Poll: Which is the Best Super Mario Game?

Super Mario RPG

Odyssey is a great game, I hope there is a followup or some unlikely DLC.

I'm liking Odyssey, but it's far from my favourite or what I think is 'the best' - it's just shiny and new.

It's fantastic, don't get me wrong, but I don't think it's best.

Super Mario Kart

I voted as follows:
2D: Super Mario Bros 3
3D: Super Mario 3D World
All time: Super Mario 3D World

Hey.... not that it would change the polls, but where's sm64 ds? Thats an individual entry in the series.

"Super Mario Bros 2 Baybee! GotY AGAIN!!"

Mario World is overrated, best 2d is Mario 3 and best 3d is Odyssey. I like the other 3D games but it just keeps getting better and better <3

I don't think Mario Maker really fits that list.

@Tingle_The_Great It would divide the votes between 64 and 64 3D. I don't think that would be smart to do.

I am loving Odyssey, and am currently working on the post game Moons. At the moment, it feels like it could be my favorite Mario title. That said, I would be interested in seeing how a poll like this would pan out a year from now, after the fervor of Odyssey's release has worn off.

Mario Bros 3 is the best 2D entry and I've gone for Odyssey over Mario64 which I never thought would be beaten

@Rextephan Yours is close to mine, 3D world gets undeserved hate. I think odyssey beats it though, with more memorable levels. The music (minus Jump up and Wooded Kingdom) is still much better.

It's too early to rank Odyssey. The game has only been out a week. It's the new, shiny thing plus most people haven't played it enough to hold a meaningful opinion.

Poor 3D Land - 0%

Not really a fan of 2D Mario given I grew up playing 3D platformers like 64 or Sunshine. Despite my nostalgia for both, Odyssey is clearly the best of all Marios to me and a welcome return to my Mario.

Super Mario World is definitely the best 2D entry for me and Odyssey continues to impress me with just how enjoyable it is. Mario truly has some fantastic games.

I still feel as it's too early to say which is the best 3D Mario but so far to me it's Odyssey. I can say when I have Odyssey 100%

Super Mario 3 is superior to Super Mario World.

I remember feeling quite disappointed at SMW when I first played it on my SNES. I mean, it was a great game. But aside from the graphics, the gameplay felt lacking inspiration compared to SM3.

Mario Bros. 3 and Sunshine - Sunshine gets my best Mario game vote, as it's still one of my all-time favorite games. 100%ed it twice, and certainly wouldn't mind doing it again!

Super Mario World and Odyssey in my opinion.
Overall I would choose odyssey just due to the fact that I prefer 3d over 2d.

We're talking about 'main' core Mario platformers here

This poll is bad. Also, it's WAY too close to Odyssey's release: there will be a bias!

Sophie's choice here...

Best 2D: Super Mario Land 2

Best 3D: Super Mario Galaxy 1

Best overall: Super Mario Galaxy 1

Most Important - Super Mario Bros.
Best 2D - Super Mario Bros. 3
Best 3D - Super Mario Galaxy
Best Multiplayer - Super Mario Bros. Wii
Best All Time: Super Mario Bros. 3

_{NOTE: I've not played Odyssey yet!}

I still gotta give it to Mario 64. Each star collected was an accomplishment, where in Odyssey they are over saturated and feel less rewarding

@ieatdragonz I haven't beaten Odyssey yet to be honest, but from what I've played, I don't think it will surpass my love for 3D World. I always miss the different power ups when they're not in a Mario game. That's also the reason why I prefer Bros 3 over World. Cappy rectifies the loss of different power ups to a large degree, but it's still not the same for me.

Not that it's on the top of my list, but Super Mario Run should be included as an option.

All brilliant games in different ways

I think peoples votes are likely to be different depending on the game you grew up playing. I doubt anyone under the age of 20 is likely to pick one of the early nes or snes games (could be wrong but I doubt it)

@Rextephan My favorite 3D is Galaxy 2, but I'm with you. Let's not get it wrong: 3D World is an AMAZING game. Completed 100%.

If we could have a vote for least favourites I'd have to say 2d land and 3d world

They just didn't feel right to me

This one is hard for me because my overall favorite 2D Mario game is Super Mario Bros. 3, but I think I’d have to give the crown to Super Mario Maker simply due to the fact you can recreate most of the levels. Plus you can design your own courses and play others’. As for my favorite 3D Mario game, I went with Super Mario Galaxy 2. That might change with Odyssey’s release, but I can’g Say for sure until I’ve beaten the game.

Best 2d is World, almost beaten by 3. Best 3d is galaxy. Hands down.

Those poll results favoring Odyssey are probably hugely inflated due to the recent release of the game and the collective hype that still exists. We will need time for the game to set in before we can get people's reasoned thoughts on where it stands in the history of Mario games.

@Rextephan I think some cappy power ups beat traditional power-ups in a 3d space. The Caterpillar, Jet Octopuss, and Potted Plant are great and beat the fire flower and cherry (in 3d). I definitely miss the Cat Power up, Tanooki in 3D World and the Cloud power up from galaxy those three worked really well.

I can see why you would miss them though, I think they shouldnt have removed them all together. To each their own.

I think the results are heavily skewed due to Odyssey just releasing. Don't get me wrong, I love the game, but I definitely don't think it is the best. Not even all that close, actually.

One of the very few who voted SMB2 for 2D (so far). It didn’t start out as a SMB game, and no Bowser; but I just love it. Aside from gameplay and character select, it features my favorite main theme and music throughout, and it was featured on the first cover of Nintendo Power. I still play it regularly. Not qualified to vote on 3D and overall as I’ve yet to play Odyssey. Fun poll.

My experience with Mario platformers is a bit gimped when it comes to the 3D outings (never knew anyone with a N64 or GCN), but I've played many of the 2D outings by this point.

My votes:
2D: Super Mario World - this is a 50/50 between nostalgia and the fact that I still enjoy the crap out of this game.
3D/Overall: Galaxy 1 - I've honestly never played the "free-roam/sandbox" Mario games other than a brief jaunt with Super Mario 64 DS (hated the controls). Between both Galaxy Games and 3D Land/World, Galaxy 1 is by far my favorite.

The 2d mario games break me i just die over and over because I'm so crap lol.
Super mario land was the only one i would always go back to because i could get quite far and enjoyed the different music and enemies.
Until now mario 64 was my all time favourite mario game but odyssey just smacked that off the throne. Still! I doubt any game ever will have music as memorable as mario 64 in my opinion

I struggled with the 2D choice but went for World. I loved New Super Mario Bros. U though and thought it was close...

Favorite 2D: Super Mario Bros. 3
Favorite 3D: Super Mario Galaxy
Overall favorite: Super Mario Galaxy

I'm REALLY enjoying my time with Odyssey, but as some others have said, it's too close to release to judge it fairly. Post this poll in a year and you'll likely get more accurate responses.

Not really a fair poll with the Odyssey hype (warranted of course) all the rage.

@MadJay1664 Agree with all your comments (though I'm not bad at 2D Mario's!)

