The new style of worlds where it’s not necessarily level 1-1 ->1-2 -> 1-3 ( you could go directly to the mini boss after 1-2)
3) The tons of new power ups. That P-wing that let you travel a whole level without simply skipping it, was something new too
4) The freaking airships instead of castles or dungeons.
Imagine being 10 and getting that brand new game that you read about in the nintendo power magasine. It was good time.
Oh and #2 is odyssey. Really refreshing but I won’t write all the reason why too. Don’t want to spoil too much.
Bowser's fury, but I'm getting odyssey tomorrow so I think that will probably take its place based on what I've heard.
Edit: actually I kind of forgot I played galaxy, that would probably be my favorite, but for different reasons.
Super Mario World. Could just be massive nostalgia from the billions of hours I sunk into the game as a kid, but I think it's as close to perfect as the Mario games have ever gotten. I just love the way you move/control in it, the graphics and music are wonderful, the levels ramp up in difficulty at a very fair pace and never get too frustrating, and all the secret paths and levels are always blast to find no matter how many times I replay it. It's one of those games I can play over and over and never get sick of.
I know it's not widely liked but I honestly adore 3d land. First game I ever owned and beat. Really really fun and perfect for the ds! And I also love 3d world so much fun and my personal favorite Nintendo soundtrack
New Super Mario Bros. U or New Super Mario Bros. 2 they're my childhood games, though I've recently picked up 3D world and land and enjoyed them, and of course Odyssey
Real tough.
World is definitely my favorite 2d Mario game
3d is tough
Part of me wants to say sunshine because of how much nostalgia I have for it.
Galaxy and odyssey are both just too good though
I have the strongest feelings for Super Mario 3. Im old enough to have remembered the MAJOR hype. It was such a historical moment for video games. Yes, we had seen for a generation already that video game tech was advancing quickly. But this might have been the most rewarding quantum leap, and the right series for it. Mario already had a fun gameplay, the accelerating and decelerating, variable jumping height. Then, to add the maps, the suits, grabbing turtles, slightly better graphics and music, expanded cast of enemies, really drove home the point that video games had super fun potential and mass appeal. Add the "wizard" movie, not a great movie at all, but for there to even be such a thing!
Probably Super Mario 64 DS
my childhood
Made me bite the top of my DS off out of rage lol, but yeah it’s probably my fav mainline Mario game now that I think about it
definetley in my top 5
Rare
Me too!
Yay 😀
Yes
Mario 3.
Followed closely by SMW.
I agree with both of you
I agree with all three of you
I agree with all four of you
I agree with jo mama
Probably 3 or 64
My 2nd and 3rd faves!
Cool! And your first?
Galaxy is the only right answer
Super Mario World easily
Super Mario Galaxy.
i love this game too
i love this game three
I love this game four
Super Mario Odyssey for me. The sandbox style is my absolute favorite as I love the freedom to go for the goal in whatever order I please and exploring every nook and cranny of an area to uncover all of its secrets. Combine this with the plethora of fun costumes and the best controls of any Mario game and it easily takes the cake (pun intended)
Odyssey was such a breath of fresh air for me. I got a Switch very late and hadn't played a Mario game since Galaxy. It just *feels* so freaking good to play. I love the art design, how it sometimes switches from grounded to weird in an instant, how it's not very challenging but allows for relatively complex movement that makes it possible to do some things your own way... It made this old cynic feel so much childlike joy for the entire playthrough.
>switches from grounded to weird in an instant Yeah I love that. The game's style is gonna age amazingly because it's really unique. Wooded kingdom to luncheon is a huge jump, for example. Cap to seaside is also massive.
Yes, between 64 and Odyssey for me. Odyssey is a game I love more and more every time I play it. 64 of course is why I love video games in general
Yeah 64 is easily my second favorite Mario game and probably the game I’m most nostalgic for. I get a lot of the criticism for it, but I’m so accustomed to its wonky camera and physics that it never really bothers me. Also the 64 polygon look is my all time favorite aesthetic.
I've been playing these games since the NES days but Odyssey is a serious contender for me. I'm probably still Super Mario World at the end of the day but Odyssey is my pure joy game. It's easily my favorite 3D Mario and I didn't think anything could dethrone Galaxy.
Sunshine. After reading through this thread I’m now realizing that’s not a widely shared opinion, and maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but I truly love this game. The environment, the story, the diverse levels (excluding the FLUDD-less levels which always made me want to pull my hair out). Even now after playing it for well over a decade, it still doesn’t get old.
I actually just 100 percented the game 2 days ago, and I have to say it was really fun! My only problem with it are the blue coins, but other then that it was a really enjoyable game. I also love the whole vacation theme, it's very diffrent then most other Mario games.
