4 Things That Make Super Mario Games Timeless

It’s been over 35 years since the first Super Mario video game was released, but this is still one of the most famous and played video games. It all started in 1985 when Super Mario Bros. hit the market and became an instant hit. This was a 2D platform game developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

After the tremendous success, Nintendo released many more titles, including Super Mario Bros. 2 and 3, Super Mario Land and World, Super Mario Galaxy, and the latest – Super Mario Bros. Wonder. There’s no doubt that this video game series has become iconic, but many people still wonder what makes it timeless. We will now analyze four things that will provide answers.

Unforgettable Characters and Story

It’s impossible to hope that a video game will become a smashing hit without coming up with a captivating story and recognizable characters. Nintendo put extra effort into ensuring that the story will be memorable. So, the original Super Mario video game is about Mario and his brother Luigi who work as plumbers. They find a portal that leads them to the Mushroom Kingdom, where they work on saving the processing held captive by the villain Bowser.

Of course, the plot was altered in the sequels, but the main story remains the same. The same goes for the characters. There are a dozen of central characters and a few times more supporting characters. It goes without saying that Mario is the leading protagonist. This short plumber with a thick mustache and Italian accent is difficult to miss.

His younger twin brother – Luigi – is a bit thinner but shares most of Mario’s traits. The third most crucial character was Princess Peach Toadstool, the princess of Mushroom Kingdom that Mario should save. We also have exciting characters like Yoshi (dinosaur-like character), Rosalina, Toad, Toadette, Toadsworth, Captain Toad, Birdo, Pauline, Bowser, Wario, and Waluigi.

Collecting Coins is Fun, Rewarding, and a Bit Risky

One of the main activities you can expect in the Super Mario games is collecting coins. Once you collect a specific number of coins, you can expect an additional life. Players also noted that this activity accompanied by the unique chimes played when you get them, stimulates them to progress.

In some installments of the Super Mario series, the coins can be exchanged for items, power-ups, or unique abilities. Also, getting coins can help you unlock hidden paths, content, or levels. You can use the number of collected coins as an indicator of your progress at the current level too.

Getting coins is not that challenging in most cases, but in some situations, it can expose players to risky situations. For instance, some coins are located in places that are not easy to reach and surrounded by enemies. Sometimes their collection is time-limited.

So, we have a risk-reward relationship, which may be compared to playing table games for cash. If you think about it, it’s not just the risk and potential prizes that make these two activities similar – there are also coins (real coins) used in table games. We all know they’re high-risk but can also be rewarding and fun.

Fun (and Helpful) Power-Ups

Another crucial aspect of the Super Mario games is the presence of power-ups. Many players keep playing these titles simply because they enjoy the varied power-ups found in this franchise. With their help, Mario gets special abilities that improve his gameplay, protect him from opponents, and provide new possibilities.

Of course, we can’t talk about power-ups without mentioning the super mushroom. This mushroom makes Mario grow. As a result, he becomes stronger and gets the chance to break blocks and take more damage from his opponents.

There’s also a fire flower that helps him throw fireballs. So, Mario doesn’t have to be close to his enemies to defeat them. Temporary invincibility is what you get when you collect a super star. In addition, Super Mario games offer power balloons, super bells, super capes, propeller mushrooms (New Super Mario Bros.), etc.

Interesting Level Design

Finally, we have the interesting level design as a factor that contributes to Super Mario games’ popularity. One of the first things you’ll notice when you play two or more different Super Mario titles is that the mechanics are not identical. For example, some of them are 2D, while others are 3D. In some, like Super Mario Odyssey, Mario can capture objects (hold and use them). In contrast, in others, everything happens instantly without such a mechanic.

Of course, the game is challenging, meaning the levels become more difficult as you progress. This is based on your experience and knowledge, making the gameplay more exciting and fun. With a concept like that, you can rest assured that the game (any Super Mario game) won’t become tiresome after playing for an hour or two.

Lastly, these titles cover various locations and environments with unique properties. You’ll play in the desert in some releases, while in others, you’ll walk through grasslands. There are also fantasy and space environments.