The music in the bowser levels on M64 is still my fav game music of all time. I'm even so sad I have it as an mp3! lol

64 is still my fav Mario but have a feeling Odyssey could top it as it has you when I finally get my hands on it!

Thanks, guys, for not including Yoshi's Island. It's a better game than most of the ones listed...but it's not a Mario game.

Odyssey shouldn’t be on the list. People are thinking about it more than others now and have only just forked out £60ish for it.

Tough decisions.

Not far enough in Odyssey to count it so mine are:
2D - Super Mario Maker (Wii U)
3D - Super Mario Sunshine
Overall - Super Mario Maker (Wii U)

Galaxy 2 is the best ever in my opinion

@LemonSlice True they should run this poll when all the dust has settled over Odyssey...

Top 5, easy:

1. 64
2. World
3. 3
4. Galaxy 2
5. Bros

Super Mario World no questions

But Odysey was really fun too

@Rextephan yea, that's probably true. I just love the ds version and I consider it a unique entry because of all the content that is only in the ds version.

Those results are really laughable. 😆

Clearly most of those people voting for Odyseey must be newcomers who haven't played its predecessors.

Voted for Mario Maker and Odyssey. Golden age of Mario, if you ask me.

That said, my personal favorites are Super Mario Land 2 and Super Mario 64.

The best "Super Mario" game whatever the one I am currently playing.

Best 2D: Super Mario Maker (Wii U)
Best 3D: Super Mario Kart Wii
Worst 2D: Hotel Mario (CD-I)
Worst 3D: Mario Clash (Virtual Boy)

3D wise I've only played Galaxy 1 and 2 as well as 3D Land and World. Galaxy 2 and 3DW are my favourites.

For 2D Mario, I take 3 over World. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I played 3 as kid when it was new, but didn't have a SNES so didn't play World until way later as a young adult. World is a great game, but doesn't have the nostalgia factor for me.

For 3D, I had to think a while between Odyssey and 64. I think if I was comparing 64 as I felt about it back in '96 to Odyssey, 64 would win out, but there are aspects of it that don't hold up well today.
1. Odyssey
2. 64
3. 3
4. Galaxy
5. World

I think it's a bad idea having this poll so early after SMO's release. I voted for it in best 3D AND best overall, but I'm sure results are gonna be biased toward it as that's where all the attention & love is going right now. Waiting until the hype settles will make us give past Mario games more thought rather than our minds automatically yelling "Odyssey!"

My faves are Super Mario Bros. 3 (SNES), Mario 64 (N64), Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii), and Super Mario 3D World (WiiU).

The trouble with Mario games is that it's so hard to say which is the best one because they are all incredible titles, each game brings something new, some interesting twist which makes it interesting to play again.

Not at all surprised to see Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario 3D Land in second last and last place respectively as the least liked 3D Mario games. It's where I'd put them as well.

Again!!?, XD
Well, as I said before, Mario land is my favorite in 2D; first portable, music and levels, yes, very short, but great.
In 3D, I said 3D world, because choose characters, mix of classic 2D mario with 3D, fun multiplayer and music.
Still I haven't played mario odyseey.

Honestly I feel it's too early to be doing a definitive best including Odyssey, mostly because everyone's on the fuzzy bubbly new game feeling right now.

The Super Mario Bros. 3 love is disturbingly low.

I have always loved Mario Bros. 3. It blew my mind when I could actually choose what level to do next when there was a fork in the road.

Why are we fighting and favoring over Mario? I don’t understand... Peace and love is what we need more of. . . And don’t anyone dare say NSMBWiiU+NSLU wasn’t a masterpiece!

@sleepinglion

Agreed completely. It often gets overshadowed by Super Mario World, and I totally get it, the game is awesome, but I personally find that Mario 3 really established the brand. Just a matter of opinion, I know.

Donkey Kong

@bezerker99 lol

On the 2D option, you didn't list my overall favorite. I wanted to vote for Super Luigi U...I guess you considered it a spin off?

On the 3D Marios I couldn't vote for Odyssey because I'm saving it for my son's birthday in a few weeks so I haven't played it yet, but I was amazed to see I was the only one that Voted 3D Land. I thought the 8special worlds were Super Fun! (Although I did consider putting Sunshine in I like 3D Land a little more)

I think I'm definitely outside of the norm

Odyssey is too new and exciting for me to judge objectively, so from the previous 3D games I still think Galaxy 1 is the best and most polished and interesting overall. It may be surpassed by Odyssey, but it's too early for me to say objectively.

For 2D games, it really is a toss-up between SM3 and SMW, hands down.

Close call between mario 3 and world. Went with world. Does yoshi's island not count as a mario game. And will be between 64 and odyssey for me. But voted 64 as cant choose odyssey til ive finished it.

"Best" 2D Entry: Super Mario Bros. 3
"Best" 3D Entry: Super Mario 64
"Best" Entry Yet/Overall: Super Mario Galaxy

The term "best" is really subjective in this context. My use of the term would mean "most iconic and important."

Many would argue Super Mario World is more refined than Super Mario Bros. 3, however, SMB3 defined how 2D platformers should be made for years to come, and paved the way for how the series would progress over time. It also holds up incredibly well today- SMW doesn't have quite as much variety, and the 2D format is not quite as well put together as in SMB3. SMB3 also made many important strides which evolved the platformer genre beyond the original SMB's limits.

Super Mario 64 changed the landscape of the entire gaming industry, and it's still the only mainline Mario title I've ever been hyped for beyond my wit's end. I knew it signalled the beginning of something special the moment I first saw it in action in the Nintendo Power N64 preview VHS tape. Even though it's graphics may have aged poorly (although it's not that bad since it's cartoony), it is still the most focused, tightly constructed, and well paced entry in the 3D series, and Oddysey with it's 999 Moons just further proves that. The masterpiece of Miyamoto in the Director's seat is still the most iconic 3D entry in my eyes, even if it didn't sell the most copies.

And the best of the best of an iconic entry in the series overall would have to go to Super Mario Galaxy. SMB3 defined how a platformer should work for years to come, with it's effects still being felt today. SM64 defined how the greatest of adventures can inspire exploration and excitement. SMG defined how to pull all of those elements together and just plain make you feel happy while playing it. The distinctive graphics, soundtrack, sound effects, storyline, and mechanics all came together to deliver a tour de force which was so impressive that it took 10 years and a skipped console generation to finally release a true follow up. (I would consider SMG2 to be more akin to a separate gameplay-focused expansion than a sequel.) Even today, SMG is nearly unmatched by how well it draws every possible element together, using all the lessons learned from the past. (And no, the waggle is not a downside in it's case.)