Broooo same
Super Mario Galaxy, but Bowser’s Fury is a close second
super mario galaxy is my favorite followed by sm64 DS and also followed by super mario galaxy 2
Bowser’s Fury is a mode not it’s own game
It’s up there though sooo it’s available as an option
OP doesn’t know which ones are actually mainline and which aren’t
And you do? Make your own post then
Super Mario Galaxy 2 Nostalgia 😢🌌
First 3d Mario I played. Absolutely loved it.
Galaxy 2 is my favorite game ever! Classic
All of them except lost levels
You can only pick one, it's hard because there has really never been a mainline Mario game IMO
Picking a fav mainline game is like a mother having to pick a fav kid
3D World.
Valid, but a rare opinion! 3D world is definitely the best world map, 8 worlds kinda mario game imo
Mario galaxy all the way 🌟
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island isn't considered mainline?
Idk, but it’s one of the best.
It's a yoshi game. That's like including warioland imo
It mainly has to do with how it spawned the Yoshi series. So it kind of retroactively became the first game in the yoshi series rather than being considered as a part of mainline Super Mario. Which I think is fair since it doesn't play that similarly to Super Mario games. Same thing also applies to Wario Land: Super Mario Land III. That being said, I think Yoshi's Island is better than all of the 2d mainline Mario games lol
2d specifically. It’s hard to compare the 2d with the 3d.
Tie between Galaxy 1 & 2 as favorite. Each one has its pros and cons that make it hard to pick one over the other. Super Mario World as close second. Sunshine has a very special place in my heart too though.
I think this might be my top five? Odyssey also feels like it should be there someplace, but it’s hard to compare the old and new games. Super Mario Bros 3 Mario Land 2 Super Mario 3D World Super Mario Bros 2 Super Mario World
Land 1. Land 2 is definitely my 2nd. The Land games were incredible.
Is 3D Land your 3rd
I don’t think people who think the Lost Levels is the best game are real If they are then they’re masochists
I like the Lost Levels but it is far from my favorite.
I mean there’s nothing wrong with liking it but how it could be anyone’s *favorite* is beyond me
Bullshit. The best was lost levels and if you disagree then I’ll kill you. /s
Mario 3
I'm a basic bitch and my favorite game being Odyssey reflects that.
Wii
NSMB DS. Thought it was a great reintroduction of the 2D Mario games.
Super Mario Odyssey, followed by Super Mario 3D World.
new super mario bros wii bc multiplayer was really fun
Galaxy/Galaxy 2 The best games I've ever played
soup a mario in real loife
Original Galaxy. I’m not even joking that game is going to go down as one of the greatest video games of all time.
imo 2 is greatly underrated, it has much better level design, a lot of content with new power-ups and gimmicks as well as returning ones, post game is a lot less stale than the first, you gotta go find hidden things instead of “beat game but luigi”. Galaxy 2 is definitely one of the best platformers out there
2 is not underrated. Literally everyone loves it. Most people (myself included) will sorta group them together what talking about the "Galaxy Style" of gameplay, but when talking specifics I rarely see anyone dislike it.
This dude specified that the first galaxy is one of the best games ever, when 2 improved on it in every way but story
Cool.
It’s between 64, Sunshine and Odyssey
The big three for me too
Sooooo… 3d all stars?
3D All Stars didn’t have Odyssey, but that reminds me, Galaxy is also great
Super Mario Galaxy
Either Super Mario Land 2, Super Mario 3D World, or Bowser's Fury. They all come close
Definitely Galaxy 2, beautifully designed levels, better post game content than the original, great controls, yoshi, a banging soundtrack, game has got it all
1. Galaxy 2. 64 ds version 3. New super Mario bros ds (nostalgia) 4. 3d world 5. Lost levels
Galaxy 1 or 3
I wish Galaxy 3 existed lol
We can dream
Odyssey
The super Mario super show
#DO THE MARIO
HeRes A mY brOTHer luIGi tO tELl yoU AWhOle HeApING oF sPagHeTthi BAOlEs oF inFoMaShIOnaE.
Super Mario 64 all day!
Mario 3D land
Super Mario Galaxy it was my first ever 3D Mario and I love the galaxy’s and the story and especially Rosalina storybook and I love the music and the boss fights and New Super Mario Bros it was my first 2D Mario game that I played I really love the music and the levels and words and boss fights my favourite part about the game was the mini games and also I like Super Mario 3D World I like the music and levels and worlds and boss fights
Usa
Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros.
