Canon
Franchises and games are considered canon or non-canon based on how closely linked they are to "core" Mario games. In general, games that are clearly crossovers are not considered canon. Games that take place in the "real-world" are also not considered canon.
Significant Canon Franchises
Mario
Mario is the core franchise of the Marioverse, and so all Mario games are included unless there is reasonable reason to dis-include them, as discussed in this page. Sub-franchises such as Donkey Kong, Wario, and Yoshi are included.
Game & Watch
The relationship between the Mario and Game & Watch franchises are complex. The Game & Watch franchise has been re-released as Mario games in the Game & Watch Gallery series, and due to the relatively small size of the series, in some sense Game & Watch games are Mario games. This is corroborated by the fact that the original Game & Watch game "Green House" appears in a ruined state in the Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze level "Fruity Factory", in a dilapidated state.
Significant Partially Canon Franchises
Mii
Mii is the flagship series of the Wii, and extends onto newer consoles as well. Wuhu Island is a location that exists in the Mario Universe, as seen in the Mario Kart 7 Star Cup and Flower Cup, however, the Mii series is considered large enough, divergent enough, and "meta" enough that its games are generally not considered canon to Mario. Miis are seen cheering for Mario in Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart 7, and so are considered a group of humans from Wuhu Island.
Excite
Excite, best known for including Excitebike, is a series of games that has some ties to the Mario franchise. The Excitebike arena appears in the Super Bell Subway map and as a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe stage, and the game Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium is thought to take place there. As such, parts of the Excitebite series are canon to the Mario franchise. However, the Excite franchise as a whole is large and separate enough to be considered generally "non-canon", so games such as Excitebike 64, Excite Truck, and Excitebots: Trick Racing are not considered part of the universe.
R.O.B.
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Famicom Grand Prix
A few games in the Famicom Grand Prix series use Mario Characters. This series is small enough that said games are considered "Mario" games, similar to the Excite series.
Significant Non-Canon Franchises
Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros is explicitly a crossover series, and so is considered non-canon. Even if it weren't, the characters in Smash Bros are toys, as shown in the first game of the series.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic is best known to join Mario in the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series. This is clearly both a crossover series and a series that mostly takes place in the "real world", and so is not considered canon.
Rabbids
Mario joins with the Rabbids in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, however, this is certainly a crossover game. The Rabbids franchise is also large and highly divergent from Mario.
Dragon Quest
The Mario franchise crosses over with Dragon Quest in Itadaki Street DS, the Fortune Street series, and Mario Sports Mix. However, Dragon Quest has a large, complex, and highly divergent canon of its own, and so all of these games are considered crossovers rather than canon.
The Legend of Zelda
Link and Hyrule appears as a character and kart course, along with the Animal Crossing and F-Zero series, in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, however, as part of crossover DLC, they are considered non-canon.
Animal Crossing
Similar to the Zelda franchise, Animal Crossing appears as characters and a kart course in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, however, as part of crossover DLC, they are considered non-canon.
F-Zero
F-Zero joins Animal Crossing and Zelda with Mario in the Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The series is considered non-canon as it is included as part of a crossover DLC.
Mario Edutainment
Games that are intended to teach "real-world" facts are not considered canon. Such games include "Mario's Time Machine" and "Mario is Missing!".
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy briefly crosses over with Mario alongside Dragon Quest in Mario Sports Mix. For these reasons, the game and series are considered non-canon.
Punch-Out!!!
Mario seemingly stars as a referee in certain games in the Punch-Out!!! series, however, since the referee is never confirmed as Mario, and the series is highly divergent and takes place in the "real world", it is not considered a canon appearance.
Spyro
Mario has crossed over with the Spyro series in Skylanders: SuperChargers Racing. This is considered a crossover game from a separate franchise, and so is not canon.
Banjo-Kazooie
This series, along with Conker's Bad Fur Day, appear in the Diddy Kong Racing series. This has led to the game being considered non-canon, as the game is not only a crossover but also not a significant part of Donkey Kong canon.
Conker's Bad Fur Day
Similar to Banjo-Kazooie, this series appears in Diddy Kong Racing, leading to the game being considered non-canon.
