Top Ten Mario Games of the Past Ten Years

The number ten--it has a lot of significance on SuperPhillip Central today. Not only is it March 10th, or Mario Day (Mar 10) as it's recognized by Nintendo, but on this special day we have an equally special top ten list. Today, I take a look at the past ten years of Mario games--spin-offs included (but they need to feature Mario in a starring role)--and pick out the best ten of the bunch. Mario is synonymous with gaming, so if not a special top ten list for the Big N's big mascot, then for who? After you've checked out my choices, let me know which Mario games you've loved from the past ten years.

10) Mario Kart 7 (3DS)

We begin with a Mario Kart game that many might consider leaving in the dust due to the fact that it's on a now-defunct system and most of its courses are available in Mario Kart Tour. Mario Kart 7 brought with it a host of welcomed additions including underwater and aerial racing, vast kart customization, and some truly creative tracks that took advantage of both. The retro track selections are some of my favorites in the Mario Kart series, and I spent dozens of hours racing with friends and total strangers online in fast and frantic races. It's a portable Mario Kart but without the repulsive, money-leeching, whale-exploiting tactics of Mario Kart Tour.

9) Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (NSW)

This next game was such a surprise and such a fantastic success story. After being leaked and criticized and made fun of to death before any footage was shown, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle proved its critics wrong and taught a valuable, if not cliche, lesson: never judge a book by its cover--or in this case: never judge a game by its premise. To be fair, combining the beloved cast of Mushroom Kingdom characters with the lesser loved, borderline annoying Minion-like Rabbids seemed like a recipe for disaster on paper, but the folks at Ubisoft Milan obviously put everything into the final product, an X-Com-like strategy game with so much love placed into it. The source material was respected, and the actual game itself was one of the best releases on Switch that year. Just a glorious and wonderful feel-good industry story all around and a great game at that, too.

8) Mario Golf: World Tour (3DS)

The Mario Golf series hasn't seen a full-fledged RPG story in a long while, and many were disappointed by the lack of one in this sequel as well, especially since previous portable entries had them. However, everything else in Mario Golf: World Tour was exquisite, making it one of my favorite arcade golf games ever made. Between the terrific golf mechanics, bevy of modes, tremendous courses that were had both realistic and fantastical designs (seriously, playing golf underwater or pint-sized in a "Honey, I Shrunk the Mushroom Kingdom"-like way were clever and amazing experiences), and great online content like ongoing tournaments and well handled DLC (featuring six returning courses from the original Nintendo 64 Mario Golf), and many Mario maniacs were in golf heaven.

7) Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)

Continuing with the Nintendo 3DS, Super Mario 3D Land made a terrific argument for the 3DS hardware's stereoscopic 3D capabilities. While the game could very much be played without it turned on, judging jumps and depth while being wowed by effects like spiked pillars jutting out at the screen and Bullet Bills flying towards your face were made amazing. Super Mario 3D Land brought with it a level structure similar to the Super Mario Bros. games with a start and ending flagpole. The only difference was that the game's levels were in 3D. Another entry on this list would take the foundation that 3D Land laid and run with it with tremendous results, as you'll see in just a few more entries.

6) New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (NSW)

The original New Super Mario Bros. U released on the Wii U as a launch title in 2012. It was deemed more of the same due to its similar art style that many considered sterile, safe, and just otherwise unexciting. However, the level design remains my favorite out of any other 2D Mario game with an influx of creative ideas and clever gimmicks thrown in. The return of a Super Mario World-style map was also exciting, as it made for an interconnected-feeling world as opposed to the disjointed maps of past games. The Wii U would later receive additional DLC in the form of a more challenging Luigi-based set of bite-sized levels with New Super Luigi U. The package of the base NSMBU and DLC would release together on Wii U and also early last year on the Nintendo Switch, offering a whole new audience of players and my preferred way of playing this duo of excellent 2D Mario games.

