6 Best Mario Sports Games, Ranked

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The release of Mario Tennis Fever marks the arrival of the popular Mario Sports series on the Nintendo Switch 2. For decades, fans have enjoyed these spin-off games, and while quality varies, some have become true classics. Choosing the very best Mario Sports titles is a challenge given how many there are, but we’ve put together a list to highlight the top picks.

Here are the six best Mario Sports games Nintendo has ever made.

6) Mario Super Sluggers

Baseball is incredibly popular in Japan, so Nintendo’s release of Mario Superstar Baseball for the GameCube in 2005 made sense. They followed up with Mario Super Sluggers for the Wii in 2008, making it even better. The game features a huge cast of characters, keeping things interesting, and offers both classic baseball gameplay and a unique adventure mode.

This game mode let you build a team of baseball greats to compete against Bowser and Bowser Jr. It was a fun twist on sports games like NBA Street and NFL Street that were popular at the time, but geared towards a younger audience. Despite Super Sluggers selling over two million copies, a third baseball game was never made.

5) Mario Power Tennis

Following the hugely popular Mario Tennis on Nintendo 64 was a tough challenge for Power Tennis. While it didn’t quite reach the same heights as the original, Power Tennis is still a fantastic game. It features a large roster of characters, and each one plays with a distinct style.

Adding unique and fun courts helped keep the gameplay exciting, making this GameCube title a stylish one that influenced some of the more creative games we’ve seen lately. The introduction of Power Shots added a layer of strategy to matches, though it wasn’t perfectly balanced. However, Nintendo made a mistake by remaking it for the Wii.

4) Mario Golf (GBC)

There are two versions of Mario Golf, and both are really good. Some people prefer the Nintendo 64 version because it has great golf mechanics and was fun to play with friends. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed the Game Boy Color version more, as it combines golf with the elements of a role-playing game.

Games like Golf Story are popular for a good reason. They take a straightforward golf concept and combine it with a story mode where you improve your skills – it’s really fun! Plus, features like saving your best shots to share with friends make it a fantastic overall golf experience.

3) Mario Strikers Charged

Although Mario Strikers: Battle League didn’t quite hit the mark on Switch, Charged is still considered one of the greatest arcade soccer games ever made. It’s in the same league as titles like Sega Soccer Slam, offering players over-the-top moves to outplay their opponents.

The game lets you compete in tournaments with up to three friends, battling both computer opponents and testing your skills. You can also play ranked matches online against other players. Plus, the game looks fantastic, which made it a hit with soccer fans.

2) Mario Tennis (N64)

We owe a lot to Mario Tennis – it’s the game that introduced Waluigi to the world, and that’s something the whole planet appreciates! While not the first Mario Sports title, Mario Tennis really felt like the one that established the series and made it truly special.

This tennis game is still considered one of the best arcade-style tennis experiences ever created. It’s easy to pick up and play, but also offers a surprising amount of strategic depth. Whether you’re looking for a quick match with a friend or a truly challenging game to master, this title delivers. It’s a bit disappointing that Nintendo hasn’t surpassed it, which really speaks to how exceptional this game is.

1) Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour

Toadstool Tour for the GameCube featured surprisingly realistic golf physics. Even though the GameCube wasn’t the most powerful console, Toadstool Tour made golf shots feel incredibly lifelike. The game includes sixteen playable characters and a detailed adventure mode with seven unique courses.

My main criticism of Toadstool Tour is its lack of the light role-playing game features found in the portable versions. Mario Golf: Advance Tour on Game Boy Advance had those elements, but Toadstool Tour‘s excellent core golf gameplay more than makes up for it. Super Rush on Switch attempted to add RPG features, but its Speed Golf and Battle Golf modes felt more like distractions and didn’t quite hit the mark for many players.

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2026-02-13 01:45