Your Favorite Marios

[Jack Frost]

ITT we post about our favorite iterations of Mario. This includes official and unofficial iterations. As long as it's a form of Mario in some way, it counts.

One of my favorite Marios is Paper Mario, specifically the one from Paper Mario 1. Some of his sprites are just so charming to me in a way I can't describe.

I also like the Mini Mario from NSMB DS. Look at how freaking pixel-y this guy is

Then there's Weird Mario from Maker 1. Can't believe they didn't bring him back in the second game SMH

 

[Doctor Welfare]

I think this one already exists

 

[Jack Frost]

Shoot I forgot to check. Wheres the option to delete I don't see it

Edit: Ok I'm gonna remake the trhead into a different topic gimme a sec

 

[Jack Frost]

Okay, history has been rewritten, now this topic is now about our favorite iterations of Mario. I searched and couldn't find this type of thread so I think this is new.

 

[LeftyGreenMario]

My favorite iteration of the Mario video game character (so to not confuse him with other Marios) would be the go-to basic 3d one that's been in all games. I've always digged that art style, so 3D standard/on-model is the most common style I draw for Mario. Now, for a particular art style, that depends on my mood but I think Luigi's Mansion Mario and Mario Party Superstars Marios are among my favorites. Mario Party Superstars Mario also gets blush marks on him, which is just utterly adorable.

Just look at his face. So precious.

And here you can see the faint blushes. Lovely.

I've grown nostalgic attachment for Mario models made for the GCN too. I know he's not THAT much different back then but it has to be the combination of the color choices and the decades-old rendering engine (such as the lack of defined shadows, anti-aliasing, and texture detailing) that we're not going to see again, at least in an official capacity. This is one of my favorite angles of him.

Also clapping

I don't like the rigging of the Mario Odyssey models in general but I do say it's the first game to give Mario a prolific crossdressing outfit. I'll always be grateful for that and I hope Mario gets to put on a pretty dress more often in the future.

Oh and how can I forget movie Mario? So good.

I love Baby Mario and Metal Mario too!

 

[Doctor Welfare]

Metal Mario is one of my favorites, especially his N64 era appearance. To be honest I think my favorite Mario iteration in general is the N64-era appearance, it's just so iconic and nostalgic. His facial expressions is SM64 were so good, they pulled off him having a real personality but still having the whole "neutral incarnation of the player" thing.

 

[Veneer]

SUPER MARIO MANGA BLAST

character wise i like mario like idk himself?? dr mario is too emo in fanon, metal mario is gross and weird. robo-mario is cute but not as cute as the real deal, gold mario is grosser and weirder, mini mario feels like he'd haunt my sleep, uhh im forgoting some marios arent i. listen im the luigi guy here so lmao

not a canon mario version but jiggityjake's personal artstyle for them is very blorbo

 

[Anglefish]

Paper Mario shrugging always made me smile.

 

[Goombro]

I really like Mario 64 Mario's design, Galaxy 1 and 2 are good, and all the Paper Mario games have solid designs for our silly plumber.

 

[Lady]

Paper Mario is so precious. He's just so cute in a way I can't describe.

 

[Goombungee]

I like the standard 3D model of Mario, especially with the more detailed clothing introduced in Super Mario Odyssey; but my favorite forms of Mario are probably Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi Mario, I like how stylized they are.

 

[AgentMuffin]

There's something about his Super Mario World sprites that's really endearing. That Mario is very scrunkly. The more pinkish and cyan shades also look more unique and stylish than many other appearances, which, colorwise, can often veer into a "websafe color palette" vibe.

The sprites from Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story are also really good. Partners in Time isn't too far off, but the bit of added boldness of the outline makes him pop and better evokes the promotional artstyle. (Though, and fittingly enough, the differences are better demonstrated with Luigi.)

As far as Paper Mario goes, I have to put a spotlight on Super. On top of everything that's already good about that design, his cap is much puffier if you look for it. Don't take this out of context but Sticker Star should not have reverted to the TTYD style. His cap there just looks weird to me now, like it's been stepped on. A chibi Mario warrants exaggerated hat proportions, and SPM delivers!

I remember absolutely loving how certain fanartists stylized Mario, too, but it's been too long for me to recall specific names for now.

 

[Larry "Cheatsy" Koopa]

I really like Mario's Tanooki form. He can fly, and in addition to that, he can whip enemies with his tail and defeat them. Also the 3D version of him from Mario 64 is cool.