5) Super Mario Maker 2 (NSW)

While there are a number of things that the original Super Mario Maker did better than its sequel, Super Mario Maker 2 otherwise blows the original Wii U release away. With more customization and creation options for excellent levels to be crafted, a full fledged story mode that essentially served as a tutorial and inspiration for budding creators to make their own masterpieces (or at least do their best to try), and full multiplayer in both co-operative and competitive modes, Super Mario Maker 2 floored me last year. It's by far my most played Nintendo Switch game, and the amount of excellent levels that has come out from the community amazes me and only encourages me to make better levels. While the updates have been slow releasing, they have truly made this stellar Mario level making tool even better.

4) Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

Super Mario 3D Land on the Nintendo 3DS laid the foundation. Super Mario 3D World continued from where Land left off, offering more on top of that. Levels were more extravagantly designed and masterfully made, secrets like stamps and Green Stars were smartly placed for completionists and more skilled players, multiplayer was a huge focus but hardly necessary to enjoy the game, and the abundance of creative ideas were plentiful to the point that I don't know how Nintendo kept it all from overflowing out the Wii U disc the game was printed on. Super Mario 3D World remains one of the last worthwhile Wii U exclusives that are stuck on the failed system, so to say that are plenty of players who'd like to see the game make the jump to the Switch would be an understatement.

3) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (NSW)

While we're on the subject of games that made the jump to the Switch--or perhaps in this case, drifted onto the Switch--Mario Kart 8 delighted Wii U owners when it launched on Nintendo's first HD console. It had 32 fantastic tracks, implementing the brand-new anti-gravity mechanic where racers would find themselves driving upside-down, down the faces of waterfalls, and much more. It also had impeccably designed DLC with 16 more tracks split up between two packs for a total of 48 tracks. What the vanilla version of Mario Kart 8 didn't have, however, was a competent battle mode. Instead, it used reworked versions of the base game's tracks as opposed to arenas like in past games. Not only did Mario Kart 8's arrival on the Nintendo Switch bring with it a revitalized Battle Mode, but it also brought with it all 48 tracks in one nice and neat package as well as new characters, too. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the most complete games in the series content-wise, and it's also just insanely enjoyable as a kart racer. Fast, accessible, and amazing.

2) Super Mario Odyssey (NSW)

The latest 3D Mario to release and one of the best, we have Super Mario Odyssey. There was a whole wild world to explore in Super Mario Odyssey, and Mario did it in style--well, multiple styles, as Mario could dress up in various costumes, many celebrating the portly plumber's past and several decades in gaming. The major mechanic in Odyssey was the addition of Cappy, a cap that could be chucked at enemies, thus having Mario inhabit them, utilizing their full move set to solve puzzles and engage with the environment in various ways. The abundance of Power Moons might seem like overkill, but it allowed players of all skill levels to complete the game by going after moons that fit their particular preferred degree of difficulty. It also allowed completionists like me to go hog-wild collecting everything under the sun--er, moon. Super Mario Odyssey had as much creativity packed inside of it as it did Power Moons to collect, and I hope Nintendo saved some ideas for a sequel!

1) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)

Speaking of which, that's exactly what Nintendo did with the original Super Mario Galaxy, a 2007 release. The developers had so many left over ideas that they made a direct sequel to it with May 2010's Super Mario Galaxy 2. (Phew! This number one game on the list just barely qualified, didn't it!) While I prefer the original Galaxy just for being the first of its kind and being so memorable due to that fact, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is certainly no slouch. It was a bigger adventure with greater worlds to explore, new power-ups to engage the player with, and a tremendous amount of enemies and bosses to tackle. I love the level design and copious amounts of creativity on display therein, offering so much gravity-based fun. Every galaxy I entered my first time through the game, I said to myself, "Okay, the developers are BOUND to have run out of ideas and will start repeating themselves soon, right?" Wrong! Super Mario Galaxy 2 consistently and continuously kept putting forth new concepts, new ideas, new galaxy gimmicks, and new masterful moments that makes it my favorite Mario game from the past ten years. It's just that darn good of a game, even almost a decade later, and shows that despite all the excellent quality entries in the Mario franchise, none have yet surpassed Galaxy 2 for me.

