64DD2000CreativeSingle PlayerJapan OnlyNintendo R&D 1WarioWare Origin Mario Artist: Polygon Studio The fourth and final entry in the Mario Artist series — a 3D modelling suite where players assemble creatures, vehicles, and buildings from blocks, then send them into minigames or an open-world adventure. Directed by Hirofumi Matsuoka, whose embedded “Sound Bomber” microgame mode would soon … Read more
64DD1999CreativeSingle + MultiplayerJapan OnlyNintendo EADSoftware Creations Mario Artist: Paint Studio The first and most ambitious entry in the Mario Artist series — the spiritual sequel to Mario Paint for the 64DD. Brought together British studio Software Creations' original “Creator” concept with Nintendo EAD polish, bundled the Nintendo 64 Mouse, packed in 151 Pokémon stamps and … Read more
64DD2000ApplicationSingle PlayerJapan OnlyNintendo EAD Mario Artist: Communication Kit The fourth and final Mario Artist title for the 64DD — a network-focused accessory that let players upload, download, and share their creations from the other Mario Artist games via the now-defunct Randnet service. Also a backup utility, a Capture Cassette frame-grabber, and the gateway to a … Read more
NES / Famicom1985Puzzle / Platformer1-2 PlayersNES Launch TitleGunpei YokoiSpike Origin Wrecking Crew A 1985 puzzle-platformer where Mario swaps the plumbing for a sledgehammer. Released as a North American NES launch title alongside Super Mario Bros. on 18 October 1985, this 100-phase demolition game introduced Foreman Spike — a moustachioed antagonist who would resurface 38 years … Read more
NES / Famicom1988-1991Platformer1-2 PlayersAll-Time ClassicNintendo EADMiyamoto & Tezuka Super Mario Bros. 3 The third and final mainline Mario game on the NES — widely regarded as one of the greatest video games ever made. Introduced the Tanooki Suit, Hammer Bros suit, Frog Suit, Super Leaf, the Koopalings, the world map, and 88 levels of platforming … Read more
NES / Famicom1988-1992PlatformerSingle PlayerDoki Doki Panic OriginNintendo R&D4Tanabe / Miyamoto Super Mario Bros. 2 The Western Super Mario Bros. 2 — a reskin of the Japan-only Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic — introduced Princess Peach, Toad, Birdo, Shy Guys, Bob-ombs and the iconic pluck-and-throw vegetable mechanic. The brothers' subconscious dream journey through the land of … Read more
NES / Famicom1985-1987Platformer1-2 PlayersIndustry-Saving ClassicNintendo EADMiyamoto & Tezuka Super Mario Bros. The game that single-handedly revived the post-crash North American video games industry, sold over 40 million copies, defined the side-scrolling platformer genre, and made an Italian-American plumber into the world's most recognisable fictional character. Composer Koji Kondo's overworld theme is arguably the most-recognised piece … Read more
NES / Famicom1987BoxingSingle PlayerMario CameoNintendo R&D3Genyo Takeda Punch-Out!! (NES, Cameo) Nintendo R&D3's sports-meets-puzzle classic puts a young, glasses-wearing boxer called Little Mac through 14 wildly stereotyped opponents on the way to a championship bout with Mike Tyson himself. But the reason this game lives on our site is the tiny pixelated referee in the centre … Read more
NES / Famicom1984-1986Pinball1-2 PlayersMario & Pauline CameoNintendo R&D1 & HALIwata Programmed Pinball (NES, Cameo) An early NES launch-window pinball game where the unsuspecting Bonus Stage features Mario controlling a platform to bounce a ball through bingo lamps — and rescue a falling Pauline, in one of her very first post-Donkey Kong appearances. Programmed by a … Read more
NES / Famicom1991-1992Sports / Golf1-4 PlayersMario, Luigi, Peach & DaisyNintendo R&D2 + HALIwata Directed NES Open Tournament Golf Japan got this game with its honest title: Mario Open Golf. The West got a more generic sports-game name that hid the headline news — this is a fully Mario-starring golf game with Mario and Luigi as … Read more