Which Mario game is canon?

Which Mario Game is Canon?

The Mario franchise has been a beloved part of gaming culture for decades, with numerous games, spin-offs, and adaptations across various platforms. With so many titles to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which ones are considered "canon" within the Mario universe. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of canon in the Mario franchise and examine which games are officially recognized as part of the series.

What is Canon?

In the context of fiction, canon refers to the official storyline or narrative that is recognized as part of a particular franchise or series. Canon can include games, movies, TV shows, books, and other forms of media that are created by the original creators or licensed by them. In the case of the Mario franchise, canon refers to the games and other media that are officially recognized as part of the series by Nintendo, the creators of Mario.

Rule 1: Must be Published by Nintendo

The first rule of canon in the Mario franchise is that the game must be published by Nintendo. This means that any game that is developed and published by Nintendo is automatically considered canon. This includes classic titles such as Super Mario Bros. (1985) and Super Mario World (1990), as well as more recent releases like Super Mario Odyssey (2017) and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (2019).

Rule 2: Game-Adjacent Media

The second rule of canon is that game-adjacent media, such as TV shows and movies, are also considered canon. These media may not be developed by Nintendo, but they are still recognized as part of the Mario franchise. Examples of game-adjacent media include the Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989) and the Mario Kart series (1992-present).

Which Mario Games are Canon?

So, which Mario games are considered canon? Here’s a list of the mainline Mario games that are officially recognized as part of the series:

• Super Mario Bros. (1985)
• Super Mario World (1990)
• Super Mario 64 (1996)
• Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
• New Super Mario Bros. (2006)
• Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
• Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010)
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009)
• Super Mario 3D Land (2011)
• New Super Mario Bros. 2 (2012)
• New Super Mario Bros. U (2012)
• Super Mario 3D World (2013)
• Super Mario Maker (2015)
• Super Mario Run (2016)
• Super Mario Odyssey (2017)
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (2019)

Non-Canon Games

Not all Mario games are considered canon, however. Games that are not developed or published by Nintendo, such as Mario Kart and Mario Party, are not considered part of the canon. Additionally, games that are not officially recognized by Nintendo, such as fan-made games or spin-offs, are also not considered canon.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of canon in the Mario franchise is complex and multifaceted. While not all Mario games are considered canon, the mainline Mario games developed and published by Nintendo are officially recognized as part of the series. By understanding the rules of canon and which games are considered part of the franchise, fans can better appreciate the rich history and diversity of the Mario universe.

Table: Canon Mario Games

Bibliography

• Nintendo. (1985). Super Mario Bros. [NES].
• Nintendo. (1990). Super Mario World [SNES].
• Nintendo. (1996). Super Mario 64 [N64].
• Nintendo. (2002). Super Mario Sunshine [GameCube].
• Nintendo. (2006). New Super Mario Bros. [DS].
• Nintendo. (2007). Super Mario Galaxy [Wii].
• Nintendo. (2010). Super Mario Galaxy 2 [Wii].
• Nintendo. (2009). New Super Mario Bros. Wii [Wii].
• Nintendo. (2011). Super Mario 3D Land [3DS].
• Nintendo. (2012). New Super Mario Bros. 2 [3DS].
• Nintendo. (2012). New Super Mario Bros. U [Wii U].
• Nintendo. (2013). Super Mario 3D World [Wii U].
• Nintendo. (2015). Super Mario Maker [Wii U].
• Nintendo. (2016). Super Mario Run [Mobile].
• Nintendo. (2017). Super Mario Odyssey [Switch].
• Nintendo. (2019). New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe [Switch].