SSX
Mario, Luigi, and Peach appear in SSX on Tour in a cameo appearance, but as this is considered a non-canon crossover.
NBA Street
Mario, Luigi, and Peach make an appearance in this "real life" basketball series, but besides taking place in the "real world", this is a crossover cameo in a separate franchise, and so is considered non-canon.
The Legendary Starfy
Wario makes an appearance in Densetsu no Starfy 3, but the series diverges enough from Mario that it is considered a cameo in a separate series.
Captain Rainbow
The game "Captain Rainbow" features Birdo prominently, however, this is considered a cameo appearance in a game not part of Mario canon.
Canon Table
Except in the case that two completely different games are released with the same title, this table only includes games that are the first release of an exact title, so re-releases are often not included. However, re-releases with different titles are included, and if a given re-release added new information to canon, a note is included in the original release.
If a game was re-released under a different name but changed nothing from the original, you can find it under non-canon, in order to reduce information on the canon side.
Year | Canon Game | Non-Canon Game | Non-Canon Reasoning |
---|---|---|---|
Unknown | Banana Bonanza | Example | |
Rolling Panic | Example | ||
DK: Jungle Climber -- Banana Grab | Example | ||
Mario Tennis: Power Tour -- Bicep Pump | Example | ||
Mario Tennis: Power Tour -- Reflex Rally | Example | ||
New Super Mario Bros. 1-Up Hunt! | Example | ||
Wario: Master of Disguise Trivia | Example | ||
Yoshi's Island DS -- Yoshi's Egg Toss | Example | ||
1980 | Ball | Example | |
Vermin | Example | ||
Fire | Example | ||
1981 | Donkey Kong | Manhole | Example |
Helmet | Example | ||
Parachute | Example | ||
Octopus | Example | ||
Chef | Example | ||
Egg | Example | ||
1982 | Green House | Turtle Bridge | Example |
Donkey Kong Jr. | Fire Attack | Example | |
Oil Panic | Example | ||
1983 | Mario Bros. | Donkey Kong Jr. + Jr. Sansū Lesson | Example |
Donkey Kong II | Pokka Mario Bros. | Example | |
Mario's Cement Factory | Rain Shower | Example | |
Mario's Bombs Away | |||
Donkey Kong Jr. Math | |||
Donkey Kong 3 | |||
1984 | Pinball | Mario Bros. Special | Example |
Golf | Punch Ball Mario Bros. | Example | |
Tennis | Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushū | Example | |
Donkey Kong Circus | VS. Pinball | Example | |
Donkey Kong Hockey | VS. Golf | Example | |
VS. Wrecking Crew | Example | ||
Boxing | Example | ||
1985 | Wrecking Crew | ||
Super Mario Bros. | |||
1986 | Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels | I Am a Teacher: Super Mario Sweater | Example |
All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros. | Example | ||
Super Mario Bros. Special | Example | ||
VS. Super Mario Bros. | Example | ||
1987 | Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race | Family Computer Golf: Japan Course | Example |
Family Computer Golf: U.S. Course | Example | ||
Family Computer Golf: U.S. Course (gold) | Example | ||
Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic | Example | ||
Family Computer Golf: Japan Course (gold) | Example | ||
1988 | Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally | Donkey Kong Classics | Example |
Super Mario Bros. 2 | Kaettekita Mario Bros. | Example | |
Super Mario Bros. 3 | Super Mario Bros. (Pinball) | Example | |
1989 | Super Mario Land | Tetris | Example |
Alleyway | |||
Golf | |||
1990 | Dr. Mario | VS. Dr. Mario | Example |
Super Mario World | Nintendo World Championships 1990 | Example | |
Nintendo Campus Challenge | Example | ||
Mario's Egg Catch | Example | ||
Luigi's Hammer Toss | Example | ||
Princess Toadstool's Castle Run | Example | ||
1991 | Mario the Juggler | NES Open Tournament Golf | Example |
Yoshi | Super Mario Bros. Print World | Example | |
Mario Roulette | Example | ||
Piccadilly Circus: Super Mario Bros. 3 | Example | ||
Mario World | Example | ||
Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up | Example | ||
Mario's Open Golf | Example | ||
1992 | Super Mario Kart | Mario Paint | Example |
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins | Terebi Denwa: Super Mario World | Example | |
Yoshi's Cookie | Super Mario World Popcorn | Example | |
Pika Pika Mario | Example | ||
Super Mario Bros. (Pinball) | Example | ||
Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World | Example | ||
