Donkey Kong
Year: 1981
Platforms: Arcade, NES, Atari 2600
Donkey Kong appeared on the NES in 1986 (or 1983 if you count Japan), but was first released in arcades, and then on the Atari 2600 in 1981. This is where Mario's career began, and at this point he even carried a different moniker to his current one, with his creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, knowing him as 'Jumpman'. It wasn't only the name that was different however; at this point in time, Mario was designed as a carpenter, rather than a plumber. And by the time Donkey Kong came to the US and Europe, 'Jumpman' had become 'Mario'. In Donkey Kong, Mario must save Pauline (his girlfriend) from Donkey Kong. The arcade machines were highly popular and sold 65,000 units in America alone, a figure that is higher than all of the Street Fighter II machines sold in America. A sequel was inevitable, and sure enough...
Donkey Kong Jr.
Year: 1982
Platforms: Arcade, NES, Atari 2600
Mario turns evil - an implausible thought? Well, it happened in 1982 in Donkey Kong Jr, where, in something of a turn-up for the books, Mario is the bad guy, having kidnapped Donkey Kong. The player takes control of Donkey Kong Jr. and must save his father from Mario. The arcade machine actually had a bug that allowed more clued-up gamers to get infinite lives so they could play all day. Despite this, the game failed to enjoy the commercial success of the first title.
Mario Bros.
Year: 1983
Platforms: Arcade, NES, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari 800XL, Atari 130XE
The first game dedicated solely to Mario and a mega success. This is also the first game featuring Mario as a plumber, whilst brother Luigi makes his debut appearance. It's a simple enough concept: Mario and Luigi jump around the screen and must defeat all the enemies coming out of the pipes. They don't kill the enemies by jumping on them, but rather by jumping under them. The Koopa Troopers make their first apperance in this game, with the name 'shell creepers'. Oh, and this is also a game that appears as a sub-game in all of the GBA Mario titles, usually as a multiplayer game.
Super Mario Bros.
Year: 1985
Platform: NES
If there's one game throughout Mario's entire existence that truly propelled Mario's career, then it's Super Mario Bros. This was the first Mario game to appear exclusively on the NES and was the first videogame to consist of more than one screen at a time, thanks to a pioneering scrolling technique, meaning that NES games were no longer limited to one screen.
But the firsts don't stop there, oh no. For a start, this is the Mario game where the Mario Brother's struggle against Bowser first appears, with Peach making her first appearance here too. Bowser also makes his debut appearance, and kidnaps Peach for the first (but definitely not the last) time. It's also the first time Mario and Luigi come up against some familiar enemies: Goombas, Lakitu, Koopa Troopas, Bullet Bills and Piranha Plants all feature here for the first time, whilst Mario and Luigi's combat techniques (namely, jumping on enemies and throwing fireballs) also appeared here first. The Starman, Super Mushroom and the Fire Flower also make their debuts. See why this game was so revolutionary now?
Oh, and just to top it all off, Super Mario Bros. is also the best-selling NES game of all time, having shifted a cool 44 million copies, a total that Rockstar can only dream of nowadays.
Wrecking Crew
Year: 1985
Platform: NES
One of the least well-known Mario titles, simply because Mario isn't mentioned in the title at all. In Wrecking Crew, Mario and Luigi run around on various platforms and ladders chased by gigantic, adjustable spanners. Mario and Luigi are armed with large hammers, and they must trash everything on the course before they getting caught. Wrecking Crew also allowed the player to design their own favourite course, but you could only save it in the Japanese disk version!
Super Mario Bros. 2 (Jap)
Year: 1986
Platform: NES
This game was only released in Japan , and is almost identical to Super Mario Bros. Later on, it did come to PAL regions in Mario All-Stars (on the SNES) and was titled Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels. Only one new gameplay element was added to this game, the 'trick' poison mushroom. Luigi also had some modifications, and was designed so that he wasn't as fat as Mario, and could jump higher.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Year: 1988
Platform: NES
The true sequel to Super Mario Bros finally made its way to the NES in 1988. It's a unique game that looks truly different to any Mario title released since, thanks to the fact that the game was originally a totally different title (called Dream Factory: Doki Doki Panic), before Nintendo adopted it (having sensed that the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros 2 was too similar to its predecessor) and added the necessary Mario magic.
