Is There a Mario Game Without Mario?
The Mario franchise, created by Shigeru Miyamoto, has been a staple of the gaming industry for decades. With over 200 games featuring the iconic plumber, it’s hard to imagine a Mario game without Mario. But, surprisingly, there is one game that stands out as a notable exception.
Yoshi’s Story (1997)
The game that tops the list is Yoshi’s Story, released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64. This game is part of the Yoshi series, which focuses on Yoshi, Mario’s dinosaur friend. While Mario is not the main character in Yoshi’s Story, he does make a few appearances throughout the game. The game’s storyline revolves around Yoshi and his friends trying to restore the island of Flower Fortress to its former beauty.
The Gameplay
In Yoshi’s Story, players control Yoshi as he navigates through levels, collecting fruit and fighting enemies. The game features a unique twist on the traditional platformer formula, as players must collect fruit to restore health and energy. The game also includes some innovative features, such as the ability to interact with other Yoshis and use them to solve puzzles.
Key Points:
- No Mario in the main storyline: While Mario does make a few appearances in the game, he is not the main character.
- Focus on Yoshi: The game centers around Yoshi’s adventures and challenges.
- Unique gameplay mechanics: Yoshi’s Story introduces new ways to interact with enemies and solve puzzles.
Other Mario Games with Minimal Mario Presence
While Yoshi’s Story is the only game in the series where Mario is not the main character, there are a few other games where he has a minimal presence:
- Super Princess Peach (2006): This platformer features Princess Peach as the main character, with Mario making a few cameos.
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions (2017): This RPG features the Mario brothers, but Bowser is the main antagonist, and Mario only appears in a few cutscenes.
- Mario Kart series: While Mario is the main character in Mario Kart, there are a few tracks and characters that feature other characters, such as Luigi and Princess Peach.
Conclusion
While Mario is the face of the Mario franchise, there is one game that stands out as a notable exception: Yoshi’s Story. This game showcases Yoshi’s abilities and introduces unique gameplay mechanics, making it a fun and challenging experience. If you’re looking for a Mario game with a twist, Yoshi’s Story is definitely worth checking out.
Key Takeaways:
- Yoshi’s Story is the only Mario game where Mario is not the main character.
- The game focuses on Yoshi’s adventures and challenges.
- Yoshi’s Story introduces new gameplay mechanics and innovative ways to interact with enemies.
References:
- "Yoshi’s Story" (1997) – Nintendo 64
- "Super Princess Peach" (2006) – Nintendo DS
- "Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions" (2017) – Nintendo 3DS
- "Mario Kart series" (Various) – Nintendo consoles