5 Best 2D Mario Games, Ranked

When Mario made the leap to side-scrolling platforming after starring in games like “Donkey Kong” and “Wrecking Crew,” his Nintendo series set the industry on fire. Even after the “Super Mario” series shifted to 3D platforming, Nintendo continued to produce games in the series from its classic perspective. With the exception of the Nintendo 64 and GameCube, many Nintendo consoles have their own 2D side-scrolling “Super Mario” titles. We’re celebrating those entries in the Nintendo flagship series here by naming our personal favorites starring Mario and his friends.

From the origins of the series on the Nintendo Entertainment System to its most recent installments on the Nintendo Switch, 2D Mario games cover the whole history of Nintendo consoles. These games, while relatively simple in their presentation, offer their own sense of joy and accessibility in their gameplay. Moreover, there’s just something special about whenever Mario returns to a side-scrolling experience, going back to the basics with his eternal appeal. Here are the five best 2D Mario games ranked, each offering their own twist on the classic side-scrolling formula.

5. Super Mario Bros. Wonder

It had been over a decade since “New Super Mario Bros. U” was released in 2012 when Nintendo followed it up with a new side-scrolling game in the series. 2023’s “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” for the Nintendo Switch gently redefined the experience while retaining the enduring formula that makes them classics. The base game offers a staggering 12 playable characters, while its subsequent Switch 2 version adds two more playable characters to the mix. This time around, the characters are trying to save the Flower Kingdom after Bowser appears to steal its reality-warping Wonder Flower.

“Super Mario Bros. Wonder” completely reinvigorates what a side-scrolling “Super Mario” can be truly capable of, and not just with that impressive roster size. From optimized multiplayer functionality to engaging level design that takes advantage of the game’s new power-ups, there is a lot of care taken with the creation of this project. The inclusion of Wonder Flowers makes for a delightfully psychedelic effect, something the series hadn’t really explored since “Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island.” Much easier than most of its modern counterparts, “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” is an accessible and fun title that’s perfect for gamers of all ages.

4. Super Mario Bros.

Simply put, the original “Super Mario Bros.” is one of those retro games that everyone needs to play at least once. Originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, the game has Mario and Luigi run through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. The level designs and music, composed by Koji Kondo, remain the most iconic for any side-scrolling platformer out there. The game has all the classic tropes that the series would adopt moving forward, from distinctive power-ups to secrets that let you jump significantly ahead in the game.

If this was a list about the most influential 2D “Super Mario” games instead of by overall quality, “Super Mario Bros.” would easily top this article. After all, the title is a Nintendo game from 1985 that defined an entire generation and continues to form the bedrock for its franchise. But even separated from its historic legacy, the game holds up tremendously, with its eight-bit presentation ever more endearing in a throwback way. That comes from level designs that continue to thrill us over 40 years later, and a masterfully scaled difficulty.

3. New Super Mario Bros.

Apart from remasters of classic games, Nintendo hadn’t made a 2D “Super Mario” title since the Yoshi-starring spin-off “Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island” in 1995. That changed with “New Super Mario Bros.” released in 2006 for the Nintendo DS, starting its own sub-series. The game has Mario set out to, you guessed it, rescue Peach from Bowser, but with a few new tricks up his sleeve this time. Taking advantage of the DS’ wifi capabilities, the game also features several competitive multiplayer modes to enjoy.

On the surface, “New Super Mario Bros.” looks like a technologically improved retread of the NES “Super Mario Bros.” titles. But taking cues from its 3D platforming counterparts, Mario has a whole variety of moves while his overall handling feels much more intuitive this time around. The game also subverts expectations on several notable occasions, including the memorable confrontation against the skeletal Dry Bowser. One of the best Nintendo DS games of all time, “New Super Mario Bros.” reinvigorated the 2D possibilities for Nintendo’s flagship franchise.

2. Super Mario Bros. 3

As great as the original “Super Mario Bros.” is, 1988’s “Super Mario Bros. 3” is one of the greatest NES games of all time. The game takes all the sensibilities from the preceding titles and builds upon them tremendously. The sheer variety in power-ups and secrets available to players is among the most robust in the entire franchise. While presenting the classic tale of Mario and Luigi battling Bowser to rescue Princess Toadstool, the villain gets back-up with the Koopalings, who are introduced in the game.

“Super Mario Bros. 3” really is the pinnacle of what “Super Mario” is capable of on its original platform. The game’s level design is immaculate, with each world mixing things up with all the tools at the game’s disposal, including its aesthetics. The title itself pushes the NES hardware to its limits, presenting detailed worlds and fast-paced side-scrolling action. If you had to play one game in the series from the NES era, make it “Super Mario Bros. 3.”

1. Super Mario World

When Nintendo embraced the possibilities of 16-bit gaming with its Super Nintendo console, the company completely revamped its core franchises. That included “Super Mario,” with the 1990 game “Super Mario World,” the launch pack-in title for the console. The game has Mario and Luigi visit Dinosaur Land with Princess Toadstool just in time for Bowser and the Koopalings to kidnap her again. But the brothers get reinforcements this time, with Yoshi joining them as a mount in his video game debut.

Providing the Super Nintendo era with a strong start, “Super Mario World” is a video game that defined 16-bit gaming. The title feels like an all-around improvement from the NES era titles, while expanding upon the sheer depth that the game presents. Many of the levels contain secrets, daring players to try them over again to find new ways to advance through Dinosaur Land. But more than its level design, “Super Mario World” just feels great to play, with handling that feels less floaty than it did on the NES. That makes it, to this day, the best 2D title the franchise has to offer.