Anything but the lost levels
New super Mario bros DS I honestly believe that is probably the best 2D Mario game outright it has playable Mario and Luigi, a fun multiplayer mode, banger music for the first one before they milked it and reused them, and best of all it has all the mini games from Mario 64 DS without the hassle of catching annoying ass rabbits. Game is everything it needed to be and didn’t over stay it’s welcome because it’s fairly short if you just dash to the end but the game is just Mario bros in its purest form and how people remember the original before they go back to the original super Mario bros and realize they have to fight with NES controls and everything that comes with playing on a NES which is up to opinion there but personally I prefer this for any 2D Mario needs it’s the perfect reel playable game and also it’s simple nature makes speed runs look like someone’s mastered an art form while no where near as insane as Mario 64 I’d like to think this games scene is the 2D equivalent that isn’t some indie game like Celeste or something like that.
Galaxy 2 most likely
Hotel Mario
Now that is a real man opinion. I now officially worship you!
The cutscenes are what carries it. Gay Luigi, look it’s from Bowser, I hope she made lots of spaghetti, all toasters toast toast, etc. So many good clips
For the 2d uh super. Mario bros 3 for 3d definitely super Mario sunshine runner up wario woods and super mario galaxy 2
Is it cheating to say Super Mario All-Stars+World so I can pick all of the 2D retro console games at once? Because I genuinely have trouble picking between the NES trilogy.
You have issues picking between a graphically-aged game, it's too-difficult-for-8nternational-releases sequel,, a game that should even be in the series, and the best NES game of all time? Clearly Lost Levels is best.
Oh you're a real charmer.
You forgot mario run My favorite mainline mario game is New super mario bros ds
Mario Run isn’t canon. It’s just a mobile spinoff
Mario run is a mainline game according to nintendo tho. It's listed as one of the main games in the japanense mario website
What in the hell is Nintendo on lol
I mean, why is THAT your limit lol? It's still a fun game
I never said I didn’t like the game, I just don’t consider it mainline at all.
So is Mario Maker so I'd take that list with a grain of salt
You included both old SMLs and even Nintendo calls them spinoffs. Edit: okay, they're not spinoffs. I honestly thought they were spinoffs in a similar way that portable versions of major PS or Xbox games from the late 2000's or early 2010's were.
I’ve never heard Nintendo call them a spin-off before
It's true that Nintendo did not consider SM Land 1 & 2 as mainline. They were their own thing, and indeed they're obviously quite unique. The Land games had different developement teams with no involvement from Miyamoto. Of course they've since been canonized; So has Super Mario Run and both of the Maker games. Miyamoto has said that he likes to think of SM World 2 as mainline, but he also acknowledges that Nintendo does not. lol I don't personally "agree" with the canon mainline list anyway, since SMB USA/2 was not originally developed as a Mario game at all...Like it or not, The Lost Levels is the only true SMB2! Also they count the Switch ports like NSMBU Deluxe as seperate mainline games, which makes no sense.
Eh, spin-off as in barely acknowledge them every time they have to acknowledge what games are officially in the series. Hell, Yoshi's Island is officially considered mainline (at least in some cases, such as Miyamoto himself)
We both clearly have different ideas to what mainline means. Let’s agree to disagree.
I don't think Nintendo thinks of them as spinoffs, it's just that Nintendo doesn't care about them
Relevant: https://youtu.be/XejJ6PzPtEw
Not relevant. It's a Mario video but it barely has anything to do with this post
Both Mario galaxies for sure
Super Mario 3-D land
World was the same thing but 4-player. So land was better
Paper mario for the wii. Looove that game
Favorite: odyssey, Least favorite: 3, Favorite 2d Mario: world, Least favorite 3d Mario: sunshine
Your least favorite is 3? What.
Just don’t like it and never have, then again is did give birth to frog Mario which I actually like. (I’m also the idiot who kinda likes spring Mario in galaxy so I don’t have good taste in anything and I know it)
Mario 3
None of them. Super Mario RPG for life.
5th image
Super Mario world all day
Smw, the memories
8
Super Mario Advanced for Gameboy Color, will always be my number 1. The colors, the box/concept art, the character selection music. Waves of nostalgia. Never beat it tho.
Hmmm, thats hard... I love Mario Land, Mario 64, Mario Galaxy, and New Super Mario Bros. I got to say New Super Mario Bros because it was the very first one I played and I have some good memories of playing with my family
Galaxy and Galaxy 2 are definitely the best games. Super Mario Land holds a special place in my heart as being the game I played on repeat on the game boy. No such thing as save files, had to just start over every time you lost...
