Unmasking the Speediest Plumber: What is the Shortest Mario Game?
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The answer to “What is the shortest Mario game?” is multifaceted, depending on your definition of “short.” If we’re talking pure speedrunning potential, the original Super Mario Bros. (1985) for the NES holds the crown. Expert gamers, like the legendary Niftski, have blazed through the entire adventure in under 5 minutes, making it a strong contender. However, length can also be measured by intended playtime for a normal playthrough, and other titles might then be shorter. Let’s dive deep to unpack the shortest Mario games across various metrics.
Defining Short: Speedruns vs. Completion Times
Before we crown a victor, it’s crucial to differentiate between a game’s speedrunning time and its average completion time. Speedruns prioritize efficiency and exploitation of game mechanics, often skipping large portions of the intended experience. Average completion times, as tracked by sites like HowLongToBeat, reflect how long it takes a typical player to finish the game’s main story or achieve a certain level of completion. Considering both perspectives gives us a more complete picture.
The Speedrunner’s Choice: Super Mario Bros. (1985)
As mentioned earlier, the original Super Mario Bros. is a speedrunning titan. Its relatively simple level design, coupled with well-documented shortcuts and glitches, allows seasoned players to achieve incredibly fast completion times. While the game is estimated to take around 2 hours for a regular playthrough, dedicated speedrunners have pushed the boundaries down to under 5 minutes.
The Allure of the Minus World
An interesting point to note is the existence of the infamous “Minus World” glitch in Super Mario Bros. While it’s not a legitimate ending, it’s arguably the shortest way to see the credits roll. By exploiting a warp zone in World 1-2, players can access a sequence of seemingly endless water levels. Although not a ‘true’ ending, some speedruns focus on reaching this glitch as quickly as possible.
Other Contenders for the Shortest Title
While Super Mario Bros. reigns supreme in the speedrunning realm, other Mario games offer significantly shorter experiences for casual players. Consider these titles:
Super Mario Land (Game Boy)
This handheld adventure is noticeably shorter than its NES counterpart. Its compact levels and straightforward progression make it a quick and accessible experience, often completed in under 2 hours.
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy)
While technically a Wario title, it’s deeply rooted in the Mario universe and shares many of the same design principles. Its non-linear level structure and focus on exploration extend the playtime slightly but still lands within a relatively short timeframe.
Games within Games: Mini-Games and Collections
Certain Mario games feature self-contained mini-games or collections that offer incredibly brief experiences. For instance, some of the mini-games in the Mario Party series can be completed in a matter of seconds. However, these are typically considered part of a larger package rather than standalone games.
The Verdict: Shortest by Design vs. Shortest by Skill
Ultimately, determining the absolute shortest Mario game is subjective. Super Mario Bros. (1985) is the speedrunning champion, showcasing impressive feats of skill and exploitation. However, Super Mario Land offers a genuinely shorter overall experience for the average player seeking a quick and enjoyable adventure. Understanding the distinction between speedrunning and completion times is key to appreciating the diverse ways in which Mario games can be experienced. The Games Learning Society explores many ways games can be played and enjoyed in a learning environment. Check out the amazing ways you can use games for education at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the longest Mario game, according to HowLongToBeat?
According to HowLongToBeat, one of the longest Mario games is Mario’s Picross, with a completionist run taking upwards of 80 hours. Other long games include RPGs like Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
2. How long does it take to beat Super Mario Bros. Wonder?
Super Mario Bros. Wonder typically takes around 10 hours to complete the main story, with completionists potentially spending up to 12 hours.
3. What is considered the hardest Mario game ever?
Determining the “hardest” game is subjective, but some contenders include Super Mario Maker 2 (due to player-created levels), Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 (particularly the Grandmaster Galaxy level).
4. What is Mario’s full name?
While initially ambiguous, Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that Mario’s full name is Mario Mario.
5. How old is Mario supposed to be?
According to Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario is around 24-25 years old.
6. What was the first Mario game ever released?
The first game to feature Mario (then known as Jumpman) was Donkey Kong, released in 1981.
7. What is the rarest Mario game to own?
The rarest North American Mario game is the Wii U Limited Edition version of Mario Kart 8, which was exclusively sold at Nintendo New York.
8. What is the darkest Mario game in terms of storyline?
Super Paper Mario is often considered the darkest Mario game due to its complex and emotionally heavy narrative, especially the backstory of Count Bleck.
9. Is Super Mario Bros. considered an easy game?
Whether Super Mario Bros. is easy depends on the player’s skill level. While the early levels are accessible, the later worlds introduce challenges that require precision and strategy. Modern remakes often include difficulty options to cater to a wider range of players.
10. Who is the evil counterpart of Mario?
Several characters could be considered evil versions of Mario. In Super Mario Sunshine, Shadow Mario takes on this role, while other games feature characters with similar appearances and antagonistic roles.
11. How long does it take to beat Luigi’s Mansion 3?
Luigi’s Mansion 3 typically takes around 13 hours to complete the main story, with a completionist run lasting approximately 21 and a half hours.
12. What was Mario’s first word?
Mario’s first spoken line is often attributed to “It’s-a me, Mario!” but technically his first voice-acted appearance was in a pinball machine, where he says other phrases.
13. Who was Mario’s first girlfriend in the games?
Mario’s first girlfriend was Pauline, who appeared in the original Donkey Kong arcade game.
14. What is the strongest character in the Mario universe?
Determining the “strongest” character is debatable, but contenders include Mario himself, Bowser, and powerful entities like Cackletta.
15. What is the rarest Mario Oreo cookie?
The rarest Mario Oreo cookie featured the character Bowser.