Nintendo is responsible for some of the most iconic characters and franchises in gaming history, but few compare to the legacy that’s been left behind by the Super Mario series. The Super Mario games are not only a mainstay of Nintendo consoles, but they’ve helped the platforming genre evolve in fundamental ways. Mario has so many unique power-ups and skills at his disposal that he’s incredibly competent as a one-man team, but it’s exciting to see the dozens of lovable characters who have joined Mario’s side since the start of his adventures.
Additionally, there are now just as many spin-off series in the grander Super Mario franchise as there are mainline games. These spin-offs are a wonderful place for the supporting and fringe Super Mario characters to receive some attention, but there are still certain individuals who have gone overlooked.
9 Gooigi, Luigi’s Creepy Counterpart, Has Quickly Found An Audience
There have been some bolder swings taken with the newer Super Mario characters, and Gooigi certainly sounds more like a fan creation than a canonical character. Gooigi enters the picture in the Nintendo Switch’s Luigi’s Mansion 3 as the character’s more malleable partner.
Gooigi is such a recent addition to the series that there haven’t been a lot of opportunities for him to show up in spin-off efforts, but he’s still found an impressive following in a short amount of time. Curiously, one of the initial applications of Luigi’s character was to facilitate two-player gaming for the Super Mario Bros. series, so the existence of Gooigi as Luigi’s sidekick helps bring his character arc full circle.
8 Poochy Is Yoshi’s Canine Companion Who’s Capable Of Many New Tricks
Video game dogs are usually quite popular with audiences, especially when they’re an adorable exaggeration of a friendly canine. Mario treats Yoshi like his pet, but Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island reveals that Yoshi has a puppy partner in Poochy.
Poochy was dormant in the Super Mario franchise for years, but he's still usually around Yoshi in some capacity and even got to properly share the spotlight with him in the Switch upgrade of Yoshi's Woolly World. Poochy isn't a character who's been completely forgotten since he plays a fun role in Super Mario Odyssey. That said, he's remained absent in the Super Mario spin-off efforts and fringe titles.
7 Kammy Koopa’s Malevolent Magic And Experience Gives Her A Unique Voice
It remains fascinating how the roster of characters in Super Mario continues to expand through variations on existing characters. Kamek, more colloquially known as Magikoopa, is an established villain in the Mario universe. Kammy Koopa, a female version of this magical minion, first shows up in Paper Mario as someone who calls the shots for Bowser.
Kammy has remained limited to the Paper Mario series, but she has such a distinct personality that it’s surprising that she hasn’t properly crossed over to Mario Kart or any of the sports games.
6 Wart Is A Neglected Villain Who Nintendo Wants To Forget
Super Mario Bros. 2 is a very different game in Japan than it is everywhere else, which instead featured a re-skinned game that was transformed into one of the most unconventional Mario games. Super Mario Bros. 2 is set in Subcon, which turns out to be all just be one of Mario's bad dreams. Wart is the ruler of this nightmare land, rather than the typical Bowser.
Wart has a poor reception and has largely been forgotten, but he's due for a comeback and could be a proper threat now that Bowser has increasingly become an ally. Strangely enough, Wart's most recent appearance wasn't even in a Super Mario game but rather the Nintendo Switch's 2019 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.
5 Pauline Is One Of Mario’s Oldest Friends And Deserves A Modern Comeback
When it comes to the Super Mario franchise's iconic princesses it's Peach and Daisy who receive the most attention, but Pauline is a damsel in distress that predates them all with her origins in the original Donkey Kong from the 1980s.
Pauline has one of the most impressive comeback stories in Super Mario history, having disappeared for decades until her return as the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey. It's exciting for Nintendo to reclaim this classic character, but it's still such a recent return for Pauline that she hasn't yet been able to take over Mario's spin-off and sporting adventures.
4 Luma Can Be So Much More Than A Silly Sidekick If He Gets The Chance
Super Mario Galaxy was a groundbreaking entry in the platforming franchise and both the original game and its sequel stand out among the very best Wii games. The Super Mario Galaxy games introduce some important new characters, including Luma, an adorable star-like creature who aids Mario and Luigi on their galactic adventure.
Luma is almost always present with Rosalina, who has gotten heavy representation in Super Mario spin-offs. However, Luma is an individual who deserves his own spotlight. More niche characters have made the cut.
3 Professor E. Gadd Is Mario’s In-House Genius And Source Of Support
Professor E. Gadd doesn’t show up until Nintendo’s Gamecube generation, but the Super Mario franchise leans on him as their resident genius scientist. E. Gadd is Luigi’s primary benefactor in the Luigi’s Mansion series, but he also designs Mario’s F.L.U.D.D. in Super Mario Sunshine and plays a similar role in the Mario & Luigi RPG titles.
E. Gadd’s imprint on the Super Mario franchise is everywhere, but he’s gradually receded into the shadows. He’s responsible for so many clever inventions that he’d be fun to control in a Super Smash Bros. game. He’d also be able to devise an incredible go-kart or golf club.
2 Kamek Keeps Missing His Big Shot In The Spotlight
Magikoopas have been a pesky presence in the Super Mario series for decades, but Kamek has emerged as the signature version of this threat and a helpful, magical confidante for Bowser in many games. Kamek has finally made an appearance in the mobile game, Mario Kart Tour, and with his own tour, no less.
However, Kamek’s constant inclusions sting even more since he was in the original beta for Mario Kart 64 and was once again almost playable in Mario Kart 8 before getting removed. Kamek could have been a Super Mario mainstay if Donkey Kong didn’t replace him way back in Mario Kart 64.
1 Peachette Is An Odd Creation With Some Interesting Possibilities
The popular New Super Mario Bros. line of games have crossed over multiple Nintendo consoles and have proven that 2D sidescrollers can still be lots of fun and a hearty challenge. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is the Switch's final remastered version of the underrated Wii U platformer.
One of the major additions to this remaster is the Super Crown item, which will transform Toadette into Peachette, a new character. The online community has obsessed over the non-canonical Bowsette, but the subtle Peachette could still end up becoming a permanent spin-off presence in the future.