Longest Mario Game: How Long To Beat Each Title?

Hey there, fellow gamers! Ever wondered which Mario game will keep you glued to your screen the longest? With so many amazing titles in the Super Mario franchise, it's tough to know which one offers the most bang for your buck in terms of playtime. Well, buckle up, because we're diving deep into the Mushroom Kingdom to uncover which Mario adventure takes the crown for the longest to beat.

Factors Influencing Playtime

Before we jump into specific titles, let's talk about what makes a Mario game long or short. Several factors influence how much time you'll spend playing. These factors can dramatically change your playtime, so it's essential to consider them when figuring out which game will keep you entertained for the longest time.

Story Length

The main storyline is a big one. Some Mario games have sprawling narratives with tons of levels and worlds to explore. Think about games like Super Mario Odyssey, where you're constantly traveling to new and exciting kingdoms. These games naturally take longer to complete than ones with a more straightforward, linear progression. On the other hand, some games focus on shorter, more concentrated experiences, which can be just as fun but won't eat up as many hours.

Completionist Goals

Are you the type of gamer who needs to collect every single star, moon, or power-up? If so, you're in for a long ride! Mario games are notorious for hiding collectibles in every nook and cranny. Completionists will spend countless hours replaying levels, searching for secrets, and mastering challenges to achieve 100% completion. This can easily double or even triple the playtime compared to just beating the main story. For example, in Super Mario 64, collecting all 120 stars is a monumental task that requires patience, skill, and a good memory.

Difficulty

The difficulty level of a Mario game can also significantly impact playtime. Some games are more forgiving, with plenty of power-ups and checkpoints to help you along the way. Others are downright brutal, demanding pixel-perfect jumps and precise timing. Games like Super Mario Maker 2, where you can play user-created levels, can range from incredibly easy to ridiculously hard, adding a huge variance to playtime. And let's not forget the older titles like Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, which is infamous for its challenging level design.

Player Skill

Let's be real, some of us are just better at Mario games than others! Your personal skill level will definitely affect how long it takes you to beat a game. Experienced players who know all the tricks and shortcuts can breeze through levels, while newcomers might struggle with even the simplest challenges. If you're a Mario veteran, you might find yourself completing games much faster than the average player. But if you're new to the franchise, don't worry – that's part of the fun! Just remember to be patient and enjoy the learning process.

Top Contenders for the Longest Mario Game

Alright, let's get down to business. Here are some of the top contenders for the longest Mario game to beat, along with estimated playtime for both the main story and completionist runs. Keep in mind that these are just averages, and your mileage may vary depending on the factors we discussed earlier.

Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is a strong contender for the longest Mario game. The main story can take around 12-15 hours to complete, but if you're aiming for 100% completion, you're looking at a whopping 50-80 hours. This is due to the sheer number of Power Moons scattered throughout the various kingdoms. Finding them all requires exploring every nook and cranny, completing challenging puzzles, and mastering tricky platforming sections. The post-game content also adds a significant amount of playtime, with even more moons to collect and tougher challenges to overcome. Super Mario Odyssey is a completionist's dream (or nightmare, depending on how you look at it!).

Super Mario Maker 2

Super Mario Maker 2 is a bit of a wildcard since the playtime can vary wildly depending on the courses you play. The story mode, which introduces you to the game's creation tools, can take around 8-12 hours to complete. However, the real meat of the game lies in the user-created levels. With millions of courses to choose from, you could literally spend thousands of hours playing Super Mario Maker 2 and still not see everything. Some players focus on creating and sharing their own levels, which adds another layer of depth and replayability to the game. If you're looking for a Mario game that never ends, Super Mario Maker 2 is definitely it.

Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 is a classic that still holds up today. The main story, which involves collecting 70 stars to defeat Bowser, can take around 8-10 hours to complete. However, if you want to collect all 120 stars, you're looking at a playtime of 20-30 hours. Finding those extra stars requires solving puzzles, completing challenges, and exploring the game's vast 3D environments. Super Mario 64 was groundbreaking for its time, and its influence can still be felt in modern Mario games. The game's replayability is also high, as players often return to challenge themselves with speedruns and other self-imposed challenges.

Super Mario Galaxy

Super Mario Galaxy offers a unique and engaging experience that can take around 12-15 hours to complete the main story. However, completionists aiming for all 120 stars (or 242 with Luigi) can expect to spend 30-40 hours exploring every corner of the cosmos. The game's innovative gravity-defying mechanics and imaginative level design make it a joy to explore, even when hunting down those last few elusive stars. Super Mario Galaxy is often praised for its creativity and charm, making it a beloved entry in the Mario franchise.

Honorable Mentions

While the games listed above are generally considered the longest, here are a few other Mario titles that offer a substantial amount of playtime:

• Super Mario World: A classic SNES title with plenty of hidden secrets and challenging levels.
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe: A 2D platformer with a large number of levels and a challenging difficulty curve.
• Super Mario 3D World: A fun and engaging multiplayer experience with plenty of collectibles to find.

Conclusion

So, what's the longest Mario game to beat? Based on our analysis, Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario Maker 2 stand out as the top contenders, especially for completionists. However, the actual playtime can vary depending on your skill level, play style, and completion goals. Whether you're a seasoned Mario veteran or a newcomer to the franchise, there's a Mario game out there that will keep you entertained for hours on end. So grab your controller, jump into the Mushroom Kingdom, and get ready for an adventure!