I personally feel that Super Mario Oddysey forgets some of these lessons, and is not as tightly constructed nor as well paced when compared to SMG. (Or even Banjo-Kazooie/Tooie, with their 900 notes and 100 jiggies, which were a more natural exploration guide and progress tracker than these 999 Moons.) The feeling of going to different lands/countries in SMO doesn't quite have the impact of traversing the celestial nebulae of SMG. The constant use of the sentient Cappy as a weapon goes against the tradition of Mario being self-reliant on his own powers, abilities, and surroundings, to a much greater extent than Super Mario Sunshine. The possession mechanic, while very cool (mutha flippin' T-REX!), introduced an element of ADHD into the series that emphasizes taking advantage of other beings in the moment, rather than mastering your skills. The awkwardness of having pseudo-realistic humans alongside a fantasy human character never makes it out of the uncanny valley. And the setting (and arguably soundtrack) is not quite as grandiose as SMG, even if it technically covers more ground.

Super Mario Oddysey is the perfect examplar of trying to do too much with a formula. More is not always more, less is more.

@ieatdragonz the wooded kingdom music is my absolute favourite music in the game so far!!

I have played every side-scrolling Mario game except for New Super Mario Bros. 2 and I have never understood all of the love for Super Mario World.

In my honest opinion, it doesn't even rank in my top 5 side scrolling Mario games. Yes, honestly! I've just never had the same kind of fun as I have with just about any of the others.

Will someone hit me if I prefer Donkey Kong Country to 2D Mario? 😣

Where's the option for Hotel Mario? that's the best Mario game ever made! XD

@King_Johobo And I thought I was kidding I said I prefer Hotel Mario to this lot. XD

@King_Johobo Not at all! I'm right with you. The DKC games are just better than almost all side scrolling Mario games
The challenge is higher, music is generally all-around better and the graphics and environments are always more eye-popping and engaging.
The 2 new Donkey Kong Country reboot games on Wii and Wii U are better than nearly all side scrolling Mario games.

It's really tough and not really fair. I'd choose super mario 64
And
Super mario bros 3

Special love goes to
Mario maker has endless levels

Nintendolife should do this list again this time next year and see if the results change after the hype for odyssey dies down.
My favourites: 2d- super mario world. 3d- Super Mario 3d world. Overall- Super Mario World.
I plan to get odyssey at Christmas so I couldn't rate it against the other games yet.

Woted for the original Super Mario Bros. as best Mario. It's just so iconic and was mind blowing when it came out.

Super Mario Bros. 3 and World where fantastic and had more to offer, but was still based on the same fantastic formular. The first game just had the biggest impact for me.

I mean, before Mario, it was the games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Dig Dug, that was the greatest of the greatest. Nothing wrong with these iconic games, but the first SMB was such a game changer in so many ways.

Errm, why is Super Mario World 2 treated as a spin-off? o_O
Anyway, I still give my voice to it for both the 2D and all-stars categories.

Odyssey! Nr 1

@PlywoodStick

Well, If you talk about most iconic and importance for 2d platformers, I really can't see why SMB3 should beat the first SMB?!?

SMB3 had a lot of great ideas, and added very important stuff to the formular. But the basic gameplay was invented in SMB, and overall had a bigger impact.

Easy! World and Odyssey! Now for that last question....

The best is clearly Super Mario RPG.

I love how Super Mario World 2 :Yoshi's Island totally gets ignored. It would get my vote and YES DAMMIT, IT IS A MAINLINE MARIO GAME!

Oof, I feel like Mario Odyssey being so recent in people's memories gives it an (unfair?) advantage. Or maybe I'm just silly and it will still be considered the best years from now.
I love Odyssey, but nothing will beat the memories I have with Galaxy (and the soundtrack!)

Super Mario World and Odyssey. Best Christmas ever was when I got a SNES early for Christmas with SMW, Mario Kart, FZero, and the Super Scope 6. Then it was Mario 64 and Goldeneye years later. Now I've got kids and my son gets to play as Mario-Rex in Odyessy and thanks to the assist mode he's really digging MK8D and he loves Arms.

@leo13 @Tyranexx @Matthew010
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that thought 3D Land was the best one.
@leo13 I also wanted Super Luigi for the best 2D game. I LOVED that you had to rush through challenging levels.

And the winner is............

SUPAH MARIO BRUDDAHS 2 BABY!!!
OHHHH!!!!! OOOOOOHHH!!! OHHHH!!!!!

SMB3 and Odyssey. Odyssey is the first 3D mario I've truly enjoyed. Love SMBW, but I find myself replaying SMB3 more than any other Mario.
Though the obvious answer to best Mario game is Mario Party 8 😆

Super Mario World and Galaxy 2.

Odyssey is great, but I think there are too many easy moons padding the experience.

@dres I would agree that the original SMB is the most singly important title in the entire series overall, since it singlehandedly rescued the video gaming industry from the brink of oblivion. (It was also the first video game I ever played, along with the original Legend of Zelda.) SMB literally changed the course of human history. However, it was too limited in depth and breadth to compete with SMB3 for being both iconic and important to designing the future of the series and affecting the industry's decisions thereafter. (For example, the co-founders of id Software got their start by making a PC version of the first level in SMB3, which eventually led to the creation of Commander Keen. They would later use Commander Keen's sales and their experience to create Wolfenstein 3D and DOOM.)

Thousand Year Door

This poll is clearly skewed by the recent release.

3
Galaxy
Galaxy again.

It’s ridiculous that SMW has that big of a lead over the superior SMB3. You people disappoint me.

@PlywoodStick

Yeah well..with that logic: SMB lead to SMB3 and later id software and Doom!

I agree, that SMB3 was the next big important step in the series, and influenced a lot of games.

But so did SMB. Just look at that game, the mechanics and enemies. And also the sounds and music. All the most important foundations in the series was created there. And I do not think it lacks any depth. It even play fantastic today.

SMB3 just refined the whole concept, and added so much more fantastic stuff.

Super Mario Bros 3

Super Mario Bros was the first game I played, and I love Odyssey but Galaxy is much much closer to my heart

@foobarbaz I was going to kindly ask what exactly stands out for you about Odyssey that makes it the best Mario game in your opinion because I was hoping that there was something, *any*thing special about Odyssey that I might have missed..
But then I read your ridiculous comment and I can't take any of your statements serious anymore.

1. Waggle != motion controls
2. Apparently you don't understand how motion controls are supposed to be used.
2. You're not supposed to waggle anything.
4. If you're waggling, you're doing it wrong.
5. Dismissing MG - or really any game - because you're unable to adapt to modern input methods - or any kind of progress - is ridiculous.
6. Motion controls (without any waggling) are an industry-wide standard nowadays, deal with it.

i voted sunshine.

My favorite 2D is Super Mario Bros. 3.
My favorite 3D is Super Mario Odyssey.

However for most influential in my life, Super Mario Bros. is the first game I played when I was 3, in 1990. Super Mario 64, in 1996 when I was 8, is what made me a gamer. (My birthday is in December for anyone thinking that doesn't add up.)

Not 3D World, too anticlimactic and short.

Would be interesting to see ages against the votes. I suspect younger voters have gone for Odyssey, whereas older voters would have gone for SMW and SM64 (such as myself).

Also I suspect not every voter has played Odyssey (such as myself!) so it's not going to be a completely balanced vote.

