Arguably the face of video games as a medium, nearly all Mario titles have become instant classics almost as soon as they have been released. As a result, many Mario titles have been ported to a multitude of varied home consoles and handheld systems.
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Mario is a pretty massive franchise for Nintendo; in fact, Mario is the company’s main mascot, meaning he is the face of the entire brand. With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that there are so many different Mario games out there for players to find and enjoy in their free time, with many of the games being comfort games for players.
From many titles’ arcade origins, multiple Mario games have even been brought to non-Nintendo platforms by producers such as Atari. Beyond this, some classic Mario games are even playable within titles such as Animal Crossing and Donkey Kong 64.
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Mario Golf
A Classic Mario Sports Title With A Home Console & Handheld Dual Release
With a dual release by Camelot Software, Mario Golf saw the Mario-themed sports title being brought to the Nintendo 64 and the Game Boy Color.
Since its initial 1999 release, Mario Golf has been playable through Nintendo’s own digital storefronts on multiple generations of home and handheld consoles. Most recently, both the Game Boy Color and Nintendo 64 versions of Mario Golf have been made available on the Nintendo Switch hybrid console through Nintendo’s own Nintendo Switch Online classic game catalog.
9
Wrecking Crew
An Arcade Classic From Mario’s Pre-Mushroom Kingdom Days
- Released: July 26, 1984
- Developer(s): Nintendo R&D1
- Genre: Arcade, Action, Puzzle
Designed by Yoshio Sakamoto – well known for his directorial work on Metroid – in a twist compared to his now-typical moveset, Mario cannot jump in Wrecking Crew and instead has to work through various stages destroying objects with his oversized hammer.
While Wrecking Crew initially saw release in the arcades, it was quickly ported to the NES and has since been brought to multiple Nintendo home and handheld consoles through Nintendo’s digital storefronts. Most recently, Wrecking Crew‘s NES port has been made available for the Nintendo Switch through its NSO subscription service.
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Dr. Mario
Not Only A Classic Mario Spin-Off But A Quintessential Puzzle Title
- Released: July 27, 1990
- Developer(s): Nintendo R&D1
- Genre: Puzzle
Produced by Gunpei Yokoi, creator of the Game & Watch and Game Boy, this Mario-themed falling-block puzzle series has seen lasting success across platforms with its most recent title releasing on mobile devices in 2019.
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Initially launching on the NES and Game Boy in 1990, Dr. Mario has since gone on to be ported through Nintendo’s digital storefronts and dedicated collections. The Classic NES Series on the Game Boy Advance brought Dr. Mario to the sixth console generation, and it is now available not only on Wii, WiiU, and 3DS but also on Nintendo Switch through Nintendo’s own Nintendo Switch Online program.
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Super Mario World
An SNES Launch Title Ported To Handhelds And Consoles Alike
First finding footing as a launch title for the SNES in 1990, Super Mario World was then re-released on the console as part of the compilation Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World.
Since then, it has gone on to be brought to Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance handheld through its inclusion in the Mario Advance series of ports. Nintendo’s digital storefront has consistently presented Super Mario World, and it was then made available on Nintendo’s plug-and-play console, the SNES Mini. Its most recent port has been to the Nintendo Switch through Nintendo’s own NSO library.
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Super Mario Bros. 3
Arguably The Quintessential 2D Mario Platformer, Available Across Generations
Super Mario Bros. 3
- Released
-
October 23, 1988
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo R&D4
Introducing many Mario series staples; such as the Tanooki suit, a world map, and the Koopalings; Super Mario Bros. 3 has been regularly brought to multiple Nintendo consoles.
Initially launched on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988, it was then ported to the SNES through the remaster compilation Super Mario All-Stars. In the age of digital storefronts, Nintendo has made Super Mario Bros. 3 available on all available Nintendo consoles; from the Wii and WiiU to the 3DS family of systems.
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Super Mario Bros. 2
A Classic Re-Skin That Has Been Ported Time And Time Again
Super Mario Bros. 2
- Released
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September 1, 1988
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo EAD
While not the original design for Super Mario Bros’ sequel, the North American and European version of Super Mario Bros. 2 has since become a staple of the Mario series’ history.
The Doki Doki Panic aesthetic alteration was initially brought to the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988 and was subsequently ported to the SNES. This remastered version was the core of the version that was ported to the Game Boy Advance, and the original title has since been brought to Nintendo’s digital storefronts. Being preloaded on Nintendo’s NES Classic plug-and-play system, Super Mario Bros. 2 is now also available through Nintendo’s Nintendo Switch Online virtual library of titles.
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Super Mario Bros.
The Classic NES Mario Title, Playable Across Nintendo Platforms
Super Mario Bros.
- Released
-
November 17, 1985
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo R&D4
Perhaps due to Super Mario Bros.’ unrivaled legacy, Nintendo brought Mario’s quintessential platforming caper to arcades, handhelds, and a variety of Nintendo home consoles. Beyond these, a playable version of Super Mario Bros. has also been hidden within the original Animal Crossing as an item for players to spruce up their living space with.
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Releasing alongside the NES in North America in 1985, the title was also included in the SNES Super Mario All-Stars remaster collection. Super Mario Bros. has also been brought to handheld consoles such as the Game Boy and 3DS family of systems alongside its inclusion in Nintendo’s NES Classic plug-and-play system.
3
Donkey Kong Jr.
Mario Takes The Enemy Role In This Much-Ported Arcade Sequel
Donkey Kong Jr.
- Released
-
June 30, 1982
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo R&D1
, Nintendo R&D2
, Iwasaki Electronics
As a direct sequel to the title with Mario’s first appearance – Donkey Kong – Donkey Kong Jr. includes Mario in an antagonistic role.
Originally playable in arcades in 1982, Donkey Kong Junior was quickly ported to multiple Atari systems, before it found a place in the NES’ home console library. It has also gone on to be hidden in the original Animal Crossing and is playable through scanning related Game Boy Advance E-Reader cards. Beyond these more obscure instances, Donkey Kong Junior has also been available through its original arcade and NES versions on the Nintendo Switch hybrid system.
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Mario Bros.
Mario And Luigi Star In Their Own Title Before They Became ‘Super’
Mario Bros.
- Released
-
July 20, 1983
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo
Originally a simple spin-off from Mario’s first appearance in Donkey Kong, Mario Bros. was initially released as an arcade title.
Since its 1983 debut, it has since gone on to be ported to multiple Nintendo home and handheld consoles – be it through a direct port, or its inclusion as a bonus title. However, in its earliest years, Mario Bros. was ported to multiple other systems; from Atari’s home consoles to the ZX Spectrum. Its original arcade version can be played through its Arcade Archives release on the Nintendo Switch, or through the NES version available in the Nintendo Switch Online digital library.
1
Donkey Kong
Mario’s Debut Title That’s Found Its Way To Consoles From Atari To The Switch
Donkey Kong
- Released
-
July 31, 1981
- Developer(s)
-
Nintendo R&D1
, Ikegami Tsushinki
Initially an economical repurpose of failed Radar Scope arcade cabinets, Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo’s earliest video games and the origin of the Mario series’ aesthetic and gameplay tenets.
Originally coming to arcades in 1981, it was quickly ported to multiple Atari systems and personal Beyond Donkey Kong 64‘s ‘Frantic Factory’ level, and through Animal Crossing‘s playable NES’ it can be played on a host of Nintendo platforms.
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