Super Mario: 11 Best Spin-Off Characters, Ranked

The Super Mario series is one of the most emblematic and successful video games franchises of all time. It includes multiple titles, all of which received acclaim from critics and fans alike. Most importantly, the series has managed to remain fresh, constantly reinventing itself while still staying faithful to the formula that made it famous in the first place.

The series introduced multiple characters over the years. Thanks to their popularity among audiences, this lot received their own spin-off games, becoming staples of the franchise as a whole and earning a place among the best video game characters ever.

11 Pauline

Before Peach, there was Pauline. She gets the privilege of being Mario’s first-ever damsel in distress, back when Donkey Kong was an antagonist. Pauline is the female lead of the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. However, she reached the apex of her popularity thanks to Super Mario Odyssey and its ridiculously catchy theme song, “Jump Up, Super Star!”

Since Odyssey, Pauline has begun appearing as a playable character in other games, most notably Mario Tennis Aces and Mario Kart Tour. She’s yet to receive her own spin-off, though.

10 Rosalina

Since debuting in the critically acclaimed Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina has become a staple in the Mario franchise. Unlike the typical damsel in distress role that (most) female characters play in the Mario world, Rosalina is a wise figure who helps Mario throughout the game. She also has a compelling and somewhat sad backstory, increasing her appeal.

Although she doesn’t have any spin-off games of her own, Rosalina has appeared in other Mario titles since her debut, including Mario Kart and the Super Smash Bros. series.

9 Princess Daisy

Daisy, the resident tomboy from the Mario series, first appeared in Super Mario Land. She returned to the franchise in Mario Tennis and remained a constant presence in subsequent spin-offs, including Mario Kart, Mario Golf, and Mario Party.

Princess Daisy also appears as one of Peach’s skins in the Super Smash Bros. Series. Despite her popularity, she has never received a game, and it’s high time Nintendo gives her the spotlight she deserves. She’s a refreshing take on the franchise’s perpetual damsel in distress theme and a perfect vehicle to introduce some much-needed change into the series.

8 Bowser

Mario’s archenemy, Bowser, is as integral to the franchise as Mario himself. The King of the Koopas seemingly lives to kidnap Princess Peach and antagonize Mario. Still, Bowser and the Italian plumber have teamed up several times, hinting at a more complex relationship between the two.

Despite being one of the most iconic characters in the franchise, Bowser has never received a spin-off. Still, he’s a playable character in nearly every game in the Mario series and one of the heaviest hitters in the Super Smash Bros. franchise. Bowser is also one of Nintendo’s most popular characters ever, so perhaps he will eventually receive a series for himself.

7 Toad

Toad is Princess Peach’s most loyal attendant. Despite his frail appearance, Toad goes out of his way to protect her, even if he never quite succeeds in preventing her multiple abductions. Thanks to his endearing appearance, gentle and clumsy personality, and distinctive high-pitched voice, Toad has become one of the series’ most iconic characters.

Like most of Mario’s friends, Toad appears in nearly every spin-off. However, he has yet to receive a series of his own. Still, Toad did play the leading role in some games, most notably Wario’s Woods, where he acted as the main hero protecting the Mushroom Kingdom.

6 Captain Toad

The Toads often play supporting roles in the Mario games. They provide assistance, guidance, and support for Mario, at times even seeming like bonafide cheerleaders. However, the franchise slowly started giving them more prominence, culminating with the release of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.

The game stars Captain Toad, who made his debut in Super Mario Galaxy. Captain Toad is recognizable thanks to his oversized backpack, which prevents him from jumping, and the lamp he wears on his head. In Treasure Tracker, he and Toadette must traverse different puzzle-based minigames to reach a golden star at the end. Captain Toad shares the endearing qualities of his species, which helped him become one of Mario‘s most charming characters.

5 Dr. Mario

Throughout the series, Mario wears multiple costumes. Fans usually consider Dr. Mario a distinct character from Mario, even if he originally was just Mario with a doctor’s coat.

Dr. Mario debuted in his own game, 1990’s Dr. Mario, which spawned an entire series, including the recent title Dr. Mario World. Dr. Mario also appears as a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series. Dr. Mario has a set of medical-related abilities that help distinguish him from the original Mario, enhancing his identity as a separate character capable of standing in his own right.

4 Wario

Even if he’s not the franchise’s primary antagonist, Wario is still a worthy and menacing villain for Mario. Presented as literal antithesis for Mario, Wario is a greedy and slightly grotesque figure driven by overwhelming selfishness. Still, he isn’t exactly “evil” per se and has become more of an anti-hero over the years.

Wario is the star of several beloved games, starting with 1994’s Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 and its three sequels. The character then appeared in Wario World and received another series, WarioWare, which spawned another nine sequels. Furthermore, Wario is a staple in every spin-off of the mainline Mario games and a playable character in Super Smash Bros.

3 Yoshi

Ever since his debut in 1990’s Super Mario World, Yoshi has been one of the franchise’s undisputed stars. Critics consider the bipedal dinosaur one of the most recognizable Nintendo characters and one of the best sidekicks in video game history.

Yoshi became the star of a spin-off series in 1995 with the release of Yoshi’s Island. He kept appearing in his own titles from then on, including Yoshi’s Story, Yoshi’s New Island, Yoshi’s Woolly World, and Yoshi’s Crafted World. On top of that, Yoshi appears in Mario Kart,Mario Party, various Mario Sports games, and Super Smash Bros. 

2 Princess Peach

Peach, the eternal damsel in distress, debuted in the original Super Mario Bros. game. However, her role has evolved over the years, and she now holds the record for the most video game appearances of any female character.

While she is a constant presence in every game in the Super Mario series, Peach is also the protagonist of a spin-off, Super Princess Peach. In a remarkable reversal of roles, Peach must rescue Mario and Luigi from Bowser’s claws. Long before SPP, Peach had already been featured as a game protagonist in 1990’s Princess Toadstool’s Castle Run. Peach is also one of the best fighters in Super Smash Bros. and a mainstay of every spin-off Mario game, from Kart to Party.

1 Luigi

Luigi is a second lead in the franchise for all terms and purposes, acting as a deuteragonist in the Super Mario games. He is starkly different than his brother; Luigi is taller than Mario, bashful, overly nervous, good-natured, and capable of controlling his emotions far better than his older sibling.

Starting in 1990, Luigi began receiving titles of his own, the first being Luigi’s Hammer Toss. However, the character reached a new level of acclaim with the release of 2001’s Luigi’s Mansion, a game that spawned two sequels and cemented Luigi as one of Nintendo’s most charming and beloved characters ever.

About The Author

David Caballero
(802 Articles Published)

David is a twenty-eight-year-old Mexican writer and reader. Having studied Marketing in school, he spent three years working a nine-to-five desk job before deciding to pursue a writing career. He now works as a Senior Writer in ScreenRant and does some more freelancing job, talking about the entertainment business he so loves. Currently, he’s also writing his second novel while actively working to get his first one published.

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