Everyone knows about the spin-off games like Mario Kart and the famous Mario Party series with its 16 entries so far. Of all the spin-offs, most tend to overlook the plethora of sports games starring Mario, his friends, and his enemies competing for the title of a champion.
These are not games with a collection of sports-based minigames either, there are entire games dedicated to having Mario and friends playing golf, tennis, baseball, and even basketball. The question is, however, which ones are the best?
Mario Hoops: 3 On 3 (2006)
Also known as Mario Slam Basketball in Europe, Mario Hoops: 3 On 3 is exactly what the title suggests. It's basketball with two teams of three featuring Mario characters and there are a lot of players to choose from. Play the game, perform unique skill shots, and try to have fun along the way.
Of all developers, nobody was expecting Square Enix (as in the creators of Final Fantasy) to develop a Mario sports game but they pulled it off, even managing to sneak in playable Final Fantasy characters. Unfortunately, Mario Hoops is only available for the Nintendo DS so it becomes a challenge to get friends together and play it.
Mario Golf Super Rush (2021)
The latest Mario sports spin-off is Mario Golf Super Rush for the Nintendo Switch. Sadly, it did not receive the same amount of praise as other spin-offs on the console. Fans enjoyed the beautiful visuals and refined controls that are still just as fun as ever along with a character roster ripe for DLC expansion.
Unfortunately, where Super Rush falters is with its content or rather the lack thereof. It can be really fun, especially with friends or family, and is one of the better attempts at bringing back Mario Golf. With some proper DLC that possibly includes more modes and fun content, it could be ranked even higher.
Mario Golf (1999)
One of the last Mario games to hit the Nintendo 64, Mario Golf revolutionized the Mario sports series. It is essentially just golf with Mario characters which sounds boring but Nintendo hit that right niche. From the music to the addictive gameplay and relaxing courses, it all just felt right.
It also helps that Mario Golf provides more than the massive courses by offering the option to play mini-golf as well for an easier but still fun experience.
Mario Superstar Baseball (2005)
Unlike with golf or tennis, Mario's dabblings into the world of baseball are not quite as consistently successful. Still, for the GameCube was Mario Superstar Baseball, the first and still often considered the best of the series.
It's baseball and unlike other sports games, the gameplay is a bit slower in pace which can disappoint fans of Mario Tennis and Mario Golf. However, it adds Nintendo charm with some extra minigames for some fun bonuses to keep the gameplay from becoming too dull.
Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Winter Games (2009)
Before Mario and Sonic's crossover games became a repetitive rehash of the previous games with new paint jobs, Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games felt the crossover of the century in the early days. Still to this day, Olympic Winter Games is still considered the best of the series.
Smooth gameplay, a perfect mix of Mario and Sonic characters, and the best selection of sports minigames to play. Though it was not one of the best-selling games for the Nintendo Wii, it was given favorable reviews from fans.
Mario Tennis (2000)
Through the magic that Nintendo somehow possesses, Mario Tennis made the sport strangely addictive. It kept the game energetic and cartoony thanks to the very Mario-like standard of keeping things bouncy and fast-paced which is something a lot of sports games, in general, have a hard time grasping.
Mario Tennis is also an important game in the Mario franchise as a whole as it was the game that first introduced the tall, purple, and scheming Waluigi. Ever since Waluigi has had a cult following that has led to him joining everything from Mario Party to Mario Kart.
Mario Golf: Advance Tour (2004)
The portable Mario spin-off games have a tendency to not go over so well. Every now and then, there is the rare gem and one of them is Mario Golf: Advance Tour that takes everything that fans enjoyed about the Nintendo 64 sports game but managed to make it better and surprisingly smooth for a handheld console.
Advance Tour even implements quasi-RPG elements into the gameplay to freshen things up. The only downside to Advance Tour is its system: it could have easily been a console game but it still remains a solid GameBoy Advance title.
Super Mario Strikers (2005)
From that title, someone would expect Super Mario Strikers to be a fighting game like Mortal Kombat or a Mario character exclusive version of the Super Smash Bros. series. Instead, it's a game all about soccer featuring Mario characters.
Somehow of all the sports, Nintendo made soccer the most intense. Sure fans found it fun and family-friendly but much like Mario Party, it can end friendships. Super Mario Strikers features many superpowered skill shots that flow rather well with the gameplay and make the soccer matches addicting.
Mario Tennis Aces (2018)
Nintendo finally gave Waluigi his big chance to shine again by practically making him the star of Mario Tennis Aces. However, all the characters shine through well-animated character models. Where Mario Golf Super Rush lacked in content, Mario Tennis Aces has it in spades.
Fans praised Mario Tennis Aces for featuring the series' first story mode, and there is even online multiplayer. Fans hope that Nintendo takes notes from the reception of Aces to improve whatever sports game is next for the Switch.
Mario Strikers Charged (2007)
Take Super Mario Strikers, inject it with an energy drink, then introduce new character designs straight out of a DC superhero game and the result is one of the most exhilarating multiplayer games in Nintendo's library. Somehow Mario Strikers Charged created one of the most epic and gritty sequels ever made.
In terms of gameplay, it simply improves on everything Super Mario Strikers did so well. There are more skill shots, the animations are beautiful, and some of the in-match mini-cutscenes are a joy to watch. Mario Strikers Charged is often listed among the likes of GoldenEye 007 for the N64 in terms of multiplayer games.