A Beloved Nintendo Classic Has Been Named the Best ‘Super Mario’ Game Ever
A team of experts has put together a ranking of every Super Mario game that Nintendo has ever released. After competing against other iconic classics, Super Mario World was named the franchise's best game of all time.
Why 'Super Mario World' Was Named the Best 'Super Mario' Game Ever Released
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In March 2026, the experts at Nintendo Life updated the website's ranking of the best Super Mario games of all time, which was originally published in 2024. The outlet ranked the 1990 game Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System at the very top of the franchise's celebrated history. The pick stands out even more since the outlet had previously named the best Nintendo game of all time and sparked a fierce debate over its ranking.
Nintendo Life noted that the list's ranking was partially shaped by readers' ratings in the website's database. The outlet also praised Super Mario World for many reasons, including that it introduced Yoshi, was overflowing with secrets, and included many paths for gamers to take. Most importantly, the game was applauded for being inventive and entertaining. Ultimately, the outlet argued that even now that it has been more than 35 years since it was initially released, very few games have ever surpassed it.
In addition to Nintendo Life, another major outlet has given Super Mario World the same accolade since one of the most notable video game websites came to the same conclusion. In April 2025, IGN ranked the game at the top of its Best Super Mario Games of All Time list.
The Complete List: Nintendo Life's Best Super Mario Games of All Time
- 23. Super Mario Run (Mobile)
- 22. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (NES)
- 21. Arcade Archives VS. Super Mario Bros. (Switch eShop)
- 20. New Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS)
- 19. Super Mario Land (GB)
- 18. Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES)
- 17. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Switch)
- 16. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
- 15. Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)
- 14. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
- 13. Super Mario Sunshine (GCN)
- 12. Super Mario Bros. (NES)
- 11. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (GB)
- 10. Super Mario Maker (Wii U)
- 9. Super Mario Maker 2 (Switch)
- 8. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (Switch)
- 7. Super Mario 64 (N64)
- 6. Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch)
- 5. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
- 4. Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)
- 3. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
- 2. Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)
- 1. Super Mario World (SNES)