Today is March 10th, which can only mean one thing – it's Mario Day. That's right, it's the day when the world gets together to celebrate the Princess-saving plumber by eating mushrooms and racing karts. Unless you're even a tiny bit overweight, apparently. To help celebrate Mario Day, I wanted to see what Electronic Gaming Monthly had to say about Nintendo's beloved mascot throughout the years.
In case you're wondering, EGM reviewed a total of 70 Super Mario Bros. games between 1989 and 2009. That includes most of the main series games, a whole bunch of sports games, a number of re-releases, a popular fighting series, a few racing games and a staggering amount of other spin-offs. In order to compile this list, we've decided to include most of the games and spin-offs that feature Mario as a playable character. We're not going to include any of the games starring the side-characters (even if Mario shows up), so Luigi's Mansion and the Wario games will need to wait for another countdown. We're also not going to include the games where Mario makes little more than a cameo, such as SSX3, NBA Street and Mike Tyson's Punch-Out. Ideally, all the games on the list have Mario in some sort of starring capacity, though there will be a couple examples that blur the lines a bit.
Now, with all that out of the way, what we're going to do is countdown the best and worst Mario games using Electronic Gaming Monthly's own words and scores. There's no editorializing here, we're going to focus on what the critics said back when these games first came out. So, change into your tanooki suit and rev up your go-kart, because you're going to warp into another super-sized episode of Electronic Gaming Monthly's Top 70 Super Mario Games. This might take a while.
Mario Pinball Land (Game Boy Advance)
#70
"The makers of Mario Pinball seem to think that if a few big pinball boards are fun, a bunch of tiny, simple pinball boards are fun. They ain't. The bigger, messier and more complicated pinball gets, the better. The way the boards link up creates another problem: Fall out of a later board, and you'll have to repeat the effort required to progress that far. Didn't anybody realize that this isn't any fun?" (4 out of 10)
Yoshi (NES)
#69
"I am not impressed. Although the main character is different, whether it is Yoshi, Dr. Mario or Tetris, Nintendo continues to beat this old theme to death while hoping to get players to buy the game based on a popular character." (5 out of 10)
Mario's Picross (Game Boy)
#68
"I like puzzle games and generally think they're even better on a portable. However, this game was just too boring. Chiseling away numbers on the top and side makes it seem like a math test instead of a game. It may be good for educational reasons, but it sure is bland to play." (5.1 out of 10)
Dr. Mario (Game Boy)
#67
"Dr. Mario is an annoyingly over-involved version of Tetris meets Columns that takes a different approach and comes up way short. Sure, Nintendo has done the same old thing in a refreshing new way, but where's the fun?" (5.75 out of 10)
Mario Party 7 (GameCube)
#66
"Familiarity, as we know, can breed contempt. So, it's really an accomplishment that Mario Party still manages to be fun at all, considering how shockingly unoriginal each installment remains. The mini-games are simply too short. The AI of the computer-controlled players also needs better balancing. And from now on, can we call these expansion packs, just to be fair?" (6 out of 10)
Yoshi's Safari (Super NES)
#65
"After playing this for a while, you may be tempted to turn your SuperScope on yourself and end it all. Yoshi's Safari suffers from one fatal flaw – it is way too easy. The scrolling and graphics are excellent, but that's it." (6 out of 10)
Mario Hoops 3-on-3 (Nintendo DS)
#64
"Sure, it takes a little while to acclimate yourself to Mario Hoops' unconventional control setup, but once you get past the learning curve, the game's pretty fun and something that would only ever work on the DS. But the game's debt to other Mario titles quickly becomes annoying. Who wants to play B-Ball on an ice court where everyone's slipping and sliding?" (6.2 out of 10)
Game & Watch Gallery 2 (Game Boy Color)
#63
"Game & Watch Gallery 2 is fun in the same way old 2600 games are. For the first 15 or 20 minutes, you'll think “wow, this is great.” But then you'll realize just how simplistic the games in this pack are, and how repetitive they become after a while. For the right price, it may be worth picking up. Just be careful – don't expect it to be an epic." (6.25 out of 10)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)
#62
"The controls aren't complicated on their own; they're just complicated for this type of gaming experience. Some events have 11 pages of instructions. That's too much reading and learning in what should be a pure pick-up-and-play party game. And call me a wimp, but some racing contests are too physically demanding, leaving me out of breath and hoping that my deodorant is holding up." (6.3 out of 10)
