With the imminent release of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury on Switch, and the Super Mario 35th anniversary celebrations drawing to a close in a matter of weeks, we thought it was about time we tried putting all of Mario's original 2D platforming adventures into some kind of order. We've previously looked at each and every mainline 3D game in the Super Mario series, but now it's your chance to rank every one of the plumber's 2D adventures over the past three-and-a-half decades.
So, here we present to you every 2D Mario game ranked from 'worst' (rarely has a term been used in a more relative sense) to best. We omitted certain handheld ports and re-releases in order to streamline things, so you'll find the most 'significant' release if there's more than one version of the game (and there can be plenty to choose from these days!). We've also excluded thirty-five-player battle royale Super Mario Bros. 35 from the running as, unfortunately, it won't be an ongoing concern in the Mario canon past 31st March 2021.
This ranking comes from Nintendo Life readers' User Ratings for the games on our database and is subject to real time fluctuations even after publication. Yes, that means it's entirely possible to influence the ranking below if you haven't rated your favourites yet. To do so, simply click on the game you wish to rate and assign a score on the Game Page.
Many thanks to everyone who rated their favourites. Without further ado, let's dive into your ranking of every 2D Mario game...
14. Super Mario Run (Mobile)
On its own terms, Super Mario Run is a great translation of the plumbers 2D oeuvre into the smartphone space. The fact that it looks so much like an entry in the 'New' branch of 2D Marios perhaps set expectations higher than they might have been for the first Mario game to appear on non-Nintendo hardware for a very long time, but this entry is a classy example of transitioning a beloved character and series to a totally different platform and embracing the differences of that platform with a tailormade experience; an authentic Mario game you can play with one hand.
The Remix x10 mode added post-launch offers bite-size nuggets of levels from the main game and adds longevity after you've conquered every world, and it's got a Nintendo level of polish — and without any encroaching microtransactions or irritating currencies or cooldown timers. Super Mario Run was never going to replace Mario World in the plumber's pantheon of 2D platformers, but it was never supposed to; it offers short bursts of fun perfect for situations where cracking out your Switch isn't an option. Super Mario Run does what it set out to do, and well — for that, we admire it.
13. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (NES)
Also known as Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan, this was once ‘the grail’ for gamers in the West who knew the first game back-to-front and wanted more of a challenge. The Lost Levels certainly provides that, and for that reason it’s best enjoyed by Super Mario Bros. veterans — players new to the world of Mario will likely find it bewilderingly, hilariously tough.
12. New Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS)
A rare numbered Mario sequel, this is one from a series which continues to divide gamers to this day. New Super Mario Bros. 2 doubled down on – of all things – coin collection to create a strangely compulsive platformer in the familiar mould. Although hardly revolutionary, the autostereoscopic 3D was a nice touch and if you can embrace the banality of its obsession with gold, it’s a very solid, very enjoyable 2D Mario.
11. Super Mario Land (GB)
Super Mario Land was impressive when it was first released for the Game Boy. The sequel might have made this original seem inadequate by comparison, but it's still a very fun Super Mario experience, albeit a short one. Just about the time things are really getting good, the credits roll, but if you haven't played Super Mario Land before, you owe it to yourself to give it a try - it's still worth playing through at least once, if only to see where Mario's portable adventures began. Cracking music, too.
10. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Switch)
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is an impressive package, offering the best of modern-era 2D Mario, madcap multiplayer and glimpses of the outrageous invention that was to come in Super Mario Odyssey. It's a top-drawer Mario game and arguably the best of the 'New' branch whether you play on Wii U or Switch, although ageing visuals and the irritation of being kicked back to the world map after every death stand out as things that could have been finessed in this Deluxe version. Still, with New Super Luigi U included, this is a very fine 2D Mario (and Luigi) package.
9. Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES)
This follow-up famously reskinned another game entirely with Mario and co. for release in the West (where Nintendo of America feared gamers wouldn't be able to cope with the punishment of The Lost Levels). Despite being something of a black sheep in its homeland, Super Mario Bros. 2 had an enormous influence on the iconography of the series. The game is definitely worth revisiting (Nintendo Switch Online is the easiest place to find it these days), if only to remind yourself just how different it is to what came before and after. With four playable (and very different) characters to choose from, we highly recommend a playthrough.
8. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
Decried by some as mere shadows of the original games, there's no denying the popularity of the New series. The original New Super Mario Bros. may well give off a "been there, done that" vibe these days, but it opened up 2D Mario to entirely new generation. We dinosaurs can pine for our pixels and the 'classic' games, but there's still a remarkably solid Mario platformer here. No, it's not the pinnacle of the series, nor is it absolutely essential in the grand scheme of things, but there's still plenty to like.
Comments (92)
Only great games here.
I think New Super Mario Bros U is the best in the New series.
Super Mario Bros and Lost Levels are too low in the list.
I rated Super Mario Bros 3 the highest, and I knew either 3 or World would top the list.
Definitely glad Super Mario World is on top, it’s honestly as close to a perfect game as 2D Mario could get.
Super Mario 3 and Mario World are neck and neck for 1st and 2nd. Every other game are behind those two by a mile, though there really isn't a "bad" 2-D Mario game.
I will also say I liked the strangeness of Super Mario 2 USA. Though it's a reskin of another game, it gave us the characteristics of Luigi, Toad and Peach that we would become more familiar with, plus you could play as them. It also was fun to play against different villains and have a completely different gameplay style to other Mario games. It's too bad the series never took the same risks to be different again. The tired formula of the Mushroom Kingdom/fight Bowser/rescue Peach could use a shake up.
I personally consider NSMBWii and NSMBU to be the peak of 2D Mario, primarily because the chaotic multiplayer in those games was such a defining part of my childhood. Every game on this list is brilliant, though...and I'd argue that Lost Levels and Mario Run were really done dirty and deserved better. Mario USA never was my cup of tea, but maybe I'd enjoy it more if I gave it a second chance.
I see no ranking... only a list?
Very glad to see that 6 Golden Coins made the top five. It's such a phenomenal game. I'm a bit biased, as it was my first Mario game (and my second GB game, after Donkey Kong 94), but it's absolutely fantastic and deserves to be rubbing shoulders with the likes of 3 and World like it is here.
Yoshi's Island. Miyamoto himself has said it's a Mario game https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/10/04/is-yoshi-39-s-island-a-super-mario-world-game.aspx
It's time for the game of the year, that's right folks!
IT'S SUPER MARIO BROS. 2 BABYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
NINJA APPROVED
Super Mario World is epic!!!!!
There is no denying how Super Mario World is the absolute best, as a 90's kid it was one of my introductions to video games and to this day it is still a game that I love to go back to. By the time I was old enough to play video games the SNES and Genesis were the big thing so I missed out on the NES era, any time I played Super Mario Bros 3 it was a retro experience for me, and having been introduced to Super Mario World before that made it so I never really saw SMB3 as being a big deal.
"although ageing visuals and the irritation of being kicked back to the world map after every death stand out as things that could have been finessed in this Deluxe version."
Pretty silly complaint. That happens in every game on the list that has a world map, including the two at the top. The solution is to become better at the game so you don't get sent back to the world map in the first place. Next you'll be complaining about having to replay half the level every time you die.
Absolutely deserved top spot! Super Mario World is amazing and of course introduced the best character ever.
Of course all of these games are great though, even Super Mario Run. You just can't really go wrong with 2D Mario.
The New series need to be ranked higher, really. I mean, I personally don't like U as much as Wii (specially the Deluxe version, with that so annoying Toadette instead of a second Toad), but both are great games. Anyway, I'm surprised only the 2 best ones (arguably the best) are above 9. The 2D Marios are great too!
For me it's
1. Super Mario Maker 2
2. New Super Mario Bros U
3. Super Mario Land
4. Super Mario Maker
5. New Super Mario Bros 2
6. Super Mario Bros
Mario 3 and World are definitely my top 2 as well.
The only flaws with them, for me, were the save systems (3 having none and World making you do a Ghost House or Castle to save), but these issues were fixed in remakes/re-releases.
Guess I'm the only one that doesn't like Super Mario World at all. I always find difficult and confusing the flying thing, and I also don't like the style of the graphics, I prefer the All-Stars graphic style more. My favourite I think is Land and NSMB for DS.