Top Ten Bowser Battles

It's a tale as old as... well, 1985. Plumber meets princess. Koopa King kidnaps princess. Plumber beats Koopa King. Plumber saves princess. Rinse and repeat. However, there would be no tale without the King of the Koopas himself, Bowser. You've gotta give credit to this Koopa--he doesn't know the meaning of the word "quit". And thankfully for us, this is true, as without his constant desire to kidnap Princess Peach and upstage his rival Mario, we wouldn't continue to experience battle after battle with Bowser, nor enjoy some of the most memorable of these showdowns. With the release of Super Mario Maker 2 last Friday, it's a great opportunity for this top ten list which features the best of the best when it comes to Bowser battles in the standard 2D and 3D Mario games.

After you've checked out SuperPhillip Central's picks, which Bowser showdowns would you say are your favorites?

10) Super Mario Bros. (NES)

More of a formality than anything else, we kick off this list of the best Bowser boss battles with the original, the O.G., the very first Bowser battle in Super Mario Bros. history. The premise is simple: get passed Bowser as he spews fireballs and leaps in place. A well timed jump or run underneath Bowser's leap will allow Mario or Luigi to hit the switch to the bridge Bowser stands on, causing said bridge and Bowser plummeting into the lava below. Later worlds spice things up with Bowser chucking a flurry of hammers at players while granting less room for them to avoid his advances, but either way, this original battle against Bowser would start a 30+ year rivalry between Mario and the King of the Koopas that goes on to this day.

9) New Super Mario Bros. U (NSW, Wii U)

By this time in the New Super Mario Bros. series, it became no surprise when Bowser would take Kamek's magic and grow to epic-sized proportions. However, rather than simply run with your figurative tail between your legs as he gives chase, this time you bring the battle directly to Bowser courtesy of Bowser Jr.'s Clown Car. By jumping on Bowser Jr. as he makes an approach for the player, they can boot Bowser's son out of the Clown Car, commandeer it, and then use it to smash into big Bowser's massive (and ever thick) skull. A seasoned player can even complete the battle without Bowser Jr. ever being able to get back into his Clown Car. That'll teach you to try to put the odds in your favor, Koopa Kid!

8) Super Mario Odyssey (NSW)

Every princess is crazy about a sharp dressed Koopa. Hats off to you, Nintendo, for coming up a with new way to beat down Bowser. No, seriously! In order to take out Bowser in his Super Mario Odyssey battles the goal is to capture Bowser's punching glove-equipped hat and use it against Bowser, smashing the fists into the Koopa King for one serious knockout. This is all the while avoiding Bowser's own hat tricks, such as his flowing fire breath, spiked hats, and much more. The final battle even features multiple fake outs, so don't think you've won after you've punched the ever-loving dickens out of Bowser. You may just find out you've lost in the "tail" end! ...Okay, I've run through my quota of puns for this article through this list entry alone.

7) Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

Super Mario Galaxy brought with it miniature planets, each with their own centers of gravity. Like many 3D Mario games, the main mechanic and gameplay premise of the game was used in Super Mario Galaxy for the battle against Bowser, where the fight itself took place on such a planet. When Bowser jumped into the air to smash down on top of Mario, the crafty plumber needed to lure Bowser to land on a breakable mound of glass, revealing a pool of lava. This would catch Bowser's tail on fire, resulting in the King of the Koopas to dash with pain and panic around the arena, a perfect time for Mario to hit Bowser in the back to deal damage.

6) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)

It only makes sense to partner up the Galaxy games one after the other, and between the two, I definitely prefer Super Mario Galaxy 2's battles with Bowser. Well, save for the actual FINAL battle with Bowser (phase two), as that seemingly ends before it even begins. Taking place on a less roomier planet than Super Mario Galaxy's fight, a huge Bowser hovers around the planet, breathing fire, calling upon meteors, and slamming his first against the planet's surface. Occasionally, meteors on the surface will rise up, allowing Mario to jump onto them and gain the opportunity to perform a ground pound. With the right timing, these meteors will then slam into Bowser's face for a well executed hit. After the usual trifecta of blows to the body, Bowser will surrender... but as always, VERY temporarily.

5) Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

Perhaps this is a technicality, as you're not really facing Bowser in this particular entry on this list. Instead, you're taking on Meowser, Bowser turned into a cat via the Super Bell item! It's a perilous trek to the top of Bowser's towering skyscraper as you avoid multiple Meowsers who wish nothing more than to stop your upward progress and claw you into defeat. This is a vertical platforming challenge that is quite the set piece! What is this, the Uncharted of Mario games all of a sudden?! At the very top of the tower, all it takes is a series of three hits to the giant POW block that the real Meowser perches upon to knock him clear out of there and to save the Sprixie Kingdom!

4) New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)

New Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo DS was a nice and welcome return to a brand-new classic 2D Mario after an absence of over a decade. However, the final boss battle wasn't too much to write home about... or to write about at all. However, the 2009 followup New Super Mario Bros. Wii brought with it a truly terrific and memorable final boss sequence that I think many take for granted considering how many Mario games since have provided us with chase sequences. After a traditional defeat of destroying the bridge Bowser stands on to drop him in the lava, Kamek's magic powers up Bowser big time and makes him grow greatly. The chase is on, but this time Mario's the one being pursued. Goad Bowser's gigantic fireballs to break walls to progress, and rush to make your way to the final switch to not only defeat this behemoth-sized version of Bowser but also to rescue Princess Peach!

3) Super Mario 64 (N64)

The impact in gaming that Super Mario 64 had on the industry can never be understated. It was huge, to put it simply. Super Mario 64 made the analog stick a mainstay in controllers and was the first to make it work wonderfully. This was used heavily in all three battles with Bowser throughout Super Mario 64's adventure, requiring Mario to run to Bowser's backside, grab his tail, and twirl the Koopa King around with enough speed and with the proper timing to chuck him into one of the mines set around the arena. Different versions of the fight would have Bowser charge at Mario, breathe fire, and even rock the arena so much that it starts tipping it over. The Bowser in the Sky battle required Mario to chuck Bowser into mines three times to finally defeat him--all the while with each throw resulting in a part of the battlefield platform being destroyed until eventually revealing a star design.

2) Super Mario World (SNES)

While New Super Mario Bros. Wii possessed a greatly creative take on 2D Bowser encounters, the reigning champ and still king of the 2D games remains Super Mario World's Bowser battle. The introduction of the Koopa Clown Car, this fight required Mario to use Bowser's own Mechakoopas against him, jumping on them to stun them, and then tossing them up into the air to land on Bowser's not-so-crafty noggin. This three phase fight featured everything from bowling balls, Princess Toadstool's lovely mid-phase Mushroom help, and Bowser's last ditch effort to defeat Mario by attempting to crush his rival underneath the weight of his Koopa Clown Car. A memorable and truly fantastic boss battle that has definitely withstood the test of time.

1) Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)

Similar to Super Mario 3D World, Super Mario 3D Land's final boss fight is another sequence where platforming prowess prevails over mere offense. Mario must run through an engaging and challenging obstacle course while Bowser leaps from platform to platform, unleash fireballs, rolling barrels, and other means to impede Mario's progress as the portly plumber makes his way across crumbling blocks and the deteriorating area. The final rush towards the finish line features Mario running towards the screen as he leaps over obstructions in the form of blocks as Bowser closely chases and pursues behind him.

Not only an insanely tense last push to the finish, but it made fantastic use of the stereoscopic 3D effect of the Nintendo 3DS as well. Heck, the whole game did. Even without this, though, this remarkably epic showdown presented a platforming challenge that I prefer to see out of Mario boss battles. It perfectly encapsulates what makes Mario games great--the actual running and jumping, rather than the traditional three-hits-and-they're-defeated bosses the series often uses instead

Review Round-Up - November 2018 - January 2019

SuperPhillip Central smashed in style with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,
a game in the running for the site's Game of the Year 2018.

