Czario
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This is the official discussion thread for my 'Shroom section, Countdowns. Here you can share you opinions on the section and read some bonus content. The current countdown is Top Ten Super Mario Odyssey Music.
Here is the link to the current thread update.
Archives
Bonus content for Top 15 Mario Music (May Issue 122)
Bonus content for Top 10 Worst Mario Kart Characters (June Issue 123)
Bonus content for Top 10 Wii U Games (July Issue 124)
Thread update for Top 5 Worst Nintendo Mistakes and Top 5 Successes (August Issue 125)
Thread update for Ten Retro Courses I Want In The Next Mario Kart Game (November Issue 128)
Here is the link to the current thread update.
Archives
So, as you have already seen if you've read the 'Shroom for this month, I've started a new section entitled Countdowns, where I count down various things Mario and Nintendo related. Hooray! This month's theme is the Top 10 Super Mario games, by which I mean the platformers only. Here is a link to the thread: Top 10 Super Mario Games (The_%27Shroom:Issue 121/Critic Corner#Countdowns). This thread will serve as a discussion thread for that section. Did you agree or disagree with my list? Do you want to punch me in the face? What is your personal list of the best Super Mario games? Inquiring minds want to know. Also, there is a poll asking what countdown you would like to see next. Keep in mind that while the results of the poll will affect my decision, it will not guarantee which one I will do next. Finally, as a bonus, I am including in this thread #17 - 11 of the Super Mario games I think are the best. I hope you enjoy!
17. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
This game is so similar to Super Mario Bros. that it's more like an expansion pack than a new game. Also, it is frustratingly hard. There's not really much more to say about it. If you like really hard versions of already existing games, then this one's for you. But I personally would leave that to the ROM-hackers.
16. New Super Mario Bros. 2
"Are you sure this isn't a remake of Super Mario Bros. 3?"
This is the game that embodies the complaint of unoriginality in the New Super Mario Bros. series. Reused music? Check. Reused World themes and visuals? Check. Bringing back random aspects from Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World? Double check. What makes it worse than the other NSMB games is that it's only original powerup is a fire flower that generates coins (Gold Flower) and it's just way too easy. Despite all this, it's still a solid game, which attests to how good the Mario series is in general. It's also a good game for kids who are just getting into the world of Mario thanks to its easiness and simplicity. But for Mario veterans (9-Volt), these things make it one of the weakest titles in the series.
15. Super Mario Land
Now we come to one of the more obscure titles in the series--for the average person, anyway. While Super Mario Land has a great soundtrack, an original setting, and a plethora of weird (Tokotoko) and wonderful (Mekabon) enemies, it is generally not as good as Super Mario Bros., the game that it most resembles gameplay-wise. Specifically, it's graphically inferior, it has only 12 levels compared to SMB's 32, and its physics are not as good. Overall, it's still a fun game, but it doesn't live up to the standards that the other games set.
14. New Super Mario Bros. U
New Super Mario Bros. U largely suffers from the same problems as New Super Mario Bros. 2, but on a somewhat smaller scale. Its visuals are more unique and it has more original power-ups (Super Acorn) and music tracks. It made a small attempt at originality with Bowser's invasion of Peach's Castle and the Bros. (and Toads) being thrown out. This was nice, but it was certainly not enough. As with NSMB2, the game does not fail to deliver the classic Mario platform goodness we all know and love, but that's unfortunately about all it delivered.
13. Super Mario Bros. 2
Well... um... this is the one game on this list that I don't have much of an opinion on. It's basically only at this place because I needed to put it somewhere and I can't compare it to the others very well. So, if you love SMB2, don't pull out your torches and pitchforks. Please?
12. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.
This game is perhaps one of the more underrated entries in the series. This game is a lot like Super Mario World in some ways, such as its gameplay and graphics. In other ways, it is incredibly unique. The different areas in this game are some of most creative out of all the sidescrolling games. Going to space (Space Zone), shrinking to the size of ants (Macro Zone), braving a turtle's gut (Turtle Zone), and entering a giant robot of himself (Mario Zone) are just a few of the things that Mario can do. Honestly, I can't think of any big flaws in the game except maybe the fact that has only one new power-up (Carrot) that isn't incredibly interesting. I could have put this higher on the list, but the following games are all good too. However, I almost feel a little bad for putting this lower than the next game on the list.