Mario Party 8 (Wii)
#61
"This is the Nintendo “minigame machine” Wii we're talking about here, so it should be the perfect venue for a Mario Party. The events that use the Wii-mote exactly as you'd expect don't disappoint. But the rest do. You'll see lots of rehashed minigames here, redone with motion controls. Worse, you'll see many games that don't take advantage of the motion controls at all." (6.3 out of 10)
Mario Party DS (Nintendo DS)
#60
"For the most part, Mario Party's transition to the DS is reasonably successful, albeit predictable: You'll roll a dice, travel around the game board, collect stars, and play minigames, which take advantage of the portable format and offer some decent stylus- and mic-based gameplay. Like any Mario Party, this one's harmless fun, but the repetitiveness just drives home why the wacky, dynamic WarioWare has been crowned Nintendo's real party king." (6.5 out of 10)
Yoshi (Game Boy)
#59
"Ahh, Yoshi, the cutest dino to ever hit the video scene. If any character deserved his own game, it's Yoshi, and what a good game it is. Perfect for the limited Game Boy format, Yoshi enjoys plenty of Tetris-style action, plus the humorous graphics fremescent of some of my favorite games. Oh, black and white stinks." (6.5 out of 10)
Hotel Mario (CD-i)
#58
"The game sounds simple enough: Go through several levels while banishing Koopa Troopas and other enemies. However, this is quite addicting stuff and it is strongly recommended you use the joypad for maximum enjoyment." (6.6 out of 10)
Mario Tennis: Power Tour (Game Boy Advance)
#57
"Ew, they put RPG in my tennis. This is like seeing Agassi cosplaying as a Final Fantasy character ... with a mullet. It just got too repulsive for me. When I wasn't force-fed line after line of dialog in the pursuit of “sophisticated” character development, I was lectured with diagrams on proper backhand service reception. The tennis itself is tedious and a cinch." (6.7 out of 10)
Yoshi's Cookie (Game Boy)
#56
"For a puzzle game, the latest offering by Nintendo is an interesting diversion. While it tries hard not to be like Tetris, you can't help but end up with a bad case of déjà vu, albeit a somewhat enjoyable episode." (6.75 out of 10)
Mario's Time Machine (Super NES)
#55
"This is another of those “infotainment” games in the spirit of Mario is Missing. For those of you who like a more deliberately paced game that tests your intellectual skills and recall of historical events, then this is for you. For others, don't think this is in the same vein as Super Mario All-Stars – far from it." (6.75 out of 10)
Dr. Mario 64 (Nintendo 64)
#54
"This was a great puzzle game ... back when I was a kid and hadn't seen a whole lot better. By today's standards, Dr. Mario is pretty clunky, both in feel and looks. Game design-wise, Dr. Mario 64 is rather basic. After all, you're only playing with three basic colors, and it's easy to set up combos. Don't expect anything exciting and new here." (6.8 out of 10)
Yoshi's Island DS (Nintendo DS)
#53
"I had high hopes for Yoshi's Island DS because the Super Nintendo original was one of the best platformers – nay, games – ever made. Alas, this sequel doesn't quite pass the muster. Developer Artoon captured the original's look and feel, but scrimped on the creativity and polish. Yoshi's Island deserves an amazing sequel, but you'll only be amazed by how stagnant and sloppy this game feels." (6.8 out of 10)
Mario Party 6 (GameCube)
#52
"Must Nintendo give us, with the precision of the finest Swiss clocks, a new Mario Party each and every holiday season? I'd be able to muster much more enthusiasm if I had to wait a little longer between installments. The new microphone-based mini-games are more gimmicky than fun, and I hate passing the mic back and forth. I don't see a reason to buy it if you already have 5, or even 4." (6.8 out of 10)
Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
#51
"Mario Kart Wii is, predictably, mostly the same as every other iteration you've played for the last 16 years, with motocycles. While other publishers are breaking loose with racing games like Burnout Paradise, Nintendo seems content to roll out the same ol', same ol' yet again." (B- out of A+)
Mario Superstar Baseball (GameCube)
#50
"Don't let this game's beloved cast of characters, quirky equipment and Nintendo-themed fields of dreams fool you – Mario Superstar Baseball isn't very beginner-friendly. Unlike the plumber's stint on the links and tennis courts, you can't get away with simply knowing the basics. The addictive minigames help, but I still think he and his friends could use some more practice." (7 out of 10)
Super Mario Strikers (GameCube)
#49
"It's funny what a little Mario can do. Somehow in Strikers, launching a barrage of turtle shells at an opposing soccer player makes a strange kind of sense. The feel-good Mario glow won't last too long if you're playing alone, though – once you suss the AI's intricacies, the game holds little mystery or reason for replay." (7 out of 10)