I still struggle to see how an iterative game such as Odyssey can be as impactful and better as SM64 was when it was released. The jump into 3D was such a magical time for gaming, that if you were a gamer during that era nothing can eclipse it. In my opinion. SM64 and Ocarina of Time will never be beaten in my mind for that reason, not until the next revolution happens in gaming anyway.

I wonder what that next revolution could be? Motion control certainly wasn't it. VR doesn't appear to be either.

Guess I’m just too old. I listed Super Mario Bros. As the best 2D. It was my first NES game, I was playing it the arcade even before I had my NES. First love I guess, always a special place in the heart. I really enjoyed Mario 64 as well. I just couldn’t put that one down. I haven’t been hooked to a Mario game in the 3D realm quite as much since then. I enjoyed all the others but I played those two games quite a bit more than any of the others.

Maybe it's best to ask this question when we're not in the middle of the Super Mario Odyssey hype?

2D = Super Mario Maker
3D = Super Mario Odyssey
Overall = Super Mario Odyssey

@Darthroseman Agreed hahaha

Bought my 8 yr old son a Switch couple months ago for Xmas (honestly!!).... been sitting on top of wardrobe out of sight.... until last Friday!!! Couldnt resist Odyssey!! Feel kinda guilty as gonna play it all co op but HAD to play it! Simply the greatest celebration of all things Nintendo!! So much variety!! Collected couple hundred moons, defeated Bowser and got to Mushroom Kingdom .... then deleted my save file!!! Lots left to discover with the wee man... hopefully i'll have forgotten most of it come Xmas!!! Snes Mario World still the best sidescroller but Odyssey really is something truly exceptional!! Id even put it above Zelda for GotT (or maybe even best game ever!!)

Choosing just one game from these lists was like choosing a favorite child. Ultimately, I went with Mario World for 2D and Odyssey for 3D.

Sunshine for me. Didnt really care for Galaxy and 64 when I first played them.
Mario World for 2D

@FinalFrog Thank you! The first draft was poorly written in several places, had to edit it to clarify what I meant.

@GravyThief Well, I'm 34 and grew up with the NES. My favorite 2D is Mario Bros 3 and my favorite 3D is Mario 3D World. It's not just age that determines ones favorites.
I think it's primarily the game's playstyle and what one prefers in his or her Mario game. I for one can't stand the bad camera of M64 and the way those levels are structured for instance. At the same time, I prefer my Mario games to have a lot of different power ups.
In short, it's never just one aspect that determines ones favorites, it's a combination of many.

@dres Good point, good point!

For 2D, none of them. They're all repetitive garbage. For 3D, Odyssey is definitely the best.

Will you guys stop the crap about the whole "Odyssey is winning because of the hype and it just came out recently?"

Ocarina of Time has consistently been winning most of the Best Zelda Game polls since 1998. So it was more than just hype or being "new".

Clearly the top 5 Mario games of all time are, SMB3, SMWorld, Mario64, Galaxy and finally Odyssey.

I jumped at SMW for best 2D, SMB3 is a close second for me!

3D I abstained on as I've only played 64, 64DS, Sunshine and Land... although my favourite out of those is Land (got to love the 3DS). I never took to Sunshine, and as for 64... not for me at all. I played it on the N64 back in the late 90s and as recently as today had a go with the DS version. I really appreciate what 64 did to push forward 3D platformers, but I find it an absolute chore. It's so frustrating to play... the camera and those controls... on both versions... are plain awful to me. I can't believe it rates so highly, I can't force myself to ever get further than a few hours and you really don't want to be forcing gaming!

I was a bit worried to hear Oddessy going down a similar 3D sandbox path to 64 and Sunshine but it seems Ninty have finally ironed things out (seems a theme for the switch!)... I'm really optimistic about Oddessy for when I finally get my hands on it!

@danmonse I don’t think anyone thinks that’s the best one

2D: Super Mario Bros. 3
3D: Super Mario 3D World

Why is SMB3 so low though?

@Rextephan Bless you.

First I have to say what a list of AMAZING MARIO TITLES , the other thing is Oddessy is an INCREDIBLE MASTERPIECE as far as Mario titles go I was a little let down by Super Mario 3D World on the Wii U, I loved Super Mario 3D Land on the 3DS and I loved the rest of the list . Even though it is new Super Mario Oddessy is such a complete joy to get lost in it is massive and may just be the BEST MARIO to date its gonna be fun to watch how well it sells through the holiday season it seems as though Nintendo has captured lighting in a bottle once again.

I feel I realllly want a ton more content on the entire internets delving deep into SMWorld vs SMB3 . Not being sarcastic. I want more than a personal opinion video on youtube or whatever, but rather an actual indepth breakdown. For a lot reasons I personally find 3 way superior to World even if the polish is slicker and the reward for finding secrets is better in most cases in SMW. Really surprises me how that preference divide isn't closer to at least 50/50

@Dang69 Thank you, kind sir.

Too all the folks saying Odyssey is getting an unfair advantage, the same can be said about the older games given the advantage due to nostalgia.

I know I'm late to the party, but the REAL answer is:
...
Super Luigi U.

What, no Mario Teaches Typing or Hotel Mario?!

Super Mario Bros 3 will always be my favorite. So many memories of it from my childhood : )

@Darthroseman I think this is more about the platformers.

No super mario world 2? That was ground breaking. Mario odyessy's capturing reminds me alot of yoshis different vehicles.

@Shy_Guy that game was brilliant. So much adventure and challenge.

I feel like there's too much Odyssey hype going on for this poll to be accurate.

Not calling anyone out for voting for Odyssey, I can perfectly understand why someone would claim that's the best, but it's fresh off the shelves while we had decades to tear apart at games like 64 and Galaxy, which had equal receptions at their launches.

@Bolt_Strike wow. Lolz

@fluggy lol. The struggle was real. Bit jealous you get to play breath of wild for the first time as well. Wish i could feel that again

Good point, I loved 3D land.

@Rextephan

I haven't played Super Mario Odyssey yet but my tastes pretty much line up with yours. I love Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy came pretty close to matching its magic but I just prefer Super Mario 3D World overall. It was the perfect blend of 2D and 3D style gameplay and the power-ups felt new and inventive to me.

@LuckyLand

I love Super Mario Land 2, and it's a shame newer titles haven't borrowed more ideas from it. (Did Super Mario Galaxy even feature low-gravity?)

Pointless poll. People just pick the most recent one without giving it any thought. It was the same when you did a Mario Kart poll, it was the same when you did a Smash Bros poll. Oh look, Mario Odyssey won by a landslide, what a bloody surprise... Useless. The poll may as well just be "What Mario game just came out?" because that's the amount of thought that these people have put into their answer.

Mario Brothers
Super Mario 3
Super Mario World
Sunshine

Odyessy isn't that good of a game. Controls are slightly off and mario always points at a slight angle to the thing you want to be aiming at.

2D: Super Mario World
3D: Super Mario 64
Overall: Super Mario 64

@Manjushri But you never control Mario in that game, you control Yoshi, hence it's not a Mario game.