Return of Mario Bros.
Year: 1988
Platform: NES
By 1988, the Japanese had been waiting a few years for a new Mario title, so Nintendo gave them one - exclusively. Very little is known about this game, except that it was a Japan exclusive and it looks like a sequel to the original Mario Bros. title, but with new courses.
Super Mario Land
Year: 1989
Platform: Gameboy
After launching their new Gameboy handheld, Nintendo needed a huge franchise to really get it selling. Thus Super Mario Land was born, Mario's first game on the Gameboy and one that takes him to a strange land where he must rescue Daisy, the princess of Sarasaland from the evil monster Tatanga. The title sold over 14 million copies worldwide, and aside from Tetris, it became the reason to own a Gameboy.
Super Mario Bros. 3
Year: 1989
Platform: NES
Even though this title was going to be a surefire hit, it still took Nintendo by surprise when it sold 18 million copies worldwide. It's the second best-selling Mario game after Super Mario Bros., and perhaps the 2D Mario game that most gamers hold closest to their hearts. Bowser has kidnapped Peach yet again, and to stop Mario from reaching the castle that Peach is kept in, has to dispatched his seven junior Bowsers to stop Mario. The game featured some new, previously unseen powerups, such as the racoon, tanooki and hammer suits.
Dr Mario
Year: 1990
Platform: NES, Gameboy
When Mario comes home from his last battle with Bowser in Super Mario Bros. 3, he starts working in the Mushroom Kingdom hospital to prevent some new viruses from causing an epidemic in the Mushroom Kingdom. And as you'd expect, Mario achieves this by, uh, dropping multicoloured vitamins on the viruses. If he drops the right vitamin on the right virus, then they disappear. Peach makes a small cameo appearance as a nurse, and there was a short-lived cartoon released in Japan based on this game.
Super Mario World
Year: 1990
Platform: SNES
This game was Mario's first apperance on the SNES. Following the same 'search-and-rescue' storyline of its predecessors, it's the title where Mario meets Yoshi for the first time. Perennial troublemaker Bowser has kidnapped his dino-friends and trapped them inside eggs, so in each world Mario and Yoshi must defeat one of Bowser's offspring and rescue one of Yoshi´s pals. The game is huge and has 76 different levels with 96 exits, and features improved flying for Mario, thanks to the cape. The game sold 17 million copies, and is the third best-selling Mario game of all time.
Mario Teaches Typing
Year: 1991
Platform: PC
Mario makes his PC debut! But before you get excited, it's actually an edutainment title, in which the player can choose to play as Mario, Luigi or Toadstool. The game consists of sub games where you must write and type. Two other titles were released in this series but they didn't differ too much.
Yoshi
Year: 1992
Platform: NES
Even though the Super Nintendo was clicking through the gears by this stage, the old NES still had a little life left in it, with titles such as Yoshi still cropping up. Here, Mario and Luigi shuffle around piles of glass blocks to fit them in with the falling blocks that Yoshi drops on them. It was a pretty simple puzzle game that pitted Mario against Luigi, though sold poorly.
Super Mario Land 2 : Six Golden Coins
Year: 1992
Platform: Gameboy
Mario makes his second adventure appearance on the Gameboy. Wario has taken over Mario's castle and bound it with a seal so that Mario cannot enter and spoil his dastardly plans. To break the seal, Mario needs to collect the six golden coins that Wario has hidden around the world. Featuring infinite continues, the game was really quite easy, though this didn't stop it racking up sales of 7 million.
Super Mario Kart
Year: 1992
Platform: SNES
This game was the beginning of a spin-off for the Mario franchise that's still going strong today. Super Mario Kart was an instant hit for the Super Nintendo and featured Grand Prix, Time Trial and Battle modes. The Battle mode was the most popular, and allowed two players to play head-to-head. There are many drivers to choose from, ranging from Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Donkey Kong Jr, Yoshi, Peach, Toad and Koopa Trooper. An essential for any respectable SNES collector.
