Coming up on its 41st anniversary, it always amazes me how Super Mario is not only still a thing, but one of the thing-est of things in the gaming industry. While the recently released Mario Tennis Fever brings a fresh batch of fun, but doesn’t quite reach its full potential, it is yet another testament to how the character and his ever-growing roster have expanded into a major media brand, well beyond the mainline games.
That also applies to the spin-offs, which manage to find sustenance and stand on their own two legs purely on their own merits. And that’s why, today, we’re ranking our favorite Mario spin-off titles, from worst to best.
The good thing is, the list below has a little bit of everything — from racing, to sports, to RPGs. So without further ado, read on to find out how we fare in the Mario world.
All the Mario Spin-Off Titles, from Worst to Best
Mario Super Sluggers
Mario Super Sluggers is a Nintendo Wii-era baseball title that significantly improved upon its GameCube predecessor by introducing a massive character roster that keeps the gameplay fresh. It stands out for its unique adventure mode, which leans into a family-friendly “street” sports vibe where players recruit a team of baseball stars to challenge Bowser and Bowser Jr.
While the game was a commercial success, selling over two million units, it is often placed at the lower end of “best-of” lists because it remains the last entry in a series that hasn’t seen a revival in over 15 years. Despite its lack of modern updates, the inclusion of a traditional baseball mode alongside the wacky Mushroom Kingdom mechanics makes it a solid, if aged, experience.
Dr. Mario
Since its debut in 1990, Dr. Mario has remained a pillar of the puzzle genre, often compared to classics like Tetris. The gameplay is elegantly simple: players drop colored pills into a bottle to match four of the same color, clearing rows and eliminating viruses. It is highly praised for being incredibly easy and satisfying to pick up and play for short bursts.
Critics note that Mario’s role as a medical professional is purely cosmetic, as the game’s strength lies entirely in its solid core puzzle mechanics rather than franchise lore. While it lacks the narrative depth of other spinoffs, its enduring relevance and various re-releases prove that the “doctor” theme was a stroke of genius for the puzzle market.
Mario Tennis Fever
Released as a flagship title for the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Tennis Fever is a riotous and chaotic experience that emphasizes high-speed arcade fun. The game introduces Fever rackets, a mechanic that streamlines superpowers to create an addictive balance between tactical court positioning and over-the-top special moves. Its massive character roster and unpredictable multiplayer matches make it a standout for local and online play.
However, the game is held back by a bland Adventure mode that critics felt served as little more than an extended tutorial. While the core tennis gameplay is refined and “nails the series’ most important element,” some reviewers noted that the overall package felt a bit shallow at launch due to a lack of creative single-player options.
Mario Strikers Charged
Mario Strikers Charged is widely regarded as one of the best arcade soccer games ever made, offering a high-intensity experience filled with wacky moves and aggressive gameplay. Unlike more recent entries, Charged is praised for its complexity, offering various tournaments where players can test their skills against a challenging AI or compete in online ranked matches.
The game’s visual style and dark, gritty atmosphere provided an attractive package that resonated deeply with soccer fans. It is often preferred over the newer Battle League because it offers a greater variety of mechanics and a more robust sense of progression through its tournament structure.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
A surprise collaboration that few saw coming, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle successfully placed Mario in a tactical strategy game involving turn-based combat and “guns”. The game is lauded for making a complex genre accessible to newcomers by removing frustrating tropes like permanent character death or confusing hit percentages. It still maintains a high level of challenge, requiring players to think tactically to navigate its vibrant worlds.
The game’s sequel, Sparks of Hope, further refined these systems, but the original remains a “fantastic” entry point that proved Mario could lead a completely different genre without losing his signature charm. Its success demonstrated Nintendo’s willingness to be experimental in the best way, blending humor and strategy perfectly.
Super Mario RPG
Originally a historic partnership between Nintendo and Square Soft, Super Mario RPG reinvented the plumber by placing him in a turn-based adventure. It introduced the “action command” system, which required timed button presses to increase damage or defense, a mechanic that revolutionized the RPG genre. The story is also notable for its unique humor and the rare opportunity to have Bowser and Princess Peach join Mario’s party.
The 2023 remake on the Switch proved that the game’s design stands the test of time, offering a “memorable, funny, and charming” experience for modern audiences. Because it remains a perfect entry point for those new to RPGs while offering depth for veterans, it is a permanent fixture at the top of Mario spinoff rankings.
Luigi’s Mansion
A personal favorite for our main man Mikhail Manfredo (no, seriously: dude published two articles praising the whole thing: here and here), the GameCube title turned the franchise on its head by shining the spotlight on Mario’s lankier, perpetually scared brother Luigi. The game also had a 3DS version, a charming experiment that successfully captures a delightfully creepy atmosphere. The game is celebrated for its well-crafted and unique single-player campaign, where players use the Poltergust to hunt ghosts in a haunted mansion. It is often viewed as a “cult classic” that offers a quirky departure from standard Mushroom Kingdom adventures.
Despite its high level of charm, the game is frequently cited for its lack of longevity and content, making it a relatively short experience compared to other spinoff epics. While some mechanical parts show their age, the addition of cooperative play in the port makes it a “treat” for those looking for a lighthearted romp through a spooky setting.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the ultimate racing experience and the best-selling spinoff in the entire franchise. It perfected the series’ formula by adding zero-gravity mechanics, a massive selection of high-quality tracks, and a roster that celebrates the wider Nintendo universe. The game’s “monstrously moreish” gameplay is supported by a high-quality, nostalgic soundtrack that makes every race feel like a grand event.
Accessibility is at the heart of its success, featuring driving assists for beginners alongside deep drifting and boosting mechanics for competitive players. Its enduring popularity—bolstered by a decade of new content—solidifies it as a must-have title that appeals to every demographic of gamers.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Regularly hailed as the greatest Mario spinoff of all time, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an RPG masterpiece known for its humorous writing and deep story chapters. Set in a unique 2D paper-themed world, it features a streamlined but highly addictive combat system where Mario teams up with partners who possess distinct abilities for both battle and exploration.
Fans adore the game’s “grungy” and roguish tone, which makes the world feel more alive and character-driven than a typical Mario game. Its legendary status was further cemented with a 2024 Switch re-release, ensuring that its refined mechanics and delightful art style remain accessible to a new generation of players.
