Here are the 10 Best Mario Levels of All Time

There have been some fantastic games and levels in the 37 years since Mario’s release. For true fans it is hard to pick just 10 of the best, so to help in our search for the 10 best Mario levels of All Time we decided to to the games from the main series. While there are some thrilling levels in the original arcade game, Mario Bros. for this article we will focus on Super Mario.

But if arcade games are your favorite don’t worry, we have got you covered with the complete guide to new arcade casino games. So let us take a look at our pick of the 10 best Super Mario levels of all time.

1. New Donk City

Metro Kingdom’s New Donk City represents everything Mario has been, is, and will be. Platforming challenges are available for those who want them, but it’s primarily about playing with toys and rides that interact in surprising ways. There are also many references to Mario’s past, including the show-stopping New Donk City Festival Power Moon — a celebration of Mario’s past and present, and his joy.

2. Bowser in the Sky

Super Mario 64’s Bowser in the Sky is the game’s final stage. Your past challenges are essentially collected here. Furthermore, this is Bowser’s showdown, and it doesn’t take that responsibility lightly. It’s harder to believe that he’s going down now since he’s taking three hits to do it, and he’s destroying the stage to bits to get to it – but as soon as he goes down, it’s a very special feeling.

3. World 1-1

You will learn how to play the game here, from smashing and jumping over enemies to understanding power-ups by the first goomba. In addition, there’s a secret 1-up that reveals the game isn’t the linear platformer it appears to be. A warp pipe also lets you skip an entire level, proving the game isn’t a linear platformer either. You’re off to an excellent start to your adventure and the Mario franchise in general.

4. Freezeflame Galaxy

There is no doubt that Freezeflame Galaxy’s “Freeze” side is the stand-out, as Mario can gracefully skate along both water and lava surfaces with the Ice Flower. It’s a fun race to safety before the timer runs out and you either end up in freezing water or in lava that kills you instantly. 

5. Darker Side 

Besides being the game’s hardest level, Darker Side of the Moon is also a celebration of the game. In this 10-minute marathon, you’re not only challenged with traditional platforming challenges but also given a taste of all the game’s unique mechanics. It’s even better when you receive a heartwarming “thank you” message once you reach the end.

6. Bianco Hills

In contrast to many other Mario games, Super Mario Sunshine featured an island divided into several biomes, all themed around a relaxing vacation gone awry. Among them, Bianco Hills is the most recognizable, especially as it’s the first level. 

With its genius architecture, attention to detail, and sheer personality, Bianco Hills encapsulates everything that made Mario Sunshine such a delightful adventure.

7. Giant Land 

This level features monsters, blocks, pipes, and clouds that are about four times as large as usual. But Giant Land’s strength is what makes it a masterpiece: it combines surprise with delight. It delivers the same precise, satisfying Mario gameplay in a more creative package that will please even the most seasoned players.

8. Sunken Ghost Ship

On Dinosaur Island’s center, the stage merges a haunting atmosphere from Super Mario World’s ghost houses with references to Super Mario Bros. 3’s airships. Despite its short length, it delivers a lasting impression with its vast hordes of underwater Boos filling the screen, as well as the subtle narrative of falling through a seemingly bottomless void without seeing a goalpost to raise a gigantic stone Bowser from the depths with gaping jaws. 

9. Donut Plains 1

We immediately associate the Mario franchise with Donut Plains 1. Finding out that you could FLY with the cape was nothing short of a revelation, and it turned everything we thought we knew about Mario upside down. The catchy steel drum and tuba soundtrack, the secret exits, and the bonus block puzzles make this a great template not just for the rest of Super Mario World but for the evolution of super Mario levels in general. 

10. Bowser’s Fury 

Bowser’s Fury is a relatively new entry in the series to be included on this list, but there’s no denying its quality. The game is a combination of an old-school Mario platforming challenge and a new-school Mario exploration adventure.