Here are the 10 greatest Mario video games of all time

Today is National Mario Day! And we’re here to help you celebrate everyone’s favorite mustachioed Italian plumber.

The fictional Nintendo character is at the center of the best-selling video game franchise of all time, with more than 210 million units sold worldwide. Mario has a trademark look: He’s decked out in blue overalls, a red "M" hat and often shouts, “Wahoo!” with a fist in the air.

Since first appearing in Donkey Kong in 1981, Mario has now been a part of more than 200 video games, becoming a staple of pop culture and the video gaming world.

So why is today National Mario Day? Because the date looks like his name: "Mar. 10." Get it?

We take a look back at his evolution with the 10 best Mario games ever made:

10. 'Paper Mario'

2001, N64

For a time when characters became increasingly more 3D, 2001’s "Paper Mario" came with a sense of nostalgia thanks to its flat, paper-like characters that felt old-school when other games looked to the future. Mario travels to different worlds in search of the seven kidnapped Star Spirits, who only together can provide Mario with the power to defeat a supercharged Bowser who has become invincible with the stolen Star Rod. Mario picks up a new sidekick and follows a different storyline in each world, making this game one that never becomes boring. – Ashley

9. 'Super Mario Bros.' 

1986, NES

As the first game of the "Super Mario" series, 1985’s "Super Mario Bros." for NES set a precedent. Widely recognized as the game at the forefront of reviving the video game industry, it sees Mario traversing eight worlds to collect coins, flattening evil Goombas and changing his powers with super-sizing mushrooms and Fire Flowers. In the end, he faces off with King Bowser for one final showdown. But Super Mario Bros. didn’t age well, especially when played on a flat-screen TV. –​ Ashley

8. 'Super Mario Sunshine' 

2002, GameCube

Visually gorgeous with its tropical themed-story line, 2002’s "Super Mario Sunshine" has Mario on the dolphin-shaped Isle Delfino fighting a graffiti-spreading Shadow Mario. Mario cleans up the mess and works to save Princess Peach, who has been kidnapped by the shadow culprit. It was the first Mario platform game for GameCube, as well as the first 3D Mario platformer where Mario could travel on a color-changing Yoshi. –​ Ashley

7. 'Super Mario Galaxy 2'

2010, Wii

While the first "Super Mario Galaxy" set the new standard for 3D platformers three years early, the second "Galaxy" was more than just a sequel. The level design is unmatched by any video game in history. You could say the same about the art direction, too. Some critics even praised this game as the greatest game Nintendo has released –​  that is, until “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” came out earlier this month. –​ Brian

6. Super Mario World

1991, Super NES

This might seem low for such an iconic game, but that’s how loaded this list has become over the years. Super Mario World ushered Mario into the 16-bit era and popularized the Super Nintendo at launch, providing a game that not only introduced us to Yoshi, but took the concept of Super Mario Bros. 3 and ran further with it. Plus, the musical score is outstanding; we can’t be the only ones who rocked out to the tunes in Bowser’s level. –​ Brian

5. 'Super Mario Galaxy' 

2007, Wii

"Super Mario Galaxy" did what "Super Mario Sunshine" couldn’t quite do: It revolutionized the Mario franchise beyond where Super Mario 64 took it a decade earlier. No game took advantage of the Wii’s control scheme quite like "Galaxy," and no game handled gravity and 360-degree platforming quite so seamlessly. There’s a reason this game is among the Top 5 reviewed games of all time. –​ Brian

4. Mario Kart 64

1996, N64

It was the revolutionary racing game that, 20 years after its North American release, still remains a party favorite. Whether you’re weaving through palm trees on Koopa Troopa Beach, or tearing down the seemingly never-ending Rainbow Road — the game’s toughest and longest track — "Mario Kart 64" withstands the test of time thanks to its visually innovative (and highly competitive) racing concept. –​ Ashley

3. 'Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island'

1995, Super NES

Surprised? Don’t be. This is the best 2D platformer ever made, mostly overshadowed by the pending release of the N64 and Mario in 3D. The control scheme is masterful, the art direction is innovative and the challenge of collecting every star, red coin and flower gives this game incredible replay value. And sure, you play as Yoshi, but Baby Mario makes his presence felt in a hurry when you’re hit and he flies off your back crying. –​ Brian

2. 'Super Mario 64'

1996, N64

This 1996 release ushered in a new era of Mario, bringing the franchise into the 3D, 64-bit era. With open-world playability and depth never before seen in a Mario game, "Super Mario 64" helped bring the N64 to the forefront of video gaming culture. It continues to stand as N64’s best-selling game of all time with more than 11 million copies sold. –​ Ashley

1. 'Super Mario Bros. 3' 

1990, NES

While the original "Super Mario Bros." revitalized the video game industry, It was "Super Mario Bros. 3" that launched Mario to new heights as a franchise. What you know about the Mario universe today is largely thanks to this game. And beyond that, it remains one of the greatest 2D platformers of all time, with a lasting power that continues to this day on the NES Classic Edition. –​ Brian

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