As Mario Day, March 10 (Mar10), comes up, I’ve been looking back on the games my sisters and I were raised on. As the child of a Nintendo fanatic, I was constantly joining in on jumping on goombas, beating Bowser and crossing the flagpole in various “Super Mario” games. On that note, let’s get into my top five Super Mario games.

5. “Super Mario Odyssey” (Nintendo Switch, 2017)

I’m sure some of you are wondering why this game is either too high or too low on the list. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t really enjoy this game. Some parts were too difficult while other parts were too easy. The game felt unbalanced. Though the game is not exactly my cup of tea, the graphics and concept are awesome and so unique to the franchise. It is not every day you throw your hat, and then all of the sudden, you’re a dinosaur, alright?

As one of the many game faces of the Nintendo Switch, this game is very popular among the Nintendo community. It’s almost parallel to “Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild,” with its open-world format and smaller, less-detailed goals.  The total gameplay takes around 40 hours, and all you need is a Switch!

4. “Super Mario 64” (Nintendo 64, 9196)

“Super Mario 64” is probably one of the more identifiable Nintendo games out there. This game is known for its revolutionary graphics and open-world format. Just like most of the games on this list, its 3D graphics are really the cherry on top. Not to mention, going through things like picture frames to get to the levels is just one of the many small details that give this game its charm.

3. “MarioKart 8” (Wii U, 2014)

Now I know what you might be thinking: “Why would one of the MarioKart games be in the top 5? Aren’t there better games like “Yoshi’s Island” that are more deserving of this spot?” Yes. Yes, there are. But MarioKart 8 has a specific gaming element that really grabs my attention: it allows you to play the same thing over and over, with minor changes each time. The speed differences between 50cc and 100cc are extreme, making it increasingly more difficult to get used to.

The game isn’t very exciting itself, but it’s much more exciting compared to the former games in the “MarioKart” series. The graphics are better, there is a more diverse selection of characters and the courses are far more intricate than ever. I imagine that “MarioKart 8” will be one of the last games of its series. The game has definitely been a go-to game for whenever I’m bored, and it is now more accessible because of its full — meaning no in-game fees — release on the Nintendo Switch. 

2. “Super Mario World” (SNES, 1990)

This game is one of the older ones, but it is still just as iconic. I don’t have much to say about this game other than that it’s part of video game history. Besides introducing Yoshi, the game sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it widely-considered one of the best video games ever made. Because of its popularity, it led to its own animated TV show later on. “Super Mario World” definitely earned its place at the top of most video game lists. 

1. “Super Mario 3D World” (Wii U, 2013)

This game is above most games I’ve played, and not just in the Mario Bros. franchise. From the open-world format to the graphics, it’s all perfect. “Super Mario 3D World” has the perfect contrast of challenge and fun, making it a good game for all ages. Using up to four players, you play level after level, collecting “bells,” coins and the classic mushroom. Each level is different and the game feels never-ending.

“Super Mario 3D World ” is colorful and a total (pun intended) game-changer. Being freeform while also keeping a clean cut makes it No. 1 on my list. Being able to complete all the worlds and then beating Rosalina’s space kingdom really took a lot of work from me. The levels increase in difficulty perfectly, making it almost unnoticeable. The plotline with the fairies and Bowser’s kids made the game entertaining. 

So even if you’re more of a PlayStation or Xbox person, I’m sure you’ll find entertainment and fun in these games for Mario day.