4: Super Mario Bros. 3
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
Few games can rival the mass appreciation and timeless appeal of Super Mario Bros. 3. For over two decades it held the distinction of being the best-selling stand-alone video game of all time, and to this day it remains a perennial fan-favorite.
And there’s reason for its hefty status, Super Mario Bros. 3 took the foundations of the original Super Mario Bros., and cranked it all to 11. Its levels were constructed as brilliantly and beautifully as the very best of them, its characters were so imaginative that they can still be seen as the benchmark for the series, and it set the standard for Mario’s many abilities, most notable was his newfound ability of flight.
Its still inspiring, seeing Mario grabbing that magic leaf, donning a raccoon tail and taking to the skies, only to discover a whole other world in the clouds. It’s the product of genuine video game magic that is seldom captured.
And Mario 3 is bountiful in such moments, and not just in flight, but just about every facet of SMB3 seemed to capture the imagination. So much so that Super Mario Bros. 3’s elements continue to be seen in full force today. Some examples include Thwomps, Boos, Dry Bones, and many other such mainstays of the series that were all introduced here.
You can’t buy the kind of influence and longevity that Super Mario Bros. 3 seemed to so effortlessly capture. And it did it long before there was such a thing as internet hype.
For many, Super Mario Bros. 3 remains the definitive Mario title. And it is without a doubt one of the greatest games ever made.
Remembered for: Taking flight
While plenty of video game characters have now soared to the skies, none of them have captured the magic of when Mario first took to the skies in Super Mario Bros. 3. That raccoon tail is as iconic in the gaming world as anything, and is quite possibly the definitive power-up in video game history.
Today’s games use intense internet-based marketing campaigns to build hype for themselves. All Mario needed was a magical raccoon tail.
11 comments so far
Good list, bub. I played most of those games and have no issues with their spot (not that it would matter if I did). Most of my choices didn’t make the cut but that’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes. I am a little sad with the lack of representation of old school NES games though (other than Mario games). I’m also disappointed that no fighting games made it. Oh well… like you said, this was chosen by the people so it’s gravy. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
PS – Super Mario 3 is still the best Mario game and one of the best overall games ever made. I just spent a couple hours the other week playing it through. P-Wing, baby!
April 6th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
this list has a lot of Mario….kind of iffy that there are so many games from the same series…(Metal Gear Solid, Mario) but I’m way happier with this list than I thought I would be… totally expected a bunch of Call of Duty n Gears of War type stuff to own the list…. great job… good read… glad Zelda made the list a couple times
April 9th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Considering that Mario (and to a lesser extent, Zelda and Metal Gear) have had so many games in their series, many of which sell millions of copies and get great reviews, it shouldn’t be too surprising that they’re consistently popular.
April 9th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Lol, what a coincidence O_O
I made a video last year, a tribute to SMW in which i said “Only Ocarina of Time is greater than this game”.
I foretold the future =)))
April 11th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
I think its fair to say bioshock deserves a place on this list.. totally original game with an amazing storyline. also too much mario.
September 5th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Two things.
1: The list was voted on by people on Twitter, YouTube, GameSpot, and other such places. It was a majority vote, you can’t really argue with what “should have” been there (a few of my own favorites aren’t even on here).
2: Too much Mario? The series still produces multi-million selling, critically heralded titles more than 25 years down the road. I think it’s fair to say the series’ longevity in popularity and acclaim warrant a multiple entries.
If Bioshock is a personal favorite of yours, that’s all good and fine. You can have your favorites, but you can’t really argue what the majority of opinions voted on.
September 5th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
I agree with that list 25 best video games.
Thanks
March 16th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
very good list Yams,i think ocarina of time,really deservit,i am sad megaman didnt make it,but oh well…good list,amazing games
April 7th, 2012 at 12:47 am
If I had any real say-so in the list, Mega Man would have found a spot in there. The list was based off of a poll (or survey, or whatever you want to call it) over the course of several months. A “people’s choice” kind of thing. I wrote the descriptions for each entry, but the compiling of the list was based solely on the various opinions of people on the internet.
April 7th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
I literally giggled with excitement when I saw Ocarina of Time as #1. That definitely deserved the title. I was a little surprised not to see any Elder Scrolls or COD. (I know you didn’t necessarily make the list, not complaining, just surprised.) But all in all, great list. Before I read the comments, though, I thought, “This guy really likes Mario…” But now I’m just thinking, “Do this many people still play Mario?” Again, great list, very accurate, informative.
June 28th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
I’m sad because sonic the hedgehoh wasn’t on the list.He is my number 1 caracter but i’m happy because you put super mario bros on the list.Mario is my 2nd favourite gaming caracter.
July 14th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
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