Editing Genre

{{see also|List of games by genre}}
[[List of games|Video games]] classified by gameplay have different '''genres'''. With over 300 entries, the ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' franchise has included a variety of different genres. The first ''Super Mario'' games were platformers, but the series has since spun off into various other genres.

==Platform games==
{{anchor|Platform}}{{anchor|Platformer}}
[[File:SMB Super Mushroom Screenshot.png|thumb|left|[[Mario]] in [[World 1-1 (Super Mario Bros.)|World 1-1]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', one of the oldest and most popular 2D platformers]]
'''Platform games''' (often called '''platformers''') require players to control a character who traverses [[level]]s consisting of a multitude of [[platform]]s of varying elevations to reach or attain a particular goal. A staple mechanic of platformers is the ability to [[jump]] or otherwise perform acrobatic techniques to cross environments, both of which are concepts that have become the foundation of the ''Super Mario'' franchise.

[[File:SM64BobOmbBattlefield.png|thumb|Mario running on the [[Bob-omb Battlefield]], which is a course from ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', the first three-dimensional platform game in the ''Super Mario'' franchise]]
Many games of the ''Super Mario'' franchise fall within the platformer genre, which itself can be divided into two sub-genres: two-dimensional and three-dimensional.

'''Two-dimensional''' (or '''2D''') '''platformers''' (also known as '''side-scrollers''') typically allow travel in only two directions, parallel to the player's view of the game. These infrequently feature some third-dimensional gameplay features (such as plane-hopping in ''[[Virtual Boy Wario Land]]''), and modern side-scrollers tend to be rendered with three-dimensional graphics, as in the [[New Super Mario Bros. (disambiguation)|''New Super Mario Bros.'' subseries]]. These are still considered side-scrollers, as their movement is still generally restricted to the lateral plane. Two-dimensional entries in the ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' series tend to feature linear, left-to-right gameplay objectives.

'''Three-dimensional''' (or '''3D''') '''platformers''' allow travel across multiple horizontal axes, either with the use of three-dimensional graphics rendering (as in ''Super Mario 64''), or with parallel visual projection techniques applied to two-dimensional images (as in ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''). Three-dimensional entries in the ''Super Mario'' series tend to explore more non-linear gameplay progression, although some entries such as ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' are structured much like their side-scrolling counterparts.

As the ''Super Mario'' franchise is rooted in platforming gameplay, most entries and genre spinoffs still include platforming elements, including those that do not typically feature platforming elements, such as puzzle games and RPGs. As a result, the series frequently blurs the lines between genre definitions.

For the list of platform games, see [[:Category:Platforming games]].
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==Role-playing games==
{{anchor|Role-playing}}{{anchor|RPG}}
[[File:MLSS BM Beanie battle.png|thumb|left|Mario and [[Luigi]] battling two [[Beanie]]s in the RPG ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions]]'']]
'''Role-playing games''' (often abbreviated as '''RPGs''') are games where players act as Mario in a longform story. Traditionally, an RPG consists of two types of gameplay: an "overworld" portion where Mario moves around the game world and interacts with other game characters, and a "battle" portion where Mario fights enemies encountered in the overworld gameplay. RPGs commonly include detailed storylines and a large cast of characters. Battles usually assign all involved characters numerical stats, which are used in the battle to determine the results of attacks. [[level up|Leveling up]] is a common conceit, allowing the player to increase their stats to make the characters stronger. RPGs often have playable characters aside from Mario, who have different abilities and stats compared to him.

Another common feature in RPGs is the ability to equip weapons, armor, [[clothing]], [[badge]]s, and accessories. These items can be bought at [[Item Shop|shops]] or be found in [[block]]s and [[treasure chest]]s, and often have the effect of further increasing stats. Many games have special moves, which are stronger than the normal attacks that characters use. They are learned by the characters as the player progresses through the game and cost points (e.g., [[Bros. Point]]s in the ''[[Mario & Luigi]]'' series) in order to use them.

Mario's first appearance in an RPG was in ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''. Later, the ''[[Paper Mario (series)|Paper Mario]]'' series and ''Mario & Luigi'' series were introduced. Role-playing games of the ''Super Mario'' franchise often contain platforming elements. For instance, Mario still jumps as his primary action in the "overworld" gameplay, and moving through areas sometimes requires jumping across platforms. Normal ''Super Mario''–franchise enemies, such as [[Goomba]]s and [[Koopa Troopa]]s, make appearances.