Mario Paint
Year: 1992
Platform: SNES
Mario Paint wasn't so much a platform Mario game, but a software application for the SNES. It came bundled with a mouse and wasn't necessarily suited to the SNES. Not only did the game (application?) allow you to paint with the mouse, but you could also animate your drawings and add music. And then, er, lose your work because there was no way to save it. The game also came with a bonus 'Gnat Attack' mini-game, with the objective being to swat a fly.
Mario and Wario
Year: 1992
Platform: SNES
In this puzzler, Wario gets his hands on an old, one-man propelled bomb plane and quickly starts bombarding Mario. There were ten different worlds in the game, and as a puzzle game it wasn't particulary good.
Tetris and Dr. Mario
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES
This wasnt exactly a new Mario game, but in 1994 Nintendo released a puzzle compilation for the SNES which contained both Tetris and Dr. Mario in one pack. There weren't many improvements to the title except that two players could go head-to-head. The graphics were also marginally improved.
Hotel Mario
Year: 1992
Platform: CD-i
Due to a licensing agreement, Mario appeared on the CD-i, though in reality it was more of a cameo appearance as this game was the only Mario title on the much-maligned Phillips machine. Hotel Mario was a puzzle game, with the objective to close all the doors in one stage. Their were some clever video sequences in the game, that were possible because the game was on a CD. This game was developed by the Phillips Fantasy Factory.
Mario is Missing!
Year: 1993
Platform: NES, SNES, PC
This game was released for all three platforms at the same time, though the NES and SNES versions had different introductions. Reminiscent of Carmen Sandiego, Luigi had to find Mario by travelling around the world. This is more of an edutainment title as well, rather than a full on Mario platformer, but as far as edutainment titles go, it wasn't too bad.
Mario's Time Machine
Year: 1993
Platform: NES, SNES, PC
Realistically this title should be called Bowser's Time Machine, because Bowser is the one with the time machine. Mario had to navigate around different worlds to find and defeat Bowser before he takes over the world, and featured our hero travelling through many different time periods, including the Dinosaur Age, Greece and Egypt.
Super Mario All-Stars
Year: 1993
Platform: SNES
This game is probably one of the most known SNES games around today. It is a compilation which includes Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros 2., Super Mario Bros. 3 and the Japanese Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. While there wasn't anything particularly new in this game it was incredibly sought after and retailed for $149.95 when released in Australia. Even now, boxed copies of this game can go for $60 - $70.
Mario's Fun With Numbers
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES, PC
Yet another Mario edutainment title was released in 1994, along with Mario's Fun with Letters, Mario's Pre-School Fun & Mario's Fundamentals. Once again, these are basic education programs with Mario as the diversion for children.
Donkey Kong '94
Year: 1994
Platform: Gameboy
In 1994, Nintendo released a sequel to Donkey Kong, and the game is an all-time Game Boy gem. After the familiar first four DK arcade levels, Mario follows DK on a quest spanning 60 new levels of Platform-puzzling action. In each level, Mario had to find a key to open the door to be able to proceed to the next course. Scattered around the levels are also various gifts for Pauline, like hats and jewellery. If you find those you get additional points. On every 4th level, Mario meets up with Donkey Kong to battle him. This game finally got a sequel in 2004 - Mario vs Donkey Kong.
Mario's Picross
Year: 1995
Platform: Gameboy
Mario's Picross is another puzzle game where you work out the pictures by looking at the digits that stand out at the end. This was a really addictive puzzle game, and was a great diversion for those who had been playing Tetris for the last few years. Mario appears in the corner as you solve each puzzle.
Mario's Game Gallery
Year: 1995
Platform: PC
Mario's Game Gallery is like a board game compilation, with Mario taking the lead role. It's a collection of various card and board games for kids. Some of these games include Checkers, Go Fish, Yacht (similar to Yahtzee) and Dominos. Mario actually talks in this PC game and it one of the only games where he talks.
