3 Mario Spinoffs That Accidentally Became Better Than the Main Games

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Mario is Nintendo’s most recognizable character and has been a cornerstone of the video game world since the company began. He’s practically defined the platforming genre and is a name everyone knows. His main game series have delighted players for decades, and Nintendo continues to innovate with new platforming titles. Beyond Mario himself, the Mushroom Kingdom is filled with beloved characters who star in their own games and appear alongside him. Mario’s popularity has also spawned incredibly successful spin-off series like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros., captivating players worldwide.

What’s great about Mario spin-off games is that they give Nintendo a chance to try new things beyond traditional platforming. This experimentation has actually led some of these games to be even better than core Mario titles, offering unique gameplay, richer stories, and a fresh take on the familiar Mario universe. These three spin-offs demonstrate they can compete with popular games like *Super Mario Odyssey*, *Super Mario 64*, or *Super Mario Bros. Wonder*.

3) Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

Nintendo fans were completely surprised by *Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle*. When the game was first announced, many people doubted it would be good. Combining Mario with Ubisoft’s quirky Rabbids was unexpected enough, but making it a strategy game similar to *Xcom* seemed even stranger and left most players feeling unsure.

Despite being an unlikely combination, *Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle* was a huge success, even spawning a sequel and plans for a third game. Ubisoft brilliantly blended the beloved charm of the *Mario* universe with the wacky, unpredictable humor of the *Rabbids*, creating a standout title for the Nintendo Switch. The game introduced a completely new style of gameplay for *Mario*, which is impressive given how many different ways the franchise has evolved. Ultimately, it felt both innovative and true to the spirit of *Mario*.

Rather than rushing to finish, players carefully planned their strategies and linked together powerful moves. Mario’s signature jumping and running felt great, the Mushroom Kingdom looked fantastic with the Rabbids causing trouble, and the funny conversations between characters felt genuine. Many people thought this new game wouldn’t succeed, but it proved that taking risks with familiar worlds can pay off when done well.

2) Super Mario RPG

Square Enix kicked off a new direction for Mario games by teaming up with Nintendo to make *Super Mario RPG*. This game was the foundation for the *Paper Mario* and *Mario & Luigi* series. By working together, the studios brought Mario into the world of 3D, introducing turn-based battles and character stats – elements that Square Enix had perfected in their own role-playing games.

The game combined classic RPG elements with fast-paced, action-oriented button presses that felt like a natural extension of Mario’s jumping and movement. This unique system not only shaped future Mario RPGs, but also influenced newer games like *Sea of Stars* and *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, which was even nominated for Game of the Year. Beyond the gameplay, *Super Mario RPG* presented a wonderfully fresh and creative take on the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.

The characters felt more realistic and complex, and conversations felt more meaningful. Mario wasn’t just a simple jumper anymore; the game gave the Mario universe a real emotional core by fleshing out familiar characters and introducing memorable new ones like Geno, who fans still love. Importantly, *Super Mario RPG* proved Mario could succeed in games beyond traditional platformers, paving the way for new and diverse possibilities for Nintendo’s iconic character.

1) Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

While *Super Mario RPG* first showed the potential, *Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door* truly revolutionized what a spin-off game could achieve. This GameCube title was brilliantly crafted with a captivating story, unique design, and tons of charm. Both it and the original *Paper Mario* remain fan favorites in Nintendo’s history, which makes the recent direction of the series disappointing – but that’s a discussion for another time.

The storytelling in *The Thousand-Year Door* is truly exceptional, but it’s the combination of clever writing, a unique paper-based art style, and fun gameplay that really make it special. The game world is vibrant and charming, filled with memorable characters like Koops and Vivian who feel real and relatable. It expertly blends humor with moments that genuinely tug at your heartstrings, all while offering a combat system that improves on previous games and keeps you engaged.

Many fans consider *Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door* to be the greatest of the *Paper Mario* spin-off games. It remained incredibly popular for years, and fans consistently asked Nintendo to remake it – which they eventually did. The *Paper Mario* series is known for its engaging stories, distinctive style, and vibrant worlds. The success of the remake proves how strong that legacy is, and fans are now hoping the next *Paper Mario* game on the Nintendo Switch 2 will recapture the magic of the first two titles.

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2025-09-28 19:12