The top ten Mario video games: Part two
One student shares his favorite titles from the long-running franchise
Last week, I started a top 10 list of the best Mario titles. Without further ado, here are the last five games that I consider to be the greatest Mario titles around. Check out last Tuesday’s article for the other five titles.
6. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996)
The only Mario title to be developed by Square (now called Square Enix) centers on Mario and his teammates as they seek to eliminate the game’s main antagonist, Smithy. Smithy has stolen the seven star pieces of Star Road, where all the world’s inhabitants’ wishes become Wish Stars, and Mario must return the pieces so these wishes may again be granted. If you want to see what Mario is like with a Final Fantasy-style gameplay, this game is right up your alley.
7. Super Mario 64 (1996)
The first Mario title to release on the Nintendo 64 console, this 3D Mario adventure centers on Mario himself trying to get 120 Power Stars back from the game’s antagonist, Bowser. This world is so immersive that several spiritual successors—namely, Nintendo’s longtime collaborator, Rareware—developed games like Donkey Kong 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, to name a few.
8. Mario Kart 64 (1997)
The most-popular version of the Mario Kart franchise, this first 3D Mario Kart game is the one that generally elicits the fondest nostalgic memories, mainly through its four-player multiplayer matches and races. Of course, there is the ever-popular Rainbow Road track for you to race on.
9. Mario Party (1998)
This first title that spawned the most entries for a mini-game franchise, this series began 18 years ago on the Nintendo 64. You can play alone—it’s better to play with friends—and you can enjoy all the frenzied action that comes with playing these mini-games. You can enjoy hours of fun with any of the titles—the most recent being Mario Party 10, which was released in 2015 for the Nintendo Wii U.
10. Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
This Wii-exclusive title has Bowser abducting Princess Peach and taking her to outer space. Mario must rescue her for the umpteenth time and this time he has the help of the Lumas, an alien race that uses the power of stars for food, all led by a young woman named Rosalina.
That’s all for my top 10 Mario titles. If you feel any were left out, please feel free to let the Reporter know on Facebook and Twitter!
