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What is the Longest Mario Game? A Deep Dive into the Mushroom Kingdom’s Time Sinks

So, you want to know which Mario game will give you the most bang for your buck, time-wise? Look no further. According to data aggregated from HowLongToBeat.com, the longest Mario game to fully complete, meaning tackling all main objectives, side quests, and collectibles, is Mario & Luigi: Dream Team. Completionists can expect to sink upwards of 60-70 hours into this sprawling RPG adventure on the 3DS. While the main story might take around 30-40 hours, achieving that 100% completion mark truly makes it the marathon runner of the Mario universe.

This contrasts sharply with the brisk pace of some of the earlier titles, like Super Mario Land, which can be conquered in a mere hour. However, before you fire up your 3DS, it’s worth noting that playtimes can vary wildly depending on player skill, completionist tendencies, and even how often you get distracted by the wonderfully quirky world of Dream Team. Now, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mario Game Length

Here are 15 FAQs to provide even more information about Mario games.

1. What constitutes “length” in a Mario game?

When we talk about the length of a Mario game, we generally refer to the time it takes to complete it. This can be broken down into different categories:

Main Story: The time to complete the primary storyline and defeat the final boss.
Main + Extras: This includes the main story along with some optional side quests and content.
Completionist: This involves achieving 100% completion, collecting all items, beating all challenges, and unlocking everything the game has to offer.

2. How reliable is HowLongToBeat.com for measuring game length?

HowLongToBeat.com is a very valuable resource because it aggregates data from a large community of players. However, it’s important to remember that it provides averages. Your personal experience may vary significantly. Factors such as skill level, playstyle (rushing vs. exploring), and difficulty setting can influence your playtime. This is a fantastic resource for game length, but remember the data and take your own personal play style into account when choosing your next Mario adventure.

3. Are Mario RPGs generally longer than platformers?

Yes, that’s true. Mario RPGs, such as the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series, tend to be significantly longer than the mainline platformer games like Super Mario Odyssey or Super Mario World. This is due to their more complex storylines, turn-based combat, character progression, and a plethora of side quests and optional content.

4. What are some other long Mario games besides Mario & Luigi: Dream Team?

Several other Mario games offer substantial playtime. Here are a few notable examples:

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door: Another RPG gem with a compelling story and numerous secrets to uncover.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey: This remake of a Nintendo DS classic offers a double dose of adventure.
Paper Mario: The Origami King: A more recent entry in the Paper Mario series offering plenty to explore and do.

5. Which 3D Mario game is the longest?

From the 3D side of things, Super Mario Odyssey stands out as the most time-consuming. With its vast open worlds and hundreds of Power Moons to collect, completionists can easily spend 50+ hours exploring every nook and cranny. This game’s unique challenges make it an engaging and thrilling experience for experienced and beginner gamers alike.

6. Does the difficulty of a Mario game affect its perceived length?

Yes, the difficulty can definitely influence how long it takes to complete a Mario game. More challenging games might require more attempts to overcome obstacles, leading to longer playtimes. For example, many players find Super Mario Sunshine challenging because of its unique mechanics, and the unforgiving nature of some of the levels can extend the playtime for both casual and completionist runs.

7. Is Super Mario Maker 2 a “long” game?

Super Mario Maker 2 is unique because its length is essentially limitless. With access to a near-infinite supply of user-created levels, the game can provide endless entertainment. You could easily spend hundreds of hours playing, creating, and sharing courses. There is never a dull moment when it comes to this game.

8. How long does it take to beat Super Mario 64?

Completing the main story of Super Mario 64, which requires collecting 70 stars, typically takes around 12-15 hours. However, collecting all 120 stars can extend the playtime to 20-25 hours, depending on your skill and familiarity with the game.

9. Are remakes and remasters typically longer or shorter than their original counterparts?

This varies. Sometimes remakes are very close in length to the original game, while other times the developer will choose to extend them with more content, quests, secrets, etc. For example, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey, includes an additional story mode, Bowser Jr.’s Journey, adding extra hours to the overall playtime.

10. What is the shortest Mario game?

As the original excerpt mentioned, Super Mario Land on the Game Boy is known for its brevity. Skilled players can complete it in under an hour, making it ideal for short bursts of gameplay.

11. Does speedrunning affect the perceived length of a Mario game?

Yes, absolutely. Speedrunners aim to complete games as quickly as possible, often utilizing glitches and exploits to bypass large sections of the game. A game that might take the average player 30 hours to complete could be speedrun in a fraction of that time.

12. How does multiplayer affect the length of a Mario game?

Multiplayer can both shorten and lengthen the time you spend playing a Mario game, and depends on what your goal is. When you are playing a more difficult game, having another player can drastically decrease the amount of time spent on the game, especially when there is a large skill gap between the players. Conversely, the chaotic nature of multiplayer modes, particularly in games like New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, can lead to more deaths and restarts, potentially extending playtime.

13. What role does replayability play in determining the overall “length” of a Mario game?

Replayability is a very important factor when discussing a Mario game‘s length. Some games, like Super Mario Odyssey, offer significant replay value due to the vast number of collectibles and challenges. Others might have multiple difficulty settings or alternate endings that encourage players to return for another playthrough.

14. How do spin-off Mario titles compare in length to mainline games?

Spin-off Mario titles can vary wildly in length. For instance, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can provide endless hours of racing fun, but doesn’t have a structured “story” to complete. Mario Party games also offer high replayability due to their random nature and multiplayer focus. Conversely, puzzle-focused spin-offs like Dr. Mario might have shorter completion times.

15. Why is Mario Day celebrated on March 10th?

Mario Day is celebrated on March 10th because the abbreviation “MAR10” resembles the name “Mario”. It’s a fun way for fans to show their appreciation for the iconic character and the Mario franchise.

Hopefully, these answers have provided a comprehensive overview of the factors that influence the length of Mario games. Whether you’re seeking a quick platforming fix or a deep RPG experience, the Mario universe offers something for everyone. If you’re interested in learning more about the educational aspects of video games, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. You can find information about research, events, and resources related to games and learning. Now go forth and conquer the Mushroom Kingdom (or at least try to reach 100% in Dream Team!).

What is the longest Mario game?