Olly Dyche ranks the best character in the Marioverse…
Super Mario Bros. is without question the biggest and most popular video game franchise on the planet. Almost everyone has either played a video game starring the famous plumber, or have at the very least have heard of the franchise, its protagonist Mario, and iconic characters such as Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong and Bowser. Yet, the franchise is home to many great characters that only fans of the franchise or gamers truly know. So, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie out now, what better time to rank the best characters in the Super Mario franchise…
10. Waluigi
Waluigi is a great character, who sadly hasn’t had the respect he most certainly deserves in the popular video game franchise. Sure, he may be an antagonist alongside his evil brother Wario, yet Waluigi is still a dastardly iconic character. First appearing in 2000’s Mario Tennis, Waluigi’s nasally laugh, lanky stature and plain evil personality, quickly made the purple clad plumber a fan favorite.
Although Waluigi is a fan favorite character and a main character in the franchise, the ill-mannered plumber only stars in spin-offs like Mario Kart, Mario Party and of course Mario Tennis. Real fans however have been dying to see Waluigi make his way into Smash Bros. and frankly it’s criminal how he isn’t yet a fighter. Especially considering the Piranha Plant is a fighter.
9. Wario
As the devilish mastermind to the evil pair of plumbers, Wario first made his debut in 1992’s Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins where he served as an antagonist to Mario. Wario is certainly a bad guy and not to be messed with. Not only is he super strong, but he is incredibly cunning and always has a trick or two under his sleeve.
His short, stodgy stature and his yellow plumbing outfit make Wario a fan favorite, propping him up in spin-offs like Mario Kart, Smash Bros. and Mario Party. However, only a few characters in the Mario universe have had spin-offs centered around them, and Wario was one of them. Yet Wario hasn’t just received one spin-off series but a few. Including his Mario rip-off Wario Land as well as his incredibly intense and entertaining WarioWare series.
8. Peach
Peach may be among Mario’s most iconic characters, yet her character at least in her early years was fairly dull and wasn’t exactly a great role model. Peach is famously the main female character of the franchise who always used to serve as the damsel in distress who the player had to save.
Thankfully, over the years her role in the franchise has changed, allowing Peach to become a playable character in Super Mario World 3D, as well as being an awesome fighter in the Smash Bros. series. Likewise, and perhaps most importantly, Peach starred in her own spin-off game Super Princess Peach, where she showed off her fierce attitude proving to Mario and the world that she no longer needs saving.
7. Donkey Kong
Originally, Donkey Kong was one of the Mario franchise’s big bads, cementing himself for being as bad as Bowser, kidnapping princesses and wreaking havoc upon the Mushroom Kingdom. Since then however, Donkey Kong has turned over a new life and is now one of the series’ main protagonists. Donkey Kong may look ferocious, but he now has a heart of gold and his adorable red tie only makes us love him even more.
Donkey Kong is one of the most popular characters in the Mario franchise, appearing in pretty much every ensemble spin-off, as well as getting many titles of his own, including the 1981 classic Donkey Kong, which wasn’t a spin-off but instead launched Donkey Kong, Mario and Peach into mainstream media, along with Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat just to name a few.
6. Bowser Jr.
Bowser Jr. is adorable. At least until you really meet him. Bowser Jr. is the son of the series’ main antagonist Bowser, and the heir to the Koopa throne. Growing up with royalty turned Bowser Jr. into a spoiled, arrogant and aggressive little creature, who just wants his father’s approval. This forces Bowser Jr. to aid his father in his villainess endeavors, making him just as bad as the king of the Koopa’s himself.
Bowser Jr. first debuted in Super Mario Sunshine, back in 2002. From there, we have seen the villainess little guy make appearances in Mario Kart, Mario Tennis, Mario Party and pretty much all the ensemble video games.
5. Rosalina
Peach may be the most recognisable princess, yet Rosalina is without a doubt the best. Rosalina is a tough, kind and compassionate motherly figure who has a deep backstory to her character. Before adopting the adorable star-like Lumas, Rosalina tragically lost her entire family at a young age. Not many characters in the Mario franchise get a lot of backstory, yet Rosalina has the deepest and quite easily the darkest.
Rosalina quickly became a fan favorite with her first appearance in 2007s Super Mario Galaxy, which brought the character back in it;s highly anticipated sequel. Other than that, like most characters in the franchise, Rosalina appears in every ensemble Mario video game, since her debut, as well as becoming a playable character in Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope and Super Mario World 3D.
4. Bowser
What is an iconic video game series, without a quintessential villain. That quintessential villain comes in the form of Bowser, the most recognizable video game bad guy in history. The king of the Koopa’s has been there from the start, kidnapping Princess’ and disturbing the peace. His large, monster like design, with spikes scattered all over him make for an intimidating and terrifying boss to go up against. Top that with his untamed strength, powerful fire breath and an entire army at his disposal and you have one impressive yet scary villain.
As the main antagonist of the series, Bowser has appeared in virtually every video game in the series as well as being a memorable fighter in Smash Bros.
3. Luigi
Luigi may not be the bravest, nor the most intelligent character on the list, yet we absolutely adore him. As Mario’s brother, Luigi quickly became instantly recognizable, due to his green plumbing outfit and efficiency to always join his brother on his adventures, no matter how dangerous the quest. Luigi is mostly portrayed as a cowardly version of his brother and whilst this isn’t a wrong statement, Luigi has faced and overcome his fears more times than we can count, and is often seen putting his life on the line for the greater good.
Luigi has starred alongside Mario since the start of the franchise, in 1983’s Mario Bros. From there, the brother has appeared alongside his plumber brother in pretty much every single Mario game, including Mario + Rabbids, Mario Kart, Smash Bros. and Mario Soccer. But due to his popularity, Nintendo created a series centered around the plumber called Luigi’s Mansion. Both games have garnered much praise from gamers and critics alike.
2. Yoshi
The adorable green dinosaur is incredibly loyal as he is agile. Yoshi has been on many dangerous missions with Mario on his quest to rescue the princess, and he is always there when Mario needs him. As one of the many of his kind, Yoshi is by far the most recognisable and the most recurring of the Yoshi species, and his high-pitched voice is undeniably iconic and a joy to always hear.
Yoshi made his debut in Super Mario World in 1990, were he then went on to star in every Mario ensemble game as well as get his own spin-off series with Yoshi’s Island.
1. Mario
Mario is known and loved by many, and is without question one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. Mario is fearless, adventurous and endlessly loyal to everyone he meets and loves. Without Mario, there is no Mario franchise, and without Mario none of the other characters on the list may have ever been created.
First appearing in Donkey Kong in 1981, Mario has starred and appeared in hundreds of video games over his 42 year life cycle, most notably Super Mario Bros., Mario Soccer, Mario Tennis, Mario vs Sonic as well as being one of the original characters for Smash Bros.
Who are your favourite characters from the Marioverse? Let us know on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Olly Dyche