Mario Clash
Year: 1995
Platform: Virtual Boy
Virtual Boy, the platform Nintendo would rather forget. Nintendo supported the Virtual Boy's launch with two Mario titles. In Mario Clash, the 'Clash Tower' is being invaded, by Koopas, Para-Goombas, Snakes, Big Boos, and more. The game was doomed from the beginning, and will go down as one of the hardest Mario titles ever released; beating it took longer than the Virtual Boy was on shelves. Though perhaps that isn't saying much.
Mario Tennis
Year: 1995
Platform: Virtual Boy
Mario Tennis for the Virtual Boy was the first time that Mario took to the tennis court. The court was completely 3D dimensional, thanks to the Virtual Boy's headset and the game's visuals are constructed with headache-inducing, red wireframe polygons. All the favourite characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, such as Yoshi and Mario, appeared in the game. Mario Tennis for the Virtual Boy was one of the best games released on the console, so it's no wonder that it became a franchise down the track.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Year: 1995
Platform: SNES
Even though Nintendo had just launched their Virtual Boy they kept developing Super Nintendo games (just as well). And although it took four years, an entirely new Mario game for the SNES was released in 1995. Set way before the other Mario titles, the game starts with a stork flying through the night to deliver two twins that are going to be born in the Mushroom Kingdom. When the stork is flying, a creature suddenly comes and steals one of the babies, who is Luigi. Mario falls to the ground. Yoshi finds Mario and a map and tries to deliver Mario to where the map indicates.
Mario's Super Picross
Year: 1995
Platform: SNES
Picross returns for the SNES. This title was only released in Japan and featured full colour and a whole new set of puzzles to be solved.
Mario's Picross 2
Year: 1995
Platform: Gameboy
Picross was popular for the Nintendo platforms in Japan, so Nintendo quickly developed a new Picross title in 1995 for the original Gameboy. It wasn't too different from it's predecessor, apart from the new puzzles.
Undake30 Same Game
Year: 1995
Platform: SNES
No, that's not a spelling mistake, but the name of a quirky Japanese game starring Mario that never made it to the West. The objective of the game was to connect two or more items together; if a mistake is made, then a button could be pressed to revert back as many times as you wanted. This was a slow-thinking puzzle game that quenched the thirst for more Mario in Japan.
Super Mario RPG : The Legend of the Seven Stars
Year: 1996
Platform: SNES
An eBay darling nowadays that fetches high prices, this title was the last Mario title released for the Super Nintendo. All the graphics in Super Mario RPG were rendered using Rare´s ACM technique. For a change, Peach gets kidnapped by Bowser, though Mario is nearby and follows Bowser back to the castle, where they battle it out. The ensuing fight ends in Mario clumsily breaking the chandelier that Bowser is standing on, resulting in Bowser falling to the ground. It is then that a gigantic sword appears from the sky and splits the castle in half. Mario must collect all the seven legendary stars to break the seal and free Peach. The game was unfortunately a bit short, but is a mouth-watering demonstration of what could happen if Squaresoft and Nintendo combined to develop another Super Mario RPG.
Super Mario 64
Year: 1996
Platform: Nintendo 64
Launching next to the new Nintendo 64, Super Mario 64 was one of the first true 3D platformers and is still regarded as one of the finest examples in the genre. Featuring 120 stars to collect, dozens of levels, and one of the best cameras seen to date in a platformer, the game quickly became a classic. In 1996 ('95 in Japan and the USA), this was the reason to own the Nintendo 64.
Mario Kart 64
Year: 1996
Platform: Nintendo 64
Mario Kart 64 is the sequel to Super Mario Kart, and was perhaps the second most eagerly anticipated Nintendo 64 game after Mario 64. The game delivered on most fronts, though whether it's quite as refined as it's SNES predecessor is up for debate. Interesting (if pointless) fact: before being given it's final name, Mario Kart 64 was codenamed Mario R.