Mario Clash (Virtual Boy)
#48
"Think of Mario Clash as a sequel to the original Mario Brothers game. The gameplay is relatively simple, and the use of 3D replaces the multiple platform levels. The two levels are more of a gimmick than anything else. Mario Clash is okay, but nothing really outstanding." (7.1 out of 10)
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (Nintendo DS)
#47
"The goal of this puzzle/platformer is similar to that of its GBA predecessor. This time, thankfully, you have direct control over your minions. Problem is, the levels rarely combine these aspects in inspired ways. Also, the mini-games and boss fights are inexcusably lame, simply variations on the same template. The construction set that allows you to create levels you can then share with others lifts this one out of mediocrity." (7.2 out of 10)
Mario Party 3 (Nintendo 64)
#46
"The difference between Mario Party 1 and 3 is like night and day. Mario Party 3 is the best, most balanced entry in the series. Sure, the computer is still a bastard, but it's a lot better than usual. A few of the mini-games are unbalanced, but there are enough of them either way that it evens out." (7.3 out of 10)
Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Game Boy Advance)
#45
"Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a fine example of what good handheld gaming ought to be – nugget-sized entertainment that you can put down just as easily as you pick it up. The short, puzzle-based levels manage to incorporate many different elements without making things needlessly complicated. A seasoned gamer might find Vs. easy at first, but mastering each stage in an attempt at beating the high score proves much more challenging – and, ultimately, rewarding." (7.3 out of 10)
Mario Strikers Charged (Wii)
#44
"Charged's super-duper sidekicks really do make all the difference on this arcadey pitch. It's also great to see a game that doesn't go overboard with the Wii controls. And while I'm happy the Mushroom Kingdom is ably taking soccer online, I still feel like Charged needs something else. Anyone got some spare minigames?" (7.5 out of 10)
Mario Super Sluggers (Wii)
#43
"Super Sluggers succeeds and fails as most Mario sports games do: Its quick, arcade-style action is easy to get into and fun, but this comes at the expense of the nuances you'll find in a sim. Lousy A.I. baserunning and some balance issues can dampen the excitement, but Super Sluggers is good for a matinee." (B out of A+)
Super Mario Land (Game Boy)
#42
"Even though it's in black and white and on a 2 inch screen, Super Mario Land is a fantastic game that is, above all, very fun to play. There are loads of things to discover and all new worlds to chart. It's a bit short, but there's enough challenge here to recommend this one." (7.75 out of 10)
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (GameCube)
#41
"Anyone who thinks golf is for country-club geezers hasn't played a Mario Golf game. This Cube installment carries on the tradition of cinch-to-learn controls, fun and funky mini-games and all-around ball-whacking fun best experienced with a couple of buds on a lazy weekend afternoon. I just with Toadstool Tour's golf bag packed more viewing options and a few fresh gameplay tricks." (7.8 out of 10)
Game & Watch Gallery 3 (Game Boy Color)
#40
"Simply put, this Game & Watch compilation is the same old, same old. And that's OK. Like the previous installments, the titles included are very simple but addictively fun. Crispin likes to play mindless stuff like this when he's sitting on the crapper. It's perfect for the Game Boy Color." (8 out of 10)
Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)
#39
"Besides rock-solid physics and top notch gameplay, the RPG elements are enough to push it into the must-buy category. Two-player link is a blast as are the regular modes. Golf fan or not, go bet this competent game." (8 out of 10)
Mario Party 5 (GameCube)
#38
"No other game brings out the best in me as a gamer and the worst in me as a human being at the same time. Almost as if by design, Mario Party's innocent window dressing provides a delightful contrast to the relentless vulgarity and obscenity that the unpredictable gameplay generates. Buy it, call some friends and let chaos reign." (8 out of 10)
Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)
#37
"Mario Golf is basically Hot Shots Golf wrapped in video gaming's most popular character designs. That being said, the game is extremely accessible and fun. Curiously enough, a lot of emphasis is put on taunting other players with sound samples. After a while, it gets really unbearable. Too bad." (8.1 out of 10)
Mario Power Tennis (GameCube)
#36
"Crammed with the usual Nintendo trappings, there's a solid tennis game underneath all the over-the-top wackiness. Purists may object to distractions such as alligators waddling across the court, but this stuff does make it more challenging to keep your mind on the game. My main complaint is waiting for the animations of the power moves during a fast-paced game. Get on it already!" (8.2 out of 10)
