Nintendo is known to guard their classic titles and won't re-release them willy nilly like some other publishers do. This is what made the recent Nintendo Direct where the company announced a slew of remastered Mario games for the Nintendo Switch so exciting and surprising.
Among the announcements are some of the most celebrated titles starring gaming's most famous plumber. However, the character is the center of countless classic games, many of which are still trapped in the past. With this recent announcement, here's hoping the ten games listed below find their way to the Nintendo Switch sometime soon.
10 Super Mario 3D Land
This Nintendo 3DS title changed things up significantly. Instead of a straightforward romp or a large-scale 3D platformer like Super Mario 64 or Odyssey, this handheld entry focused on smaller, linear levels while retaining the general controls of the mainline three-dimensional adventures. The formula proved a critical success, being one of the highest rated games on the handheld, and ended up providing the groundwork for Super Mario 3D World on the Wii U.
9 Paper Mario
Beginning development as a direct sequel to Super Mario RPG, the next RPG featuring the plumber and the Mushroom Kingdom was Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64. Like its predecessor, platforming and other elements were adapted for the role playing game and timing plays a crucial part in the turn-based battles. The series and art style continue to this day, though the gameplay consistently changed between entries. The most recent Paper Mario was The Origami King in 2020.
8 Super Mario Land
The original Game Boy was a revelation for the industry. Handheld gaming devices were around beforehand, but never were they as accessible and convenient to use. Super Mario Land is a bite sized adventure, but one still well worth looking into.
When compared to the other offerings on the now primitive device, one really starts to appreciate its innovation. Even without this context, it remains a solid platformer worthy of the Super Mario name.
7 Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the most successful games on the Nintendo Switch. It makes one wonder how many players realize Mario Kart's rich history. Super Mario Kart was an excellent debut for the series, but Mario Kart 64 is an especially addictive kart racer. The art style and tracks would make the game more than a curiosity if it ever did make its way to Nintendo's most recent console.
6 Mario And Luigi Games
RPGs featuring the character are few and far between on consoles. However, they have a richer history on handheld systems. Developer AlphaDream made a whole slew of them for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and then the Nintendo 3DS. Unfortunately, the studio closed down in 2019, putting the series' future into question. Perhaps Nintendo could test the waters by updating at least one of them for the Switch.
5 New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros. U received a re-release on the Nintendo Switch, but this series did not get its start on the lackluster console. Before the Wii U entry, three other games were released on the Nintendo DS, Wii, and 3DS. New Super Mario Bros. Wii features cooperative play, which makes it a perfect fit for the recent hybrid console. They are notably difficult games which test even the most avid Mario fans' mettle.
4 Paper Mario And The Thousand Year Door
Thousand Year Door created a standard for the Paper Mario series all future entries try to live up to. Whenever a new Paper Mario makes its way to fans, people's general reaction at best is "it's okay, but it is not as good as Thousand Year Door." In addition to the gameplay and art style, the humor was another aspect which stuck with gamers. Fans have been asking for a remaster for years, so Nintendo would be wise to give them one.
3 Mario Party
Mario Party 9 is already on the Nintendo Switch, and it is arguably the finest in the series. However, players should have the opportunity to see the series' beginnings.
The games have not always been well celebrated, but some of the mini games are fun and deserve attention. Of all the games on the list, this is probably the one we could live without, but the Switch was made for multiplayer, and these games are made for parties. It's in the title, after all.
2 Super Mario RPG
Before Paper Mario, the only RPG to grace the Mushroom Kingdom was Super Mario RPG on the SNES. The collaboration between Nintendo and SquareSoft, now known as Square Enix, is seen as one of the best games of its generation. Those normally disinterested in the genre were drawn to the beautiful aesthetic, platforming, and timing-based attacks of the battles. Several characters introduced in the game, like Geno and Mallow, ended up becoming fan favorites, although they made few to no returns after this legendary title.
1 Super Mario Galaxy 2
Curiously enough, the sequel to Super Mario Galaxy is left out of Super Mario 3D All Stars. It is quite a mystery, since some even consider this superior to the first game on the Wii. Perhaps the sequel will see life on the Switch in the future as a part of a second collection including some of the prior games mentioned. Until that day, fans will have to whip out their Wii or Wii U anytime they want to take a crack at this celebrated title.