The battle system usually involves Mario, his [[party member|partner(s)]], and enemies taking turns to attack. Attacks usually have [[Action Command]]s, meaning that the attacks are more effective if the player makes an input at the correct time during the animation. Similarly, Action Commands can be used against enemy attacks, causing them to inflict reduced damage to the player characters. 

The ''Paper Mario'' series differs slightly from the other RPGs because the damage and [[Heart Point|HP]] ratio is lower and Mario and his partner always attack first. The characters' attack power is increased by collecting [[hammer]]s, boots, or [[MAX UP Heart|HP-Up Heart]]s rather than leveling up. ''Paper Mario'' is also split into chapters for which stars Mario must get, and it has chapter bosses, with minibosses along the way, while neither really exists in the other RPGs; only bosses exist, identifiable by different battle theme and higher HP (and often they are characters).

In the ''Mario & Luigi'' series, instead of using Action Commands to block attacks, gameplay revolves around avoiding enemy attacks. Many attacks can also be [[Counterattack|countered]], fully negating the attack and inflicting damage onto the opponent. 

Various other games incorporate RPG elements, stats, and levels, but they are not traditional RPGs in the sense the aforementioned series are. ''[[Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition]]'' combines the puzzle genre with the RPG genre. Enemy characters can damage the player's characters with Skills after a certain number of turns have passed. By matching [[Orbs]] in the puzzle gameplay, the player's characters can damage the enemies. Other examples of games using RPG mechanics are some of the handheld games of the ''[[Mario Tennis (series)|Mario Tennis]]'' series and ''[[Mario Golf (series)|Mario Golf]]'' series, namely ''[[Mario Tennis (Game Boy Color)|Mario Tennis]]'' and ''[[Mario Golf (Game Boy Color)|Mario Golf]]'' for the [[Game Boy Color]], ''[[Mario Tennis: Power Tour]]'' and ''[[Mario Golf: Advance Tour]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]], and ''[[Mario Golf: World Tour]]'' for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. Players can purchase equipment and level up to increase their stats as they do in an RPG, which makes the characters stronger in the sport gameplay. 

For the list of role-playing games, see [[:Category:Role-playing games]].
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==Party games==
{{anchor|Party}}
[[File:MPS Cast Aways.png|thumb|A screenshot of the minigame [[Cast Aways]] in the party game ''[[Mario Party Superstars]]'']]
'''Party games''' are games usually involving short [[minigame]]s. This genre is dominated by the ''[[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party]]'' series, but the ''[[WarioWare]]'' series, ''[[Itadaki Street DS]]'', ''[[Fortune Street]]'', and the ''[[Mario & Sonic]]'' series are also part of it. While most party games involve multiple players, some party games are single player, such as certain ''WarioWare'' games. Luck is a large factor in party games, but players must also have a certain degree of skill. Party games are usually designed for casual gameplay rather than serious competitive gameplay, although many also have story modes that can be completed. 

This genre can be loosely sub-divided into two separate but intertwined sub-genres: the '''minigame compilation''' and the '''digital board game'''. Minigame compilations are games consisting of minigames that serve a major role, and digital board games are games which adopt the form and trappings of physical {{wp|board game}}s. While minigame compilations often include digital board games, and digital board games are a popular way to structure minigame compilations, there have been some instances of minigame compilations that are not tied to digital board games in the ''Super Mario'' series, such as ''WarioWare'', and digital board games that have minigames in minor roles, such as ''Fortune Street''.
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==Racing games==
{{anchor|Racing}}
[[File:MKW Whistlestop Summit splitscreen screenshot.jpg|left|thumb|A race on [[Whistlestop Summit]] in ''[[Mario Kart World]]'']]
'''Racing games''' involve speedy competitions with other characters. The main objective in racing games is to reach the [[finish line (object)|finish line]] before the other racers and attain first place. Nearly all ''Super Mario'' racing games are part of the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' series, except for ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'', ''[[Diddy Kong Racing DS]]'', and ''[[Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast]]''. All racing games in the ''Super Mario'' franchise involve items or power-ups that can do various things such as slow down the other racers and speed up the player. Racing games also build on this by providing battle modes in which items are used as weapons. Online racing was introduced with the release of ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'' and is integrated in every ''Super Mario'' racing game since.