Game and Watch Gallery
Year: 1997
Platform: Gameboy
The Game and Watch Gallery games feature the old Game and Watch titles. Four titles are featured, with Octopus, Manhole, Oil Panic and Fire making up the numbers. All four titles appear in old format and new format. In Fire, Mario and Luigi must rescue the Mushroom Kingdom from a blazing inferno, all whilst Yoshis and Monkeys jump from castle windows. In Oil Panic, Bowser has sneaked in and is causing Mario trouble. Octopus sees Mario trying to dive to get treasure to give to Peach and in Manhole small monkey families appear and Yoshi must use his tongue to prevent the families from falling into the holes in the course. The whole series is called 'Game Boy Gallery' IN PAL territories.
Game and Watch Gallery 2
Year: 1997
Platform: Gameboy Colour
The Gameboy goes colour! This game featured five Game and Watch titles in 'full' colour. The titles were Vermin, Donkey Kong, Chef, Helmet and Parachute. This was the first time that the Game and Watch titles were seen in colour and they looked great. This was a marked improvement upon the original Game and Watch Gallery. However, there was still no standalone Mario title on the GBC.
BS: Wrecking Crew '98
Year: 1998
Platform: Satelliview
1995 Nintendo released an add-on for the SNES called the Satelliview (a.k.a. the 'BS-X') in Japan, where people could download news, info and even demos of new Nintendo games from a special satellite. One of the games for this system is a puzzle game based on the old NES game Wrecking Crew. In this game, the screen is split into two. On one side Mario has a set of blocks and on the other side Luigi has his set of blocks. The object is to use your hammer to rearrange the big piles of multicolored bricks so that similar colored bricks fall in rows or other formations. If you combine special blocks special things happen, like big steel blocks or multiple new blocks appear on your competitor's side.
Mario Party
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64
Mario Party is a franchise that is still going, and is best described as a combination of a multiplayer party game with a virtual board game. The objective of the game is to collect coins and stars, with the character / player who has the most stars winning the game. It's an addictive game that is definitely best played with friends.
Super Smash Bros.
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64
Speaking of party games, Super Smash Bros. was Mario's first appearance in a fighting game. The game, a multiplayer action / fighting affair, features a huge cast of Nintendo characters and has achieved cult status amongst Ninty fans.
Game and Watch Gallery 3
Year: 1999
Platform: Gameboy Color
Actually one of the better Game and Watch compilations released, this featured a total of five games: Donkey Kong, Egg, Green House, Mario Bros & Turtle. Along with this, there were also five hidden games: Flag Man, Judge, Lion, Spitball Sparky & Donkey Kong 2.
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
Year: 1999
Platform: Gameboy Color
This game featured the original NES version of Mario Bros. as well as The Lost Levels from the Japanese Mario Bros. Along with this, the game featured a multiplayer mode, as well as a Boo racing game and a few other bonuses, such as a Challenge mode. Even with the simple graphics, it's still considered one of the best Gameboy Color titles ever released, and one of the best versions of Mario Bros. ever released.
Mario Golf
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64
This was the first Mario Golf title ever released and was developed by Camelot. Camelot developed the first Everybodie's Golf for the PSX, and tried their hand at adapting Mario to the golfing circuit. There were a total of 18 characters from the Mario franchise, as well as a few hidden bonuses, and the game linked up with the Gameboy Color version of Mario Golf.
Mario Golf
Year: 1999
Platform: Gameboy Color
Whilst the franchise itself was relatively new in 1999, Mario Golf on the Gameboy Color was universally acclaimed, with Camelot successfully mixing RPG elements into a sports title. Whilst the game didn't look great graphically, it had a depth that superceded even the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Golf. Personally, I remember clocking in over 60 hours alone on this portable title.
Mario: Artist
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64 DD
This game was a launch title for the ill-fated Nintendo 64 DD system when it was launched in Japan. Best described as Mario Paint with an upgrade, the title features four modes, namely Paint Studio, Communication Kit, Polygon Studio & Talent Studio. More Mario: Artist titles were announced, but were eventually canned after the poor performance of the 64 DD.
Mario Party 2
Year: 2000
Platform: Nintendo 64
Mario decided to throw another party in 2000 with the quick release of Mario Party 2. The game featured an upgrade in graphics and more mini-games, but the step up from it's predecessor was less significant than it could have been, to put it kindly.
