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Which version of Mario is the best version of Mario?

If you could only play as one Mario forever, which would it be?

Words: Justin Towell, GamesRadar UK

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Earlier in the week, we published an article showing some 50 versions of Sonic the Hedgehog to see which one is the 'best' to play as. But you can't do one without the other, so here are nearly 70 versions of Mario for your eyes to boggle at.

As with Sonic, we'll show you our least-favourite Marios over the page, before concluding with the best Marios of all time, finally choosing one as the Ultimate Mario. Be sure to let us know which one your favourite is in the comments. OK, ready? As Mario himself would surely say, "Here we goooo!"

Phew! It's amazing how different a moustache, nose, hat and eyes can be drawn. But which ones looked the worst? Head over the page to find out...

82 Comments

Order Comments: Newest First | Oldest First

kubes - 7 months 23 days ago

MARIO+ME=FIRST!!
great article

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Unoriginal - 7 months 23 days ago

Personally I think the best version is from Brawl.
Those seems on his pants are just so... sexy.

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netlatnu - 7 months 23 days ago

I personally like the SMB3 sprite from Super Mario Allstars. It the perfect simplicity of SMB3 Mario with the polished SNES looks of SMW.

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Cybermaster - 7 months 23 days ago

The basic Retro one is the best of all.

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MacGyver1138 - 7 months 23 days ago

I'm a big fan of the original Jumpman sprite. Really, I think you probably had a tougher time deciding bad Marios than bad Sonics. Most Marios are at least passable.

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xFnKxTaLeNtx - 7 months 23 days ago

My fav has to be the frog suit mario from the superv mario 3

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GamesRadarBrettElston - 7 months 23 days ago

No 1994 Donkey Kong???????? Oh looks like it was only US and Japan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_Kong_(Game_Boy)

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sixboxes - 7 months 22 days ago

I'm pleased! I pegged 2 of the best Marios - SMW and SMB3. I have to agree as well, though the colour palette from SMB3 always seemed a little off. His animation from these two games was the ultimate as well.

I have to go with netlatnu on this too - the Allstars version of the SMB3 Mario was like the best of both worlds, even it's it a touch of cheating.

Can someone explain, though, how becoming a doctor magically lightens Mario's hair? Is it _really_ him in the Dr. Mario games?

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LBD_Nytetrayn - 7 months 22 days ago

How can you fault the original SMB's sprite for having a same-foot walk, but not Super Mario World's? It seems even more obvious there, especially with the Mario Paint guide pointing it out.

I think New Super Mario Bros. or Super Mario Bros. 2 would have to be the best; NSMB has all the moves, and SMB2 was the best looking one on the NES or Super NES, and was only improved in Super Mario Advance. SMB3's was a downgrade from SMB2's, in my opinion.

Only one better, I think, is Super Smash Bros. Melee's; I'd say Brawl, but then there's the issue of being saddled with FLUDD...

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BadLadJon - 7 months 22 days ago

Link next?

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c03n3nj0 - 7 months 22 days ago

I agree with the Mario Kart 64 one, I just hate how that looked...

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Corsair89 - 7 months 22 days ago

I loved Galaxy Mario. When I first saw it, I was stunned to see how good he looked.

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ThunderMuffinsMcgee - 7 months 22 days ago

Mario Teaches Typing all the way.

Seriously now, Either Super Mario world, Mario Galaxy, or Brawl. Personal Favorite is Super Mario world just because I liked that game better.

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