The 50 Greatest Mario Games

In which we count down Nintendo's finest.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Mario surely ranks right up there with Mickey Mouse and Bart Simpson as one of the most recognizable characters in all of history. He hasn't been around for very long, but in that time he's starred and been featured in countless games. And along the way he's made more cash for Nintendo than you'll see in a hundred life times.

What exactly is it that makes the little plumber so appealing? Is it his every-man sensibilities? His incredible abilities? What about his unwavering determination and heroism?

Or maybe it's the designers behind him, who keep on delivering quality experiences, even after three decades of Mario games. Shigeru Miyamoto and many others have contributed to the Mario legacy over the years, and Nintendo continues to set the bar high even today.

For the purposes of this list, a rubric: a "Mario game" has to feature Mario, and if it features an ensemble cast, that cast must be of the Mario universe. That means no Luigi's Mansion, Super Smash Bros. (that's Nintendo universe, not Mario universe; there's a difference) and no Super Princess Peach. As great as those games are, the line had to be drawn somewhere.

As it is, we're sure you'll disagree with some of the choices; feel free to sound off in the comments or on Twitter. 

Mario Bros. (1983)

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Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (2007)

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Wrecking Crew (1985)

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Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race (1987)

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NES Open Tournament Golf (1991)

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Mario's Super Picross (1995)

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Mario Excite Bike (1995)

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Mario Tennis Open (2012)

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Mario Hoops 3-on-3 (2006)

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Mario Pinball Land (2004)

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Paper Mario: Sticker Star (2012)

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Super Mario Bros. 2 (1986)

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Super Mario Galaxy (2007)

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New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009)

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Mario Golf (1998)

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Mario Party 6 (2004)

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Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992)

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Mario Kart Double Dash!! (2003)

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Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003)

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Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World (1994)

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Mario Kart Wii (2008)

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Mario Tennis (2000)

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Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time (2005)

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Super Mario Land (1989)

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Mario Party 9 (2012)

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Super Mario Strikers (2005)

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Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (2006)

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Super Paper Mario (2007)

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New Super Mario Bros. U (2012)

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Mario Teaches Typing (1991)

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Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (2009)

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Mario Kart 64 (1996)

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Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010)

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Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004)

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Dr. Mario (1990)

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Mario Paint (1992)

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Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995)

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Super Mario Sunshine (2002)

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Mario Kart 7 (2011)

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New Super Mario Bros. (2006)

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Donkey Kong (1981)

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Mario Party 2 (1999)

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Super Mario Bros. (1985)

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Paper Mario (2000)

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Super Mario Kart (1992)

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Super Mario 3D Land (2011)

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Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996)

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Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)

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Super Mario 64 (1996)

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Super Mario World (1990)

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