I'd say SMW is definitely #1 and Mario 3 deserves the second spot. But personally, I would put Mario U 3rd, and 6 golden coins 4th. TBH after the 'New' series, I honestly was waiting for a remake of SMW. Then I thought that if it used to New style, the charm would be lost. I would still welcome a SMW remake in a different art style, as well as a remake of the original Yoshi's Island. Good games deserve that kind of treatment. still waiting for Wario Land
Too high: SML2, NSMBWii
Too low: SMB, SMB2, NSMBU
But hey, they're all great games.
@hashkey How do you suppose Miyamoto became so confused?
How did Super Mario U Deluxe rank lower than Wii?
Skipped to the end and can't argue with the top 2!
i used to be 100% a mario world guy, but finally played through mario bros 3 on GBA a few years ago. It was just more satisfying because it was tougher. Mario World is just slightly too easy
Glad to see super Mario world at no.1 a masterpiece not just one of the best Mario games but one of the best games ever period.
I LOVE Mario Maker 2 or as I call it Super Mario Ultimate. That being said 15% of my childhood memories are of playing 2, 3 and World on SNES All Stars so those gotta be top slots :]
@bryce951 have you played the SPECIAL levels after the secret star worlds? I still can't beat those!
I agree with the ranking besides Super Mario Land 2 being lower than the Super Mario Maker games. Also, Super Mario World 2 is still a Mario game, so why didn't they include that?
@ObeseChihuahua2 by that definition super mario land 3 is a mario game. Which it isn’t. It’s a wario game. Like how SMW2 is a yoshi game and not a mario game.
The Maker games are less 2D Mario games and more Build Creativity apps. They are way too high in the list.
1: SMB3
2: Super Mario World
3: SMB2
Very glad to see SMB3 take 1st place. It is indeed the best SMB game. You’ve all cast wisely your votes
I’ll let alone the massive grievance I have with NSMBWii ranking above NSMBU+LU.
New super Mario bros 2 is better than people realise
Id give the new series a chance if it wasn't for the sickening visuals i hate the use primary color schemes in mario games is cheap lazy and ugly
@darkswabber Sure, the sequels of Yoshi's Island are yoshi games and not Mario games, but the first one is a prequel, and is classified as a Mario game.
Agree 100% with 1st place. Rest i wont bother trying to shuffle correct. 😛
Wow what an incredible 35 years. Every single one of these games (well, perhaps not the Japanese SMB2!!!) stands the test of time in ways other game series can only dream of.
Now leave me. I feel old LOL
I’ve enjoyed all of the games above quite a bit and am looking forward to where 2D Mario goes next. As for me, my favorite has always been Super Mario World with Mario 3 coming in a close second so it was great to see that view reflected in this list.
I enjoyed new super mario brothers 2 on 3DS for it being such a carefree game. It was like an all you can eat buffet which isn't always a bad thing when there are hard as balls mario games out there.
@YoshiFlutterJump Super Mario 2 USA is definitely worth another look. I remember playing it as a kid, but never could get back into it as an adult despite multiple tries. Then I'd read about how others liked it so much and I'd feel compelled to go back again and see if there was something I missed. The last time I revisited it about six months ago, I played the SNES All Stars version and I finally enjoyed it a lot. I've had that experience several times where I just wasn't mentally in the right place to enjoy a particular game at a particular time. And sometimes, going back to a game does nothing. Perhaps you still won't like it, but if you're considering having another go, you probably should. Your experience could end up being like mine and you'll have another great Nintendo classic to go back to in the future.
Super Mario Bros. 3 is an absolute masterpiece and a perfect game. Super Mario World might have more charm to it but it's no SMB3. People who think "World" is better are either blinded by nostalgia, tricked by the pretty graphics, or simply confused.
This is bs Wii is the best 2d Mario game
I've gone back and forth with SMB3 and SMW being the best. Each one has things going for them. In SMW, I like the extended length of the stages which feels about right. I like the secret exits and Yoshi. For SMB3, I prefer the level of difficulty, and I like the power ups more along with the world designs. I played these games, among other Mario games(I went Mario crazy), several months back, so right now my preference is for SMB3.
