Few game characters are as iconic (and prolific) as Mario. With a huge back catalog containing some of the most influential games of all time, players can spend a lifetime delving into each one. Some games in the franchise, however, have much more replay value. Gameplay mechanics, cute visuals, and perfectly-tuned difficulty levels make these titles stand the test of time with players of all generations.
So, what is it that makes certain Super Mario games so much fun to come back to? Of course, there's something reassuring about revisiting happy childhood gaming memories, but it's more than just the nostalgia factor. Certain Mario games have such finely-tuned mechanics that they still feel great to play no matter how many times players return to them. From much-loved single-player classics from the early '90s to newer additions with significantly upgraded graphics, some Mario games really hit the sweet spot in terms of additive gameplay, making players return again and again.
10 Super Mario Bros. 3
Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Release Date: February 12, 1990
Super Mario Bros 3 added a whole new dimension to the series. The World Map gave players the ability to choose their route through the game, and it's packed with new content, including mini-games and bonus screens.
While all the retro Super Mario Bros. Games are worth playing, the third installment is particularly replayable, thanks to the introduction of the Super Leaf, Tanooki Suit, Hammer Suit, and Frog Suit, all of which added depth and complexity to the series. Plus, the levels are brilliantly designed: not punishingly hard, but challenging enough to make players want to come back for more.
9 Super Mario Galaxy 2
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Platform: Nintendo Wii
Release Date: May 23, 2010
While the original Mario Galaxy revolutionized the series, Mario Galaxy 2 added some vital improvements that make the game incredibly replayable. The level design is incredible, there are additional power-ups (including the Spin Drill, Rock Mario, and Cloud Mario) that add variety, and gamers can ride Yoshi on certain levels, which is always a bonus.
Once players have collected all 120 Power Stars, an additional 120 Green Stars are unlocked, some of which are hidden in places that are difficult to find. Some of these Power Stars are punishingly tough to get, but it's incredibly satisfying to get them all.
8 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
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Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: April 28, 2017
The Mario Kart series is known for being endlessly playable, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is no exception. One of the earliest games for the Nintendo Switch, the Deluxe Edition updates the original Mario Kart 8, released on the Wii U in 2014.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has a whopping 48 tracks and gives players access to all the DLC from the Wii U version, 8 new arenas in Battle Mode, and 5 new playable characters. The Mario Kart games are so satisfying that it's tempting to replay the same tracks again and again. However, with the release of the Booster Course Packs adding another 48 tracks from older Mario Kart games in waves, it looks like players will be sticking with it for a while yet.
7 Super Mario World
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Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Release Date: November 21, 1990
Super Mario World is considered by many players to be one of the best Mario games of all time. Similar in gameplay to the Super Mario Bros. Series, it adds extra elements like flying using the Cape Feather, and it marks the first appearance of Yoshi.
While every level is fun to revisit, what makes Super Mario World replayable is the addition of the Star Roads. Finding keys hidden in the levels unlocks new levels, which can lead to other areas too. If players can find, and complete, Special World, it will change the overworld map, giving it an autumnal vibe, and it will even change some enemy sprites.
6 Mario Party Superstars
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Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: October 29, 2021
The Mario Party games are replayable by nature. The minigames are fun and, of course, each game can feel different depending on the group of people playing it. A good Mario Party session can be hilarious or infuriating (or sometimes both at once).
Mario Party Superstars feels like a 'best of' collection, with five game boards from the previous three games, and 100 minigames drawn from the series as a whole. Many players regard it as the (and easiest) way to experience the series, and the huge array of minigames makes it incredibly tempting to come back to.
5 Super Mario 64
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Platform: Nintendo 64
Release Date: September 29, 1996
Considered by many gamers to be one of the most influential titles in videogame history, Super Mario 64 was a groundbreaking experience at the time. The game allows players to control Mario in a way that was completely new at the time, and the world feels much more open than in the previous Mario games.
Many players consider Super Mario 64 to be so replayable purely because of the joy they feel while playing it. It's a nostalgic classic for older gamers to revisit, but the fun levels, inventive world, incredible sound design, and control system make it fun for younger players to try out, too.
4 Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
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Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
Release Date: October 4, 1995
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island is more of a prequel than a sequel. Playing as Yoshi, players have to reunite Baby Mario with his brother, returning them to their parents. It plays slightly differently from earlier games, with more puzzles to solve and new game mechanics.
What makes Yoshi's Island so replayable are the small details: the beautiful hand-drawn style, the jungle scenery with monkeys hanging from the trees, the weird and wonderful bosses. That and the moreish gameplay makes it a classic game to come back to time and time again.
3 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
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Platform: Nintendo GameCube
Release Date: October 11, 2004
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is considered by many players to be the best of the Paper Mario series. A turn-based RPG, The Thousand-Year Door improves on the original by being a little slicker. It's a polished game, with perfect battles, well-written dialogue, and a sense of humor.
Although it does involve a lot of reading (and it's kind of slow to begin with), Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is definitely replayable. Dedicated fans have created Challenge Runs, so players can tackle the game again in a totally different way.
2 Mario Strikers Charged
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Platform: Nintendo Wii
Release Date: July 30, 2007
Mario Strikers Charged is considered by some to be the best in the Mario Strikers series. It's a fun, frantic football game, with the added ability to throw shells at opponents. The single-player campaign is fun, but the true replayability comes from the multiplayer modes, of which there are plenty to choose from. It's just fun, every single time, which makes it tempting to revisit.
While the more up-to-date Mario Strikers Battle League is available (released in 2022 for the Nintendo Switch), it did remove some of the most beloved players from the game. They might be reinstated via DLC, but still, it may be easier to play it safe and go for Charged instead (especially if gamers want to play as Daisy).
1 Luigi's Mansion 3
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Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: October 31, 2019
The Luigi's Mansion series is the perfect choice for fans of the (often overlooked) brother, and the third game in the series is silly and very fun to play. Once again, players must hunt for ghosts as the timid and jumpy Luigi, explore a haunted hotel, solve puzzles, and defeat challenging bosses.
Ghostbusting with Luigi never gets old, and the multiplayer mode allows fans to play both cooperatively and competitively. Luigi's Mansion games are few and far between, but luckily, the third installment is fun enough to revisit more than once.