Dans quel ordre jouer aux jeux Mario ?

In what order should I play the Mario games?

1473 mots | Temps de lecture : 7 minute(s)

With over forty years of adventures, the Super Mario saga can seem labyrinthine for a newcomer. Should you start with the very first Super Mario Bros. from 1985, or dive straight into the 3D worlds? Should you follow the release order, or group games by family (2D platformer, 3D platformer, RPG, spin-offs)?

Good news: unlike other franchises, the Mario series imposes no strict narrative continuity. Each episode stands on its own. This guide therefore offers two complementary approaches, release chronology and grouping by sub-series, to build your ideal path without ever getting lost.

Summary

Should you play Mario games in order?

The short answer is no, it's not mandatory. Super Mario games share a universe and characters (Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser), but each episode tells its own independent story, usually centered on the same pattern: Bowser kidnaps the princess, Mario goes to save her.

Two logical paths emerge:

  • Release order: ideal for experiencing the technical and creative evolution, from NES pixels to Switch open worlds.
  • Grouping by sub-series: more comfortable for a newcomer, as you stay in the same game style (2D platformer, 3D platformer, RPG) before switching.

For most players, the second approach is the most enjoyable: you first choose the family that appeals to you, then play through it in order.

2D Platformers: The historical heart of the series

This is where it all began. The 2D branch remains the most accessible and recommended for beginners.

  • Super Mario Bros. (1985, NES): the founder, essential for historical context.
  • Super Mario Bros. 2: beware, there are two different games! The 1986 Japanese version (renamed The Lost Levels in the West) is very difficult; the 1988 Western version is a separate game, adapted from Doki Doki Panic.
  • Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988, NES): a masterpiece with its world map and Koopalings.
  • Super Mario World (1990, Super Nintendo): the arrival of Yoshi and the cape.
  • New Super Mario Bros. (2006, DS), then the Wii (2009), 2 (2012, 3DS) and U (2012, Wii U) versions: the modernized return of 2D.
  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023, Switch): 2D reinvented with its Wonder Flowers.

Good to know: the compilation Super Mario All-Stars (1993, Super Nintendo) brings together the first four 2D episodes (Super Mario Bros. 1 to 3 and The Lost Levels) with improved graphics, an excellent gateway.

3D Platformers: The grand adventure

From 1996, Mario moved into the third dimension and revolutionized video games. This branch can also be enjoyed in release order:

  • Super Mario 64 (1996, Nintendo 64): the pioneer of 3D platforming.
  • Super Mario Sunshine (2002, GameCube): the tropical episode on Isle Delfino.
  • Super Mario Galaxy (2007, Wii) and Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010, Wii): the space odyssey, brought to Switch in 2025 via a remastered compilation (October 2, 2025).
  • Super Mario 3D Land (2011, 3DS) and Super Mario 3D World (2013, Wii U; re-released in 2021 with Bowser's Fury): 3D in more structured levels.
  • Super Mario Odyssey (2017, Switch): the most complete adventure, with Cappy and his kingdoms.

For a beginner on Switch, Odyssey and the Galaxy compilation are the best modern starting points.

Mario RPGs: Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi

Two major families of RPGs enrich the universe with humor, dialogue, and turn-based combat. They can be enjoyed independently of the platform.

The Paper Mario series (paper universe):

  • Paper Mario (2000, Nintendo 64), Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004, GameCube; Switch remake on May 23, 2024), Super Paper Mario (2007, Wii), Sticker Star (2012, 3DS), Color Splash (2016, Wii U) and The Origami King (2020, Switch).

The Mario & Luigi series (the two brothers as a duo):

  • Superstar Saga (2003, Game Boy Advance), Partners in Time (2005, DS), Bowser's Inside Story (2009, DS), Dream Team (2013, 3DS), Paper Jam (2015, 3DS) and Brothership (November 7, 2024, Switch).

Separately, Super Mario RPG (1996 in Japan, Super Nintendo) was the very first RPG in the franchise; its Switch remake was released in November 2023.

And the spin-offs: Kart, Party and company

The ancillary games have no order to follow: they are standalone experiences, often multiplayer, to pick and choose as you wish.

  • Mario Kart: the crazy racing game, including the recent Mario Kart World (June 2025).
  • Mario Party: the festive board game with friends.
  • Luigi's Mansion: the ghost hunt led by Luigi.
  • Mario Smash Football, the tennis games, golf games or the Mario Maker episodes to create your own levels.

These titles require no prior knowledge: you can play them at any time, even as your very first game.

Which game should you start with, depending on your profile?

No single path: the best first game depends on your tastes and your console.

  • You want the history of the series: start with Super Mario Bros. or the All-Stars compilation.
  • You play on Switch and are looking for immediate fun: Super Mario Odyssey or Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
  • You like stories and dialogue: start an RPG like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (remake) or Super Mario RPG.
  • You play with family or friends: Mario Kart or Mario Party.

Whatever your choice, no episode will leave you stranded: the Mario universe is designed to be joined at any time.

Recap sheet

Sub-series Recommended starting point
2D Platformer Super Mario Bros. (1985) or All-Stars (1993)
3D Platformer Super Mario 64 (1996), Odyssey (2017) on Switch
Paper Mario RPG Paper Mario (2000) or The Thousand-Year Door (2024 remake)
Mario & Luigi RPG Superstar Saga (2003)
Standalone RPG Super Mario RPG (1996 Japan; 2023 remake)
Spin-offs Mario Kart or Mario Party, no specific order

🍄 Want to extend the adventure? Discover our Mario figures in the shop.

FAQ

  • Do you have to finish one Mario game to understand the next?
    No. Each Super Mario game offers an independent adventure, without strict narrative continuity. You can start with any episode without having played the previous ones.
  • Why are there two Super Mario Bros. 2 games?
    The 1986 Japanese version (known in the West as The Lost Levels) was deemed too difficult for international release. Nintendo therefore adapted the game Doki Doki Panic to create a Western Super Mario Bros. 2, released in 1988.
  • What's the best Mario game to start with on Switch?
    Super Mario Odyssey (2017) for 3D and Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023) for 2D are the most accessible and modern choices. The Super Mario Galaxy 1 + 2 (2025) compilation is also excellent.
  • Do remakes replace the original games?
    They offer the same adventure with modernized graphics and comfort. For a newcomer, playing the remake (like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door from 2024 or Super Mario RPG from 2023) is often the simplest choice.
  • Do I need to play the RPGs in order?
    It's not necessary. The Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series feature standalone stories. You can choose the episode that appeals to you most, regardless of its place in the series.
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