Best Super Mario Games

Updated August 2019
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Nintendo
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Check Price
12-Player Karting Fun
Bottom Line

The huge number of characters and tracks, smooth controls, and fun items are fantastic, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe really shines when you take on the world via its online racing modes.

Pros

48 wild karting courses. 42 racers, including Donkey Kong, Toad, and Bowser Jr. Race online against up to 12 players. Intense Battle Mode. Compatible with Nintendo Labo and Joy-Con Wheel.

Cons

While there are 48 racetracks, you’ll have to win the game’s various Cups to unlock them all.

Nintendo
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Check Price
2 Games In One
Bottom Line

Two huge Super Mario games in one is an excellent value, and tackling all of these obstacle-packed levels with friends and family will keep players coming back for more.

Pros

Includes both New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U. Up to 4 players at once. 164 action-packed levels. Nearly-invincible Nabbit character is perfect for young players. 3 additional multiplayer modes.

Cons

New Super Luigi U is a more challenging adventure, as you start each level with only 100 seconds on the clock.

Best Bang for the Buck
Nintendo
Super Mario 3D Land
Check Price
Slick 3D Visuals
Bottom Line

Super Mario 3D Land does a fantastic job of demonstrating what the 3DS can do with its wide variety of levels, stunning 3D effects, and precise controls, all for a low entry price.

Pros

Affordable. 3D looks excellent on a Nintendo 3DS. Tanooki Suit returns to help Mario float over treacherous jumps. 16 worlds to explore. New enemies. New abilities.

Cons

No multiplayer features. The 3D effect isn’t absolutely necessary to enjoy the game.

Nintendo
Super Mario Maker 2
Check Price
Infinite Mario Levels
Bottom Line

Whether you’d rather piece together impressive Super Mario levels or blaze world-record times on uploaded stages, testing your devious creativity against the motor skills of other players will never get old.

Pros

Use tons of tools to craft your own Super Mario levels. Share your stages with friends. Includes 100 pre-made levels. Try countless levels made by the community. 2-player course creation mode.

Cons

It takes serious creative effort to construct a masterpiece Mario level, but practice makes perfect.

Nintendo
Luigi's Mansion
Check Price
GameCube Classic
Bottom Line

A great game made even better by the addition of a second player in the form of slimy “Gooigi,” Luigi’s Mansion is atmospheric, cleverly designed, and has its fair share of slightly-spooky surprises.

Pros

Up to 2 players. Upgraded remake of the 2001 Nintendo GameCube classic. Suck up cartoonish ghosts with Luigi’s Poltergust 3000. Uncover secrets as you save Mario from the haunted mansion.

Cons

Since you’ll tour the mansion from top to bottom, expect to backtrack to rooms you’ve already seen a few times.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

11 Models Considered
6 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
228 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.

Whether he’s a kart racer, virus-busting doctor, Yoshi rider, or hero of the Mushroom Kingdom, Super Mario is unquestionably a video game legend. While Mario has starred in a wide variety of games over the years alongside his brother Luigi, fans have embraced his many roles across multiple Nintendo consoles. There are always new adventures for gaming’s most famous plumber on the horizon, and multiple readily available Super Mario video games ready to be explored, but it’s a good idea to take a moment to look into which ones fit your gaming preferences before you invest in a new adventure.

The team that worked on this review
  • Arnold
    Arnold
    Writer
  • Enid
    Enid
    Editor
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
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Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Nintendo

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The huge number of characters and tracks, smooth controls, and fun items are fantastic, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe really shines when you take on the world via its online racing modes.
$49
×

Nintendo

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Nintendo

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Two huge Super Mario games in one is an excellent value, and tackling all of these obstacle-packed levels with friends and family will keep players coming back for more.
$49
×

Nintendo

Super Mario 3D Land

Nintendo

Super Mario 3D Land

Super Mario 3D Land does a fantastic job of demonstrating what the 3DS can do with its wide variety of levels, stunning 3D effects, and precise controls, all for a low entry price.
$18
×

Nintendo

Super Mario Maker 2

Nintendo

Super Mario Maker 2

Whether you’d rather piece together impressive Super Mario levels or blaze world-record times on uploaded stages, testing your devious creativity against the motor skills of other players will never get old.
$54
×

Nintendo

Luigi's Mansion

Nintendo

Luigi's Mansion

A great game made even better by the addition of a second player in the form of slimy “Gooigi,” Luigi’s Mansion is atmospheric, cleverly designed, and has its fair share of slightly-spooky surprises.
$38

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