Odyssey the best? seems that N64kids are still drunk with kool-aid hype

@GC-161 funny, I’ve always felt exactly the opposite. I dabbled with the first 2 worlds of SMB3 on a friend’s NES, and only truly got to know it as part of All-Stars (which should be on this poll!) - long after I’d 100%’d World a few dozen times. It’s probably nostalgia for me, the old “which one did you grow up with”, but I’ve always felt World had more interesting levels, and more character overall, than SMB3.

SMB3 has tons of fantastic ideas, but hardly uses them. Lots of power-ups, but most of them are barely even seen. Kuribo’s shoe is in what, 2 levels at most? The Frog Suit is great underwater (annoying out of it) but again, unless you get it from Toad’s mini-games, you’d barely know it was there. Hammer Mario seems like a pointless cosmetic change for Fire Mario, and who ever actually uses the Tanooki suits statue ability? Without that it’s just a Racoon reskin. The Galaxy games do a much better job of throwing dozens of unique power-ups at you, but finding interesting ways of using them.

Once you master it (which as a kid took me ages), flying as Cape Mario is so much more fun than Racoon Mario. Game-breaking maybe, but the freedom is honest to goodness fun. Same goes for Yoshi.

Final point: nothing beats the joy of finding a secret exit to a level that takes you off on a whole different path. Aside from the odd fork which at most gives you 2 options before the paths rejoin, the worlds in SMB3 are too linear.

@Rextephan apart from the super Star bits where you do control Mario...

@gaga64 Oh yeah, forgot about those. But still...

"Erm, you didn't an answer" You're welcome.

I can't help but think there is a lot of honeymoon love out there for SMO. I don't even think it's in my top 5 Mario games, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Ask this question again a year from now to see how people really feel after that new game smell rubs off.

Best Mario game will always be SMW from what I've played.

Galaxy 2 forever, I love that game, the music, the gameplay... the pure joy of playing it and don't get me started on those sneaky green stars

Maybe it's not technically the best, but there's something about Super Mario Bros. 1 that will always make it my favorite. The simplicity. The nostalgia.

I don't know anymore. My traditional answer has always been SMB3. Definitely prefer it over World.

Recency Bias: The Musical!

Run this poll again in 6 months once the newness of Odyssey wears off and see if it's still on top.

Still haven't voted, it's too tough a choice to make.

Mario Paint is clearly the winner here.

2D: SM World or SMB2
3D: Probably Odyssey or 64 but I love them all in their own ways!
Best Music: Galaxy 1/2

I know I'm old, as I was a kid when Atari came out, but so far, Super Mario Bros 3 is and always will be my favorite. With the secrets, the flying ships, the bowser kids, the 2-player addition and the new map with fun little mini side games added, it just set the bar for the future of Mario, and so much was pushed into that 8-bit cartridge! Plus, there was the love for the commercials and the McDonald's toys that came with it!!!! However, Super Mario Land 2 should also be on the list, as that was one that really pushed the Gameboy into a great Mario Adventure!!!!

@jump I agree. Mario maker is not a core game. It should not even be an option. Anyway. I voted SMB3, SMG 1 and SMB3 again for over all.

Super Mario World is the best 2D game. I love SMB3, but it just doesn't compare in terms of scale. SMW had bigger levels and more of them, and a lot more secrets to find.

Odyssey is my favorite 3D game so far. I missed out on the hype of Galaxy 1 and 2, but picked up 2 when it dropped on the Wii U and just never got interested. 64 is still great, but replaying it now, I find a lot of the stars more of a chore to obtain rather than actually enjoying the journey to get them.

@sketchturner Got all 880 moons and reached 999 by buying the rest, is my opinion significant enough for you if I vote it as the best 3D Mario game?

Mario Tennis Ultra Smash

My favorite Mario platformer is Super Paper Mario. I feel a connection to things with plots. Here's my vote:
2D: Super Mario World
3D: Super Mario Sunshine
All: Super Mario Sunshine

@Rextephan mee to!

What about Super Paper Mario? That gets my vote for best 2d Mario game (or if you want it can get my vote for the best 3d one too, and best of all time).

Shout outs to the people who love Super Mario Land 2 as much as I do!

I voted for Super Mario Bros 3 for best 2D Mario, Super Mario 3D World as the best 3D Mario Game.

Best game overall? 3D World!

I love the mix of 2D AND 3D gameplay, as well as the different playable characters in the game.

The truth is, all of the Mario platformers are still highly playable!

I fully anticipated World to take the 2D crown and SMB. 3 to be second place. I think the first SMB. should have the third place simply because of the purity of its platforming experience.

I'm pretty surprised with the 3D results! I thought the first Galaxy should be even higher rated, since it's so well made, offering a masterful blend of freedom of movement and tight focused platforming. Also 3D World should be more appreciated. It really is a mighty great package of platforming bliss.

Granted, everyone is still excited about Odyssey so I can understand why it's so highly voted (and I haven't played Odyssey too much yet, so I can't say if it really is that great or not).

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is clearly the best. No contest, really.
I mean, don't get me wrong: I am ABSOLUTELY loving Odyssey right now and also ABSOLUTELY loved Sunshine and 3D World (that game needs all the love it can get; a Mario game with a very focused design), but no game, Mario or otherwise, will come close to the sheer wonder and brilliance that I experienced from Super Mario Galaxy... and Galaxy 2 was even more of the same thing, which will NEVER be a bad thing in my books. Honestly, I thought, and still think, Galaxy/2 are the best pieces of software ever put out by the gaming industry.

As for 2D Mario, that was a hard one... but I had to go with New Super Mario Bros., easily my best game on the DS. Simply couldn't stop playing that one for years. I don't think I've felt that way with any other 2D Mario game I've played (a lot of them).

@ReshiramZekrom This is just for you, then :

I went World, Odyssey, World.

But damn did Odyssey surpass expectations. I’m thankful I remained mostly spoiler free for what I got.

Not gonna judge Odyssey for a while. I've only made it to New Donk City, after all.

Before Odyssey though, my favorite was Sunshine by far, and it might still be depending on how I feel about Odyssey in the end. Hard to say.

Wow I LOVED New Super Mario Bros. 2

6 golden coins is better than sunshine.

SMW is all nostalgia, SMB3 is where its at

Super Mario World
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey

To be fair though, I agree, it's a bit inaccurate to ask us right now when Odyssey is fresh. This is coming from someone who picked it. I don't know how I'll feel in a year when the novelty wears off.

I am certain however that I think Odyssey is better than BotW, and I love BotW and am a bigger Zelda fan than Mario. BotW had a lot of content, which was good, but as the game progressed, after a couple dozen hours, it felt like there was gaps of "meh" between the fun where I wasn't bored but I was more just waiting for the next fun thing to happen. Odyssey had few moments of that (and the few that did were post game when I was having trouble finding certain moons and didn't want to spend coins on the hint toad).

Too early for SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY to be included in a poll like this. You should've waited for a couple of months, at least.

Terrible poll results. It's all about hype. Super Mario World is the real king of this list. And Odyssey is an amazing game, but it is not the best of them all. I could give it the best 3D Mario vote, but 2D Marios are were the real magic of the series happened.