For the list of racing games, see [[:Category:Racing games]].
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==Sports games==
{{anchor|Sport}}{{anchor|Sports}}
[[File:MSBLGameplay.jpg|thumb|Gameplay of the sports game ''[[Mario Strikers: Battle League]]'']]
The ''Super Mario'' franchise contains a large number of games based on sports. Most conventional sports games favor simulation, but ''Super Mario'' sports games are usually more arcadey. They often feature items and obstacles, adding fantasy elements to the base gameplay. Racing and fighting games are sub-genres of sports games. The genre started with ''[[Golf]]'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. This genre of ''Super Mario'' games did not become well-known until the release of the [[Nintendo 64]] with games such as ''[[Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)|Mario Golf]]'' and ''[[Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64)|Mario Tennis]]'' for the Nintendo 64. Currently, ''Super Mario'' sports games include [[Mario Golf (series)|golf]], [[Mario Kart|racing]], [[Mario Tennis (series)|tennis]], [[Mario Strikers|soccer]], [[Mario Hoops 3-on-3|basketball]], [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|fighting]], and [[Super Mario Stadium|baseball]]. Certain games simulate multiple sports, with each sport being a mode. The games ''[[Mario Sports Mix]]'' and ''[[Mario Sports Superstars]]'' have four and five sports, respectively. Sports without a dedicated ''Super Mario'' game have been part of these games, such as volleyball and horse racing. Lastly, the ''[[Mario & Sonic]]'' series is a party/sports game series where every minigame is an Olympic event, resulting in games with over fifteen sports available. That means each game has more sports available than any other ''Super Mario'' game, and most of them have not appeared in other ''Super Mario'' games. Standard gameplay in this series has limited fantasy elements compared to other ''Super Mario'' sports games.

For the list of sports games, see [[:Category:Sports games]].
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==Puzzle games==
{{anchor|Puzzle}}
[[File:Dr. Mario Miracle Cure.png|thumb|left|A screenshot from the puzzle game ''[[Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure]]'']]
'''Puzzle games''' test the player's knowledge and reflexes. The objective in most ''Super Mario'' puzzle games is to clear the screen of various objects, similar to that in ''[[Tetris]]''. However, a few ''Super Mario'' puzzle games incorporate different types of gameplay, such as ''[[Mario's Picross]]''. Games belonging to this genre include the ''[[Dr. Mario (series)|Dr. Mario]]'' series, ''[[Wario's Woods (Nintendo Entertainment System)|Wario's Woods]]'', ''[[Yoshi's Cookie]]'', and ''[[Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition]]''. Puzzle games tend to feature no items and a relatively large cast of characters.

For the list of puzzle games, see [[:Category:Puzzle games]].
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==Fighting games==
{{anchor|Fighting}}
[[File:Match Start (Mario Galaxy).jpg|thumb|A basic VS. battle in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', involving [[Mario]] and [[Bowser]]]]
'''Fighting games''' pit characters against each other in combat. The objective of most fighting games is to knock out the other characters. Fighting games are a sub-genre of sports games. This genre has exclusively been a part of the crossover ''[[Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros.]]'' series.

Mario's first appearance in a fighting game was as a referee in ''{{wp|Punch-Out!! (arcade game)|Punch-Out!!}}''; additionally, the [[Punch-Out!! (Wii)|Wii game of the same name]] features [[Donkey Kong]] as a bonus opponent. Mario's first playable role in a fighting game was in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', along with [[Luigi]], [[Yoshi]], and Donkey Kong. [[Bowser]], [[Princess Peach]], and [[Dr. Mario]] were later playable in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', and the former two returned in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', along with [[Wario]] and [[Diddy Kong]] appearing as newcomers. Dr. Mario was readded as a fighter along with all aforementioned characters in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', which also introduced [[Rosalina]] and [[Bowser Jr.]] as fighters, and [[Daisy|Princess Daisy]], [[King K. Rool]], and [[Piranha Plant]] made their appearances as newcomers in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. Instead of depleting the enemy's health, the player must knock the enemy off the screen. Items and obstacles are also available, whereas most fighting games do not have them.
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==Educational games==
{{anchor|Educational}}{{anchor|Edutainment}}
[[File:Mariotype.jpg|left|thumb|A game mode in ''[[Mario Teaches Typing 2]]'', which teaches the player how to type and spell]]
[[File:Pink Kong Jr Math.png|thumb|Gameplay of ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. Math]]'', a game that teaches mathematics]]
'''Educational games''' (specifically '''edutainment games''') are aimed at younger players and are intended to educate as well as entertain them. The premise of educational games is generally to solve mysteries or simply learn how to do something, such as typing or math. A relatively small number of games in the ''Super Mario'' franchise are educational games (including the ''[[Mario Discovery Series]]''), most of which were developed by third-party companies.

