10. Wario
Who doesn’t love a bad boy? Wario is a crude, cruel, and greedy version of Mario who has served as both rival and antagonist over the years.
Everything that makes Mario great is flipped on its head for this character, making Wario a dark reflection of the plumber.
In the wonderfully subtle way that the franchise handles its storytelling, Wario gives you everything you need in a villain even without any big backstories or grand plans.
9. Donkey Kong
Did you know that Mario’s first video game appearance wasn’t even technically aSuper Mariogame?
Indeed, the plumber first appeared in the arcade mega-hitDonkey Kong, jumping over barrels and smashing his way to rescue his girlfriend Pauline. (That’s right, Pauline came before Peach!)
One could easily argue that without Donkey Kong—who himself has gone on to become a staple of multiple Nintendo series—there wouldn’t be aSuper Mariofranchise to celebrate at all.
Related:The Best Geeky Gift Ideas for Retro Gamers and Enthusiasts
8. Princess Daisy
While Princess Peach was the first princess Mario had to rescue, Princess Daisy was the first damsel-in-distress with real depth to her.
She was feisty, confident, and full of energy, right from her very first appearance inSuper Mario Landon the Game Boy. Since then, she’s appeared in a few otherSuper Mariogames, usually with her eye on Mario’s taller brother, Luigi.
Other princesses have gotten more screen time than her, but Princess Daisy never fails to leave her mark on a game.
Related:The Best Video Games in the Super Mario Franchise, Ranked
7. Pauline
Pauline first appeared in the originalDonkey Kong, and she’s arguably had the most development of any of the women in Mario’s life. She’s been in theSuper Mariofranchise longer than even Luigi!
Most recently, Pauline was the fierce mayor of New Donk City inSuper Mario Odyssey, providing the game with some much-needed style and one of the catchiest video game soundtracks of all time in the form of “Jump Up, Super Star!”
6. Yoshi
Since his introduction inSuper Mario Worldon the SNES, Yoshi quickly became a fan favorite of theSuper Mariofranchise—so much so that he got his own game shortly after in the form ofYoshi’s Island.
These days, it’s hard to imagine aSuper Mariogame without the lovable green dinosaur, which is why whenever a new game is announced, there are always questions about whether Yoshi will make an appearance.
5. Princess Rosalina
Super Mario Galaxycame out in 2007 and easily remains one of the best games of the entireSuper Mariofranchise. Part of that was due to excellent controls, unique worlds to explore, and plain fun gameplay.
But an even bigger part of the game’s success was Princess Rosalina, who immediately rose through the ranks and became one of the bestSuper Mariocharacters ever.
Most of the other princesses rule over mere kingdoms, while Rosalina has an entire galaxy to keep in check. And even though she’s one of the more recent additions to the franchise, Rosalina has already cemented herself as a staple of spin-offs, includingMario KartandSuper Smash Brothers.
4. Princess Peach
Princess Peach wasn’t the first woman in Mario’s life, but she’s certainly one of the most important female characters in video game history.
Her journey from classic damsel-in-distress to smart, strong, independent woman who can rescue herself is one that we saw play out over countless gaming appearances.
Although she’s most famous for needing constant saving, Princess Peach has shown a willingness to whip out her umbrella and lay down the hurt when she needs to, a trend dating back toSuper Mario Bros 2.
Related:The Most Badass Female Video Game Characters, Ranked
3. King Bowser
Bowser is the King of the Koopas, the greatest threat the Mushroom Kingdom has ever known, and one of the most devious go-kart racers in the entireSuper Mariofranchise.
On top of all that, Bowser is one of the most iconic villains in video game history—and as we all know, a great hero is only as good as his greatest enemy. Bowser is one reason why Mario shines so brightly.
His first appearance in 1985’sSuper Mario Broson the original Nintendo Entertainment System helped skyrocket both the console and Nintendo into the highest realms of pop culture.
2. Luigi
Where would Mario be without his brother? Luigi has been by Mario’s side since their first arcade appearance together in 1983.
Luigi is usually relegated to Player 2 status, making him the favorite of younger siblings who wanted to play but were sadly never allowed to assume Mario himself.
But Luigi is more than just a support character now. TheLuigi’s Mansiongames are some of the best of theSuper Mariofranchise, which are absolutely worth playing if you haven’t yet.
Luigi’s cowardly ways don’t always make him the coolest character, but we can’t imagine theSuper Mariouniverse without him.
1. Mario
Who else could possibly top this list? To many, Marioisgaming.
In fact, if you showed his picture to random people on the street, most would recognize his bright red hat, blue overalls, and mustache without a moment’s hesitation.
Mario isn’t just the best character in theSuper Mariofranchise; he’s arguably the most iconic and most important character in gaming history. Not bad for a simple plumber from Brooklyn!
