Gavin Lane, editor
Mario Bros. 3 was my first. Actually, I don’t remember if it was 3 or Super Mario Bros. which was actually mine First — my brother had both strollers — but 3 really captured my imagination. The dancing objects on the world map screen, Mario’s round, waddling spirit and the way he lowered his cap when he crouched down, the color contrast between the white frame at the end of the levels and the black ‘drapes’ behind — my warm impressions of the NES are mostly the result beautiful opening stages of this game.
There is nothing to say that has not already been said many times. You’ve all played this, you all know the music, you all hold down the white platform to get the Warp Whistle and then feel bad for using it and skipping all those brilliant early levels. This game is full of elegance and joy and remains my favorite 2D Mario.
Alana Hagues, Deputy Editor
It has to be Super Mario World. I don’t think that will ever change either. It wasn’t my first Mario game by any means — I played at least five others before I got to the SNES classic — but it was love at first sight.
Super Mario World just has a magical energy. It is full of secrets and surprises that delight and challenge. The boosts are beautiful, and Cape Feather will always be my favorite. And it actually feels like an adventure. Dinosaur Land is so new and fresh, and the bolder, brighter color palette of the SNES helps bring that world to life. It certainly helps that the level design is flawless throughout.
Super Mario World is one of those rare, untouchable games for me. There are many games I love more than her, but few are as perfect and joyous as Mario’s first SNES outing.
Ollie Reynolds, staff writer
I’ve gone on and on about my love for Super Mario Sunshine before, but I think it’s about time I put it simply… It’s my favorite Mario game of all time. I know knowing, it has its problems, and I don’t dispute that for a moment; but call it nostalgia, delusion, whatever you will, it still stands at the top of the pile for me.
There is something about the tropical setting of Delfino Island that speaks to me. Whether wandering Delfino Plaza in search of blue coins, surfing Ricco Harbor atop a color-coded squid, or racing to the top of a giant palm tree in the village of Pianta, I loved every moment. Some of the controls are a bit odd compared to later 3D Mario games, sure, but for me the game is elevated by its unique premise and excellent level design.
Jim Norman, staff writer
This can really change on a daily basis, but if you ask me my favorite game is Mario right this minute, it has to be Super Mario Galaxy 2. Yes, it works almost the same as its predecessor, but that ‘same’ is out of this world! The controls are smooth, the level design is second to none, and the score is amazing. Oh, and there’s Yoshi! What’s not to love?
I have the fondest memories of staying up way too late playing this with my friends, grinding to get every Power Star while trying to throttle the Wiimote’s constant ping ping ping as we collected Star Bits. Now It is what is mario all about. The fact that it didn’t make the 3D All-Stars cut is a travesty — come on Nintendo, I need my Switch port!
So those are our favorites, but what about you, dear readers? Vote in our poll below and share your love for your favorite Super Mario game with us in the comments.
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