11. Super Mario Sunshine
A very controversial game, eh? Many people say it's not very good. Many reasons are cited for this, such as certain (Pachinko Game) infamous (Lily Pad Ride) levels, a decreased focus on platforming in favor of the F.L.U.D.D. mechanic, questionable story choices, and bad voice acting. In spite of all this, it still has memorable locales, good music, and at least some of the exploration that made Super Mario 64 so great. While it might be one of the lesser 3D titles, it's still a worthwhile experience.
Go here (The_%27Shroom:Issue_121/Critic_Corner#Countdowns) for the rest of the list.
17. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
This game is so similar to Super Mario Bros. that it's more like an expansion pack than a new game. Also, it is frustratingly hard. There's not really much more to say about it. If you like really hard versions of already existing games, then this one's for you. But I personally would leave that to the ROM-hackers.
16. New Super Mario Bros. 2
This is the game that embodies the complaint of unoriginality in the New Super Mario Bros. series. Reused music? Check. Reused World themes and visuals? Check. Bringing back random aspects from Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World? Double check. What makes it worse than the other NSMB games is that it's only original powerup is a fire flower that generates coins (Gold Flower) and it's just way too easy. Despite all this, it's still a solid game, which attests to how good the Mario series is in general. It's also a good game for kids who are just getting into the world of Mario thanks to its easiness and simplicity. But for Mario veterans (9-Volt), these things make it one of the weakest titles in the series.
15. Super Mario Land
Now we come to one of the more obscure titles in the series--for the average person, anyway. While Super Mario Land has a great soundtrack, an original setting, and a plethora of weird (Tokotoko) and wonderful (Mekabon) enemies, it is generally not as good as Super Mario Bros., the game that it most resembles gameplay-wise. Specifically, it's graphically inferior, it has only 12 levels compared to SMB's 32, and its physics are not as good. Overall, it's still a fun game, but it doesn't live up to the standards that the other games set.
14. New Super Mario Bros. U
New Super Mario Bros. U largely suffers from the same problems as New Super Mario Bros. 2, but on a somewhat smaller scale. Its visuals are more unique and it has more original power-ups (Super Acorn) and music tracks. It made a small attempt at originality with Bowser's invasion of Peach's Castle and the Bros. (and Toads) being thrown out. This was nice, but it was certainly not enough. As with NSMB2, the game does not fail to deliver the classic Mario platform goodness we all know and love, but that's unfortunately about all it delivered.
13. Super Mario Bros. 2
Well... um... this is the one game on this list that I don't have much of an opinion on. It's basically only at this place because I needed to put it somewhere and I can't compare it to the others very well. So, if you love SMB2, don't pull out your torches and pitchforks. Please?
12. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.
This game is perhaps one of the more underrated entries in the series. This game is a lot like Super Mario World in some ways, such as its gameplay and graphics. In other ways, it is incredibly unique. The different areas in this game are some of most creative out of all the sidescrolling games. Going to space (Space Zone), shrinking to the size of ants (Macro Zone), braving a turtle's gut (Turtle Zone), and entering a giant robot of himself (Mario Zone) are just a few of the things that Mario can do. Honestly, I can't think of any big flaws in the game except maybe the fact that has only one new power-up (Carrot) that isn't incredibly interesting. I could have put this higher on the list, but the following games are all good too. However, I almost feel a little bad for putting this lower than the next game on the list.
11. Super Mario Sunshine
A very controversial game, eh? Many people say it's not very good. Many reasons are cited for this, such as certain (Pachinko Game) infamous (Lily Pad Ride) levels, a decreased focus on platforming in favor of the F.L.U.D.D. mechanic, questionable story choices, and bad voice acting. In spite of all this, it still has memorable locales, good music, and at least some of the exploration that made Super Mario 64 so great. While it might be one of the lesser 3D titles, it's still a worthwhile experience.
Go here (The_%27Shroom:Issue_121/Critic_Corner#Countdowns) for the rest of the list.
Bonus content for Top 10 Worst Mario Kart Characters (June Issue 123)
Bonus content for Top 10 Wii U Games (July Issue 124)
Thread update for Top 5 Worst Nintendo Mistakes and Top 5 Successes (August Issue 125)
Thread update for Ten Retro Courses I Want In The Next Mario Kart Game (November Issue 128)
