Exploring the Mario fandom's Rankings
Want to know how the modern Mario fandom views each game? Ever since the creation of the list we’ve been revealing the individual rankings of each Super Mario game, but what does it all mean? How did the list come to be? And why does Super Mario Sunshine keep getting more love than New Super Mario Bros?
It’s fair to say that there are certain games that are more beloved than others. Super Mario 64 is widely loved, and for many fans, it’s a timeless appeal. Super Mario Sunshine, while divisive, holds a special place in the hearts of some fans who appreciate its charm and unique gameplay mechanics.
But what about the rest of the games? How do fans perceive the GameCube era, which includes Super Mario Sunshine? What about the Wii U, 3DS, and Switch entries? The Mario fandom’s ranking of each game, as explained in a recent episode of the Super Mario Fan Show, is a fascinating look at how we view the beloved platforming series.
“Sunshine is underrated and deserves more love,” one fan says. “The controls are frustrating, and there are some levels that are just not fun, but I still consider it a good game overall.” Another adds, “I really liked Sunshine. It was a very different experience from 64, and I liked the concept of revisiting and evolving locations.”
Of course, not everyone shares this sentiment, as some players view it as too different and not a serious entry among the Mario games. “It’s not really a mainline [Super Mario] game,” one fan says, pointing to games like Super Mario 64 DS, New Super Luigi U, and Mario Bros. as examples of what constitutes a proper Mario platformer.
“I don’t know,” another adds. “I think we’re being a bit harsh on New Super Mario Bros.” The rest of the room erupts with laughter, as the New Super Mario Bros games are often criticised for being too similar and simple, whereas some other games are seen as masterpieces.
“Sunshine is loved for being a weird outlier and the rest of the games are loved for being good,” the host of the show says. “The games that are lesser loved are those that have changed and lost their identity over time.”
The rest of the video features fans sharing their thoughts on the list, citing examples such as the absence of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Paper Mario in the discussion. The ranking of games is also questioned, with some fans feeling that certain games should be higher or lower.
“This is an interpretation of how the modern [Mario] fandom views the games,” the list’s creator clarifies. “It’s not my personal opinion, even though I did come up with the list. It’s based on the average opinions of fans and takes into account the reputation and reception of each game.”
The list also takes into account the criticism of New Super Mario Bros games and the increasingly negative reputation they’ve gained in recent years. It’s clear that the unique aspects of Super Mario Sunshine are being praised, as well, such as revisiting and evolving locations, which many fans say they’d love to see in future games.
In a similar vein, one fan mentions the original Jak & Daxter as a non-Mario game with a similar concept, which is interesting to see. If you’re interested in the Mario fandom’s top 100 games, from all series, we’ve got you covered.