Mario Paint (Super NES)
#35
"Don't be fooled by the fact that this soft doesn't necessarily fall into the “game” category. Mario Paint is a fantastic program that, besides allowing you to express your creative side, has the same depth and detail in presentation that you'll find in the hottest video games. This cart is great fun for all ages." (8.25 out of 10)
Donkey Kong (Game Boy)
#34
"Welcome to the biggest surprise hit of the year. I had no idea that this game could offer so much in such a tiny package. Donkey Kong brings back all the best aspects of the arcade, while introducing new concepts, making the game even better. Great job Nintendo!" (8.25 out of 10)
Mario Party 4 (GameCube)
#33
"Mario Parties are some of my favorite multiplayer games, and this fourth installment is as good as ever. But after three previous titles, it's kind of a letdown that the only major difference in Mario Party 4 is the sharp GameCube visuals. The new mini-games are wicked fun, yet most are just variations of those you played in the earlier titles." (8.3 out of 10)
Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)
#32
"The repetitive nature of tennis wears thin on the Game Boyu Color. The small digital pad and the constant back-and-forth pressure does a number on the ol' thumbs. Yeah, it's a pathetic complaint, but that's the only thing wrong with this game. You won't find a better tennis game for the Game Boy Color." (8.3 out of 10)
Super Mario 64 DS (Nintendo DS)
#31
"The old guy's still got it. Mario 64's mix of ingenious puzzles, wildly different levels and straight-out platforming action holds up, even if the graphics and nonexistent plot seems dated. This game has controls issues. None of the different control options on the DS come close to providing the effortless precision the analog stick delivers." (8.3 out of 10)
Super Mario Advance (Game Boy Advance)
#30
"If you've never played Mario 2 before, you'll love Mario Advance. Solid platforming action, with four very different, playable characters, air-tight control, and the added twist of an alternate dimension of all the levels. If you've already played Mario 2 to death like me, then there are a few cool additions, but nothing worth getting excited about. Nothing, that is, until you hook up a link cable for some multiplayer. That's when you'll discover the most frantic, chaotic, laugh-out-loud fun party game on the go yet." (8.3 out of 10)
Mario Kart: Super Circuit (Game Boy Advance)
#29
"I've always enjoyed the Mario Kart games, and Super Circuit is another great one. The prolem is, it isn't much more than the old game with a fresh coat of paint. I expected this to blow Konami Krazy Racers out of the water, but it doesn't. Great, but not ‘new.'" (8.5 out of 10)
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (Nintendo DS)
#28
"Like its GBA prequel and the Paper Mario series, Partners in Time succeeds by paying close attention to the role-playing genre ... and then smashing them with a runaway turtle shell. If you're a serious RPG fan looking for a change, a more casual gamer willing to give the genre a shot, or a fan of the last Mario & Luigi eager for another fix, make time for these partners." (8.5 out of 10)
Super Mario Kart (Super NES)
#27
"A cute, but very good follow-up to F-Zero. This game may look cutesy, but don't be fooled. It really gets intense. The gameplay is very good and loaded with neat features like instant replay. The graphics and music are high quality and utilize Mode 7 very well. The game is a ton of fun and even better in two-player mode." (8.5 out of 10)
Mario Party (Nintendo 64)
#26
"As a self-confessed geek, I feel secure saying a four-player Mario Party can be more fun than a night out in Chicago. This cart is loaded with well-designed mini-games that are fun and easy to pick up. Great for the occasional get-together with the gang." (8.6 out of 10)
Super Smash Bros. (Nintendo 64)
#25
"Nintendo's got this party game thing down pat. Super Smash Bros. is one of the most unique, entertaining fighting games I've ever played. The one-player game is amusing, but it doesn't come close to replicating the chaos that ensues when four people get together and go at it. The stages are great, the music rules and the action is nonstop. Just be sure you have three friends to play it with." (8.6 out of 10)
Mario Kart DS (Nintendo DS)
#24
"Though the Mario Kart series has impressed on four systems now, the fifth version – as good as it is – misses the mark in a few spots. The lack of analog control and the disappearance of Double Dash's gameplay advances sting. A great game, Mario Kart DS disappoints only when compared to its near-perfect predecessors." (8.7 out of 10)
Mario Golf: Advance Tour (Game Boy Advance)
#23
