Ever since its console debut on the Famicom in 1985, Super Mario Bros. has since grown into a full blown franchise with over three decades of games on the Nintendo platform. Although the series has since moved on to high-definition graphics and 3D worlds, many fans still prefer the classic side-scrollers. Here is our favorite 2D Mario games.
While Super Mario World is certainly a masterpiece, my favorite 2D Mario game will always be Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins. The varied worlds from the toy-themed level to even the moon feel so incredible to explore. But, more importantly, it was one of the only games I got to play with my mom as a kid. We would take turns each time one of us died and it will always stick with me as the most precious childhood memory I have. — Cody
While Super Mario Bros is the first game I remember playing on a hand-me-down NES, it’s Super Mario World that stands out to me as a lifelong favorite. I remember spending hours as a kid trying to figure out how to get through the Forest of Illusion and find other secrets. Despite that, it wasn’t until I was an adult that I finally found all those secret exits and conquered the Special World. The game still holds up though, and Nintendo have yet to better it in my eyes (although Wonder has come close). — Leigh
Without a shadow of a doubt, Yoshi’s Island is my uncontested favorite platforming game and favorite game in the entire Mario series. Yes, technically this particular sub-series is no longer a part of the larger Mario series, but since the original SNES game launched as Super Mario World 2 it definitely counts. Yoshi’s Island is not only an immensely creative game, it’s also one of the most technically and graphically impressive games on the SNES, and the soundtrack lives rent free in my head. — Daniel