Mario Tennis
Year: 2000
Platform: Nintendo 64
Mario makes his tennis debut on the Nintendo 64. With an extended character list including Yoshi, Peach, Daisy, Luigi, Toad, Baby Mario, Donkey Kong and Bowser, this game was the ultimate party title. Connecting up with the Gameboy Color version of Mario Tennis would allow data to transfer over, as well as unlock special bonuses, such as bonus courts.
Mario Party 3
Year: 2001
Platform: Nintendo 64
Mario can't resist a good party apparently, and yet another Mario Party title launched less than a year after Mario Party 2 for the Nintendo 64. Having said that, this was the best of the lot. Nintendo didn't really change the formula of the game, but it featured more game boards and more creative mini-games.
Mario Tennis
Year 2001
Platform: Gameboy Color
Mario Tennis arrived on the Gameboy Color and was a surprisingly great game that was just as deep as Mario Golf. Camelot successfully blended RPG and sport yet again, and the game was excellent fun in multiplayer. With a large range of characters and courts, this game was good fun in both single player and multiplayer.
Paper Mario
Year: 2001
Platform: Nintendo 64
This game was an unofficial upgrade to Super Maro RPG and was released very late in the Nintendo 64's life. As such, not many people got to experience the greatness of this title and it went unnoticed. Even now, prices for this title are higher than $50.00 on Ebay. This game was the last Nintendo 64 title released in Australia.
Super Mario Advance
Year: 2001
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Super Mario Advance was a direct port of Super Mario Bros. 2. The game also featured a port of the classic Mario Bros. title. The Gameboy Advance launch was a little lacklustre and although it was an older title, it was still one of the stand out games of the Gameboy Advance launch.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Year: 2001
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Six months after the Gameboy Advance launched, the handheld's first killer title came racing into view. Mario Kart: Super Circuit featured new tracks and was an entirely new Mario Kart title. One of the best games on the Gameboy Advance, the fun to be had in multiplayer could rob hours at a time.
Super Smash Bros.: Melee
Year: 2002
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Melee was a launch title for the Nintendo Gamecube in the United States, and came out a fortnight after the Gamecube's launch in Australia. Stupidly popular at the time.
Super Mario Sunshine
Year: 2002
Platform: Gamecube
Super Mario Sunshine was one of the most eagerly awaited Gamecube titles before it's release. As the first 3D Mario platformer since Mario 64, the game had a lot to live up to. Super Mario Sunshine introduced a water pack to Mario and, while it was a solid game, it never quite enjoyed the same impact as Super Mario 64.
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
Year: 2002
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Once Nintendo started, it didn't take long for the ports to begin. The company ported one of the most popular Mario titles ever released to the Gameboy Advance a year after it launched, and whilst it wasn't the new Mario title that many were hoping for, it was still a great game to play, that was just as fun as it was last century. For some reason the original Mario Bros. title was included again, so the multiplayer aspect returned.
Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Year: 2002
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Yet another Mario Advance title came out at the end of 2002 and was a direct port of Yoshi's Island. Yoshi's Island is a brilliant platformer and Nintendo made some small modifications to the game for the Gameboy Advance release. An extra level was added to the end of every world, and the original Mario Bros was once again included for multiplayer. Recommended.
Game and Watch Gallery 4
Year: 2002
Platform: Gameboy Advance
The Game and Watch Gallery 4 was released in 2002 and featured five titles: Boxing, Fire, Donkey Kong 3, Rain Shower & Mario's Cement Factory in full colour. Nintendo really squeezed a lot out of the Game and Watch Gallery, so this could be the last Gallery we see for a while. Known as Gameboy Gallery Advance in PAL.
Mario Party 4
Year: 2002
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Mario Party makes its Gamecube debut! Whilst this game was the first Mario Party on the Gamecube, it wasn't exactly too different from the Nintendo 64 Party titles. The board-game concept was still utilised and some of the mini-games were pure class, but by this stage many people had expected more. However, largely through lack of competition, Mario Party still remains as the number one party franchise.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Release: 2003
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Mario Kart made its debut on the Gamecube a few years ago with Double Dash!!. In one of the biggest departures for the series, players controlled two characters on one kart. Double Dash!! quickly became the Mario Kart title that players either loved or hated.
