Hardest Mario Games

Super Mario is one of the biggest gaming icons in the entire world, both new and old gamers recognize this Italian plumber's face, and most of the time, they don't even have to be gamers. Nintendo has created an IP that will be with them for all time, a game that can span multiple lifetimes and still be going strong. Most Nintendo haters constantly complain about how the company relies on its mascot for the majority of its video game releases... But that is exactly the point! Mario is a cultural icon and his hold over gaming across multiple genres is what makes him so relevant even to this day!

It started back on the Nintendo Entertainment System with Super Mario Bros., and the legacy has continued through the generations leading to its latest console, the Switch, with Super Mario Odyssey. With such a vast lineup of Mario titles over the decades, there are naturally quite a few that can be tricky even for older gamers — but which among the dozens of Mario games are the hardest? While most people argue that the point of Mario games isn't to be hard or challenging, the following games can certainly change that notion!

Updated on April 15, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The legacy of Mario is something that many fans are quite familiar with. Ever since Nintendo broke new ground with the release of Super Mario Bros., the iconic Italian plumber's trajectory has reached new heights time and time again. From the seamless transition to 3D that was lauded by many fans to the modern takes on the genre that has been pretty successful in their own right, it's easy to see why Mario games continue to sell like gangbusters to this day. While there's no denying that Mario is meant to appeal to a casual fanbase, there are many hardcore gamers who will enjoy some of the tougher Mario games and aren't afraid of upping the challenge when the situation calls for it.

27 Mario Tennis Aces

Toughest Level: Snowfall Mountain

Most people would be shocked to see Mario Tennis Aces here. Sure, the harder AI opponents in the game can be a bit of a challenge, but they shouldn't be too much of a problem for players who slowly come to grips with the game's mechanics. However, what makes Mario Tennis Aces so challenging is the random spikes of difficulty in the game's adventure mode.

The worst offender here is Snowfall Mountain, where players must land accurate shots and counter the snowballs thrown by the Shy Guys in this level. This is harder than it looks, and players will need to improve their accuracy if they wish to stand a chance of overcoming this minigame, which is as tough as it gets.

26 Mario VS Donkey Kong

Toughest Level: All The Expert Levels

The age of remakes is on full blast now, and Nintendo has surprisingly jumped on this train too. They've released several remakes for the Switch that have been worth checking out in their own right, with Mario VS Donkey Kong being a great example of the same.

For the most part, the game is pretty accessible and not really something that will pose too much of a problem to players unless they reach the latter stages of this title. However, players can also unlock Expert stages in the game which are extremely challenging and waste no time in showing players just how challenging things can get when the game decides to get serious, with each of the sixteen levels being tough as nails.

25 Paper Mario

Toughest Level: Dark Days In Flower Fields

If one were to rank the hardest Mario romps, there's a good chance that this RPG classic for N64 would at least appear in the lower regions for quite some people. Like most role-playing games, this colorful journey allows players to grind and continually gain strength. And early on, the experience is whimsical and simple, as Nintendo eases players into the journey.

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But throughout this 23-hour ride, things start getting quite a bit rougher than its cute graphical style would let on. If Mario's not thoroughly prepared for battle, with the proper abilities and items, there's a good chance he'll perish. This is especially the case with some of the tougher foes, such as the infamous "Master," who must be taken out three times; each instance growing tougher.

24 Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Toughest Level: Final Clash Against Mega Bowser After Finding All Cat Shines

The blend of old-school Mario and 3D platforming is seemingly an attempt to make the 3D Mario experience more accessible, but in the case of this converted Wii U game, it often makes for some tricky mechanics that can be hard to pin down.

Of course, this is still a fun and polished rendition of the plumber and company — especially when it comes to this more robust, refined version on Switch. Still, Super Mario 3D World can be rather jarring to both 2D and 3D fans, as the game largely tries treading that line in between. Added to this is the tougher, more frantic Bowser's Fury content, which adds even tougher baddies and busier level design.

