List of video games featuring Mario facts for kids
Mario, the famous Nintendo mascot, is a character created by game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Until 2023, he was voiced by Charles Martinet. This article lists video games where Mario appears. He might be the main hero, a bad guy, a helper, part of a team, or even just show up for a moment. This list doesn't include simple pictures of Mario, like those found in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past or The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
The year given for each game is when it was first released, usually in Japan. Sometimes, games came out years later in other parts of the world. This list includes different versions of games, like ports (when a game is moved to a new system), remakes (new versions of old games), and compilations (collections of games). It does not include games released through Virtual Console services.
Contents
Mario's First Appearances
Mario first showed up in the arcade game Donkey Kong in 1981. Back then, he was called Jumpman! He was a carpenter trying to rescue his girlfriend, Pauline, from the giant ape, Donkey Kong. This game was a platformer, meaning you had to jump across gaps and climb ladders.
After Donkey Kong, Mario starred in Donkey Kong Jr. in 1982, where he was actually the bad guy, trying to keep Donkey Kong locked up! Then came Mario Bros. in 1983, which introduced his brother, Luigi, and focused on clearing pipes of enemies. These early games were very popular and helped make Mario a well-known character.
The Rise of Super Mario Bros.
The game that truly made Mario a superstar was Super Mario Bros., released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This game changed everything for platformers. Players guided Mario (or Luigi) through the Mushroom Kingdom to save Princess Peach from the evil Bowser. It introduced many classic elements like power-ups (like the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower), secret pipes, and iconic enemies.
Super Mario Bros. was so successful that it led to many sequels and spin-offs. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986) offered a tougher challenge, and Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988) brought new characters and gameplay. Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988) was another huge hit, adding new power-ups like the Tanooki Suit, which let Mario fly.
Mario's Adventures on New Systems
As new game consoles came out, Mario continued to star in amazing games.
Super Nintendo Era (1990s)
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System saw the release of Super Mario World in 1990, which introduced Yoshi, Mario's dinosaur friend. This era also brought us Super Mario Kart (1992), starting the popular racing series, and Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996), Mario's first big role-playing game adventure.
Nintendo 64 and Beyond
In 1996, Super Mario 64 launched on the Nintendo 64. This game was a huge leap, bringing Mario into a 3D world for the first time. It changed how 3D games were made forever. Following this, Mario Kart 64 (1996) continued the racing fun, and Mario Party (1998) started a new series of fun board game-style challenges.
The 2000s saw Mario explore new genres and systems. Paper Mario (2000) brought a unique paper-craft style to role-playing. Luigi's Mansion (2001) gave Luigi his own spooky adventure. Super Mario Sunshine (2002) took Mario to a tropical island, and Mario Kart: Double Dash (2003) added two characters per kart.
Modern Mario Games
On the Wii, Super Mario Galaxy (2007) and Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010) took Mario into space, offering incredible new ways to play in 3D. The New Super Mario Bros. series (starting in 2006 on Nintendo DS) brought back the classic 2D side-scrolling style for new generations.
The Nintendo 3DS and Wii U continued Mario's journey with games like Super Mario 3D Land (2011), Mario Kart 7 (2011), and Super Mario 3D World (2013).
The Nintendo Switch has seen many exciting Mario games, including Super Mario Odyssey (2017), a huge 3D adventure where Mario can capture enemies. Other popular Switch titles include Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017), Super Mario Party (2018), and Super Mario Maker 2 (2019), which lets players create their own Mario levels. Newer games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023) keep the classic 2D fun alive with new twists.
Mario has appeared in hundreds of games across many different systems and genres, from sports and racing to puzzles and role-playing games. He remains one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in video game history.
Images for kids
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Donkey Kong (arcade game)
Mario's first appearance in Donkey Kong (1981)
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Donkey Kong Jr.
Mario as the antagonist in Donkey Kong Jr. (1982)
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Mario Bros.
Mario and Luigi team up in Mario Bros. (1983)
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Super Mario Bros.
The iconic Super Mario Bros. (1985)
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Super Mario World
Mario riding Yoshi in Super Mario World (1990)
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Super Mario 64
Mario in his first 3D adventure, Super Mario 64 (1996)
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Super Mario Odyssey
Mario exploring a new world in Super Mario Odyssey (2017)
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Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The latest 2D adventure, Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023)
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Videojuegos de Mario por año para niños
