Is there a bigger more well-known gaming mascot than Mario? The guy is the face of an entire generation of gaming. He has been in hundreds of video games and this got me thinking. What are my top five favourite Mario games? Well, here they are.

One rule, I will only include games where Mario is the main focus, so games like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros are out. Also, keep in mind that if I haven't played the game before I can't put it on the list. I am yet to play Super Mario Galaxy or Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Number 5 - Mario Paint

Ah yes, Mario Paint. This game is one of my earliest gaming memories. The concept is simple, using a variety of colours and tools you can create pictures. The game came with its own mouse so you weren't stuck with the little SNES D-pad. What made the game appealing to me was all the fun effects each tool had and how you could colour in premade drawings. It also had that really fun fly swatting mini game. I spent hours with this game as a kid and I still love it to this day, so it makes number five on my list.

Number 4 - Super Mario Bros 3

In my opinion, Super Mario Bros 3 is the best Mario game on the NES. It took Super Mario Bros and made it even better. The addition of an overworld was fantastic and it is still used in games to this very day. The game had tons of levels and each world felt unique. The game added special items that let you glide and fly and the Tanooki suit is one of the best suits ever in any Mario game. The game also looks amazing for an NES title and the soundtrack is one of the best ever in gaming. The game sold tremendously and for good reason. It is still one of the best platformers ever made. That being said, Nintendo managed to knock it out the park again on the SNES with my number three pick.

Number 3 - Super Mario World

After the fantastic Super Mario Bros 3 there was no way Nintendo could top that right? Wrong, Super Mario World is in my opinion one of the greatest 2D platformers ever made. Beautiful graphics, hundreds of levels with lots of secrets. The new cape ability and of course the introduction of Yoshi. I go back and play this game every so often and I am still not bored with it. If you haven't played this game yet, you should go pick it up on the virtual console. It's really worth your time.

Number 2 - Super Mario 64

What? Super Mario 64 is number two? That's right, Super Mario 64 is not my favourite Mario game. That being said though, it's still an amazing game and it deserves all the praise it receives. This was Mario's first outing in 3D and Nintendo absolutely nailed it. Not only was this game an absolute masterpiece, but it is one of the most revolutionary games of all time paving the way for many 3D platformers to come. The game features an explorable overworld and a bunch of levels with 120 stars for you to collect. Mario 64 also added the cap abilities, cannons and many more ways for Mario to move around. This game alone sold thousands of Nintendo 64 systems and it makes number two on my list.

Number 1 - Super Mario Sunshine

Super Mario Sunshine is my favourite Mario game ever made. I don't really have strong reasons why either, I just really like the game. Isle Delfino is one of my favourite overworlds ever in a video game. The graphics are stunning and still look amazing even to this day. FLUDD added a brand new game mechanic to the already perfected Mario platforming and Yoshi made his return too.

The game has you collecting Shine Sprites similar to the Stars from Super Mario 64. The level variety is brilliant and each level gives you a bunch of objectives to do. It's a big step up from Super Mario 64 in my opinion. If you haven't played Super Mario Sunshine yet, dust of your GameCube, go buy the game and play it. You won't regret it.

So there you go, those were my top five Mario games. I hope you enjoyed reading it. What are your favourite Mario games? Let me know in the comments section below.