For the list of educational games, see [[:Category:Educational games]].
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==Rhythm games==
{{anchor|Rhythm}}
[[File:DDR Super Hard Difficulty Luigi.png|thumb|left|[[Luigi]] dancing in ''[[Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix]]'']]
'''Rhythm games''' are games where the player must time button presses on a game controller or {{wp|dance pad}} in order to match the beat of music played during the game and the timing of symbols that appear onscreen. There are a few ''Super Mario'' rhythm games: ''[[Mario Undōkai]]'' and ''[[Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix]]'' are based on the ''{{wp|Dance Dance Revolution}}'' series, while the ''[[Donkey Konga (series)|Donkey Konga]]'' series (''[[Donkey Konga]]'', ''[[Donkey Konga 2]]'', and ''[[Donkey Konga 3]]'') is based on the ''[[Crossovers with Taiko no Tatsujin|Taiko no Tatsujin]]'' series by the same developers and utilizes the [[Nintendo GameCube#DK Bongos|DK Bongos]] as a controller. All of these games feature minigames in addition to the rhythm-based gameplay, and with the exception of ''Mario Undōkai'', they can be played with a standard [[Nintendo GameCube]] controller.

In addition to these games, characters from the ''WarioWare'' series make appearances in the game ''[[Rhythm Heaven Megamix]]''.
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==Rail shooters==
{{anchor|Rail shooter}}
[[File:Yoshi's Safariscreenshot.png|thumb|Mario riding [[Yoshi]] in a first-person view in ''[[Yoshi's Safari]]'']]
'''Rail shooters''' are games played from a first-person perspective, where the player must shoot all the enemies on the screen while following a specific route. The only rail shooters in the ''Super Mario'' franchise are ''[[Yoshi's Safari]]'', which requires the use of the [[Super Scope]] in single-player mode, and ''[[Luigi's Mansion Arcade]]'', which uses the arcade machine itself as a controller.
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==Turn-based tactics games==
{{anchor|Turn-based tactics}}{{anchor|Tactics}}
[[File:Mario Rabbids Sparks of Hope battle.png|thumb|left|Gameplay of the turn-based tactics game ''[[Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope]]'']]
'''Turn-based tactics games''' involve turn-based combat gameplay characteristic of an RPG, usually in a warfare-like scenario. The combat involves the player strategically positioning their characters to attack and defend against enemies. The only games in the ''Super Mario'' franchise with this genre are those in the ''[[Mario + Rabbids]]'' series.

The ''Mario Party'' series does also include game modes that merge aspects of both the turn-based tactics and party genres, specifically [[Mario_Party:_Star_Rush#Toad_Scramble|Toad Scramble]] in ''Mario Party: Star Rush'' and [[Super Mario Party#Partner Party|Partner Party]] in ''Super Mario Party''.

==Shoot 'em up games==
[[File:DK3 Arcade Blue Greenhouse.png|thumb|right|Gameplay of the fixed shooter and platform game ''[[Donkey Kong 3]]'']]
'''Shoot 'em up games''' involve fast-paced action, where the player must shoot down waves of enemies while dodging enemy fire. The only games in the ''Super Mario'' franchise in this genre are ''[[Donkey Kong 3]]'' and its semi-sequel, ''[[Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushū]]''. Specifically, they are fixed shooter games, where the player and enemies are confined to a single screen, although the original also features platforming elements.

Other ''Super Mario'' games have shoot 'em up segments, such as the [[Marine Pop]] and [[Sky Pop]] stages in ''Super Mario Land'', and various microgames throughout the ''[[WarioWare]]'' series, such as [[Nose Dive]].

[[Category:Terms]]