The Super Mario series is one of the most popular and well-loved video game franchises ever created. Games like Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, and Super Mario Odyssey are considered all-time classics, consistently ranking among the best video games. However, not every game in the Mario series receives the same level of recognition.
These lesser-known Mario games are surprisingly great – truly hidden treasures, even for fans of the most famous video game hero. Any Mario enthusiast should definitely give these overlooked Nintendo titles a try.
Mario Hoops 3-on-3 Is an Amazing Mario Sports Game
Many basketball games exist, with varying quality, but Mario Hoops 3-on-3 stands out by focusing solely on the sport and keeping gameplay fresh with constantly shifting rules.
One unique thing about Mario Hoops 3-on-3 is that it was made in partnership with Square Enix. Besides the usual Mario characters, the game also includes characters from Final Fantasy. However, don’t anticipate seeing characters like Cloud or Sephiroth—the game focuses on characters from the older Final Fantasy titles.
Alongside the main characters, you can also play as Moogles, Black Mages, Cactuars, and others. Mario Hoops 3-on-3 is a fantastic game for the Nintendo DS, and it’s too bad we never got more Mario basketball titles – it really shows that Mario and his friends are just as fun playing basketball as they are in other games.
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins Is a Classic Game Boy Game
Although the original Super Mario Land is a beloved game, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins is generally considered the superior title. It introduces Wario, Mario’s rival, as he attempts to take over Mario Land. The game represents a significant upgrade, similar to the jump in quality from Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario World.
What really stands out is how the game lets you choose which levels to play first – you’re not locked into a single path, though you do have to complete them all. It’s a relatively short game, which is actually a good thing, as it keeps things engaging and makes you want to play it again. It’s still considered one of the very best games for the original Game Boy.
New Super Mario Bros. 2 Sends Players On a Golden Adventure
When New Super Mario Bros. 2 was released, some players were starting to feel like the New Super Mario Bros. games had become repetitive. However, the game still received positive reviews thanks to its enjoyable gameplay. The main objective – collecting one million coins – is surprisingly rewarding and fun to work towards.
Coin Rush mode is a fun competitive feature where players race to gather the most coins. The game also revisits classic elements from Super Mario Bros. 3, including the beloved Tanooki Suit. Overall, New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a fantastic and welcome entry in the Mario franchise.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Is an Underrated Mario Game
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is the newest game here, and it’s surprisingly good. It improves on the already great gameplay of Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle by moving the action to outer space. This new setting is reflected in the combat, which is now more open and free-flowing, as the game no longer restricts movement to a grid.
The game now offers more freedom when exploring and fighting, making battles quicker and more fluid. A new feature called the Sparks system has also been added, granting players either a brand new ability or a helpful advantage.
Fans will enjoy the references to Super Mario Galaxy. Similar to those games, the expanded scope really shows how much bigger and bolder this sequel is. Even though Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope didn’t sell quite as well as Kingdom Battle, it’s still a thoroughly enjoyable game.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Kicked Off an Underrated Franchise
While the Mario & Luigi games aren’t always as highly praised as the Paper Mario series, the first installment, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, is a standout title. It boasts a story with the same lively spirit as Paper Mario and creates a truly memorable adventure.
The game has a wonderful tone, striking a perfect balance between silly and endearing, particularly thanks to Luigi’s personality. The villain, Cackletta, is both visually striking and surprisingly underrated – she’s one of the more clever antagonists in the Mario series. Her scheme to replace Princess Peach’s voice with bombs is genuinely brilliant.
The game strikes a great balance between its charming story and exciting battles, cleverly combining the skills of Mario and Luigi in team attacks. Although the Mario & Luigi series isn’t massive, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga still stands out as a particularly strong RPG title and deserves to be remembered.
Super Mario 3D Land Perfectly Uses 3D Elements
Super Mario 3D Land is a fantastic game, but it often gets overlooked because it was released on an older Nintendo system. Unlike some games that used the handheld’s 3D feature as a simple trick, Super Mario 3D Land cleverly integrated it into the core gameplay experience.
Even though Super Mario 3D Land uses 3D graphics, it feels a lot like the classic 2D Mario games. It offers a surprisingly new and enjoyable experience, and while a remake couldn’t include the 3DS’s unique features, it would be fantastic to see this game return.
Super Paper Mario Is a 10/10 Masterpiece
Super Paper Mario is a fantastic game and deserves to be available on more than just the Wii. Unlike typical Mario games, it blends classic platforming with 3D elements, offering a unique experience. The way it switches between 2D and 3D is a clever mechanic that makes puzzle-solving and exploration really enjoyable.
The game still feels as delightful as other Paper Mario titles, but it’s surprisingly moving and even a bit sad – something you don’t usually find in a Mario game. It’s likely to be an emotional experience, and you might even shed a tear by the end, which is pretty unexpected for a Mario adventure.
Nintendo should remake Super Paper Mario, similar to how they remastered The Thousand-Year Door. It’s a perfect game, and more people deserve to play it.
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2026-04-06 06:44