You’d think a simple question like how many Mario games is there would have a straight answer. It doesn't. Not even close. If you ask a casual fan, they might say twenty. Ask a hardcore speedrunner, and they’ll start listing off obscure Japanese Satellaview titles until your head spins.
Nintendo has been pumping out games featuring the red-hatted plumber since 1981. That is over four decades of jumping on turtles. But the "total" depends entirely on where you draw the line. Do you count the educational games where Mario teaches you how to type? What about the time he was a referee in Punch-Out!!?
Honestly, the numbers are staggering. Depending on your definition, we are looking at anything from 22 to over 400.
The Mainline Series: The "Super" Standard
Most people asking "how many Mario games is there" are actually talking about the core platformers. These are the "Super Mario" titles. You know the ones: running left to right (or in 3D) and reaching a flagpole.
As of early 2026, there are roughly 24 mainline Super Mario games.
This list starts with Super Mario Bros. on the NES and stretches through the 3D revolution of Mario 64 all the way to recent hits like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and the rumors swirling around the next big Switch 2 title.
Here is the breakdown of that core group:
- The 2D Era: 12 games (including the New Super Mario Bros. series and Wonder).
- The 3D Era: 9 games (from 64 and Sunshine to Odyssey and Bowser's Fury).
- The "Maker" Games: Super Mario Maker 1 and 2 are usually lumped in here because they use the same physics and assets, even if you’re the one building the levels.
Why the Total Number Explodes (Spin-offs)
If we move past the platformers, the math gets messy. Mario is a busy guy. He’s a doctor, a kart racer, a tennis pro, and apparently a professional party host who ruins friendships.
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The Mario Kart series alone has 15 entries if you count the arcade versions and the mobile game, Mario Kart Tour. Then you have Mario Party, which has over 10 home console entries plus handheld versions.
Then there are the RPGs. Paper Mario and the Mario & Luigi series add another dozen or so adventures to the tally. By the time you add in Mario Tennis, Mario Golf, and Mario Strikers, you’ve already cleared 100 games easily.
The Weird Stuff Nobody Remembers
Did you know there’s a game called I am a Teacher: Super Mario Sweater? It was a 1986 Japanese exclusive for the Famicom Disk System where you designed sweaters.
Or Mario is Missing!, where you play as Luigi traveling the world to learn about geography? Most fans try to forget those. But if you are counting every piece of software with his name on the box, these "educational" titles and weird crossovers (like Mario + Rabbids) push the number toward 300 unique titles.
The "Cameo" Problem: Does it Count?
This is where the "how many Mario games is there" debate gets really heated on Reddit. Does Super Smash Bros. count as a Mario game? He’s the star, sure, but it’s a crossover.
What about Donkey Kong (1981)? He wasn't even called Mario then; he was "Jumpman." Most historians say yes, that’s the start. But what about Tennis on the NES where he's just the umpire? Or the Game Boy Alleyway where his face just pops up?
If you include every single game where Mario appears as a playable character, cameo, or background sprite, the number likely exceeds 400.
Breaking Down the Numbers by Genre (The 2026 Update)
To make sense of the chaos, it helps to categorize them. Since Nintendo is still launching games in 2026—including the highly anticipated Mario Tennis Fever—the list is constantly growing.
Mainline Platformers (The "Super Mario" Series)
These are the gold standard. From the original 1985 classic to Super Mario Bros. Wonder, there are 22 to 24 distinct entries depending on if you count Super Mario Run (the mobile game).
The Racing Branch
Mario Kart is practically its own franchise. Between the SNES original, the various handhelds, the arcade "GP" versions, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (which refuses to die), there are 15 versions.
The RPGs
This is where the storytelling happens.
- Super Mario RPG (The SNES original and the Switch remake).
- Paper Mario (6 games).
- Mario & Luigi (6 games, including Brothership).
The Sports and Party Kits
Mario has played every sport imaginable.
- Mario Party: 17 games (including handhelds and the Jamboree).
- Sports: Over 30 titles covering golf, tennis, soccer, and baseball.
Why the Number is Never "Official"
Nintendo themselves rarely give a hard number. Why? Because of remakes.
When Super Mario RPG was remade for the Switch, is that a "new" Mario game? It’s a new piece of software, but it’s the same game. If you count every port, remake, and "Deluxe" edition, you could double your count. Super Mario Bros. 1 has been released on almost every console Nintendo has ever made.
If you are a collector trying to buy every Mario game, your wallet is in trouble. Between the Virtual Boy, the Philips CD-i (yes, there was a Mario game there, and it was terrible), and modern consoles, you are looking at a lifetime of hunting.
Is There a Limit?
Basically, no. As long as Nintendo makes hardware, Mario will be there. He is the face of gaming.
Even right now, in 2026, with the "Switch 2" or whatever the successor is called taking over, we are seeing a resurgence of older titles being "re-imagined." The count is a moving target.
Actionable Steps for Mario Fans
If you're trying to play through the history of the series, don't try to play all 400+. You'll lose your mind. Instead, follow this path to see the best of what the franchise offers:
- Start with the Essentials: Play Super Mario World (SNES) and Super Mario Odyssey (Switch). These represent the peak of 2D and 3D design.
- Check the Spin-offs: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is mandatory. If you want a story, pick up the Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remake.
- Use Nintendo Switch Online: This is the easiest way to access the "obscure" history. You can play the original Mario Bros. (the arcade one) and the quirky Game Boy titles like Super Mario Land without spending hundreds on eBay.
- Track the 2026 Releases: Keep an eye on Mario Tennis Fever and the rumors of a new 3D Mario that is supposed to launch alongside the new movie.
The answer to how many Mario games is there is simple: enough to last you several lifetimes. Whether you count 20 or 400, the quality usually stays remarkably high. Just maybe stay away from the one where he teaches you how to sew.