Happy MAR10 Day, everyone! March 10th is here, and it’s the time of year when we celebrate everything Nintendo’s moustached plumber has achieved over the years. Maybe you’ll make a Mario cake or throw a Mario party, but you’ll definitely be playing some Mario games. I’m sure you’ve already played through most of the main-line Mario games, so now you’re looking for a new experience in this series. Fear not, because we’ve compiled a list of some Mario spin-off games that can give you something new to play this MAR10 Day.
The latest entry in the Mario series is a remake of a classic Game Boy Advance (GBA) game, Mario vs. Donkey Kong. This puzzle platformer is a spiritual sequel to the original Donkey Kong game and will give you a new Mario experience. In this game, you’ll control Mario as he makes his way through a toy factory in pursuit of Donkey Kong, who has stolen a bunch of mini-Mario toys. You’ll be solving puzzles, platforming, and fighting Donkey Kong in order to rescue the toys. What’s cool about the remake is that two new worlds were added, meaning that even if you played the game back on the GBA, you’ll still be able to experience content you’ve never seen before.
With Princess Peach: Showtime! on the horizon, maybe you want to try out the previous Princess Peach solo outing, Super Princess Peach. First released in 2005 for the Nintendo DS, this was the first game in the franchise to feature Princess Peach as the main character. The game follows Peach as she rescues Mario from Bowser, who has built a vacation home on Vibe Island (just roll with it). Peach is given a sentient parasol, Perry, to aid her on her quest. The game plays similarly to your standard Mario game but with a twist. Peach doesn’t get power-ups. Instead, she switches between different emotions to use different abilities. Granted, this is a bit odd, and some of the writing in this game can be a little out there, but if you’re looking for a fun time with chill vibes, give Super Princess Peach a shot.
Maybe you’re in the Olympic spirit this year? With the 2024 event in Paris not far away, perhaps a Mario spin of the worldwide event can satiate both that Mario game itch and the Olympic spirit. Mario and Sonic have been competing at the Olympics for over a decade at this point, with the most recent being the Tokyo 2020 Games. Regardless of the year you decide to play, you’ll be in for competitive fun. Not only do you have the standard Olympic events such as the 100-metre sprint, discuss, javelin, and all the swimming events, but you also have the dream events, which put a Mario and Sonic spin on the Olympic spirit. My personal favourite from this most recent entry is, without a doubt, Dream Racing. The chaos that ensues, especially in multiplayer, will either make you laugh excitedly or end a friendship (there’s no in-between).
What better game to play on MAR10 Day than one that focuses on his green and tall brother Luigi? The Luigi’s Mansion series is one of the bigger spin-offs of the Mario franchise, and the most recent game is arguably the best. Luigi’s Mansion 3 has everything you’d want from a Luigi game and a ghostbusting game. You’ll work your way through a haunted hotel, capturing ghosts and solving puzzles, all in your quest to save Mario and the rest of Luigi’s friends. Besides the single-player story, there’s an eight-player multiplayer mode for even more ghost-tastic fun. Will you work together to clear the ScareScraper? Or will you compete against one another in the ScreamPark? No matter which mode you choose to play, you’re bound to have a frightfully good time with Luigi’s Mansion 3.
Everyone likes a bit of friendly competition every now and then, so why not crush your friends and family in Mario Strikers: Battle League Football? This is a five-on-five version of soccer where anything goes. Aggressively tackle another player? Fair game. Random items that turn the tide of the match? Fair game. Over-the-top super moves that can score a goal from the other end of the field? Fair game. You can choose from several different Mario characters to join your team, each with different strengths and weaknesses. You can also further customise each character by changing their gear and improving their stats. Battle League is balls-to-the-wall fun, perfect for any occasion.
And there you have it, five Mario spin-off games to try this MAR10 Day. All the games mentioned are available on the Nintendo Switch (except for Super Princess Peach. Might have to do a little digging to find that one for the DS). And it’s never been a better time to pick one of these up because if you purchase select Mario games on the Nintendo eShop (including Luigi’s Mansion 3 and the new Super Mario Bros. Wonder), you’ll get 10% back in gold points to use for any future eShop purchase. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and play some Mario games!
How are you spending Mario Day? Which Mario game is your favourite? Did we miss a hidden gem? Let us know in the comments where we can talk all things Mario.
