10 Most Likable Characters In The Mario Video Game Franchise

As the new Mario Party Superstars releases with a significantly reduced roster of playable characters compared to previous titles, some players will find themselves missing their favorites this time. It is a testament to the huge cast of beloved characters in the Mario franchise that ten of the most iconic ones in gaming are still available to choose from.

While a strong line-up, the question of who the ten most likable characters are, the ones that made fans fall in love with these games and still elicit fights in the character select screen, is a more complicated one. These characters are the true fan favorites that Nintendo could hardly exclude from big titles like this.

10 Luigi

Mario’s taller younger brother has always lived in the shadow of his more heroic, red-capped sibling. Early on, Luigi was simply a recolored Mario sprite and it wasn’t until 2001 that he would receive his very own game in the form of Luigi’s Mansion.

Luigi is often portrayed as cowardly and timid in contrast to Mario, which has firmly established him as the lovable underdog of the Mario franchise. It’s because of this that when he does get his own heroic moments, such as his victory over King Boo, the impact on the player is even stronger.

9 Yoshi

Yoshi is one of the select few from the Mario franchise who have their own ongoing series of games, and for good reason. Whether it’s in mainline Mario games or in his own series of cozy titles like Yoshi’s Crafted World, Yoshi is a character known for always being ready to help the player, no questions asked.

Without ever saying a word, Yoshi became extremely popular among young and old players and it’s no surprise that he keeps his place on the roster for Mario Party Superstars.

8 Mario

The mustachioed face of Nintendo, Mario is the character whose popularity started it all. Mario of all characters needs no introduction.

Perhaps the most iconic video game character of all time, Mario’s charm is part of the reason video games took off so fast in the west in the first place. Players love a selfless hero, and Mario embodies that spirit, showing no signs of slowing down since his introduction in arcades in the early eighties. Expect the star-studded Mario film to be huge next year, with Chris Pratt providing the voice of the beloved plumber.

7 Princess Peach

The kind-hearted ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom also has no shortage of fans. With her signature pink dress and umbrella, Peach stands out amongst the characters in the Mario franchise, looking more like a Disney princess in contrast to characters like Mario and Toad.

In more recent titles such as Super Mario 3D World, Peach has completed her transformation from damsel-in-distress to a strong playable character in her own right, using her grace and her gravity-defying umbrella to ensure a fun time for players.

6 Princess Daisy

Another character often overshadowed by their more prominent counterpart but nevertheless loved by fans, Daisy has often been seen as the more laidback of the two princesses. Daisy is the more friendly, approachable princess and this is probably why she leaves such a strong impression despite never having had a standalone game.

Daisy is not to be underestimated, being one of the most powerful characters in Mario Tennis, her first appearance as a playable character, and she is also a playable character in Super Smash bros. Ultimate. People love an underdog, and Daisy consistently proves herself a contender.

5 Bowser

The giant, fire-breathing king of the Koopas can often be an intimidating antagonist in Mario games. His evil schemes range from clumsily attempted kidnappings to taking over the galaxy.

But whenever Bowser appears to settle his differences with Mario over a race, a series of Olympic sports, or even a board game, those evil, selfish tendencies are played for comedy instead. Even though he doesn’t make the list of playable characters in the latest Mario Party game, his popularity ensures he features throughout though players will want to avoid him if they hope to keep hold of their coins.

4 Toadette

Whilst Toad may be an under-appreciated character in the Mario franchise, most often seen delivering bad news to the player, Toadette has no such problems.

More than just a pink re-color of Toad, Toadette is a memorable addition to the Mario cast, with bouncing pigtails and a cheerful personality to match. Though rarely available as a playable character, Toadette is a fixture of the Mario Party titles and again picks up the role of delivering stars to the player in the latest installment.

3 Waluigi

Waluigi stands out from the others on this list because of his unlikely status as an internet favorite, with his nasal voice and grouchy mannerisms. Voiced by the same Charles Martinet who provides the voice for Mario in the majority of titles, it is no surprise his speech patterns are so distinctive and quoted. It takes a lot of charisma to make a one-syllable catchphrase (“wah!”) catch on.

In the games, Waluigi is often portrayed as self-pitying and crafty, often blaming his losses on cheaters despite his own underhanded methods. Nevertheless, this is a character who inspired a campaign to get him into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. There is a rough charm to Luigi’s lanky purple counterpart.

2 Rosalina

The woman who looks over the galaxy with her star-shaped Luma companions undoubtedly has universal appeal. With her serene air and light blue color palette, Rosalina brings something different to the table to the other princesses of the Mario games.

First appearing as a central figure in Super Mario Galaxy, far later than any other character on this list, Rosalina quickly became a fan favorite and is now rightfully a mainstay of the Mario Spin-off titles. She is one of the most memorable of the newer Mario characters and with good reason.

1 Goomba

Goombas are the punching bag of the Mario Universe. These brown, button-shaped mushroom creatures have been around since the very beginning and are one of the few characters who could almost rival Mario himself for the number of games they’ve been featured in.

What sets them apart is that in almost every appearance, they exist to be squashed. They are the unsung heroes of many Mario titles, sending Mario off at the start of his journey and usually being quickly forgotten about. A character removed from the roster of playable characters in the new Mario Party Superstars, Goomba returns to being one of the most popular NPC’s of the Mario world.