Genre

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Genres are different types of video games classified by gameplay. With over 200 entries, the Mario series has included a variety of different genres. Some games such as Super Paper Mario and Mario Super Sluggers belong to multiple genres. The oldest Mario games started out as platformers, but with the introduction of the Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64, many new genres of Mario games were created.

Types of Genres

Platform

Mario running in the course Bob-omb Battlefield, which is from Super Mario 64, the first three-dimensional platform game.

Platform games consist of going through levels to reach a goal. The majority of Mario games fit under this category. This genre can be divided into two sub-genres; Sidescrollers and three-dimensional platformers. Sidescrollers are the most common type of platform game and usually allow travel in only one or two directions. Three-dimensional platformers allow travel in any direction and usually consist of the newer Mario platform games. A sidescroller may have three-dimensional graphics, like New Super Mario Bros. Wii but it is still classified as a sidescroller. Any game not part of this genre is considered a spin-off.

Party

Party games are multiplayer games usually involving short mini-games. This genre is dominated by the Mario Party series, but the WarioWare series and Itadaki Street DS are also part of it. While most party games involve multiple players, some party games are single player, like certain WarioWare games. Luck is a large factor in party games, but players must also have a certain degree of skill. Party games are rarely played competitively and are usually played casually.

Racing

Racing games are a sub-genre of sports games and involve speedy competitions with other characters. The main objective in racing games is to reach the goal before the other racers and attain first place. Nearly all Mario racing games are part of the Mario Kart series, except for Diddy Kong Racing DS. All games in the Mario series involve items or power-ups which can do various things like slow down the other racers or 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 Mario racing game since.

Sports

Mario in the sports game, Mario Super Sluggers.

Sports games, like the name implies, are games based on sports. Unlike most conventional sports games, Mario sports games feature items and obstacles. Racing games are considered a sub-genre of sports, however, racing games in the Mario series include more entries than the other sports sub-genres. The genre started with Golf for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This genre of Mario games did not become well known until the release of the Nintendo 64 with games like Mario Tennis 64 and Mario Golf 64. Currently, Mario sports games include golf, tennis, soccer, basketball, baseball, dancing, and Olympic events.