Nintendo Puzzle Collection
Release: 2003
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
This game was a Japan-only release that featured three puzzle games: Dr Mario, Yoshi's Cookie (with updated graphics) & Tetris Attack. It was never released outside of Japan.
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
Year: 2003
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Mario Golf finally made its Gamecube debut in 2003 in Toadstool Tour, and featured Australia-exclusive tournaments (thanks to an agreement with TV Hits) as well as over fifteen characters. Nintendo added a few modes, such as a birdie challenge and coin attack. We're still hoping for an RPG Gamecube Mario Golf title, but for now this game was good enough.
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
Year: 2003
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Super Mario Bros. 3 was ported to the Gameboy Advance as (confusingly, given our weakness with numbers) the fourth Mario Advance title. The colour palette was brightened and some of the on-screen information was shifted to the top of the screen, but overall the game remained unchanged. This game also featured e-reader support, allowing you to scan items into the game and unlock extra levels. The multiplayer Mario Bros. title was once again included.
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
Year: 2003
Platform: Gameboy Advance
After an evil witch replaces Princess Peach's voice with explosives (causing small explosions to occur whenever the princess speaks), the brothers are once again called to action. Luckily, Peach's explosive vocabulary repels Bowser, who arrives shortly afterward to kidnap Peach. Now, the brothers and Bowser have a common enemy, and decide to join forces to get Peach's voice back. Mario & Luigi is very similar to Paper Mario and Super Mario RPG. The game is one of the deepest RPG's on the Gameboy Advance and comes well recommended.
Mario Pinball Land
Year: 2004
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Mario makes the transition to pinball. This game features plenty of worlds set in the Mushroom Kingdom, as well as unlockable features. This is the first time Mario has had an officially licenced pinball title. Whilst the game was fun in quick bursts, it was generally considered to be a bit of a disappointment.
Mario Vs. Donkey Kong
Year: 2004
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Now here's a game that pays homage to the classics. Mario Vs Donkey Kong was based on the old classic Donkey Kong titles, and was a direct sequel to Donkey Kong '94. It had been over twenty years since the first Donkey Kong adventure, and this one played out very similarly to the old adventures, but with new levels. Whilst not a classic 2D Mario game, Mario Vs Donkey Kong was still a decent game that showed us how far the franchise has come.
Mario Party 5
Year: 2004
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Mario Party 5 launched a year after Mario Party 4 and looked like it hadn't been improved or changed in any way. In the same way that Mario Party 2 was barely a step on from Mario Party 1, the differences between Mario Party 5 & 4 are minimal. The mini-games were a little better than in Mario Party 4, but it was time for innovation.
Mario Golf: Advance Tour
Year: 2004
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Shortly after appearing on the Gamecube, Mario made his debut on the Gameboy Advance. This was a fully fledged, new RPG title for the Gameboy Advance and was even better than the Gameboy Color rendition. Players could also link up the Gamecube and Gameboy Advance versions of the game to transfer data and unlock new characters. Mario Golf: Advance Tour is one of the best titles for the Gameboy Advance, and is well worth a look.
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Year: 2004
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Mario makes his RPG debut on the Gamecube! The unique flat style from previous Mario RPG's has been retained in this game which tells the story of the thousand year door, a door that can unlock a great treasure. The game let player's take control of many characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, including Bowser as well as those lonely goombas.
Mario Power Tennis
Year: 2005
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Released this year, Mario Power Tennis is another brilliant game from Camelot. Whilst the core gameplay hasn't changed as much as we'd hoped, it's still a fun game that positively shines in multiplayer.
Super Mario 64 DS
Year: 2005
Platform: Nintendo DS
Super Mario 64 DS is essentially a remake of Super Mario 64, but with added elements to support the Nintendo DS touchscreen. Some of the new elements include mini-games, touchscreen control and some all new levels created exclusively for the Nintendo DS. While the appeal of Mario is still there, many people were disappointed by the lack of an analog stick on the Nintendo DS, and thus favour the Nintendo 64 version.