I also revisited SMB2, which I never could get into previously, but I finally really enjoyed it. Maybe it helped that I tried the SNES version this time. I also never really got into Super Mario Land 2 before, but I went back to it as well and finally enjoyed it too. I thought it was a bit too easy and the game was a bit zoomed in. While much simpler, I've always loved the original Super Mario Land. The zoomed-out viewpoint makes it play more like the NES Super Mario Bros. I had never played the Japanese SMB2(Lost Levels). It was hard, but not as tough as I expected and I did enjoy it as well. I never did get around to the New SMB games, and I was ever really interested in Mario Maker. It was run to take another look at these games here.
I bought New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe (don't want to ever type that again!). I was suprised by how badly it had aged. The 3D looking 2D graphics are so obviously fake, they are almost painfull to look at. Was really looking forward to it as I had just finished SMW which I loved! It has an absolutley incredible amount of secrets!
@Kevember I’m Ye Old Gamer enough to have had 3 and then World came out and I must say...
SMB3 is absolutely perfect - but SMW is somehow a perfect 10.0001 and sneaks past it - gotta be the ghosts houses and the New Game+ TUBULAR levels that make it autumn - even in High School when I had the GameCube me and my friends would beat SMW in an afternoon all the time
@BloodNinja is ShyGuy a fellow Ninja? SMB2 stans must know
@Yosher when you say the best character ever do you mean Rex?
Y'all doin Super Mario Run a little TOO dirty. (Here's my list, for what it's worth.. solely rated from a single-player gameplay perspective)
1. Super Mario Bros. 3
2. Super Mario World
3. Super Mario Maker 2
4. Super Mario Maker for 3DS
5. Super Mario Bros.
6. New Super Mario Bros. U
7. Super Mario Maker
8. Super Mario Bros. 2
9. Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins
10. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
11. Super Mario Run
12. New Super Mario Bros. 2
13. Super Mario Land
14. New Super Mario Bros.
15. Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels
Happy to see Super Mario World taking top spot. Having said that, I wouldn't have been disappointed if Super Mario Bros. 3 snuck in the win.
I just realized.. where's Super Mario Maker for 3DS? That game had a surprisingly solid single player component.
It's not my personal list, but they're all truly great games. SMB was my first console game and SMW was the first game I worked hard to 100%. I have good childhood memories attached to all of the older releases. SM2/USA will always be my favorite.
SMB2 USA was certainly not a black sheep, only idiotic modern retconners would try and convince people of that tripe.
1) We didn't know about Doki Doki Panic back then.
2) It is a popular, beloved and enduring classic. As fun to play now as it was then.
@hashkey I understand I’m in the minority here, but I hate that game and am happy to see it not on this list. I liked the Yoshi games released after that one though. Super Mario World had the best sound design in any game before or since.
I don't know whether it's just me and my preference for the 'old school' or not, but I thoroughly enjoy the classic Mario control over modern. I'm playing NSMBU currently and I find Mario way too 'floaty' and imprecise. Not that the control is bad, per se, but I feel it lacks over the weight and precise controls of the older ones.
I'm not sure when the gravity in the Mushroom Kingdom weakened, maybe NSMB Wii? Been a while since I played that one, so I don't recall if it's floaty or not.
I’ve played it all. I am right now facing off against Fawful and his killer dark star moves in Bowser’s Inside Story. I have to say, this might be the most fun I’ve ever had in a Mario game. Playing Bowser and reading all his dialogue, I’ve never done that for any game, not this thoroughly. You learn all about Bowser, his mannerisms and crude attitude. Chippy, the sidekick in the Mario & Luigi series, is at his comedic best. With Alpha Team gone, I fear we may never see a Mario game this good ever again.
I totally agree with the top 2. SMB3 just has too much going on, too many mechanics and power-ups, and too much of it is under-utilised. It’s an amazing game that could have been even better with more focus. SMW, on the other hand, has a few core mechanics and two core power-ups, and all feel like they’ve been fully utilised; they’re all unique, they all have their purposes, and every one feels useful in its proper circumstance.
