Super Mario is Nintendo’s Most Consistent Franchise in Terms of Quality

Despite taking a few wrong turns, Super Mario is the most consistent source of high-quality entertainment in Nintendo’s stable.

[Puddlejumper75]

I would say its the entire industries most consistent franchise in terms of quality. Sure there are newer franchises that may be rated higher on a single game but they dont have 30 years of those games either.

I dont even read reviews for Mario games. It's pointless by now because you know the type of game it is and the quality is always there.

I seriously cant name a single bad Mario platform game. Sure some of the spin offs but not Mario Bros.

[DrRobotnik]

Super Mario Sunshine...Miyamoto himself was not pleased with this one.

[tweet75]

thats the only super mario game ever I was never really able to get into and the only one I never finished

[Timmer]

He may not have been pleased, but that does not mean it was in any way a bad game. SMS is probably the most underrated Mario game.

[mike1up]

I didn't care for Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Sunshine, but yea... Bubble+.

You said it so well, the quality is always there. Super Mario has withstood the test of time without a scratch.

[Relientk77]

I would have thought Legend of Zelda, but yea Mario and Zelda are the top 2 I'd think in terms of quality

[Xperia_ion]

To me Mario has a chocolate chip recipe type of games, it isn't hard to mess up.

[mamotte]

that was what Sonic said...

[attilayavuzer]

Its hard to drop in quality when you release the same game every year.

[jimbobwahey]

Yup. Works for Nintendo and Activision just fine.

[xXBlondieVanHarlowXx]

LOL...

Just LOL

[yabhero]

While its true in kinda sick of new super Mario bros.... With 3d Mario's this we had super Mario galaxy in 07... Then 2 in 2010 and 3Dland which is really a mix between then two styles in 2011... The console new super Mario bros are very similar to the handheld the control VERy differently and the consoles have 4 player drop in/out co op. NSMB 2 is a sequel to the DS game from 06 which is 6 years. NSMB Wii was 09 which is 3 years before the WiiU version comes... So not like cod at all... It's kinda a misconception that just becaus ether have Mario it makes them the same game. Though cod does look like its getting refreshed with BLK OPS 2

[Dantheman1]

you mean COD and every other shooter is the same game released every year

[spektical]

idk, for me mario died with the n64. I havent played any of the new mario bros games intensely (i.e finish). Super mario world and sm3 are my favorite

[live2play]

shut up troll
mario is always good and y-
*reads* "FOR ME mario died with the n64"

oh you stated it as your own opinion and not as a fact

i can respect that

i dont share your opinion but i respect it

[mike1up]

Super Mario World and Super Mario Bros. 3 are my personal favorites too. I am sure that you hear this all of the time, but you would really like New Super Mario Bros. Wii.

If you can manage to round up 3 other 2D Mario junkies, it's a lot of fun. I had a good group, and we played it to completion. We unlocked everything in the game in just 2 days.

[showtimefolks]

quality well don't get me wrong mario is good and all but don't COD games have quality each year? aren't they rated in mid 8s to 9s?

we all cry about sequels from every company but nintendo gets a free pass and they been making the same few games as their AAA for over 20 years now.

if people have issues with another gears or uncharted when those games are actually trying new things and making legit improvements than wh is that no one ever looks at nintendo and say where are the new IP's. and when there are new IP's they don't sell or get same advertisement budget as mario or zelda.

nintendo fanboys will hit disagree but these are facts next time you cry about another COD hold nintendo to same level as other publishers

[linkratos]

They have consistently high quality BUT always mix it up as well. And they do not release annually like many franchises. And you're not gonna get the same type of Mario game 3 times in the same gen like Gears, Uncharted, Mass Effect, Dead Space, etc.

There have been 9 mainline Mario platformers across 5 home console generations if my math is correct (SMB1, 2, 3, World, 64, Sunshine, Galaxy, Galaxy 2, New Wii).
That's not bad at all.

The one game that didn't really do anything new (NSMBW) has received a large amount of backlash despite it's competent quality and massive sales.

[showtimefolks]

how many total mario games have there been? and besides the few side one like galaxy or sunshine series its pretty much been the same formula that works.

Venox2008

yeh and zelda games still don't have HD graphics or voice actors now if uncharted,skyrim,fallout or other games had SD graphics and no voice actors we would be all over them

look man i love mario just as much as the next guy and i know Nintendo have very talented devs so i just want them to do some fresh things and than actually support those fresh ideas like mario and zelda so people would buy em and stuff

and believe it or not play gears 1 than gears 2 than 3 and you will see the difference when it comes to gameplay, graphics and online modes. same goes for many other AAA games

not hating on N but you have to realize that wii had not that great support from 3rd party games because they wouldn't sell so hopefully wii-u will be more productive

[Venoxn4g]

gears and uncharted trying something new? :D all "new" thing that I saw playing where new geaphics, I like Uncharted and Gears, but I didn't see there new things in Single player

[linkratos]

@showtimefolks

How are all the other games the same? Let's take a look:

SMB1 = the original
SMB2 USA = completely different, at some points in development was not even gonna be a Mario game.
SMB3 = back to the classic Mario style, but with new gameplay elements. Different feel of jumps, being able to bounce off enemies for more height, the World Maps, crazy powerups, being able to carry suits around the map, not to mention a completely new graphical look.
World = this one is not too different than SMB3 in terms of innovation, but it basically enhanced everything to a shining polish. The world map is improved, the jumping is refined, more secrets, and not to mention Yoshi.
Mario 64 = No explanation necessary, basically did what SMB1 did but for 3D games.
Sunshine = disappointing, but at least it tried to be different from 64. New theme, new mechanic (the waterpack), larger worlds and room to roam, and they even gave voice acting a shot (to miserable results).
Galaxy = brand new setting for Mario, brand new mechanics revolving around gravity, spheres, and even incorporating these in 2D levels as well. No game like it then or now, other than...
Galaxy 2 = would not have even been made except there were so many ideas that had to be cut from Galaxy that the developers stuffed them into a new game. And luckily they did because these levels are even more creative and inspired than the original Galaxy. Refined everything from Galaxy and removed any of it's minor flaws (similar to what SMW did after SMB3).
NSMBW = not a big fan, doesn't add much from the old school 2D games. But it is fun and polished. Brought 4 player platforming to the living room, so that's something.

I think you should read this and re-evaluate your opinion of the mainline Super Mario franchise.

[Puddlejumper75]

SMB2 USA = completely different, at some points in development was not even gonna be a Mario game.

It wasnt a Mario game to begin with.. They took another game on the market and simple added Mario & company to it and released it in the USA.

[ronin4life]

CoD did slip in a big way: in Single Player.
Every year, gamers bought CoD for the multiplayer, which in many eyes amounts to buying not a whole fresh game but a glorified $60 map pack that would require further dlc purchases.

That's the difference. Every Mario is it's own self contained experience and product, but Activisions handling of CoD makes the series feel like a continuing subscription to play what you already have.

[tweet75]

i think zelda and mario are equally consistent. The core games no the knock off games

[CanadianTurtle]

If only the applied the same level of respect for the StarFox franchise....

[chrispen9]

New Super Mario Bros is so dull and if that never released, I would agree with you. I just wish they worked on other franchises...

[Unexpecta]

Super Mario 64. Revolution.