This Review Round-Up spreads out across three months--well, actually just two, because the site was a bender in December. That said, six reviews were posted between the month of November 2018 and this past month, having three reviews each. Let's get a refresher on the games and how they reviewed!

Starting out the day after Halloween was Luigi's Mansion, the Nintendo 3DS version--that is--which received a C grade. We then grew to gigantic proportions with the excellent Knack 2, a game that greatly improved on its predecessor, earning a B+ grade. Crayola Scoot--for lack of a better term--"scooted" onto SuperPhillip Central and pulled off some kid-friendly gameplay to get a C+.

Then, the site had its aforementioned bender...

Coming back strong in the new year, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate gave the site a much needed shot in the arm, and it was a terrific title to come back on, earning an A. Following that was a different type of Bros. offering, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, running and jumping its way to a B+. Finally, this Review Round-Up ends on a weak note with the less than stellar Nickelodeon Kart Racers, which you can definitely sit this race out, as the game scored a mediocre D grade.

Check out every review ever posted on SuperPhillip Central with the SPC Review Archive!

Luigi's Mansion (3DS) - C
Knack 2 (PS4) - B+
Crayola Scoot (PS4, NSW, XB1, PC) - C+
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (NSW) - A
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (NSW) - B+
Nickelodeon Kart Racers (NSW, PS4, XB1) - D

A different kind of Bros. also has a spotlight for this Review Round-Up,
but it's of the New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe variety.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (NSW) Review

Let's strike while the iron is hot! Actually, the iron is frozen solid due to this arctic weather we're currently experiencing in the Midwest, but that's neither here nor there. The point here, is that we're striving to keep the momentum going together, and this next review will do just that. It's New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, the latest Wii U-to-Switch port from Nintendo. Let's-a go check it out!

New Year, Familiar U

In 2012, New Super Mario Bros. U was one of the premiere launch titles for the Wii U--arguments on that being damning testimony as to why the Wii U failed to light up the charts notwithstanding. The core game was a lot of fun with enjoyable multiplayer, fantastic level design, and new HD visuals. The game sees itself making the leap over from the Wii U to the Switch, like many of Nintendo's game have done already. However, since its launch, there have been some truly excellent 2D platformers, some from Nintendo itself, that are by far better games and make this entire New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe package feel a tad antiquated in 2019, even more so than it might have to players back in 2012.

It's like returning to a familiar old friend with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.

Let's go over what you get with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. You have the core New Super Mario Bros. U game and the added New Super Luigi U expansion that released in 2013, as part of Nintendo's Year of Luigi promotion. New Super Mario Bros. U is a more relaxed game that doesn't really get too terribly challenging until the latter of the eight story-related worlds within. Meanwhile, New Super Luigi U features shorter, more challenging levels where you have only 100 seconds to complete them, and Luigi's physics are more in line with Super Mario Bros. 2's USA version, where he has a higher jump and features more slippery controls.

Thank goodness Mario is using his burner account on this level.

Included with the New Super Mario Bros. U side of this Deluxe package is a series of challenges that you can play through. These range from speed runs on original courses and ones already featured within the base game, to survival challenges, to trying to successfully jump on enemies to get 1-Ups without ever hitting the ground. For those who played the Wii U game, you might recall there being a Boost Mode, played with the Wii U GamePad. Rather than retool these for the Switch release, all of these GamePad-related challenges from the original 2012 game have simply been removed.

Between New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U, you're easily getting over 100 levels total, and these are all smartly designed obstacle courses, which is definitely shown through the added Hint videos available for budding speed-runners and those who wish to be inspired by some truly expert playing. Each level holds three Star Coins in them, and many times they'll be placed in precarious, risk-vs-reward locations, or require some sleuthing to discover them (i.e. finding a secret pipe or hidden alcove in a level). Players will want to get all of the Star Coins in the game to fully enjoy New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U to see everything these games have to offer level-wise.

