Feature: Is Any Mario Game Genuinely ‘Underrated’?
Image: NintendoWhen the word ‘underrated’ is used in reference to entries in series as venerated as, say, Super Mario or the Zelda, it never quite feels right. Sure, perhaps there are some early oddball entries that people missed â games that were crafted when the template and direction of the series was still in flux â but it’s hard to argue that these represent the most analysed, most considered and reconsidered video games ever made.
Whether they’re celebrated genre-definers or one of the lesser entries in the Mushroom Kingdom canon, surely every single Mario game is rated absolutely appropriately, right? Sunshine is famously not as polished as other mainline 3D Marios, but it’s got some great bits, too. Some people will call it their favourite, which is fine, but broadly speaking, it ranks where it ranks (13 at the time of writing) on our all-time best Mario games list for a reason,
It’s a poser, but we thought it was a good time to think about Mario games that we feel get a bad rap. Perhaps it’s because they’re not quite the paradigm-shifters they’re related to. Maybe they released at a bad time, on a dying system. Perhaps they deviated too far from a respected predecessor and it didn’t click at the time.
Whatever the reason, this MAR10 Day we’re taking a look at 10 Mario games that, if not underrated, deserve a second look if you’ve dismissed them in the past. We’ve opened the field up to any game with Mario in the title (and in a starring role), not just the mainline massive.
So, let’s get into the top 10 most ‘underrated’ Mario games…
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
The first 2D entry to come to a home console since Mario World in the early ’90s, 2009’s New Super Mario Bros. Wii brought chaotic four-player local multiplayer to the series for the first time and gave old-school fans yearning for a side-on Mushroom Kingdom adventure something to chew on, with plenty of clever nods to the past.
Anyone put off by the New series’ ‘wah’s and cuteness missed out on a real platforming treat. New Super Mario Bros. Wii is honestly our favourite of the bunch. It evolves the basic formula of the DS entry perfectly, and the multiplayer is an absolute blast. And look, Penguin Mario is one of the best power-ups ever. Don’t challenge us.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Super Paper Mario (Wii)
Super Paper Mario blends classic platformer with some of the RPG elements of its predecessors and throws in a world-flipping mechanic that gives you a whole new perspective on traditional 2D platforming courses. Originally planned as a GameCube game, it perhaps makes more sense that it diverges from Thousand-Year Door’s way of doing things, and it certainly divides series fans.
Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of fandom, the Wii entry is a beautiful game with fiendish puzzles and an intriguing, unique flip mechanic. It’s also delightfully weird in ways you’ll never expect. Despite not being a traditional RPG, Super Paper Mario’s blend of genres really works to create something that’s wholly unique in Mario’s storied history.
Mario Hoops 3 on 3 (DS)
Mario Hoops 3 on 3, known as Mario Slam Basketball in Europe, was a great handheld title in its day, especially when played with a friend. If you’re after a fun, colourful, and (at times) manic sporting experience with inventive controls and wonderful presentation, this is definitely worth a shot.
Our lovely video producer Felix is a particular fan of this underrated Mario gem â check him out waxing lyrical about Mario’s courtside skills alongside footage of the game. Wait, there are Final Fantasy characters here, too? Sold.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey (3DS)
This spruce-up of the DS original did more than enough to impress us and, along with Kirbyâs Extra Epic Yarn, gave the 3DS a truly great swansong, even if most Nintendo fans had moved on to Switch by January 2019. Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey didn’t touch what made the original so great and brought it to a whole new audience with all-new features. With the updated visuals, a brand-new side story involving Bowser Jr., and the ability to speed up gameplay, itâs the best version of arguably the best of the Mario & Luigi RPG series.
Plus, you get to root around in the intestines of a giant fire-breathing lizard. Whatâs not to like?
Mario Strikers: Battle League (Switch)
Mario Strikers: Battle League is a masterclass in competitive game design The game it played from kick-off was a beautiful one, and what it lacks in options is more than made up by just how much fun the game is Itâs absolutely gorgeous to boot. Initially, the game may have fallen short of many people’s expectations, but free post-launch updates brought along new characters, modes, and more.
If arcade sport action isnât your bag, itâll likely do nothing to sway your opinion, but if you have even a passing interest in this kind of caper, Mario Strikers: Battle League is one of the best sports games on Switch, especially now it’s “complete”. Give it another shot.
Super Mario Land (GB)
Super Mario Land was an impressive accomplishment when it was released for the Game Boy in 1989. The sequel might have made this original shot at translating the plumber’s platforming to the overworked, underpowered handheld seem quaint by comparison, but it’s still a very fun Super Mario experience, albeit a short one. Crafted by Gunpei Yokoi’s R&D1 rather than Shigeru Miyamoto’s team, it’s a surreal yet compelling take on the template which takes some adjusting to nowadays. And just about the time things are really getting good, the credits roll.
If you haven’t played Super Mario Land before, you owe it to yourself to try this â it’s worth playing through at least once to see where Mario’s portable adventures began. Cracking music, too.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Switch)
It feels like Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope’s star isn’t as bright as its predecessors.Kingdom Battleâs challenging, curated fights and delightful visuals turned it into a cult hit, and the sequel went with a “bigger is better” mentality. The battles are less an evolution of what came before and more an impressive shift toward freedom and creativity that can sometimes trivialise Cursaâs attempts to take over the galaxy. However, Sparks of Hope shines in most aspects outside of these Darkmess bouts. Delightful little puzzles, quests, and memorable locales abound, which yet make this Rabbid-themed adventure a must-play for Mario and strategy game enthusiasts alike.
Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)
One aspect of Mario’s legacy that seems to have taken a hit on the Switch is the sport games. We’ve already stuck up for Mario Strikers on the console, but now it’s time to wax lyrical about Mario Tennis Aces. It’s anything but the disappointing Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash; instead, Aces is a superb arcade sports game thatâs generous with its suite of player options and only occasionally guilty of being a little cheap in its Adventure Mode. The presentation is spot on, and the core tennis action is absorbing whether youâre trading simple strokes or firing off special shots. Some animations and voiceovers are identical to Ultra Smashâs, but everything around them has been overhauled to quite splendid heights. This is something of a Switch Port Plus, then â not quite a whole new experience, but so improved as to be near unrecognisable.