SMW>SMB3>NSMBW>SMB>Odyssey>SM64

That's my ranking. Maybe I'm just older than most around here.

2D - Super Mario World
3D - Super Mario Odyssey
Overall - SMW

It was a tough choice (especially the 3D category as I still really like the Galaxy games and 64 a lot) but I went with World in the end because even 26 years later I still can't get enough of that game.

Having just finished the story in Odyssey, I can safely say it is leaps and bounds (quite literally!) the best Mario game I've ever played. All the way from SMB1 at the tender age of 7 to now, its culmination won me over tenfold. I can't wait to play around with the post-game content!

@Cosats Totally agreed. I beat it today, but there is still a HUGE amount for me to explore, making it hard to judge the title as a whole.

I haven't bought Odyssey yet so I can't vote on the last two yet. But on the 2D side I chose World, it was just very surprising to me.

A tough one between 3 and World. I went with 3. I went with Odyssey for the 3D game.

The best Mario-themed games are Wario Land (Super Mario Land 3), Yoshi's Island (Super Mario World 2) and Super Mario Galaxy.

@Biff_ARMStrong There are a lot of stars in Odyssey but having so many makes you want to explore every nook and cranny of each land because you never know what you might find. The reward in the game comes from all that you can discover. However, the game has more of an emphasis on exploration than platforming which some may not like.

@NaviAndMii: "

Most Important - Super Mario Bros.
Best 2D - Super Mario Bros. 3
Best 3D - Super Mario Galaxy
Best Multiplayer - Super Mario Bros. Wii
Best All Time: Super Mario Bros. 3

NOTE: I've not played Odyssey yet!"

• Quite literally, your opinion almost exactly matches mine. SMB3 is my favorite. The difference would be I would say "&/or 3D World" for multiplayer; I would classify both as equally great for multiplayer. Also, I have not yet played Odyssey, either, so I can't remark on its quality/traits.

1: Super mario world
2: Sunshine
3: Sunshine

Odyssey was great. But the story and platforming was lacking compared to sunshine. Not that sunshine had a very good story. But nintendo tried. That said i loved every mario besides the (new) series which was ok.

I wonder how many of Odyssey's votes were because of recent release hype. =P

Odyssey is great, but it didn't have quite a spectacular impact on me as Super Mario Sunshine did.

@Ralizah: I quite agree.

@Pupito
I didn't like 3D World as much as the other 3D Marios (with the exception of Sunshine which I'm not a huge fan of) but I agree it's a fantastic game. I'd love to see it get a re-release and Switch and then have another look at this poll afterwards. Some levels were pure platforming bliss.

I voted for sunshine.

To soon

Super Mario Maker for 2D all the way. It's never-ending Mario-fun with millions of levels.
And Odyssey! It's trashing every other 3D Mario in design, controls, content.

This is for single player though. If you want Multiplayer-Mario, then both Wii U titles take the crown: Super Mario 3D World with its 4p co-op mode and New Super Mario Bros. U + Super Luigi U with its 5p co-op mode.

@Fred13 Just to clarify, I didn't vote for 3D Land and it isn't my favourite, I was just saying it had 0% votes. It is still a good game, though

I've only played 64 and Odyssey of the 3D versions so Odyssey is it. 2D I picked World on SNES. I'd have picked Yoshi's Island if it were an option. Overall I've gone World because I havehaven't played Odyssey enough.

@Matthew010 Dude, you just...like...posted the same thing like...10 times...

@Manjushri

I'd also have Wario Land on the list then.

@Joeynator3000

You can't deny that he clarified things.

@sandman89

You finished typing to soon.

@Seacliff It is indeed fresh, but I find it so easy there is barely a challenge in it. It is more a "jump-to-reveal" roller coaster ride of instant gratifications. I find Super Mario Sunshine to be the 3d offering I love the most. And still do, in spite of Odyssey being super great. It is just not hard enough.

@Franklin Yeah, Wario Land 4 for the GBA is perhaps the best 2d "mario" game I have played. Still have my original cart, had to switch batteries on it. Would have voted for that if I could

@Joeynator3000 Sorry, it wouldn't send and in my screen, I've only replied once

@Franklin I did - by accident!

@HawkeyeWii you have good taste in side scrollers and super heroes my friend! I really hope they make a third new DKC game!

@Kamiko 6 golden coins was the first game I ever owned!

Much as I enjoy hunting down Power Moons, I still love the taut, focused brilliance of Super Mario 3D World.

For 2D, I prefer SMB3 to SMW - although I'll take both, if that's okay. Of course, I'd take Yoshi's Island over all of the above.

2D marios are still the best for me
I am not buying Odyssey

@ClassSonicSatAm haha I’ve never played Hotel Mario but I bet it’s amazing! XD

@Stryker89 Wrong - think of all the people that haven't finished it.

I've only played a few hours so my vote went to SM3DW.

And Mario Maker is obviously the best 2D.

Favourite 2D was always going to be SM3. The power ups, the manner of difficulty increase/decreases, the music, the controls... all pretty much perfect. SM World is obviously a classic, but the cartoonish graphics and ease of the game was quite disappointing I thought.

i feel like i need a little t more time with Odyssey before i can pass fair judgement. I feel it will have a long lasting appeal, but i don’t know that until i have some distance from the game. BOTW for example i now know to be one of my fave games because i’m already get nostalgic for it. Also... where on earth was Yoshi’s island. That is still a super mario game... because it is literally super mario world 2

Surprised that many are going for Odyssey as best.

Promises great things for when I get to play it later.

Super Mario World is, for me, the finest platform game for all time. It doesn't matter how many years pass by, it still feels as magical and wonderful every time I play it. I introduced my little ones to the game this year and its the one Mario game they ask for the most. Brings back so many incredible gaming memories too.

It's hard for me to decide on whichever Mario 64 or Odyssey is the better 3D game, especially since its only a week since release.
Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Bros 3 has been the games that I always come back to when I need my Mario action.

undoubtly Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

@Pod there are much better Mario games, especially those in 2D

i am sorry Nintendo Life, but Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island belongs to the main series, it is no spin off

@BlackenedHalo
Oh sure, I personally voted for Mario Bros. 3 as best ever, and Galaxy as best 3D. But yeah, I haven't actually played Odyssey yet.

And I guess you're right about Yoshi's Island to a certain extent, but is Wario Land then also main series, as it carries the "Super Mario Land 3" qualifier?

SMM overall and SMO for 3D ones. Sad to see that TLL doesn't have a single %, it's a very underrated game many haven't played.

The hundreds of voters who have probably only played Super Mario Odyssey

Isn't Yoshi's Island a Yoshi game?

I really like Odyssey, but collecting Moons doesn't really feel like an achievement in the same way collecting Stars does. Plus the random points in the game where there is absolutely no music is really jarring.

I'll be damned if Yoshi's Island is a spin-off, it's literally Super Mario World 2.

@gojiguy I don't say it's "far from my favourite", it's close, REALLY close. However...2D=SMW, 3D=SMG2.

2D: Super Mario World
3D: Super Mario Galaxy

Overall I'd say Galaxy as I prefer the 3D games to the 2D ones.