Mario better be careful with his platforming, or he may see the point... of this Urchin, that is!

A fresh addition to both New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U is the ability to play as Toadette. She's listed as an easy character to play as--with Nabbit being the easiest (so easy that if you're playing in solo mode, you won't get a legitimate mark on the world map for "beating" the level). This is because she doesn't slip on ice, gets extra seconds added to her timer in New Super Luigi U, and is about to transform into Peachette via special Crown power-up, exclusive to her character. The Crown power-up gives the newly formed Peachette the ability to float in the air for a limited period of time, as well as perform a recovery with a shake of the controller or press of a button--great for saving herself from platforming errors.

Don't worry--SuperPhillip Central will not post any Bowsette fan art. (In this review.)

While we're on the subject of platforming errors, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe features a questionable design decision with regards to its controls. In the original NSMBU and NSLU, Mario or whoever the player controlled could flick the controller or press the trigger to perform a twirl. This could give the player some extra air time to pull off some proficient platforming--or just save their own skin. In New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, while both shaking the controller and/or hitting the Joy-Con's trigger with allow players to perform a midair twirl, the game also assigns the twirl to the jump button. This can result in some unwanted damage from enemies, or worse yet, undesired deaths. During my time with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe in both Mario U and Luigi U forms, this did not occur often at all, but it is a potential problem for players to keep in mind.

Perhaps now is not a good time for the player to learn about that jump button problem...

To speak more highly of this Switch compilation of New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U, it's absolutely fantastic and convenient to already have two controllers available to you via being able to split the Joy-Con between two players. Just another Joy-Con set, and you can have the maximum amount of players on screen at once--four of you, bouncing off each other's heads to reach high up places, tackling enemies and platforming challenges together with great rhythm and--aw, who are we kidding--if you're like me, you're just going to get your teammates killed over and over again by chucking shells into them. Still, multiplayer is a fine amount of fun, and when you're all working together--and even when you're messing one another up--it's a good time. Of course, some levels are better in co-operative play than others--yep, I'm looking at you, New Super Luigi U's Fire Bar Sprint.

Like many Switch multiplayer games, just the Joy-Con pair that comes out of the Switch
box is all you need to enjoy some two-player co-operative play.

New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U have never looked better, thanks to the touch up in resolution in the Deluxe version. Not only does New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe look great in docked form, as expected, but it look and runs awesomely in handheld form, as well. That said, even in 2012, these games weren't the bastion of high definition graphics, but still, they look delightful enough all the same. If only we could all say similar things about the music. While I don't mind the "bah, bahs" heard throughout the game's soundtrack, nor its less than impressive instrumentation, no doubt others will. Regardless, the compositions are solid and hark back to the regular old Super Mario Bros. in the catchy-ness department.

Was this screenshot taken in NSMBU's ice world or the United States
during this week's Polar Vortex? (How's THAT for topical humor!)

With every Wii U to Switch port that comes about, the question is always, "Should I buy this game if I already own it on the Wii U?" Well, with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, I can definitely say that unless you just have to get rid of your Wii U or find no pleasure in playing on that relatively clunky system, then you can easily pass on this port of these two games. They're still fun to play and marvels of terrific level design, but they're also rather dated compared to many of the 2D platformers that have popped up since 2012 that have far outdone the House of Mario's Wii U launch offering.

Mario will do anything to keep his plumber's license, won't he.

However, if you've never owned a Wii U before or somehow missed out on one or either of these two games, then answering if you should buy New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is as easy as accidentally running into the first Goomba in the game. That is to say--easier than you'd think. And the answer is a certain "yes". Looking at these two platformers relative to those that came out after paints a lesser picture of these two New Super Mario Bros. adventures, but by themselves, New Super Mario Bros.U and New Super Luigi U never lost their individual quality.

[SPC Says: B+]