Mariois the most recognizable character in gaming history and is the main mascot for Nintendo.

The little red plumber and the company are forever linked.

Yet, that doesn’t mean that Nintendo made every video game starring Mario.

A split image of Bowser, the Mario Brothers, and the cast from Paper Mario.

These Mario characters have changed a lot since their first appearance.

Yes, Nintendo still published most of them, but another studio was tasked with creating the game.

Here are the best Mario titles for which someone other than Nintendo is responsible.

A split image of artwork from Yoshi’s Cookie, Mario getting kissed by Bowser and Booster in Super Mario RPG, and Princess Peach looking surprised in artwork from Super Princess Peach.

This includes Mario Party 3, which is often considered one ofthe series' best efforts.

You roll a dice and move around the board, hoping not to land on a bad space.

The goal is to collect more stars than everyone else.

A split image of Detective Peach from Princess Peach: Showtime, Mario in promo art for Mario Golf, and Yoshi on top of Poochy in promo art for Yoshi’s Woolly World

This iteration of the concept includes some of the best boards and most entertaining minigames in the series.

Mario RPG is the best Mario.

Superstar Saga was the original title in the Mario and Luigi series.

Featured Image containing screenshots of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, Mario Tennis, and Suoer Smash Bros Ultimate.

It is an RPG where you control both of the titular characters at the same time.

6Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

The idea of Ubisoft developing a Mario game still feels weird.

Together, all of them have to take on a dark evil.

Mario - 3 Characters Who Changes Throughout The Series

This is done mainly through turn-based tactical combat, where you battle a slew of enemies.

Each of your characters has different abilities and a signature weapon.

So, it was the perfect studio to develop the first role-playing game in the Super Mario series.

Mario Party 3 screenshot of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Wario, Donkey Kong, Peach, Yoshi, and Tumble standing in front of Peach’s castle.

Much of the game is spent running around and doing a lot of jumping while exploring the land.

Yet, when you run into enemies, you face them in turn-based battles.

The title was developed by Camelot Software Planning.

mario-party-3.jpg

The studio is mainly known for making Mario-based sports games.

Here are the best Mario games that deserve a sequel!

As the name of the game suggests, it’s a tennis title featuring various Mario characters.

Mario and Luigi looking at a Kirby Poster in Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga.

you might play regular exhibition matches, tournaments, and various party games.

That is exactly what Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is: a good RPG.

It contains a unique presentation because everything is designed and, in some cases, functions like paper.

mixcollage-26-dec-2024-01-21-am-1552.jpg

As 2D Mario, you explore the world, complete a collection of puzzles, and defeat enemies.

You battle these foes in turn-based skirmishes where Mario and a partner can use various moves on them.

In this game, you might control various Mario characters and engage in a friendly game of golf.

Mario, Rabbids, and the rest of the characters from Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope.

via Ubisoft

Each character has different attributes, so picking the one that suits you could be the key to victory.

1Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate

Super Smash Bros.

mixcollage-12-dec-2024-10-36-pm-7312.jpg

Yet, Mario still remains one of the faces of the Smash Bros games.

Like the earlier entries in the series, the title is a platform fighter.

There are a litany of different combatants to control and levels to battle on.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars screenshot of Princess Toadstool gives everyone a group hug.

Here are the coziest Super Mario video games!

mixcollage-23-dec-2024-10-15-am-3859.jpg

Mario Tennis promo art of Mario, Luigi, and other charcaters holding tennis rackets.

mixcollage-15-dec-2024-08-37-pm-6776.jpg

Paper Mario: the Thousand-Year Door screenshot of Mario dressed as Wario, while a black Yoshi looks on.

paper-mario-thousand-year-door-gamecube-cover.jpg

The cover art for Mario Golf Toadstool Tour.

mixcollage-18-dec-2024-02-41-pm-4335.jpg

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate screenshot of Dr. Mario grabs Mario on Mario Kart 8 stage.

super-smash-bros-ultimate-cover-art.jpg

Triple-A Games