Best-selling Mario videogame

The best-selling Mario videogame is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo, 2017) for the Nintendo Switch, which has sold 67.35 million units as of 31 December 2024, according to VGChartz.

The second highest-selling game in the franchise is Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, 1985), with an estimated 40.24 million copies sold worldwide.

The Phenomenon of Mario Games

Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine the home videogame industry crashing, with its ever-growing popularity and the constant advancements in graphics and gameplay. Yet, this this did happen between 1983 and 1985, when revenue in the US dropped from $3.2 bn (£2.58 bn) to $100 m (£80.65 m). This was due to an oversaturation in the market, resulting in rushed, poor quality releases, as well as the rising popularity of arcades and PC gaming. However, in 1981, a character was introduced who would help to revive the gaming world forever. That character was, of course, Mario.

Created by Japanese videogame designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario made his first appearance in Donkey Kong (1981), as a supporting character called “Jumpman”. His mission was to save his girlfriend, Pauline, from the titular ape.

The moustachioed marvel was later renamed after Mario Segale, the American real-estate agent who rented office space to Nintendo, and by 1983, he had his first self-titled videogame: Mario Bros.

In 1985, Nintendo released Super Mario Bros., which is still regarded as one of the greatest games of all time. It held the record for best-selling Mario videogame for around 30 years and seemed pretty difficult to beat. That was, however, until the Italian plumber stepped back on to the racetrack for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and grasped the top podium position… Wahoo!

Background of the Best-Selling Mario Game

The racing game series began in 1992, with Super Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). This debut hit is the best-selling racing videogame (SNES), having shifted 8.76 million units worldwide. Unsurprisingly, it isn’t the only record-holder in the Mario Kart series.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, released on 28 April 2017 for the Nintendo Switch, is the best-selling Mario videogame, having sold 64.27 million units as of 30 September 2024. It is an extension of the Wii U’s Mario Kart 8 (2014).

In 2018, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe won Racing Game of the Year at the 21^st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. The Switch exclusive has also received four other nominations, including one for Best Family Game at The Game Awards 2017.

Gameplay and Mechanics: Why It Resonates with Players

Players can transform into their favourite Nintendo characters and put their driving skills to the test across 48 courses, each with their own unique, imaginative concepts. Take the Star Cup for example; racers will begin the grand prix at Sunshine Airport, before being transported to a dolphin-surrounded beach, a neon nightclub, and a snowy ski resort. As well as the modern courses from Mario Kart 8, the game also features nostalgic racetracks from previous titles in the series, such as Cheese Land (Game Boy Advance), Moo Moo Meadows (Wii) and Tick Tock Clock (DS).

To help players reach the finish line faster and throw their rival racers off track, they can collect fun powerups, including mushrooms (for short speed boosts) and red shells (for knocking over the car in front). As players win more races and earn more coins, they will unlock new karts, wheels and accessories.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is enjoyable for all age groups, with difficulty rankings ranging from 50 cc to 200 cc. For those up for a challenge, there’s also the mirror mode, in which all the courses are presented back to front.

Racers have the option to play solo, multiplayer (up to 12 players) or online, and can also compete in time trials and battles (minigames inspired by the powerups).

Impact on the Mario Franchise and the Gaming World

The Mario Kart series has given many players an increased sense of gratitude for the franchise, by allowing them to create fun memories within Mario’s universe, playing as all the different characters on the unforgettable racetracks.

The early Mario Kart games demonstrated the appeal for its characters to be transported into various worlds and given different skills, rather than being pigeonholed to platformers. Over the last four decades, Mario has turned his white-gloved hand to a variety of activities, including golf, tennis and painting. He’s even ventured into global sports competitions, as seen in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo/Sega, 2007).

Mario Kart has even impacted the racing videogame genre as a whole, making it more enjoyable for people who don’t have a strong interest in cars or karting. The series has also sparked the release of other similar titles, such as Diddy Kong Racing (Nintendo, 1997), Crash Team Racing (Sony Computer Entertainment, 1999) and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (Sega, 2010).

Top Reasons for Its Unmatched Sales Success

• Unlike in previous Mario Kart games where many of the characters have to be unlocked, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has the largest starting roster with 42 characters.
• Thanks to its fun visuals and adaptable difficulty settings, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is fun for all age groups and skill levels.
• There are 48 different courses to choose from (96 with the Booster Course Pass), some of which have been taken from previous Mario Kart titles.
• Certain racetracks pay homage to other Nintendo games, including Excitebike (1984), The Legend of Zelda (1986) and Animal Crossing (2001).

A Timeless Classic in Video Game History

With its ongoing appeal to fans, both new and old, it’s clear to see that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still a driving force within the franchise. And with Mario Kart 9 rumoured to be in “active development”, it’s certain that this series will remain a key part of Nintendo’s legacy going forward.

*All stats verified by VGChartz.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many units has Mario sold?

Mario is the best-selling videogame character, having appeared in over 250 games that had sold a total of 793,390,000 units as of 30 September 2024, according to VGChartz.

This figure includes sales of the following series: Super Mario, Mario Kart, Mario Party, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Mario Tennis, Paper Mario, Mario Golf, Mario & Luigi, Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Mario Strikers, Super Mario RPG and Mario Baseball.

How many copies did Super Mario Bros. sell?

With an estimated 40.24 million copies sold worldwide, Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, 1985) is the second highest-selling game in the franchise.

Is Mario the best-selling franchise of all time?

No, the best-selling media franchise is Pokémon, which as of April 2024, had grossed an estimated $147 bn (£117 bn). Pokémon’s vast media empire ranges from games and TV to films, merchandise and even jumbo jet liveries!

Who sold more Mario or Zelda?

The Mario franchise has been more successful than The Legend of Zelda franchise, having respectively sold 793,390,000 and 156,090,000 units as of 30 September 2024.

What is the most sold game in the world?

The best-selling videogame of all time is Minecraft (Microsoft), which had sold 300 million units as of October 2023.

How much is Mario franchise worth?

The Mario franchise was worth an estimated $38 bn (£30 bn) as of April 2024.

Which Nintendo game sold for $100,000?

In 2019, a sealed first-edition copy of Super Mario Bros. (1985) sold for $100,150 (£80,436) at auction. Yet, the most expensive videogame ever sold at online auction was a copy of Super Mario 64 (1996), which sold for $1.56 m (£1.121 m) at an online auction hosted by Heritage Auctions (USA), on 11 July 2021.

Who is older, Mario or Luigi?

During an interview with Ars Technica in 2016, Mario’s creator Shigeru Miyamoto clarified that Mario is older than Luigi. Although their age difference is only slight because the beloved brothers are actually twins.