Super Mario Race | Example | ||
Mario Teaches Typing | Example | ||
Mario is Missing! | Example | ||
Super Mario World (Pinball) | Example | ||
1993 | Yoshi's Safari | Super Mario All-Stars | Example |
Mario & Wario | Mario's Time Machine | Example | |
Koopa Taiji | Example | ||
Būbū Mario | Example | ||
Mario Undoukai | Example | ||
Mario's Early Years! Fun with Letters | Example | ||
1994 | Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 | Nintendo PowerFest '94 | Example |
Wario's Woods | Yoshi no Cookie: Kuruppon Oven de Cookie | Example | |
Donkey Kong '94 | Mario's Early Years! Fun with Numbers | Example | |
Donkey Kong Country | Mario's Early Years! Preschool Fun | Example | |
Donkey Kong Country Competition Cartridge | Example | ||
Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World | Example | ||
Tetris & Dr. Mario | Example | ||
Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman! | Example | ||
Super Mario Kart Dokidoki Race | Example | ||
Mario's Time Machine Deluxe | Example | ||
Hotel Mario | Example | ||
1995 | Undake30 Same Game | Tetris Attack / Panel de Pon | Example |
Mario's Picross | Wario's Woods Again | Example | |
Mario’s Super Picross | Satella-Q | Example | |
Donkey Kong Land | Wario's Woods Burst of Laughter Version | Example | |
Mario's Tennis | Mario's Early Years! CD-ROM Collection | Example | |
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island | Mario's Game Gallery | Example | |
Mario Clash | Donkey Kong Country (Pinball) | Example | |
Virtual Boy Wario Land | |||
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest | |||
1996 | Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars | BS Super Mario USA | Example |
Donkey Kong Land 2 | BS Yoshi no Panepon | Example | |
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! | Tetris Attack | Example | |
Mario Kart 64 | Picross 2 | Example | |
Donkey Konk | Example | ||
Super Mario Attack | Example | ||
Mario's FUNdamentals | Example | ||
Mario Teaches Typing 2 | Example | ||
Super Mario 64 | Example | ||
1997 | Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium | Dr. Mario BS Version | Example |
Game & Watch Gallery | Mario Paint BS Ban | Example | |
Donkey Kong Land III | BS Super Mario Collection | Example | |
Yoshi's Story | Super Mario 64: Shindō Pak Taiō Version | Example | |
Game & Watch Gallery 2 | Diddy Kong Racing | Example | |
Super Mario 64 (slot machine) | Example | ||
Super Mario Collection Screen Saver | Example | ||
1998 | Wrecking Crew '98 | Mario no Photopi | Example |
Wario Land II | Tetris DX | Example | |
Mario Party | Mario's Memory Madness | Example | |
Wario's Whack Attack | Example | ||
1999 | Mario Golf (N64) | Picross NP | Example |
Game & Watch Gallery 3 | Super Smash Bros. | Example | |
Mario Golf (GBC) | Example | ||
Donkey Kong 64 | Mario Artist: Paint Studio | Example | |
Mario Party 2 | Super Mario Bros. Deluxe | Example | |
2000 | Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong | Mario Artist: Talent Studio | Example |
Wario Land 3 | Mario Artist: Communication Kit | Example | |
Mario Tennis (N64) | Mario Artist: Polygon Studio | Example | |
Paper Mario | Kremling Krushin | Example | |
Mario Tennis (GBC) | |||
Donkey Kong Country | |||
Mario Party 3 | |||
2001 | Dr. Mario 64 | Super Smash Bros. Melee | Example |
Mobile Golf | Mario Family | Example | |
Mario Kart: Super Circuit | Super Mario Advance | Example | |
Wario Land 4 | Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 | Example | |
Luigi's Mansion | PolterCue | Example | |
2002 | Super Mario Sunshine | Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 | Example |
Mario Party 4 | Donkey Kong Jr.-e | Example | |
Game & Watch Gallery 4 | Pinball-e | Example | |
Donkey Kong-e | Example | ||
Mario Bros.-e | Example | ||
2003 | Mario Party-e | Nintendo Puzzle Collection | Example |
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! | Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 | Example | |
Donkey Kong Country | Donkey Kong 3-e | Example | |
Wario World | Golf-e | Example | |
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour | Donkey Kong Country Barrel Maze | Example | |
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$! | Dokidoki Mario Chance! | Example | |
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! | Super Mario Fushigi no Janjan Land | Example | |
Mario Party 5 | Super Mario 64 (Pinball) | Example | |