(TBH, I’ve always held this opinion but the SMB3 love is always so vocal that I’ve often been afraid to express it. Lol)
World & 2 USA are the holy moly grails for me. Followed by SMB1./Duckhunt.
3 surprisingly never won me over. by 1990, the NES was no longer cutting edge, the 16 bit Genesis was already out, and Arcade games were still setting the standard.
Something about SMB3's laid back hazy presentation and generally pale color pallet and 'stage play' level design never quite clicked with me. It's a great game, i get it the praise, i really do...But personally speaking, I just never really connected with the overall look and aesthetics. It felt just a little too mechanical, lifeless and barren. World, however completely knocked it out of the park. The definitive 2D Mario Experience. That was the ultimate jaw dropping experience back in 91 for this dooder.
Also, Super Mario Land was 'neat' at the time, and a nice little companion piece. it was pretty decent for being mario's first portable outing. Land 2 however was complete trash. Yes, the world map was fantastic, and it had a lot more content, but ultimately it played horribly and the stage design felt like it was cooked up by a lab full of Drunk monkeys. It's saving grace was Wario's Castle...that was the only part of the game where it felt like a Mario game or actually felt, well, fun.
NSMB Series? Not a fan of the recycled nature of these all in one dejuva splattered ikea-minimal looking plastic platformers. They play well, and i'm not knocking the core stage design. Just the Look, music, SFX and lack of imagination makes all of them blend in with one another. Hopefully the series died off with NSMB. U. if you're interested in playing the NSMB series, just played NSMB.U Deluxe and leave it at that
As a kid I finished Super Mario Land (GB) and Super Mario World (SNES). I own New Super Mario Bros U but never got around to finishing it partly as save points weren’t after each level.... does the switch port save progress after each level?
Never played six golden coins Is it really that good?
“All games have flaws, but if there's an exception to that rule, Super Mario World is it.”
So true, well said! As close to gaming perfection there has ever been...
Actually the best 2D mario platformer is Donkey Kong (GB)
@GannonBanned LOL Yes, the truth is out there. Don't be deceived by their cute stature. They are truer Ninja, as any other.
NINJA APPROVED
Can't be mad about the result. There were a few parts of SMB3 that could have been better, but there were also things they could have borrowed from SMB3 to make SMW better...
Either way, seems legit.
@Tempestryke 3. It was originally meant to be a Mario game, but they changed it after they got the Doki Doki Panic promotion. It wasn’t uncommon during that period for sequels to be very different from the first game (see: Zelda 2, Castlevania 2).
What about Hotel Mario?
Agree with most of the list. S. Mario Bros 3 and S. Mario World are two of best Mario Bros ever made.
I found Super Mario Bros. 3 to be quite difficult, more so than Super Mario World. So I can see why SMW won over SMB3.
@GannonBanned Clearly.
I guess Super Mario Maker 1 was some obscure game that nobody heard of just because it was on the Wii U, and no YouTuber ever played it so it remained forgotten about until Super Mario Maker 2.
If you believe some people’s criticisms of the Wii U being an unpopular console. Me, I loved my Wii U and still play it to this day.
Not surprising to see SMB3 and SMBW comfortably above their competitors; they really were the pinnacle of 2D Mario, and as I said before, the last time Nintendo really attempted to innovate with them before moving to 3D (unless you count Yoshi's Island).
Personally, I'll admit to never really clicking with SMB3, but World was, and still is a joy to play, and even today, is probably one of my favourite 2D games.
This is a comfortable safe list, that really doesn't make any senmakers in a row, I've played both of them extensively , can't find much difference between the two and definitely think they stand on their own and don't belong on this list. Then, you leave out new super Mario Bros 2 on the 3ds, and the list begins with the best 2D Mario, new.super Mario Bros U, so.. don't know what happened here, you guys get paid to do this, and this list is all wrong...
Not bad. But I wouldn't put Super Mario Run (Mobile) anywhere on this list. It was a hoot for a while but lost its appeal quickly. Unlike the other titles here, you can't sit down and have hours upon hours of awesome hours with it
Not a bad list. Not sure how I feel about both Mario Maker titles being in there, not really official 'games' are they. Still they are cool. Super Mario World is defo top for me. I'd also add although I can see why it wouldn't be there Super Mario All Stars (SNES) as it really gave the old games a new lick of paint which I loved. Surprised Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island wasn't in here, I would've put that above the likes of Super Mario Run etc.
