Summary
The iconic red hat plumper is one of the most recognizable faces in video games for a reason. Everyone lovesMario, andMariogames are certainly a joy for everyone that picks up a controller and tries them. There’s a good reason why Mario is the iconic poster boy of Nintendo, as some of the bestMariogames are remembered in video game history as the greatest titles to grace the medium. Yet, some are harder than others.
To new players of theMariofranchise, or to those that want an easier experience, theseSuper Mariogames will help players enjoy the fun that the majority ofMariofans do, going from the easiest to the most challenging, but all assuring an easyMariogame experience.
Updated July 21, 2025 by Jake Fillery:Mario remains a classic character in a classic gaming formula. Since Mario is such a colorful and friendly character, it’s not a surprise that he holds the title with some of the easiest games on the market, and that’s not a bad thing. Players can constantly challenge themselves in the best Mario games, but to those who want to seek a fun adventure, alone or with friends, without being pushed away by a difficulty scaling, then they need to check out these titles, with some being new Mario games from 2023.
The newest entry into Mario’s adventure transcends the Mushroom Kingdom, and brings about an arsenal of iconic friends. Players have more freedom than ever with their character selection, and everything aboutSuper Mario Bros. Wonderis there to show players why it’s the best time to be a Mario fan. Gone are the stiff animations of theNew Super Marioseries, and here to stay, are the gleeful animated actions and personalities of the wonderful cast of characters and enemies.
Outside of the game’s performance, players will find this game fairly easy due to its platforming sections, power-ups, and smoother gameplay. Players can also play as Yoshi and Nabbit, which are characters that basically cannot die, meaning thatSuper Mario Bros. Wondercan be completed without failure from all ages and skill levels.
Most would expect an RPG to have fairly complex mechanics, especially when it’s turn-based combat likeSuper Mario RPG. Yet, the game is as colorful as it is easy. It’s a great remake of a classic and doesn’t just indulge in a nostalgic overload for a game players would remember. It tweaks some things here and there to captivate players old and new and provide an experience that everyone can enjoy, regardless of skill brackets.
Whether it’s players' first RPG or their hundredth,Super Mario RPGis extremely accessible to those willing to learn. There are some complexities, such as puzzles and fights that players might feel unprepared for, but that learning curve will quickly be resolved the more players get in there and try.
The firstSuper Mariogame is arguably the easiest. It’s the most friendly game for players to start their Mushroom Kingdom,Goomba stomping adventuresin.Super Mario Bros.defined the Nintendo Entertainment System and the platform genre, and as a game released in 1985, the levels and style of the game still hold up, so those looking for the defining origin point for Super Mario should look no further.
The mechanics ofSuper Mario Bros.are simple compared to other titles. Power-ups are limited and lack a strong variety that might confuse or alienate new players. Instead,Super Mario Bros.can simply be played like a classic platformer, where players want to reach Point B without dying. It’s simple, fun, and elegant.
With the dawning of the 21st century, Super Mario was reinvented with thebranding ofNew Super Mario Bros.When the famed plumber came to the Nintendo Wii system, it was on theNew Super Mario Bros.Wiigame, which featured Mario powers, friends, and platforming courses never seen before. Yet, with these new attributes, the game was actually easier than other titles for a few reasons.
InNew Super Mario Bros. Wii, players could experience the game in co-op with up to 4 players. This meant that only one of them had to finish the level to win. Also, if a player was in danger, or about to fall to their death, they could encase themselves in a bubble to be popped by a friend. The power-ups also made things far easier.
Mario had once again evolved out of the 2D and 2.5D environments, andSuper Mario 3D Worldsought to bring Mario out of the platforming era into a 3D space, yet, keep the familiar ground that was covered.Super Mario 3D Worldachieved many things, but one of the main things it achieved was the difficulty scaling, in which players didn’t have to rely on a heavy set of abilities and agility tricks, and instead could just run and jump like in days of old withMariogames.
Thanks toSuper Mario 3D World, players could better assess a 3D space rather than just run from the left side of the screen to the right. There was also a bounty of new courses that players had to jump and smash their way through, including somestrange new power-ups.
The newest epic adventure from Mario comes with his arrival on the Nintendo Switch.Super Mario Odysseyis easily regarded as one of the best platform games and for good reason.Super Mario Odysseyplays the smoothest out of allMariogames, and movement and expression are rewarded as players explore and try out the new features, all the while, still using thosefamiliar yet differentset of jumps, runs, and leaps.
Mario travels around the world with his newest ally, Cappy, as the duo collects Moons to save Princess Peach and Cappy’s sister from Bowser. The game rewards creativity, and although it may not be the easiest game out there, it’s certainly one that can be played by anyone.
One of the harderMariotitles,Super Mario Galaxypits players against the greatest enemy known to man: gravity. InSuper Mario Galaxy, players harness the powers of orbit, and they are constantly running around and jumping on spherical worlds that are interconnected by a galaxy. The platforming inSuper Mario Galaxyis the series at its most unique, as it uses geometry and gravity to shape a new platform experience.
To some,Super Mario Galaxymight be a challenging experience, as it requires some thought as to where to jump, and where gravity will take Mario as he once again tries tosave Peach from Bowser.However, the game is fairly easy, and the mechanics don’t change much throughout the game, which utilizes the Nintendo Wii’s motion controls.
Mario breaks into the 21st century withSuper Mario Sunshine, the leading character’s debut for the GameCube. This was the 2nd time that Mario graced the 3D space, and the character celebrates by taking a nice vacation to Isle Delfino. However, once again, he is faced with a few issues to iron out, including trying to clear his own name.
The entertaining and experimental gimmick ofSuper Mario Sunshineprovides players with the FLUDD device, which utilizes the nozzles and water spray for better movement and abilities around the platforming sections of the game.Super Mario Sunshineis one of the harder titles for the way the movement system may feel unfamiliar, but it’s still easily accessible.
Out of theSuper Mariogames,Super Mario 64remains the utmost classic. The 1996 platformer for the Nintendo 64 broke new ground in the gaming industry and pushed Mario into a bold and new 3D direction.Super Mario 64still has an active audience of players that are mesmerized by the movement that the game offers, allowing for great freedom of expression when running and jumping.
There are limited flaws withSuper Mario 64, and there is a reason the game is so beloved. It’s a great entry point into the best 3DMariogames, but it comes at the cost of perhaps being the most difficult of the bunch, considering the movements may be less fluid than modern players are used to.