2D - NSMB Wii. That game blew me away. Four player Mario is incredibly, incredibly fun. So many hilarious and awesome moments, accidental and intentional.

3D - Galaxy 1. Another one that blew me away when I first played it. I was extremely sour on 3D Mario games. I never really found 64 very fun and I straight up hated Sunshine. But the creativity of Galaxy and smoothness of controls really dragged me in.

I can never easily choose between smb3 and world for 2d. Smb3 usually gets my vote because it feels like a complete game, where in world I get the feeling it wasn’t completely hashed out.

Now with 3d, 64 EASILY gets my vote. When I think of my most cherished gaming nostalgic memories, the feels usually go in the order of pokemon red, Mario 64, then final fantasy vii. These 3 games defined me as a gamer.

While the 3D games are nice, they don't hold a candle to the true precise well laid out challenges of the 2D style games and in particular super mario world.

The move to 3D may have improved the looks, but gameplay for platformers has always suffered due to the design. Cameras and weird angles/motion can get you killed. You even when a good one still will fight the mechanics to a degree and not just the pure challenge of the game. The old style stuff, failure was (bad design aside by some makers) entirely your fault because you failed to make the right motion, the right button push, the right choice. There wasn't the game fighting design problems of 3D fighting you, just the challenges ahead.

Odyssey deserves all the love, still don't think it tops Galaxy 2, but its a question of taste, the 2D voting poll though, is too nostalgic, clearly NSM brothers U, was the most complete, 2D experience yet, you're all forgetting how good that game was, it just came out at a time where the 2D was saturated in the Mario Franchise

Ummm... Super Mario World 2 is the only option and you left it off, shame!!!

Super Mario Bros. 3 is still my all-time fav whether it’s it’s 8-bit or 16-bit iteration. Any of the 3D Mario’s that isn’t Galaxy or Galaxy 2 are good 2nd choices. New Super Mario Bros. 2 would be my third choice.

@ThomasBW84 Wait I'm obviously missing something here - Why is Yoshi's Island not there????!! (Super Mario World 2)

The name of the game alone surely means that it's a part of the core series?

I voted for Super Mario World.

How comes Super Mario All stars wasn't on that list?

I know the entire reason this poll was made was to gush more about Odyssey, but I decided to vote anyway.

2D game: Super Mario World
3D game and overall: Super Mario 64

I don't have a Switch and don't plan on getting one anytime soon so I don't have an opinion on Odyssey yet. However, I'm not usually taken in by super hyped games (it's usually a deterrent for me), so I'm not interested at the moment.

@FTL YES! My favourite by a mile.

Favourite traditional 2D Mario is still Super Mario World, and it gets my vote for best because it is. I love all the 2D ones for different reasons. Making the distinction between favourite and best can be difficult, hence...

Favourite 3D Mario would be 3D World, because I found it played more like a 2D game, making it a bit more accessible. I gave the best to Galaxy 2 though. It was the culmination of everything that makes Mario, well - Mario, from both the 2D and 3D worlds. Brilliant game.

@Pod of course it is

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/09/24/miyamoto-tezuka-interview.aspx

Miamoto: "When we first made Yoshi's Island, we considered it part of the Mario series. After that, the Yoshi series continued on its own. As developers, do we consider it to be part of the core Mario series? The answer is yes."

So as you can see, Yoshi's Island is a part of the main series.

My fav. 2D mario is NSMBwii because I have a lot of great memories with that game. Me,my dad and my friend and his brother beat that game with 4 player coop. It was really fun for the time.

I feel like Mario Odyssey being in here makes the poll impartial. I just got the game yesterday I had years to think about everything else. Asking this around January would have been better.

Yeah, talking about SMO as the best 3D Mario to date is too much ..there is still a lot to do in the game after the ending credits and this takes a lot of time

@BlackenedHalo
I think many would argue otherwise.

@jump Seems like a spin-off.

Love how people remember the old greatness. Super Mario 64 is there as deserved, Sunshine is forgotten, and rightly so.
Unfortunately I missed the Galaxy serie, eventually I'll recoup in the future.

This is purely just hype, I love Odyssey but I don't consider it the best. A few years from now these polls will differ.

Make this poll in a few years when the novelty of Odyssey has worn off and it won't be the winner. 100% guaranteed.

@gojiguy you would think mario maker would be better voted

Ugh, more gushing for a new game on a system I don't yet own is pretty discouraging.

But anyways, I'll always have a soft spot for Sunshine as my favorite 3D entry. Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga (the original) is my favorite non-traditional Mario. With 2D its always up in the air but I enjoyed Super Mario World the most; both in All-Stars and as Mario Advance 2 on GBA.

The best 2D Mario isn't even on the list, Super MARIO World 2: Yoshi Island.

I hate that now people say it's a Yoshi game and a spin-off but back when it came out, we didn't know it would become a spin-off. It was just Super Mario World 2.

Best 2D: Mario bros 3
Best 3D: Sunshine

I have not played Odyssey yet!

@King_Johobo It's cut scenes are a thing of beauty. XD
Why capture foes when you can shut hotel doors...

@datamonkey legend! Sounds like you love that music more than me! You should check this out if you haven't already! https://youtu.be/cnohHCJbD8E

A difficult question! You can't really go wrong with Mario. But if I had to pick, here's what I'd choose. Full disclosure: I haven't played through 3D World or Odyssey (through probably will someday), or Super Mario Land 1/2 (and probably won't ever).

2D/Overall: Lost Levels. I'm surprised this has gotten so few votes! It's designed to be a game for people that love Super Mario games and have mastered the first one. Lost Levels manages to be actually challenging without being cheap (hidden blocks to ruin your jumps, Kaizo-type precision techniques, etc), and it feels incredibly satisfying when you finally beat Bowser. Level design is more creative than the first game, adding in wind gusts and Bloopers outside of water levels. I can recall World 8-2, where you can find a Starman and use it to rush through several Hammer Bros. only to reach a pipe that takes you back to earlier in the level. What you must do instead is ignore the Starman and bounce off a nearby Paratroopa to hit a block, revealing a hidden vine that leads to the flagpole. It's a clever puzzle, and it showcases the developers' attention to detail. Lost Levels also gives players the option of playing as Luigi, who actually has his own abilities rather than being a palette swap of his brother like in most games. The post-game content is fantastic, featuring an easy "Fantasy World" along with another four difficult ones.