"Now that Bowser has all but given up abducting princesses, Mario's had plenty of time to tee up. With talkative townsfolk who'll offer stroke-saving tips, local hot shots eager to show you up, and a course in the boonies with its own clever set of rules, what's not to love about this goofball world where everything revolves around the perfect game of golf?" (8.7 out of 10)
Super Paper Mario (Wii)
#22
"Super Paper Mario moves the franchise even further away from the established role-playing norms by replacing the turn-based battles with side-scrolling hop ‘n bop action and tacking on some meager Wii-mote functionality. The result? The red-hot Wii gets an entertaining new Mario platformer that fills the crucial gap the delayed Super Mario Galaxy should have occupied." (8.7 out of 10)
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe (Game Boy Color)
#21
"I still maintain that Super Mario Bros. for the NES is one of the best platform games ever made. I'm sure a lot of you out there would agree. Super Mario DX is, in many ways, a nearly perfect companion to every GBC owner out there. Two-player race mode is a gas, and the SMB Lost Levels were almost worth the price of admission alone." (8.75 out of 10)
Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins (Game Boy)
#20
"This Game Boy cart is so good that even the biggest skeptic will enjoy it, even in black and white. Perfect gameplay that is loaded with all kinds of items and secrets. The graphics are extremely detailed and very good for a small screen. Don't miss Mario 2." (8.75 out of 10)
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (Super NES)
#19
"Besides being completely overused, I feel Mario should just take a vacation until the N64 gives him a new home. This latest RPG puts him in the same old role as a plumber-hero with extraordinary skills. But I feel the characters and the gamebase is a bit too childish for the demanding play." (8.75 out of 10)
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Game Boy Advance)
#18
"Mario & Luigi is exactly the sort of RPG the GBA needed. It's not overly long like Golden Sun, it's not too difficult like Lufia and – for a change – it's not about collecting fuzzy things. Instead, it's just a simple, endearing little adventure. Just don't expect a saga on the scale of Paper Mario – the game ends far sooner than you'd expect." (8.8 out of 10)
Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)
#17
"Mario Tennis has the simple charm of Mario Golf and a similar quality level as well. Cute players, lots of stuff to open up and most importantly awesome gameplay. The Mario Tennis multiplayer games are especially fun. Don't hesitate on this one, Mario Tennis is a must-buy." (9 out of 10)
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (GameCube)
#16
"While it may feel like we've waited 1,000 years, Nintendo has finally added another star to the paper-thin stack of GameCube RPGs. Forget about realistic visuals and high-budget CG cut-scenes; here, you receive a brilliantly stylish 2D/3D world that, at times, can be as cutesy as Link's home island in Wild Waker or as trippy as a setting from some Dr. Seuss tale." (9 out of 10)
Super Mario World (Super NES)
#15
"While Super Mario World may not be the ideal cart to show off all the fancy things that the Super NES can do, it is a solid continuation of the Mario series. Even more secrets, hidden games, special moves and great gameplay can be found, with the addition of 16-bit looks. A winner." (9 out of 10)
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (Game Boy Advance)
#14
"Of all the Marios, World's my least favorite – but I still love it. It's like trying to decide which color of Skittles is best: They're all good. And even though Super Mario World is a 10+ year old game, it's still one of the best platformers ever, now perfectly ported to GBA. The improvements are welcome, but unnecessary. Will anyone honestly play as Luigi? Maybe, if you have to do everything, but he's too slow and awkward." (9 out of 10)
Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
#13
"Super Mario Bros. 3 is the largest, most detailed, graphically superb, audio enhanced, three-meg masterpiece loaded with perfect power-ups and extraordinary execution, most fun-to-play game I've seen on the Nintendo. This is one of the few games that comes close to a perfect 10 rating." (9 out of 10)
New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo DS)
#12
"New Super Mario Bros. is a pure test of skill – fine-tuned classic gameplay that can kick your ass sideways and leave you begging for more abuse. You get no hand-holding, tutorials or forgiveness here, making it a welcome change of pace from modern games. But you'll find some disappointment, too. In going old school, Nintendo has played it a little too safe. New gets the detail right, but forgets the most important factor of all – creativity. Nintendo got the “Super Mario Bros” part right ... just not the ‘New.'" (9.2 out of 10)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
#11
