5 Super Mario Games That Are Perfect 10/10s

Published Aug 30, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT Carrie is a Senior Writer at ScreenRant who previously managed Geek to Geek Media and wrote for SwitchRPG. She is particularly knowledgeable when it comes to WoW, Diablo, and cozy games. She has a passion for supporting the indies and always enjoys sharing her passions with others through her writing. One of the most iconic names in all video game history, the Super Mario Bros. franchise has changed the face of gaming and inspired so many titles over the past four decades. From the very beginning, Super Mario claimed a space in our hearts with memorable lines, bright graphics, and classic gameplay that was just right. From the timeless design of 2D platforming to the constant reinvention of mechanics that led to games like Super Mario Odyssey and more, this household icon has consistently given us a blend of creativity and cheer that no other franchise can beat. Mario has grown beyond simply being a video game figure to becoming a cultural icon. And this isn't just some fluke. The Super Mario games are easily some of the most celebrated titles to ever exist, and can represent the earliest gaming memories for many people. Even without the nostalgia effect, these games are truly impressive in their universal appeal and perfectly weighted level of challenge. Here are just some of the best 10/10 masterpieces that Mario has given us. Super Mario Bros. Released In 1985 For The NES The original Super Mario Bros. was the game that started it all on home consoles, although technically Mario did begin in arcades and with his Jumpman role in Donkey Kong. However, for many of us, this 1985 platform game for the NES is where the series truly began. Traversing the Mushroom Kingdom to save Princess Toadstool from King Koopa, this game introduced us to a world that has continued to grow and evolve. Its side-scrolling perspective, controls that are easy to learn and hard to master, and creative power-ups feel so natural to us today, but were truly impressive at the time. Eating a mushroom to double in size, or shooting fireballs after taking a Fire Flower, and then stomping on the heads of Goombas was an immediate success, and all still holds up today. In fact, this original classic is still played today, including by speedrunners trying to beat the world record of how quickly the game can be mastered. And in April 2000, it was awarded a Guinness World Record for being the best-selling video game of all time, although that title has since been relinquished. Super Mario Galaxy Released In 2007 For The Nintendo Wii The Mario franchise is no stranger to innovation, and Super Mario Galaxy is a prime example of this. The game is often considered one of the greatest examples of early 3D platforming done right. As Mario explores numerous planets with unique gravitational pulls, while also being able to launch himself into space, its physics system is still impressive to this day. Even beyond the mechanics of the game, though, Super Mario Galaxy's story and music were on a whole new level for the series. Introducing Rosalina and the Lumas, and giving us her sweet scenes with the storybook, tugged at our heartstrings. The beautiful story just gives Super Mario Galaxy such an added boost to create something truly magical. Both Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel deserve a spot on this list, as both are still incredible masterpieces that hold up today and have left many fans still hoping for a third entry to continue this intergalactic story. Super Mario Odyssey Released In 2017 For The Nintendo Switch Another Super Mario entry that went outside the traditional platformer box, Super Mario Odyssey added the innovative Cappy to the game with new tricks and concepts, even allowing us to essentially transform into a T. rex at one point. In a way, Cappy allows us to make the enemies into power-ups and have a unique perspective on the Super Mario platforming experience. Super Mario Odyssey gives its players an expansive sandbox to play in, with its exploration offering hidden secrets and collectible Power Moons. While the main story can be completed relatively quickly, going back to each level and taking on the trials of collecting moons offers players a way to both feel successful in beating it and still have a plethora of opportunities to challenge themselves. Of course, the story that is told throughout the game is also a large part of what makes this a 10/10 experience. It is simple, and silly, and incredibly memorable. Bowser isn't just kidnapping Princess Peach; he's kidnapping her for a surprise wedding. It's lighthearted and overly dramatic, and the ending makes everything worth it. Super Mario Bros. 3 Released In 1990 For The NES Back in 1990, Super Mario Bros. 3 was released for the NES and quickly became one of the greatest games of all time. Despite the original Super Mario Bros. being an incredible masterpiece of a game, this one took everything a step further. It gave us more power-ups, secrets (including some hidden areas many players never find), enemies, and more, while also allowing us to backtrack if we wanted. The overworld maps of levels are still immediately recognizable by many of us today, and Super Mario Bros. 3 was the debut of some of the most fun items that people still love to this day. These include the Tanooki Suit, Frog Suit, and the most memorable, Super Leaf, which turns Mario into a raccoon that can fly for a few seconds. Running and jumping into the air with that Super Leaf power is still one of my greatest memories of childhood gaming. As if all that wasn't enough, Super Mario Bros. 3 took inspiration from Super Mario Bros. 2 and added minigames into the mix. The Slot Machine and Card Matching minigames mixed things up a little and gave players fun bonuses without any real risk of failure. Super Mario World Released In 1991 For The SNES Often considered among the best games ever created, Super Mario World on the SNES is truly a 10/10 masterpiece in gaming. It introduced a massive world full of secrets and innovative level designs, tight controls that make gameplay feel truly rewarding, and graphics that still hold a place as one of the best pixel art styles ever done. Super Mario World was also the introduction of our beloved Yoshi, allowing us to ride the lovable dinosaur companion and rescue many different colored versions of our friend. Yoshi is now a character that is so deeply ingrained in the Super Mario universe that it's hard to remember a time when this little friend wasn't around. Replaying Super Mario World today, it still holds up. The game's timing and level design are still just as impressive as it was in 1991, and despite all the games that have come since, this Super Mario game is still truly one of the best video game masterpieces to have ever existed. Movie(s) Super Mario Bros., The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie TV Show(s) The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, Saturday Supercade, The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 Video Game(s) Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, Dr. Mario, Super Mario Land, Super Mario World, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Mario Party, Super Smash Bros, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, New Super Mario Bros. U, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Super Paper Mario, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Paper Mario: Color Splash, Paper Mario: The Origami King First Film Super Mario Bros. First Game Mario Bros. Genres Platformer, Adventure, Fantasy The Super Mario franchise was created by Nintendo in 1983. It centers on the titular character and his adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom, as he often platform jumps his way to save Princess Peach from the evil Bowser. The franchise spawns over 200 games, movies, TV shows, comics, and more.