The Super Mario franchise is incredibly vast and has seen countless iterations, leading to significant differences across its various games. These differences can be categorized in several key ways:
1. 2D Platformers vs. 3D Platformers
This is the most fundamental distinction in the main series of Super Mario games.
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2D Side-Scrolling Platformers (e.g., Super Mario Bros., Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. series, Super Mario Bros. Wonder)
- Movement: Primarily left-to-right, with limited vertical movement and depth. Mario navigates a flat plane.
- Level Design: Linear progression through a series of stages, often with hidden paths or multiple exits (introduced in Super Mario World). The focus is on precise jumps, enemy avoidance, and sequential puzzle-solving.
- Camera: Fixed side-view camera.
- Power-ups: Generally simpler power-ups that grant specific abilities like throwing fireballs (Fire Flower), flying (Cape Feather, Raccoon Leaf, Propeller Mushroom), or invincibility (Star).
- Multiplayer: Traditionally single-player, but modern 2D games (like New Super Mario Bros. Wii/U, Super Mario Bros. Wonder) offer simultaneous multiplayer, often leading to chaotic fun.
- Goal: Reach the goal pole or defeat a boss at the end of each level.
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3D Platformers (e.g., Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy series, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario 3D World)
- Movement: Full 360-degree freedom of movement in a three-dimensional environment. Mario can run, jump, swim, and fly in open spaces.
- Level Design:
- Open-World / Sandbox (e.g., Super Mario 64, Sunshine, Odyssey): Levels are large, expansive environments where the player can explore freely and complete multiple objectives (e.g., collecting Power Stars, Shine Sprites, Moons) in any order.
- Linear / "3D-rendered 2D" (e.g., Super Mario Galaxy series, 3D Land, 3D World): While in 3D, these games often have more defined paths and a clearer progression to a single goal per objective, similar to 2D games but with the added dimension. They often feature fixed or semi-fixed camera angles.
- Camera: Player-controlled or dynamic camera that adjusts to the environment.
- Power-ups/Abilities: Often more complex and transformative.
- Super Mario 64 introduced a vast moveset (triple jump, long jump, ground pound, wall kick) which became staples.
- Super Mario Sunshine introduced FLUDD, a water-shooting backpack, as a core mechanic.
- Super Mario Galaxy introduced gravity-bending mechanics and unique power-ups like the Bee Mushroom or Boo Mushroom.
- Super Mario Odyssey introduced Cappy, allowing Mario to "capture" enemies and objects to use their abilities.
- Multiplayer: Typically single-player, though some like Super Mario 3D World feature excellent simultaneous multiplayer.
- Goal: Collect a certain number of MacGuffins (Stars, Moons, Shines) to progress, often requiring multiple visits to the same world for different objectives.
2. Core Mechanics & Power-ups
While Super Mushrooms and Fire Flowers are staples, each game introduces unique power-ups and core mechanics that define its gameplay:
- Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES): Introduced the Raccoon Leaf (flight), Frog Suit (swimming control), Hammer Suit (throwing hammers), and the iconic World Map with branching paths.
- Super Mario World (SNES): Introduced the Cape Feather (extended flight, cape spin), Yoshi (rideable dinosaur with unique abilities like eating enemies and spitting projectiles), and levels with multiple exits.
- Super Mario 64 (N64): Defined 3D platforming with robust movement (triple jump, long jump, ground pound, wall kick, backflip), and specialized caps (Wing Cap, Vanish Cap, Metal Cap).
- Super Mario Sunshine (GameCube): Centered around FLUDD (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device) for combat, platforming, and navigation.
- Super Mario Galaxy (Wii): Introduced gravity-based mechanics, spherical worlds, and power-ups like the Bee Mushroom, Boo Mushroom, and Spring Mushroom.
- New Super Mario Bros. series (DS, Wii, Wii U, 3DS): Revived 2D gameplay with new power-ups like the Mega Mushroom, Mini Mushroom, Propeller Mushroom, and Penguin Suit. Also popularized simultaneous multiplayer in 2D.
- Super Mario 3D Land / 3D World (3DS, Wii U): Blended 2D and 3D design, bringing back the Tanooki Suit and introducing the Cat Suit (climbing walls, dive attack).
- Super Mario Odyssey (Switch): Introduced Cappy, the sentient cap that allows Mario to capture and control enemies and objects, fundamentally changing gameplay.
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch): Introduced Wonder Flowers, which drastically alter level mechanics and visuals in unexpected ways, and new power-ups like the Elephant Fruit and Drill Mushroom.
3. Art Style & Presentation
- Pixel Art (NES/SNES era): Distinctive, charming pixel graphics that evolved from the simpler sprites of SMB1 to the richly detailed characters and environments of Super Mario World.
- Early 3D (N64 era): Groundbreaking but often blocky 3D models with basic textures.
- Cartoony & Vibrant 3D (GameCube/Wii/Wii U/Switch era): Highly stylized, colorful, and expressive 3D graphics that maintain the series' cheerful aesthetic while leveraging modern hardware.
- "New Super Mario Bros." style: A distinct, clean, somewhat generic 3D look applied to 2D gameplay, known for its consistent visual identity across multiple handheld and console titles.
- Unique Artistic Touches: Super Mario Sunshine has a distinct tropical, water-focused aesthetic. Super Mario Bros. Wonder stands out with its hand-drawn animation style, expressive character designs, and "Wonder" effects that transform the world.
4. Story & Narrative Focus
While the core plot often revolves around rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser, the depth and presentation of the narrative vary:
- Minimalist (Early 2D games): Simple premise (Peach kidnapped, go rescue her) with little in-game dialogue or cutscenes.
- Expanded Story (Some 3D games): Super Mario Sunshine has a more involved plot with a legal trial and mystery. Super Mario Galaxy has a grander, more emotional narrative involving Rosalina and the Lumas. Super Mario Odyssey features Bowser attempting a wedding with Peach, leading to a globe-trotting adventure.
- Character Development (RPG spin-offs): Games like Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi delve much deeper into character personalities, world-building, and more complex stories.
5. Progression and World Structure
- Linear Stages: Early games (like Super Mario Bros.) featured a linear progression through worlds and stages.
- World Maps: Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced a non-linear overworld map with branching paths, a feature expanded upon in Super Mario World.
- Hub Worlds: Super Mario 64 established the 3D hub world (Peach's Castle) from which players access different levels. Super Mario Sunshine used Isle Delfino as a central hub.
- Galaxy/Kingdom Exploration: Super Mario Galaxy features a Comet Observatory hub, and Super Mario Odyssey involves a spaceship (the Odyssey) to travel between distinct "Kingdoms."
6. Spin-off Series
Beyond the main platforming games, the Mario universe has spawned numerous spin-off series, each with wildly different gameplay:
- Mario Kart: Arcade racing.
- Mario Party: Digital board games with minigames.
- Paper Mario / Mario & Luigi: Role-playing games (RPGs) with unique combat and storytelling.
- Dr. Mario: Puzzle games.
- Mario Tennis / Golf / Strikers / Super Sluggers: Sports games.
- Super Mario Maker: Level creation games.
- Luigi's Mansion: Action-adventure/puzzle games starring Luigi.
In summary, the "differences" across Super Mario games are not just cosmetic. They represent a continuous evolution of gameplay mechanics, level design philosophies, artistic styles, and narrative approaches, constantly reinventing the core platforming experience while also exploring entirely new genres within the beloved Mushroom Kingdom universe.
