10 Harsh Realities Of Replaying The Mario Games

2023 will see the Super Mario Bros. animated adaptation released in cinemas. The trailers have promised an experience that crosses over into a huge array of Nintendo titles and fans are revisiting some classics from the past in preparation. But upon a replay, a couple of harsh realities have begun to stand out.

Nonetheless, the Mario franchise is rightfully one of the biggest in the world thanks to its inventive gameplay, fun mechanics, and quirky characters. That doesn’t change the fact that these realities might just change some opinions about the evolution of the gaming series, for better or for worse.

Mario Began In A Donkey Kong Game

Mario is of course the king of his respective franchise, but upon replaying through the history of the saga, fans will notice that Mario doesn’t get introduced via his title. It may seem shocking considering the attention has been placed on the plumber in the red uniform.

RELATED: 11 Characters Who Should Be In The Super Mario Bros. Movie

In truth, Mario appeared first in 1981’s Donkey Kong, which saw players control Mario as they attempted to rescue the love interest from the titular antagonist. Donkey Kong has gone on to feature in his array of titles independent of Mario, but it’s a little harsh that the character doesn’t get the credit for kicking off Nintendo’s massive draw.

Initially Princess Peach Is Underutilized

While Mario first sought to rescue a character called Pauline from the capture of Donkey Kong, it would be Princess Peach that would often serve the role of damsel in distress throughout the saga. Indeed, her first appearance in 1985’s Super Mario Bros. saw her imprisoned by Bowser.

It’s common to see Peach as a heroine these days, considering the leading role she has taken in everything from Mario Party to Mario Kart. But her initial role has aged terribly, with the harsh reality hitting that she was utilized as little more than a plot device to motivate the super bros.

Early Mario Kart Is Hard To Control

Super Mario Kart was released in 1992 and was an absolute game-changer for both the franchise and Nintendo. The title has become a mainstay for every console, featuring an ever-changing roster of familiar faces from previous Mario outings. However, it’s aged terribly.

While Super Mario Kart might be a genre-defining title, it’s also incredibly difficult to play. The technology at the time resulted in poor controls, with the karts themselves hard to steer. While it is a nostalgic experience, upon a replay it’s clear how far the Mario Kart line has developed since.

One Of The Most Inventive Is A Wario Title

One criticism that could be levied at the Mario universe is that many of the titles released are predictable. Ideas are recycled, retro gameplay styles are barely reimagined, and the same characters get the same spotlights. Those are simply the facts of maintaining consistency for a fanbase so that the releases line up with what they remember.

RELATED: 15 Best Characters To Play As In Mario Kart 8, Ranked

Ironically, it’s a harsh reality that one of the most experimental, inventive, and bizarre Mario games doesn’t include the titular plumber at all. The WarioWare spinoffs are full of genuinely quirky minigames that have brought a fresh sense of life to a franchise now brimming with possibilities via this route.

It’s Lacking In Character Development

Princess Peach was previously one example of the poor character development in the Mario series. Sure, characters like Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Toad have now gained significant screen time and are thus entirely understood by the audience. But the supporting roster is featured far less.

For example, Waluigi has appeared in countless titles, yet fans still don’t know anything about him, besides the fact that he’s an evil counterpart to Luigi. It’s not a criticism that applies to every supporting role, but in the future, the Mario line could attempt to add a few further shades to some of these side heroes and villains.

The Graphic Evolution Was Slow

Nowadays, picking up a Mario game will ensure that players are treated to the current generation of graphics. The look of Nintendo games has always been quite varied, and it wasn’t until the 3D revolution with more recent consoles that everything changed.

If a player was to trace the franchise through its history, they’ll notice that the aesthetic of the early titles didn’t evolve all that much, that quickly. It isn’t until the Nintendo DS that true innovation begins, with the Wii perhaps even more responsible for the current design choices.

Sonic’s Team Boasted Better Players

The Mario and Sonic series has placed the rosters of these two franchises against one another, often in Olympic settings. There have been multiple releases from the line, that often go hand-in-hand with the sporting events happening in the real world.

RELATED: 10 Best Minigames In Mario Party

Mario’s team has always been impressive, but when looking at Sonic’s squad, they might just outmatch the Nintendo roster. Knuckles, Tails, Dr. Eggman, and Amy are just a few examples of characters that seem to best the Mario team; even if statistically they are supposedly evenly matched. Players know they usually head for the SEGA unit.

Mario Is Underpowered In Super Smash Bros.

The roster of Super Smash Bros. in all its incarnations is vast and considering it combines many of Nintendo’s heavy hitters, it’s no surprise that Mario is featured among its regular stars. However, a harsh reality kicks in after playing through Mario’s line.

Throughout Mario’s games, audiences have seen him do some incredible things. Thus, he seems so underpowered when included in Super Smash Bros. and perhaps isn’t even one of the best fighters to choose. He’s far from the worst, but considering the abilities, he is yet to tap into, he should be more effective.

There Are Some Dud Releases

Mario is built into pop culture and is the flag bearer for all things Nintendo. It might seem a little unpopular to suggest that despite all the fanfare there are some true duds in the archives, but it’s true. Not every Mario game has turned out to be a smash hit, nor are they particularly replayable.

Some of the objectively worst games include Mario Party 10, Super Mario Land, and Mario’s Time Machine just to name a few. From faulty gameplay mechanics to awful graphics, it’s ok to admit that occasionally even one of the greatest video game universes doesn’t produce quality despite fond memories.

Rainbow Road Is Overhyped

Heading back in lane with Mario Kart, there is one specific track that has become synonymous with the title. Every iteration of the game has had a Rainbow Road built in, with the current Mario Kart 8 Deluxe reminding fans of the vast array of designs.

But, it’s fair to say that Rainbow Road is pretty overhyped. Some fantastic tracks get overlooked in the conversation and what’s more, players often find Rainbow Road to be frustratingly difficult. The fact that it has taken up so many Deluxe slots is criminal.

NEXT: 10 Best Platformer Games, According To Reddit