Mario Party Advance
Release: 22nd September, 2005
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Mario Party finally makes it's Gameboy Advance debut! Unfortunately the title is derivative rubbish, no more than a series of ridiculously easy 'challenges' (we use the term loosely). Released on the same day as Mario Party 6 we'd advise that you pick up that rather than Party Advance. That's if you really must have a Party title this year.
Mario Party 6
Release: 22nd September, 2005
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Mario Party is back for another year, with Mario Party 6. Whilst still just a collection of mini-games, this time a microphone is bundled with the title. This makes the mini-games a little different, and Mario Party 6 represents a small return to form for the Party franchise.
Mario Kart DS
Release: Q4, 2005
Platform: Nintendo DS
This will be the second Mario Kart title released in a matter of months when it hits the Nintendo DS at the end of this year. The game will pay homage to previous Mario Kart titles, with the infamous feather from the SNES' Super Mario Kart making a return, and classic courses sitting alongside the new ones.
Mario Kart Arcade GP
Release: Q4, 2005
Platform: Arcade
Mario Kart Arcade GP is an arcade version of Mario Kart, featuring Pac-Man as a playable racer, and a digital camera which puts the player in the game. It's set for release in December in Japan, though there's no word yet on a Western release.
Mario and Luigi 2
Release: Q4, 2005
Platform: Nintendo DS
Mario and Luigi 2 is the followup to Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga on the Gameboy Advance. This time, the game will see players assume the role of Baby Luigi and Baby Mario, making the game very different to the Gameboy Advance predecessor. From the screenshots we've seen so far, the game looks very similar to the Gameboy Advance title, but it will utilise both screens of the Nintendo DS and will feature some jazzy new graphical effects thanks to the added grunt of the DS.
Mario Tennis Advance
Release: Q4, 2005
Platform: Gameboy Advance
Sure enough, after Camelot released a console version of their popular Mario Tennis & Mario Golf titles, a handheld version will appear shortly thereafter, and this year is no different. Mario Tennis Advance is scheduled for release later this year and should allow for a handheld rendition of the popular Gamecube game Mario Power Tennis. The game will also be able to link up with the GBA to transfer data between the two titles. We're eagerly anticipating the game, and it looks like the game has made the transition to the Gameboy Advance successfully.
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix
Release: Q4, 2005
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Mario makes his dancing debut! The game is going to put Mario into the DDR universe, with the traditional Mario tunes that we've heard for years. Some of the songs in the game include music from Super Mario Bros 1,2,3, Super Mario World, Donkey Kong, Dr. Mario, Super Mario Kart, Wario's Wood & Super Mario RPG.
Mario Superstar Baseball
Release: Q4, 2005
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Mario's next foray into the sports genre is Mario Superstar Baseball. Whilst the game has a lot to live up to, it looks to be just as enjoyable as previous Mario sports titles. All the characters from the previous titles are back, as well as some new additions, and although a Gameboy Advance version of this game hasn't been announced, we anticipate it won't be long before one is unveiled.
Mario Party 7
Release: Q1, 2006
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
Mario Party is back for another year, with a whole host of new mini-games (how many does that make now?) as well as support for the new microphone peripheral it could be the best Mario Party title yet. We're just hoping the game does something different and doesn't feel like the same game we played last year.
New Super Mario Bros
Release: Q1, 2006
Platform: Nintendo DS
This is the Mario title we're really looking forward to. For the first time in a very long time Mario will be appearing in a completely new 2D Mario title. There has been basically no information released regarding the title, but we're definitely looking forward to this one.
Super Mario Strikers
Release: Q1, 2006
Platform: Nintendo Gamecube
After the success of the other Mario sport title spinoffs, we're a little surprised it has taken this long for Mario to take to the football field with all the other characters from the Mushroom Kingdom. To be honest we don't expect the game to be a revolution, but we're looking forward to playing it anyway. Soccer is a team sport, so we're not too sure how the game will play, but early reports suggest the game will be a party favourite.
Related Articles:
)
)
)
Loading...
