What is the best possible Mario game?

[dsheinem]

With apologies to Segata's thread title, I thought it would be interesting to hear what people would envision as the ideal Mario game.

Would it be a 3D or 2D game? What kind of graphics would it have? Would it feature a large cast of playable characters? Would it offer a stiff challenge that can only be bested by the most skilled Mario players or be a light romp suitable for all levels of experience? Does the best possible Mario game already exist?

Specifically, I am asking you to remove the idea of designing a Mario game that makes "good financial sense for Nintendo" from the equation...instead specify the kind of Mario game you would most like to see. If Nintendo were going to design a Mario game specifically for you, what would it be?

Maybe you'd put the hat tricks from Mario Odyssey into Super Mario World, allowing you to become other sprites in that game. Maybe you'd do a reimagining of Super Mario Land 2 but in the visual style of Mario 64. Maybe you'd create a game focusing on exploring the stranger corners of Mario's universe, or a game built around some underutilized set of Mario skills. Maybe you've already made your perfect Mario game in Super Mario Maker and have really thought this question through in the process; if so, what did you learn?

In any case, what is the best possible Mario game?

[ZeroAX]

Super Mario RPG 2: Geno's Return

[casterofdreams]

Honestly I'd take a third Galaxy game. I loved the first two and consider those the best 3D Mario games ever made (I haven't played Odyssey as I don't own a switch). I don't think we'd realistically see one though since it requires waggle and that isn't the focus of the Switch.

[Tanooki]

As much as I really like Odyssey to me the most ideal game would be a toss up depending on mood of Super Mario World and Super Mario Bros 3.

They had the best physics, gameplay mechanics, stage design, unique enemies, even more unique suits/talents to pick up too, amazing sound tracks and effects, and lots of really neat surprises that were fun to find but never hard to discover either like they kind of are now where it's like there to sell a strategy guide book almost. The games are both epic size huge, yet, the stages each are short but not painfully so to a fault giving you a unique bit of fun by a themed area which works well to its advantage. Nothing feels uninspired, boring, cookie cutter or played out in either title. The fact you don't have to fight a camera to keep on track or see where you're going, or your surroundings not to get killed is a major plus. Pure gameplay where the fault is you, not the obtrusive system against you too.

I'd love to see a Mario game that's a merging of the best aspects of those two games. No 3D, no 2.5D either, and definitely not that garbage set of broken physics and boring ass stage and level design that NewSMB on the whole suffers from. That series feels like faux Mario going through the motions just to try and enjoy an almost soulless Mario adventure. I know that sounds bad writing that, but play the old NES/SNES games, then fire up New SMB and you'll see how they feel and fall hard and flat.

[nightrnr]

Definitely a Mario 3 reboot.
My main change would be more varied bosses. I want to feel like I'm facing a koopa kid for the 1st time again (that goes for castle bosses too).
It would also be neat to have 2 airships at the end of each world: one regular/beatable, the other super hard like the fast airship in world 8, netting you a better prize at the end. You get to choose which one gets you to the next world.

More or different suits (and maybe a way to get them back after getting hit, like in Kirby).

More 2-player mini games...
...maybe co-op ala NSMB; the nephews seem to like that and can't share turns like my generation.

I don't know...
Mario 3 is where it's at. I can never quite recapture the epicness and fun of that game by today's standards.

A Mario 2 (USA) reboot wouldn't be so bad either, but I have no idea where to go with that.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World are already the two best platformers ever. Like anything else they could be tweaked, sure, but they're already peerless in their genre.

[ZeroAX]

I guess a new 2D Mario game that actually tried to evolve the series would be my next possible Mario game (since i haven't played odessy yet and apparently it's amazing). I would also love a 2D mario game with hand drawn graphics, or cartoon like graphicks (especially if they look like animated version of that super mario land 2 boxart).

[ElkinFencer10]

Super Mario Galaxy 3 for sure. 1080p with motion control. Although I'd be perfectly happy with Super Mario Galaxy HD Collection with remasters of Galaxy 1 and 2.

[Gunstar Green]

Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World are already the two best platformers ever. Like anything else they could be tweaked, sure, but they're already peerless in their genre.

I'm pretty much with this.

I'm not trying to be an old fart about it either, I think these games nailed what a Mario game is and while some games have grown out from that baseline to become their own thing, these two remain the defining titles of the franchise that all of the others build from.

But I'm not a 3D platforming fan so judging Mario as an entire franchise is difficult for me.

[Segata]

Super Mario World. It's not even close. This game is one of those few games I will call as close to perfect as a game gets. A lot of worlds. Detailed 2D sprites. Some of the best level design ever. The music is the best OST to any Mario game ever. I truly believe it was not until 3D World and Odyssey that they made a 3D Mario game that looked as good as World does in 2D. Mario 3 is a fine game. Mario 3 is the prototype for SMW. SMW does everything better. I think the only Mario game that comes close to matching what SMW achieved in every way for 2D is Mario Odyssey.