For me it's:
1. Super Mario Bros. 3 (Sorry but the graphics, different themed worlds, secrets, and the good amount of fun power ups places it above SMW for me.)
2. Super Mario World
3. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
4. Super Mario Bros.
5. Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins
Still awesome and stuff: Everything else
Meh but still playable: Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA)
Really happy to see Mario Land 2 so high.
That game is so forgotten by the fanbase, wich is a shame.
Not a bad list, but are we really gonna have both Mario Makers and no Yoshi's Island? Personally Yoshi's island would be near the top. I think New WII U should be the highest of the NEW series, with Mario 2 and Land just under it. 3 and World are interchangable as usual, IMO
Man, NSMB2 was done dirty. That's an excellent game, plain and simple. Should be above SMB 1 and 2, and most of the other NSMBs.
Cue my old, controversial SMB3 comment about which people still necropost.
6 Golden coins beats SMB? It’s just too easy and a poor version of World. Plus any game with “New” is too high except the excellent NSMB2.
We never added "USA" to the Super Mario Bros 2 title in Europe...
Still a great game today! But my vote would go to SMB3 followed closely by SMW. Boring opinion, I know
And then to think, they wanted to add-in Yoshi already in SMB3!
Most nostalgic stays the original SMB though. Reminds me of the days when we had to do with 1 videogame per year! Yes kids, that's right: 1 videogame per year! But hey, it was that good!
The top 4 is exactly my top 4 of 2D Mario games with Super Mario World the top one!
Would have had Super Mario Bros. NES as number 5 though & New Super Mario Bros. U DX as no.6. Then Super Mario Land 2, NSMBWii etc...
NSMB 2 3DS is a little too low maybe. But there are so many great games here.
I'm so pleased to see Super Mario Land 2 so close to the top. It's a game that generally receives little attention. Super Mario Bros 3 is definitely the best Mario ever, just for the tanooki suit and nothing will change my mind about it. Third place would go to the original version, as it still feels like a breeze playing it, after 35 long years.
So my final ranking:
1. SM Bros 3
2. Super Mario Land 2
3. Super Mario Bros
@GoldenSunRM
That is true! I'm replaying Galaxy and I think Super Mario Land 2 could be a reference even there, as there aren't many stages in other games that are set in space or with gravity alterations.
Great list, and all GREAT games. Super Mario World is as close to perfection as I can conceive. A towering achievement and what a way to launch a console. I’m very much enjoying this comments section, where the majority seem to agree that regardless of position, they’re all quality experiences.
I personally prefer the GBA version of "Super Mario World," as it tones the harsh difficulty down somewhat by giving you an extra hit when you have a power-up, only knocking you down to large Mario instead of small Mario when you get hit.
Overall, I rate "Super Mario Land 2" as the best one (with "World" in 2nd and "SMB3" in 3rd) due to having a more manageable difficulty level for most players.
@Kevember "World" doesn't just have better graphics. It also has save files, better boss battles, Yoshi, an extra spin move, and a lot more secrets while having a similar level of perfection in its level design.
Is it just me, or is this list missing a few other games that still qualify as 2D Mario games?
I completed Lost Levels recently on the game and watch - so no save states but you can get infinite lives. I’d say that’s a very underrated game and the true SMB2.
I’d put Six Golden Coins in top 3 - it does something that no other 2d Mario does: proper boss battles!
Anyone who puts SMW over SMB3 shouldn't play video games.
@Nookingtons See my post above for many reasons "World" is a better game than "SMB3."
@holygeez03 Did they edit the article since you posted? It shows a ranked list to me.
@Tim_Vreeland It would appear so...
I guessed right as to what number 1 was going to be. On a side note, Super Mario Maker 3DS is far better than Super Mario Maker. Mainly cause there's an actual story mode in the 3DS version and man are some of those challenges intense and hair pulling levels of anger. Loved completing it.
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