"This game takes fan service to record levels with a plethora of stages, music, cameos and so much more that encompasses the soul of Nintendo. It repeatedly pulled at my heartstrings, leaving that part of me well sated. About all this game-cum-homage is missing is a packed-in pair of ergonomically busted Virtual Boy goggles to see everything in red-hued faux-3D." (A- out of A+)
Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 (Game Boy Advance)
#10
"Man, it's easy to reminisce about simpler times after playing a Super Nintendo classic like Yoshi's Island, one of the freshest, most lovingly crafted side-scrollers that still plays well to this day. The game's funky mechanics will take a minute before they become second nature, but it won't be long before you're screwing around with all of Yoshi's alternate forms and fighting the temptation to let that lame baby Mario float far, far away." (9.2 out of 10)
Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo 64)
#9
"Once in a while, a game comes along that's so much fun to play that you'll look past all its problems. Mario Kart 64 fits that bill. What's wrong with the game? The power-ups are unbalanced and they help out the trailing players too much. But who cares? The game is a blast and takes over Super Bomberman for my favorite multiplayer game of all time." (9.25 out of 10)
Super Mario All-Stars (Super NES)
#8
"Save the Princess all over again! All-Stars is a masterpiece from beginning to end. Although it really is nothing new, All-Stars blows the roof off the fun factor. Four fun games with enhanced graphics and music is just too much. The best part is that all those wonderful secrets have been left in. Ditch those old 8-bit versions for this one." (9.25 out of 10)
Paper Mario (Nintendo 64)
#7
"Ignore the name on the box – this is Mario RPG 2, and it lives up to the first game both in content and quality. The whole 2D “paper” spin is an inspired move, giving everything a unique and colorful look while avoiding the trademark N64 blur effect. Secrets, optional side quests, mini-games; it's got it all." (9.3 out of 10)
Super Mario Bros. 3: Super Mario Advance 4 (Game Boy Advance)
#6
"Super Mario Bros. 3 is one of the best games of all time. Not just on a Nintendo system. Just just for a Mario game. Not just when it first came out many moons and mushrooms ago. OF ALL TIME. I'd score it a 10, ‘cept this isn't anything new or innovative – it's the same game from years ago." (9.3 out of 10)
Super Smash Bros. Melee (GameCube)
#5
"Take the original's winning formula, cram in even more Nintendo history than most people would know what to do with, and stuff it with an obscene amount of secrets and features. That's Melee in a nutshell. The frantic, chaotic fighting may confuse more casual gamers, and the non-Nintendo faithful won't appreciate all the goodies from the venerable company. For the rest of us, this is the best reason to own a GC yet." (9.5 out of 10)
Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64)
#4
"How fun can a game get? I couldn't put the controller down, nor did I want to. Everyday, I long to play this game after a day's worth of work. That's how you tell it's a great game. The graphics were, can I say, WOW? Mario 64 is perfect and completely addictive. It will impress you." (9.5 out of 10)
Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube)
#3
"Super Mario Sunshine is 100% pure, unadulterated fun. The moment you start playing, everything just clicks and you immediately know you're in for a hell of a ride. Sunshine improves upon 64 in just about every way, with better controls, more moves, larger words and a multitude of secrets to keep even hardcore players busy for weeks. Yes, the camera is still a little screwy, but not to a point that Super Mario Sunshine is unplayable." (9.5 out of 10)
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GameCube)
#2
"I don't care whether you're 12 or 42, the day you get Mario Kart: Double Dash will feel like Christmas morning – pure, exhilarating glee will envelop your soul, demanding that you keep playing “just one more game” into the wee hours of the morning. It's THAT good. What really alters the game's strategy is far more subtle: Selecting your character and kart really matters. I really can't say enough good things about Double Dash – it's an instant purchase, undoubtedly one of the most fun gaming experiences you'll have this year, next year and the year after that." (9.8 out of 10)
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
#1
The comparison of Galaxy to Super Mario Bros. 3 is apt. Besides the specific similarities, both offer such amazing, diverse worlds to explore – I feel like it's Christmas morning every time I unlock a new galaxy. One minute I'm swimming inside an enormous ocean planet, the next I'm dismantling a giant toy robot, who IS the entire stage. Even traditional level designs get fresh-thinking makeovers. If you're worried about the Wii becoming too casual a gaming machine, spend a few hours with Galaxy – it's a grand, grand adventure that's impossible not to love. (9.8 out of 10)
