Off the Shelf Media

Nintendo has a vast array of characters and franchises, but nothing competes with the king of them all, Mario. This Italian plumber has spawned countless successful titles over the past few decades and continues to be dominant in the modern game market. How did Nintendo turn this iconic character into a powerhouse? Through innovative game design, pushing boundaries, and oftentimes spawning dozens of copycat games over the years that try to match the success of their first title in the field. 

Super Mario 64

A great example of this is Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 platform. At this point in time, it was not rare to see a Mario game based around platforming and exploring the Mushroom Kingdom, but that third dimension really added a whole additional layer of complexity that they knocked out of the park. 

The freedom to tackle obstacles in several approaches through either the basic expected route or using combinations of jump mechanics to skip major parts of levels, had this game feeling like a sandbox at times in some unique levels that stand the test of time. This game was a smash hit, and one thing Nintendo knows how to do is build on the success of an innovative idea and make it even more interesting. 

Super Mario Sunshine

Enter Super Mario Sunshine. This game took a lot of what made Super Mario 64 a cult classic and added tons of new dimensions centered around a sentient water jet pack. Yes, the skeleton of 64 still existed; you are in a 3D world as Mario platforming around to get stars, but they really leveled up the experience with the creative use of water as a mechanic. 

From cleaning off the debris to reveal hidden surprises, to mastering using water as a means of transport across the intricate maps, this game is beloved by most who play it for giving gamers a feeling they had never had in a Mario title before. Not to mention, the sound direction and level design really had you feeling like you were exploring a beach resort overcome with tragedy, and only you could be the one to save everyone. 

Super Mario Galaxy

The way they continue to build upon the success of these titles does not stop there. Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2 are some of the most ambitious titles I’ve seen at the time of release and pushed the boundaries on game physics. Just as Super Mario 64 changed the game with the 3rd dimension, and Sunshine with brand new ways to attack platforming, Galaxy threw a massive curveball in navigating planetary physics. 

From jumping from one planet to another, going through planets and black holes, and the wonders of the galaxies, they continued to deliver on the wonder that comes with a new open-world Mario game with every big release. Oftentimes, when games introduce a new physics-based portion, it’s a bit janky, not polished, and crude. Nintendo spent the time to refine this to perfection, where every click on the controller feels calculated and gives you that experience of going on a space odyssey as Mario.  

Super Mario Odyssey

Speaking of Odyssey, this is where I think Mario really hit the peak in open-world 3D platforming. Super Mario Odyssey is a phenomenal game that pushes the envelope once more on platforming, while also exploring new, unknown worlds and levels not seen before. It also feels like one of the more open-world games where you can explore so much in each level and find all sorts of interesting encounters hidden throughout the levels. The platforming was once again thrown on its head with the new mechanic surrounding the magical hat Mario wears, from allowing you to do fancy new jumps to taking over creatures, vehicles, and more as Mario. This game allows you to be a Mario T. rex very early in the game, and that is truly one of the best decisions Nintendo has made. 

What I love about Mario is that this path of innovation, creativity, and executional excellence in gameplay is only one of their many success stories throughout the year. When you consider the creation, maintenance, and development of some of the other types of games, it shows how deep their talent is. 

The continued success of Mario Kart since its inception and its leadership as the racing game known the world over is an incredible story. Parents are able to play a game they enjoyed in childhood with their kids, with all sorts of new twists and challenges, which makes it fun for everyone.

 You can add in so many additional titles, such as Mario Party, their sports successes in Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and Super Mario Strikers, and so many other adaptations of a jumping Italian plumber that it’s hard to truly grasp the staying power of Mario as a whole. In an era where games are cheap knock-offs of cheap knock-offs, Mario continues to develop creative new ways to experience stories and, at the end of the day, has the most important characteristic a game can have: Being a ton of fun to play, especially with your friends and family.