1. Super Mario 64 – 1996, Nintendo
An absolute classic that must be ranked anywhere in the top five. Mario 64 revolutionised and re-defined gaming, taking us from a flat, 2D, pixelated world into a vibrant, 3D playground that allowed players to explore and platform in third person. Super Mario 64 rewrote the rules of video game design from Bob-omb Battlefield to Snowman’s Land, players are invited to scale the charming, polygonal landscapes in order to rescue Princess Peach and save her from the evil Bowser. Super Mario 64 is a timeless masterpiece that I hope everyone gets to experience at least once in its original format, played on the N64 hooked up to a CRT.
2. New Super Mario Bros – 2006, Nintendo
Growing up in the 2000’s, carrying around a Nintendo DS in my backpack along with several miscellaneous cartridges and a chewed stylus was the epitome of my childhood. One of those cartridges, however, was my pride and joy. That was New Super Mario Brother’s. I remember playing the display for the game at Toy’s R Us in the Metro Centre, I must have stood there for at least an hour repeating the same stage over and over again until I was dragged out of the store by my probably fed-up parents. When I received the game and a DS for my 6th Birthday I was overjoyed. I beat the game three times and used multiple save slots in order to discover as much of the game as a six-year-old possibly could.
3. Super Mario World - 1990, Nintendo
Singlehandedly selling the console with 20.6 million sold copies, this Super Nintendo must-have really demonstrates the raw capabilities of the console with the scale of Super Mario World. In comparison to traditional NES Mario titles, World harnesses new technology such as 16-bit graphics allowing for more detailed spritework and colours on screen. This saw the game beginning to further carve out an identity for itself.
Super Mario World really is true to its name. The game’s expansive overworld ‘Dinosaur Land’ is unlike any game before it, each ‘world’ of the game being a connected section of the island as opposed to a collection of unrelated and unconnected areas.
Super Mario World will always be a significant entry to the series. Introducing franchise staples such as the cape feather powerup, the p balloon and being the first title to feature everyone’s favourite dinosaur companion Yoshi. With this games focus on exploration and discovery clear in the multitude of secret exits and added recurring staple ‘star road’ Super Mario World aided in cementing what I love the most about this franchise and what I believe Nintendo was founded on, that being that the curiosity of the player and their thirst for uncovering secrets and adventure will always be rewarded by the developer.