The 10 Best Characters From The Super Mario Universe, According To Ranker

Over its decades-long history, the Super Mario universe has greatly expanded, ushering in countless new characters to populate its zany and charming worlds.

Amongst these, there are some characters who are fixtures of the franchise, those that voters at Ranker have determined are the best of the huge cast. Perhaps surprisingly though, the best in this instance doesn’t always mean the main characters, with more obscure choices also having made an impact on players over the years.

10 Koopa Troopa

A longtime enemy yet sometimes ally in the Mario franchise, the Koopa Troopas made their first appearance in Super Mario Bros. and have been a feature of levels ever since.

Avoiding a Koopa Troopa’s wrath is relatively easy, so they do not have much impact as a foe, but their shells can be useful for players to throw in Mario platformer games, while the red ones are some of the best weapons to use in Mario Kart 8 in order to target other racers. A playable character in titles like Super Mario Party, Koopas are shown to be friendly and cheerful.

9 Lakitu

A kind of Koopa that most often rides a cloud in the sky, Lakitus have taken on both helpful and adversarial roles since their debut back in Super Mario Bros.

Even so, there are things about Lakitu that make no sense, including their motivations, and while they are often seen in series like Mario Kart helping players who fall from the track to return to the race, they are antagonistic in several platformer games, dropping Spiny Eggs on players who walk beneath them. Later on, Lakitu became a playable character in Mario Kart 7, allowing gamers a closer look at the elusive Koopa.

8 Bullet Bill

Bullet Bills have been fired from cannons ever since the first Super Mario Bros. game, and the missiles have continued to appear as obstacles in many forms.

In some iterations Bullet Bills have the ability to chase down Mario, making them harder to evade, but in other platformers, they are easily defeated when jumped on. Aside from their reputation as an enemy, Bullet Bills are a very handy item in the Mario Kart games, allowing players at the back of races to zoom forwards within the safety of the projectile, closing distance between drivers.

7 Diddy Kong

Sidekick to Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong had his origins in the Donkey Kong franchise before making his Mario debut in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour in the 2000s.

Since then, his regular appearances in Mario games have made him a playable character in many entries of the Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Mario Tennis series. The well-received character also had his own spin-off, Diddy Kong Racing, on the Nintendo 64. Wherever he appears, Diddy Kong’s excitable personality and agility have made him a popular choice for players.

6 Petey Piranha

A mutated version of the Piranha Plant, Petey Piranha brought something fresh to the carnivorous species during his first appearance in Mario Sunshine.

With the ability to fly using his leafy arms, as well as powers that include summoning up tornadoes, goop-spitting attacks, and considerable strength, Petey has become a recurring boss in the Mario series. Aside from these showings, the Bowser follower has also appeared in Mario Party minigames, showing the character’s lighthearted side.

5 Toadsworth

An elderly member of the Toads with a longtime connection to Princess Peach, Toadsworth is first seen in Mario Sunshine as he accompanies Peach and Mario on vacation.

His polite phrasings and gentlemanly character are his trademarks, while his deep care for Princess Peach, who he helped raise, helps fill in questions around both characters’ histories. Toadsworth had his first appearance as a playable character in Mario Superstar Baseball, where he showcases his particular skill as a fielder.

4 Kamek / Magikoopa

Kamek, sometimes referred to by the name of his species as Magikoopa, is a magic-wielding member of the Koopa Troop who first appeared in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island.

An advisor to Bowser who uses powers that include teleportation and the ability to shrink/increase the size of other creatures — and on occasion, himself — Kamek acts as a foe not only to Mario and Luigi but also to Yoshi, as seen in games like Yoshi’s Woolly World where he is the main antagonist. Additionally, Kamek’s role as Bowser’s lifelong caretaker adds an unexpected nurturing aspect to the character, at least when directed at his charge.

3 Bowser Jr.

The son of Bowser who strives to follow in his father’s footsteps, Bowser Jr. first appeared in the Mario franchise during Mario Sunshine, serving as that game’s main antagonist whilst in his Shadow Mario disguise.

With a mischievous personality that has fans believing he should appear in the Mario movie, Bowser Jr. adds comedy to any title he appears in, while also bringing out a different side of Bowser in the pair’s interactions. He’s since become a playable character in many games like Mario Tennis Aces and Mario Golf: Super Rush, reflecting his ongoing popularity and ranking here.

2 Bowser

The main antagonist of the Super Mario franchise who has endured since his first appearance in Super Mario Bros., Bowser’s ongoing feud with Mario has motivated many of the series’ narratives.

Despite his constant schemes to take over the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser is surprisingly one of the most likable characters in the Mario franchise, thanks to the often-comedic outcomes of his plots and his status as a worthy boss for players to fight. Additionally, his status as a heavyweight playable character in the Mario Kart series makes him a great pick for racers wishing to slam their opponents out of the way.

1 Mario

Unsurprisingly taking the top spot for Ranker voters is the face of the franchise, titular character Mario, who first appeared in arcade game Donkey Kong before the Super Mario Bros. series was later created.

Given that players take on the role of Mario in most of the franchise’s platformer games, it stands to reason that they would have the most attachment to the character, having spent the most time with him. Mario’s versatile powers, heroic disposition, and memorable design continue to symbolize the Super Mario universe even after over 30 years.

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