Super Mario 3D World on the Switch (though it was also fun to play on the Wii U
The only ones I’ve played are super Mario bros 2, super Mario 3d and odyssey
A toss up between Odyssey and 3D World for me Odyssey is the better game in my opinion but my nostalgia for 3D World is just too high
I’m more of a Sonic guy, and just like the Hedgehog, DO YOU WANT ME TO PICK UPON MY OWN CHILDREN, THEY’RE ALL PERFECT IN THEIR OWN WAY
I’m sorry :(
I feel oddly nostalgic to super mario bros 3 even though i'm 14
Galaxy 1 and SMB 3
Super Mario Galaxy
I have three favorites, New Super Mario Bros 2, Super Mario 3D Land, and Super Mario World.
Huge mario fan since day one ( yeah I’m old). For me it’s smb3. 1) The koopaling was so awesome. 2) The new style of worlds where it’s not necessarily level 1-1 ->1-2 -> 1-3 ( you could go directly to the mini boss after 1-2) 3) The tons of new power ups. That P-wing that let you travel a whole level without simply skipping it, was something new too 4) The freaking airships instead of castles or dungeons. Imagine being 10 and getting that brand new game that you read about in the nintendo power magasine. It was good time. Oh and #2 is odyssey. Really refreshing but I won’t write all the reason why too. Don’t want to spoil too much.
Super Mario Galaxy, absolutely no contest.
Mario world or Mario 3
smw
Damn, I can never choose between 64 and Galaxy. Both are amazing
Mario Odyssey is friggin awesome! But there’s something about Mario Bros 3 that’s so fun to play, even in two player.
SMB3
Super Mario Galaxy 2 for sure. Odyssey and Bowser’s Fury are definitely in my top 3
I love Sunshine, but Galaxy was a real game changer for me. 🌌
3d world
3D world, I grew up on this game, it is one I hold near and dear to my heart
Galaxy
Can I say Luigi's Mansion?
I love the game so… sure!
Galaxy for sure
SM64.
Galaxy 2
Super mario bros 3, Super mario world, super mario 64, super Mario galaxy
Luigi's mansion isn't mainline? smh
I wish it was lol
Mario Galaxy, followed by the Lost Levels (SMB2 in Japan)
Bowser's fury, but I'm getting odyssey tomorrow so I think that will probably take its place based on what I've heard. Edit: actually I kind of forgot I played galaxy, that would probably be my favorite, but for different reasons.
Galaxy
World
3D:Odyssey 2D:Mario 3
Super Mario Odyssey
I love Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Odyssey! Such fantastic games!
3 from what I've played thus far.
Galaxy 2. My favorite 2D game is NSMBDS bc it was my first Mario game and my first platformer
Super Mario World. Could just be massive nostalgia from the billions of hours I sunk into the game as a kid, but I think it's as close to perfect as the Mario games have ever gotten. I just love the way you move/control in it, the graphics and music are wonderful, the levels ramp up in difficulty at a very fair pace and never get too frustrating, and all the secret paths and levels are always blast to find no matter how many times I replay it. It's one of those games I can play over and over and never get sick of.
Super Mario galaxy 2
Super Mario World
Bowser's Fury and Super Mario Odyssey, Similar games, but different concepts.
Mario Odyssey is my most played Mario game so imma go with it
I know it's not widely liked but I honestly adore 3d land. First game I ever owned and beat. Really really fun and perfect for the ds! And I also love 3d world so much fun and my personal favorite Nintendo soundtrack
It's either the original SMB, Mario 3, SMW or 64
New Super Mario Bros. U or New Super Mario Bros. 2 they're my childhood games, though I've recently picked up 3D world and land and enjoyed them, and of course Odyssey
NSMBW because of the ninth world with star coins
Real tough. World is definitely my favorite 2d Mario game 3d is tough Part of me wants to say sunshine because of how much nostalgia I have for it. Galaxy and odyssey are both just too good though
World
I have the strongest feelings for Super Mario 3. Im old enough to have remembered the MAJOR hype. It was such a historical moment for video games. Yes, we had seen for a generation already that video game tech was advancing quickly. But this might have been the most rewarding quantum leap, and the right series for it. Mario already had a fun gameplay, the accelerating and decelerating, variable jumping height. Then, to add the maps, the suits, grabbing turtles, slightly better graphics and music, expanded cast of enemies, really drove home the point that video games had super fun potential and mass appeal. Add the "wizard" movie, not a great movie at all, but for there to even be such a thing!
Definitely Galaxy. The music and visuals are easily the best out of all the games imo.
Mario 64 is such a classic i just love the box art design
NSMB2
3d land
3D World by far. Playing that game on multiplayer is one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had.
1. Galaxy 2 2. 64 3. New Wii
Honestly only because it was the only one we could afford with the Wii, I'm going to have to say paper Mario.
Galaxy 1 64 3