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga | |||
Donkey Konga | |||
2004 | Mario Golf: Advance Tour | Donkey Konga 2 | Example |
Mario vs. Donkey Kong | Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros. | Example | |
Donkey Kong Country 2 | Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong | Example | |
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | Classic NES Series: Dr. Mario | Example | |
Mario Pinball Land | Famicom Mini: Wrecking Crew | Example | |
WarioWare: Twisted! | Famicom Mini: Mario Bros. | Example | |
Mario Power Tennis | Densetsu no Starfy 3 | Example | |
Mario Party 6 | Famicom Mini: Super Mario Bros. 2 | Example | |
Super Mario 64 DS | Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party | Example | |
WarioWare: Touched! | Donkey Kong/Donkey Kong Jr./Mario Bros. | Example | |
Yoshi Topsy-Turvy | Donkey Kong (Pinball) | Example | |
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat | |||
2005 | Mario Party Advance | NBA Street V3 | Example |
Yoshi Touch & Go | Donkey Konga 3: Tabehōdai! Haru Mogitate 50 Kyoku | Example | |
DK: King of Swing | SSX on Tour | Example | |
Yakuman DS | Dr. Mario & Puzzle League | Example | |
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix | DK: King of Swing -- Hurling for Distance | Example | |
Mario Superstar Baseball | DKC3 -- Barrel-Blastapalooza | Example | |
Mario Tennis: Power Tour | Dr. Mario Vitamin Toss | Example | |
Dr. Mario & Puzzle League | Mario Party 7 -- Bowser's Lair Hockey | Example | |
Super Princess Peach | Super Mario Strikers -- Heads Up | Example | |
Donkey Kong Country 3 | Super Princess Peach -- Parasol Fall | Example | |
Mario Party 7 | Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party 2 | Example | |
Mario Kart DS | Donkey Kong: Jungle Fever | Example | |
Super Mario Strikers | Mario Kart Arcade GP | Example | |
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time | Super Mario Bros. (Water Game) | Example | |
Donkey Kong (Water Game) | Example | ||
2006 | New Super Mario Bros. | Tetris DS | Example |
Game & Watch Collection | Mario Hoops 3-on-3 | Example | |
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis | Wi-Fi Taiō Yakuman DS | Example | |
Yoshi's Island DS | Mario Hoops 3-on-3 -- Dribble Skillz | Example | |
WarioWare: Smooth Moves | Superstar Shootout | Example | |
Mario vs. DK 2: Cannon Kaos | Example | ||
Tetris DS Puzzle Mode | Example | ||
Donkey Kong: Banana Kingdom | Example | ||
2007 | Wario: Master of Disguise | Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games | Example |
Diddy Kong Racing DS | Itadaki Street DS | Example | |
Super Paper Mario | Diddy Kong Racing DS -- Timber's Balloon Pop | Example | |
Mario Strikers Charged | Super Paper Mario Memory Match | Example | |
Mario Party 8 | Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 | Example | |
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast | |||
DK: Jungle Climber | |||
Super Mario Galaxy | |||
Mario Party DS | |||
2008 | Dr. Mario Online Rx | Super Smash Bros. Brawl | Example |
Mario Kart Wii | Captain Rainbow | Example | |
Mario Super Sluggers | New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat | Example | |
Wario Land: Shake It! | Bird & Beans | Example | |
Dr. Mario Express | Paper Airplane Chase | Example | |
WarioWare: Snapped! | |||
2009 | Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story | New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis | Example |
WarioWare: D.I.Y. | Punch-Out!! | Example | |
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase | Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games | Example | |
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! | Mario Calculator | Example | |
New Super Mario Bros. Wii | Mario Clock | Example | |
Game & Watch: Ball | Example | ||
Game & Watch: Flagman | Example | ||
Game & Watch: Vermin | Example | ||
Game & Watch: Chef | Example | ||
Game & Watch: Helmet | Example | ||
Game & Watch: Manhole | Example | ||
Game & Watch: Donkey Kong Jr. | Example | ||
Game & Watch: Mario's Cement Factory | Example | ||
WarioWare: Touched! DL | Example | ||
Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher | Example | ||
2010 | Super Mario Galaxy 2 | Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition | Example |
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! | Mario Sports Mix | Example | |
Donkey Kong Country Returns | |||
