by Matthew Franks (6th)

(I’m back!)

Chapter 1: Super Mario 64 (1996)

Super Mario 64 is not only one of the best games for the Nintendo 64 but also one of the greatest games ever. This masterpiece introduced 3D platforming in a way that revolutionized gaming. And let’s be honest—this is where Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario, had the time of his life! With his iconic "Yahoo!", "Waaaaa!", and the legendary backward long jump, his performance became unforgettable.

This game, along with Super Mario World (my favorite), had some of the best sprites and even spawned some hilarious memes.

Chapter 2: Super Mario Sunshine (2002)

Now, Super Mario Sunshine is... well, mid. A lot of players weren’t big fans of this game, though it did have some catchy tunes. The main issue? It didn’t feel like a traditional Mario game—it was more of a jetpack water game.

That being said, Sunshine did introduce some cool elements, like Bowser Jr. and the magic paintbrush, making him the main villain for the first time.

Chapter 3: Super Mario Galaxy (2007)

Super Mario Galaxy is easily one of the greatest Wii games of all time. Let’s talk about why.

First, it introduced gravity-based gameplay, allowing Mario to fly through space and explore breathtaking planets. But, of course, Bowser wasn’t going to make it easy—he hired massive bosses to guard different planets, some of which were easy, while others were brutally tough.

However, the real star of this game? The music. The soundtrack is peaceful, nostalgic, and absolutely stunning. People still say it’s one of the best video game soundtracks ever. And let’s not forget the awesome power-ups that made the game even more fun!

Chapter 4: Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010)

Super Mario Galaxy 2 was the perfect sequel to an already incredible game. But this time, they gave us something even better—Yoshi!

This game introduced some of the most memorable power-ups, including:

• The Cloud Flower, which let Mario create cloud platforms
• The Rock Mushroom, which turned Mario into a rolling rock that could smash enemies
• The Bee Mushroom, which transformed Mario into a bee, allowing him to hover

And so many more! Super Mario Galaxy 2 was a massive hit and remains one of the best sequels on the Wii. But, unfortunately, it still hasn’t been added to the Nintendo Switch. Maybe—just maybe—it will make its way onto the rumored Nintendo Switch 2.

Thank you so much for reading The Evolution of Mario!

P.S. Honorable mentions: Super Mario 3D Land, Super Mario 3D World, and Bowser’s Fury.