I think I'd have to go with SMW
I liked 3 a lot, it introduced a lot of new elements paving the way for world. But world IMHO is better.
this post was submitted on 11 Nov 2025
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I played and beat world with my dad on a rented Super Famicom before Super Nintendo came out.
We didn't have an instruction booklet and all the tutorial stuff that came up was in Japanese so we went the entire game without knowing you could throw shells upwards. So when we got to Bowser at the end we thought you had to be able to fly so you could dive-bomb the motherfucker. Took us so many tries getting there with a cape and a backup before we eventually each got it. Man, did I feel dumb when SNES came out and I learned the truth, but also a perverse pride, like being one of the few people to beat something before it gets nerfed.
Not really related but this made me think of that for the first time in years.
Between those two? SMW. Of all Mario games? That's a much more interesting question.
Personal preference, but if you asked me "of all Mario games", it would also come down to a decision between these two.
I realize it's comparing apples to oranges but Paper Mario and Odyssey have to be in the discussion.
Is no one in this thread going to mention Sunshine? Clearly the best SM game without a doubt
Sunshine had some cool ideas and introduced Bowser Jr. but I wouldn't put it over Galaxy or Odyssey as a 3D platformer.
Why would you rank those two as better platformers? I reckon FLUDD introduced a lot of fun ways to solve the level puzzles and the hub world is the best designed next to Mario 64.
FLUDD is pretty well done but, pun unintended, they still hadn't nailed the fluidity of movement that the later titles have. (The existence of a hub world is pretty neutral for me, they mostly serve as a way to soft tutorial the controls.)
I think you're right with odyssey, that game played beautifully but galaxy (the first one at least) felt as jank if not more jank than sunshine. The wiimote never felt good for platforming and the switch adaptation also struggles with awkward camera angles.
Totally fair! Personally I found the gravity stuff more interesting than the FLUDD mechanics but they definitely feel different and I can't dispute the camera struggle.
Bro I love Mario games hey, think it's time for yet another replay.
For this, SMW. Of all time? SMB2 on Gameboy.
SMW was my very first video game, so that's my choice. I've played both, but definitely prefer SMW because of its better controls, level design and graphics/sound. 3's levels are a bit too short for my liking, which is probably due to being crammed on an NES cart.
They should’ve made a sequel to the Wizard that featured SMW
ET.
I didn't know monsters were allow in here.