3D: It's pretty close between Mario 64 and the two Galaxy games. I'd give a slight edge to Galaxy 2 over Galaxy 1 as it has much better post-game content (including another 120 stars to find and a tough-as-nails final galaxy). But I'd say that Mario 64 DS strikes the perfect balance between having enough exploration and not turning into a total collect-a-thon (ie Mario Sunshine's blue coins). The DS version adds in 30 more stars plus three new characters. They're necessary to collect some of the stars and a solid addition to the game, but it's not obnoxious like in Donkey Kong 64 (where you have to collect 75 bananas per character per stage, along with countless other items, to get the best ending). The DS version also fixes most of the problems the original had (poor camera control, ugly character models). The D-pad and run button are not quite as good as the control stick on the N64, but they're close. They take some getting used to, but it's ridiculous to say that they're "broken" or "unplayable". So my overall ranking would be:

1. Super Mario 64 DS
2. Super Mario Galaxy 2
3. Super Mario Galaxy
4. Super Mario 64 (original version)
5. Super Mario 3D Land.
6. Super Mario Sunshine

Unranked: Super Mario 3D World, Super Mario Odyssey

@GC-161 But ever since the NES era, pretty much every Zelda game was labelled the "best Zelda game ever" or even the "best video game ever" right after release. See: A Link to the Past, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, BotW. A few months later though, we get "now that the hype has worn off..." takes. And some Zelda games hold up better over time than others do. A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time regularly top "best Zelda game ever" lists, but Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword generally don't. So it is a bit too early to see whether Odyssey will top the "best Mario game ever" polls 10 years from now (or even 10 months from now).

@Euler Everyone was able to detect problems in Skyward Sword from day one -the excessive hand-holding and needlessly implemented motion controls. It wasn't something that required years for people to realize those issues existed.

Same thing happened with Super Mario Sunshine. Almost every review made Super Mario 64 comparisons. So in their eyes, Sunshine always fell short in every category except visuals. A tough act to follow. Sunshine was branded simply as a competent Super Mario entry from the start. With people complaining about the entire game being tied to F.L.U.D.D. thingie that they felt was an annoying gimmick.

So its not true at all that it takes years or even months for people to notice problems with Mario or Zelda games. Those are noticed from day one.

With Odyssey, the only issue its detractors are using is that its too easy and too short. Which interestingly enough, is the exact same complaints thrown at all Mario games that came after Super Mario Bros 3. For instance, Super Mario World is considered "easy" compared to SM3 but also "bloated" with unnecessary filler. Obviously opinions will differ depending who you ask (a Super Mario World fan will hardly admit said game has any problems).

@GC-161 You can identify flaws with any game, but some of the flaws are more significant than others. "Too short and too easy" might be used to describe both New Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Galaxy 2, but that criticism wouldn't apply equally well to both games. And there were critics that, despite noticing a given game's problems, still said it was the best in the series. Super Mario 64's camera control was criticized on day one, but it's still widely considered one of the best games of all time. The same can be said about Mario Galaxy and its motion controls as well as its linearity. And recall that Sunshine was the only Mario game to ever get a perfect 10 from Nintendo Power, but it hasn't held up as well as 64 or Galaxy 1/2.

And judging by what I've read just on these threads, there are other criticisms about Odyssey than just "too short and easy" (Cappy being too gimmicky, too much of a collect-a-thon, etc).

@Euler And you mightbe also noticed that those criticisms thrown at Odyssey are ridiculously try-hard.

I mean to try to even claim that Cappy is a unnecessary "gimmick" is clear proof that whoever said it never played Odyssey. Because Cappy is such an integral part of the gameplay, that you just have to shake your head at whoever spewed such as such an inane & poorly thought criticism. At that point you can clearly see that they're running short on any valid reasons to trash Odyssey and are just being ridiculous. Especially the collect-a-thon argument. Collecting stuff is a characteristic of just about ever 3d Mario game. But to claim Odyssey is just that and doesn't involve puzzle solving, skillful platforming or thoughtful exploration, is just silly.

But again, REAL issues or problems with these games are detectable on day one.

Super Mario 64's camera angles were mentioned pretty much by every reviewer back when it came out. It didn't take years for that to surface. Hell, even when the DS version came out, reviewers noticed that the camera problems were now worse because the game was seriously limited by the handheld's lack of control options.

And Sunshine getting a perfect 10 from the OFFICIAL NINTENDO MAGAZINE is meaningless. Look at the reviews from the gaming media that overall didn't give that game perfect scores. Because right off the bat they noticed it wasn't a perfect game. Players noticed it right away also. So there absolutely no point where the game was hailed as God's gift to humanity. It was underwhelming back in the Gamecube days. With people saying that it should've been a spin-off (like Luigi's Mansion) and not THE Mario game for that generation.

@GC-161 FLUDD is an integral part of the gameplay in Mario Sunshine, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily an improvement over the Mario 64 formula. And the collect-a-thon argument is a fair one. Recall that after the early 2000s, collect-a-thons became much less popular. This interview is instructive, I think. An indie developer makes the case that having too many collectible items in games like Donkey Kong 64 ultimately destroyed the non-linear platformer genre, and that Super Mario 64 was more what he was trying to model:

https://www.polygon.com/2013/6/9/4409622/a-hat-in-time-hopes-to-atone-for-the-platforming-sins-of-donkey-kong?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

In my first post, I didn't mention Sunshine at all. Rather I specifically cited Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess as games that universally received perfect or near-perfect scores at the time, but generally aren't considered the "best Zelda game ever" in 2017 (before or after the release of BotW). Twilight Princess, for instance, scores 96 on MetaCritic (higher than A Link to the Past or Super Mario Bros. 3):

http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess/critic-reviews

It's not a perfect metric, but it gives a pretty good indication of how contemporary reviewers felt about the game.

I love 3D world and wish a sequel would be released some time.

@Euler Yes, F.L.U.D.D. was an integral part of the game. But that alone is not what makes a game great. Odyssey isn't depending on a "gimmick" to do all the heavy lifting as happened with Sunshine. Odyssey level design, puzzle & platforming elements are way above what we saw in Sunshine. And that's an important difference.

And calling Odyssey a collect-a-thon and nothing more is a reductive criticism not based on experience with the game. Because as I said before, branding it that way grossly ignores the other elements at play in the game (creative level design, platforming, exploration). And only an obtuse person would insist you only collect stuff in the game and do absolutely nothing more.

And I already mentioned how critics and players reacted to both Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess. You only want to mention the score TP got and not the one that Skywars Sword got that proves said game didn't get universally praised (93%) but ok. You be you.

@GC-161 I believe I only need one counter-example to show that universal critical praise on release != being regarded as one of the best games in the franchise 10 years after release.

Are you implying that anyone who disagrees with your opinion is obtuse or is lying about having played the game?

Too many folks here that never played Super Mario World. It's by far the best Mario game.

Best:

2D: Super Mario Bros 3
3D: Super Mario Odyssey
Overall: Super Mario Odyssey

Favourite, however:

2D: Super Mario Bros 2
3D: Super Mario 64
Overall: Super Mario 64

Splendid games, all of them!

@ClassSonicSatAm XD it sounds like a dream!

No Yoshi's Island? While Mario isn't the main playable character, it's still among the mainstream Mario games since it serves as a prequel (unlike Yoshi's Story, which is a full-fledged spin-off). Let's not forget it was marketed as Super Mario World 2 and Super Mario Advance 3.
My picks:

2D:
1. Yoshi's Island (not in the list, but to hell with it)
2. Super Mario World
3. Super Mario Bros. 3

3D:
1. Super Mario 64
2. Super Mario Odyssey
3. Super Mario Sunshine