2011 | Super Mario 3D Land | Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games | Example |
Mario Kart 7 | Fortune Street | Example | |
AR Games | Example | ||
StreetPass Mii Plaza | Example | ||
New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World | Example | ||
2012 | Mario Party 9 | Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games | Example |
Mario Tennis Open | Nintendo Land | Example | |
New Super Mario Bros. 2 | Club Nintendo Picross | Example | |
Paper Mario: Sticker Star | Mario Party Kurukuru Carnival | Example | |
New Super Mario Bros. U | |||
2013 | Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon | New Super Mario Bros. U + New Super Luigi U | Example |
Game & Wario | Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games | Example | |
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move | NES Remix | Example | |
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D | Photos with Mario | Example | |
New Super Luigi U | Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher 2 | Example | |
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team | Mario Kart Arcade GP DX | Example | |
Super Mario 3D World | |||
Mario Party: Island Tour | |||
Dr. Luigi | |||
2014 | Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | NES Remix Pack | Example |
Yoshi's New Island | Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | Example | |
Mario Golf: World Tour | NES Remix 2 | Example | |
Mario Kart 8 | Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | Example | |
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | Ultimate NES Remix | Example | |
Nintendo Badge Arcade | Example | ||
Club Nintendo Picross Plus | Example | ||
2015 | Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars | Skylanders: SuperChargers Racing | Example |
Mario Party 10 | amiibo tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits | Example | |
Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure | Super Mario Maker | Example | |
Rhythm Heaven Megamix | Minecraft: Wii U Edition | Example | |
Yoshi's Woolly World | Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition | Example | |
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash | Luigi's Mansion Arcade | Example | |
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam | |||
2016 | Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge | Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games | Example |
Paper Mario: Color Splash | Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS | Example | |
Mario Party: Star Rush | Mario Party Challenge World | Example | |
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Arcade Edition | Example | ||
2017 | Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World | Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle | Example |
Super Mario Run | Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition | Example | |
Mario Sports Superstars | Arcade Archives: Mario Bros. | Example | |
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Arcade Archives: VS. Super Mario Bros. | Example | |
Mario Kart Arcade GP VR | Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition | Example | |
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions | |||
Super Mario Odyssey | |||
Mario Party: The Top 100 | |||
2018 | Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | Minecraft | Example |
Mario Tennis Aces | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | Example | |
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | Mario Tennis Aces: Online Tournament Demo | Example | |
WarioWare Gold | Arcade Archives: Donkey Kong | Example | |
Super Mario Party | Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online | Example | |
Luigi's Mansion | Arcade Archives: Donkey Kong Jr. | Example | |
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey | |||
2019 | New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | Super Mario Maker 2 | Example |
Yoshi's Crafted World | Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 | Example | |
Luigi's Mansion 3 | Arcade Archives: Donkey Kong 3 | Example | |
Mario Kart Tour | Mario Tennis Aces: Special Online Demo | Example | |
Arcade Archives: Pinball | Example | ||
Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online | Example | ||
Arcade Archives: Golf | Example | ||
Dr. Mario World | Example | ||
2020 | Arcade Archives: VS. Wrecking Crew | Example | |
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Arcade Edition | Example |