23 Super Mario Bros. 2 (Western Version)

Toughest Level: World 5-1

This bizarre version of Mario is the result of Nintendo of America opting to "rebrand" an existing game (Japan's Doki Doki Panic) because the original "Super Mario Bros 2," known in the West as The Lost Levels, was deemed too hard. Taking notes? Good, this will be on the test.

Ironically, though, this reworked rendition ended up being quite difficult in its own right, especially when revisiting it all these years later. Some fairly stiff mechanics, ample digging and exploration, and spooky Phantom masks that swiftly chase Mario — make for a uniquely tough journey. Playing as the high-jumping Luigi or dress-floating Peach can help matters, but they only go so far.

22 Hotel Mario

Toughest Level: The Entire Game Because Of The Clunky Controls

A Mario game that fans and Nintendo themselves would love to forget, Hotel Mario for the Philips CD-i is generally viewed as an awful chapter in this beloved franchise. From the cheesy cutscenes to the restrictive controls, Hotel Mario is not a place most would want to sleep.

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But if that's not bad enough, the game is also difficult to complete, as Mario must juggle shutting various doors; a task that's both tricky and tedious. This isn't helped at all by the various Philips CD-i controllers which are all not designed with a Mario platformer in mind. Progress can instantly be wiped out by an enemy coming through a door at an unfortunate time. Unlike other games on this list, this is one difficult Mario game that isn't worth the time of fans.

21 Mario Party (1999)

Toughest Level: Platform Peril

• Released: December 18, 1998
• Developer: Hudson Soft
• Platforms: Nintendo 64

In terms of individual minigames, fans can make an argument for plenty of Mario Party games to be considered the hardest. However, most would agree that the original for the Nintendo 64 still stands out for its unforgiving design.

Not only are some of the minigames in this title simply brutal, but the controls aren't as tight as later entries. Players are also forced to rotate the analog stick a lot, which as anyone who's held an N64 controller knows, is not fun. Finally, having all progress destroyed by Chance Time from another player is the stuff that nightmares are made of.

20 Super Mario Land

Toughest Level: The Entirety Of World 4

Notable for being the first Mario game on Nintendo's very first Game Boy handheld, Super Mario Land is a weird case. It feels and looks like a basic Mario game at first glance, but it has some unique elements and tricky gameplay hidden beneath its simple exterior.

One distinct aspect is its quickly escalating difficulty throughout. Like other Mario games, its simple controls are easy to pick up, but things just feel different. Mario's momentum is off compared to normal and the small sprites and screen size of the Game Boy make otherwise easy jumps that much more challenging. Thankfully, this game isn't nearly as long as others, so its frustration lasts only for a little while.

19 Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

Toughest Level: Every Ultimate Challenge

Mario + Rabbids was a crossover that no one saw coming when it was launched. Players had no idea what to expect from this game, leading to expectations being quite tepid before release. However, even with Ubisoft spearheading the development of this title, players should've kept more faith in Nintendo and the respect they have for Mario's name since Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle ended up being a great game that deserves a ton of love in its own right.

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By  Jessica Lynn Radcliffe

One of the game's biggest achievements was its riveting tactical combat that ended up being quite fun in its own right. Fans were pleasantly surprised by the quality of this title and spent a lot of hours on it, making it clear why players were hyped for a sequel to a game that had set a high standard when it comes to placing Mario in a tactical turn-based strategy game. While Kingdom Battle is easy to learn for the most part, there are moments when it ramps up the difficulty and forces players to learn how the game works.

18 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Toughest Level: Chapter Eight (The Thousand-Year Door)

Often regarded as the best in the Paper Mario franchise, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is one of GameCube's finest RPGs with a sense of humor, a rewarding combat system, and great side quests. However, those wishing to complete the game fully might want to consult the help of a guide; as there's much to do and plenty of tricky foes to defeat.

Aside from the usual confusion that comes with most RPGs, some of the boss battles in this game will leave players flustered and force them to return to the drawing board for more level grinding after being soundly defeated. Luckily it manages to keep the player engaged the whole time and is worth the effort.