Mario is one of the most recognizable figures in video game history and the long-time mascot of Nintendo. He first appeared as “Jumpman” in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, and it did not take long for the mustached plumber to become a household name. Since then, Mario has spent decades running, jumping, and rescuing the Mushroom Kingdom from danger.
The Golden Era of Nintendo Platformers
When Super Mario Bros. arrived on the NES in 1985, it changed expectations for home console games. Players explored colorful side-scrolling stages packed with warp pipes, hidden 1-Up mushrooms, and familiar enemies such as Goombas and Koopa Troopas. The core actions were simple: run, jump, and use power-ups. Tight controls and thoughtful level design helped set the template that many later platformers followed.
Expanding the Mario Universe
During the 8-bit and 16-bit years, the series kept evolving. Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced the fan-favorite Tanooki Suit and a large overworld map to explore. Later, the SNES entry Super Mario World brought in Yoshi, who quickly became one of Mario’s most popular companions. The franchise also branched out beyond platforming with titles like Super Mario Kart and even the educational PC release Mario Teaches Typing.
Notable Classic Mario Games
Below is a selection of well-known retro Mario titles included in the database. Each entry is organized by platform and release, with additional game information available on its detail page. Some titles also include a browser-based play option where supported.
- Super Mario Bros. (NES): The breakthrough platformer that helped revive the home console market.
- Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES): Known for its creative stages and memorable power-ups.
- Super Mario World (SNES): A polished 16-bit adventure set in Dinosaur Land.
- Super Mario Kart (SNES): An early and influential entry in the kart racing genre.
Use the collection above to explore Mario games by platform and era, compare major releases, and open individual records for more detailed information. Browser play is available on selected titles as an extra feature.