Difference between revisions of "Canon"

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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.
A list of the current canon games can be found '''[[List of Canon Mario Games|here]]'''.


== Significant Partially Canon Franchises ==
== Section 1 – Publisher Rules ==  
=== 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.


=== Game & Watch ===
=== Rule 1 – Must be published by Nintendo ===
The relationship between the Mario and Game & Watch franchises are complex. All but two of the games in the Game & Watch franchise has been re-released as Mario games in the Game & Watch Gallery series. One game, Green House, also appears in the Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze level "Fruity Factory", in a dilapidated state.
:1.a – Video games published by Nintendo and set in the Mario Universe are canon, this includes US-only releases or web browser games. Licensing is not enough.
::Examples: ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' and ''Donkey Kong Circus'' are canon, ''Mario is Missing'' and ''Hotel Mario'' are not;
:1.b – "Game-adjacent" media made by the developers of the game (not by third-parties) is also considered canon.
::Examples: Game manuals, official websites and Word of God are canon, Prima Guides are not;
:1.c – If the publisher is unknown, then the canonicity is determined on if canon games reference it
::Examples: ''Mario Kart Wii'' references ''Mario Kart Arcade GP'';


=== Excite ===
Addendum A - The '''Mario Universe''' consists of the Mario franchise, Wario franchise, Yoshi franchise and DK franchise.
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. ===
== Section 2 – Crossover Rules ==
[info needed]


=== Famicom Grand Prix ===
=== Rule 1 – Mario games that feature crossovers from other franchises ===
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.
:1.a – A game that features crossovers (characters from another franchise) is canon if it isn't considered a game for the franchise "crossing over" to Mario.
::Examples: ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' isn't considered a Zelda game; ''Mario Hoops 3-on-3'' isn't considered a FF game;
:1.b – However, if the crossover title can be considered a game for the other franchise, but doesn't in any way interact with the canon of that franchise, the game can still be considered canon to Mario.
::Examples: ''Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix'' does not connect to any other DDR game, and so is considered canon to Mario;
:1.c – If a game is presented in a way that places both franchises equally, then it is not canon to Mario.
::Examples: ''Wario Blast feat. Bomberman'' places more importance in the Wario franchise than the Bomberman franchise, so it is canon; ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games'' holds Mario and Sonic to the same level; ''Super Smash Bros.'' holds multiple franchises to the same level neither are canon to Mario;


== Significant Non-Canon Franchises ==
=== Rule 2 – Other games that feature crossovers from Mario ===
=== Super Smash Bros. ===
:2.a – Similarly, a game that features Mario elements in it, but isn't generally considered to be a Mario game isn't canon.
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.
::Examples: ''Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening'' isn't considered a Mario game; ''NBA Street V3'' isn't considered a Mario game;
Addendum A - For the sake of simplicity, "Mario game", or "Mario franchise" includes other Mario-related franchises such as Donkey Kong, Wario and Yoshi.


=== Sonic the Hedgehog ===
== Section 3 - Retcon Rules ==
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 ===
=== Rule 1 – Newer remakes retcon older content ===
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.
:1.a – Newer remakes overrides previous titles and content, as if the original never happened. This includes changes such as: Characters, locations, story and names;
::Examples: ''Super Mario All-Stars'' retcons the originals; ''Super Mario Advance'' series retcons ''Super Mario All-Stars''; ''Mario & Luigi DX'' retcons the originals; ''Super Mario 64 DS'' retcons ''Super Mario 64'';
:1.b – Older content can still be considered canon if it doesn’t explicitly contradict with newer content.
::Examples: The backstory in the original Manuals for ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' and ''Super Mario World''; levels based on ''Super Mario 3D World'' in ''Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker'';
:1.c – Simple ports of older games do not count as remakes, and therefore don't fall under 1.a, and don't count as canon over previous remakes.
Examples: ''Super Mario 64 DS'' still takes precedence over the ''Super Mario 64'' port in the ''3D All-Stars Collection'';


=== Dragon Quest ===
=== Rule 2. – Revisiting locations aren’t retcons ===
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.
:2.a – Changes to old locations that are revisited in new games (that aren't remakes) are considered in-universe changes and not retcons.
::Examples: Tracks revisited in Retro Cups in newer ''Mario Kart'' games or in ''Mario Kart Tour''; The giant Kong head not present in newer versions of DK Island;
:2.b – Newer changes that causes contradictions to older content due to technical limitations in hardware can be disregarded. The older appearance takes precedence over the newer content. (i.e. the Double Dash Exception)
::Examples: GCN Mushroom Bridge lacking references to Mushroom City in ''Mario Kart DS'';
:2.c – Locations that are radically different from previous appearances to the point that they can’t be explained as in-universe changes, (that aren’t covered by Exception 2.b), can be considered retcons. The newer appearance takes precedence over the older appearance.
::Examples: ''Super Mario Odyssey''’s globe retcons older references to Mario’s planet as our Earth (e.g. Rainbow Roads); N64 Choco Mountain and DS Airship Fortress in ''Mario Kart Tour''; Cheese Land in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''; New Donk City retcons older New York City references;


=== The Legend of Zelda ===
Addendum A - Whether a location revisited is the exact same location or simply around a general area should be decided on a case by case basis
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.
Examples: Star Hill seen in Super Mario RPG and in Partners in Time aren't the exact same location, while retro tracks is the Mario Kart series generally are.


=== Animal Crossing ===
Addendum B - A list of the current Mario Kart race tracks can be found '''[[List of Mario Kart Tracks|here]]'''.
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.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Canon Game !! Non-Canon Game !! Non-Canon Reasoning
|-
| rowspan="8" | Unknown || rowspan="8" | || 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
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1980 || rowspan="3" | || Ball || Example
|-
| Vermin || Example
|-
| Fire || Example
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1981 || Donkey Kong || Manhole || Example
|-
| rowspan="5" | || Helmet || Example
|-
| Parachute || Example
|-
| Octopus || Example
|-
| Chef || Example
|-
| Egg || Example
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1982 || Green House || Turtle Bridge || Example
|-
| Donkey Kong Jr. || Fire Attack || Example
|-
| || Oil Panic || Example
|-
| rowspan="6" | 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 || rowspan="3" | || rowspan="3" |
|-
| Donkey Kong Jr. Math
|-
| Donkey Kong 3
|-
| rowspan="7" | 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
|-
| rowspan="2" | || VS. Wrecking Crew || Example
|-
| Boxing || Example
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1985 || Wrecking Crew || rowspan="2" |  || rowspan="2" |
|-
| Super Mario Bros.
|-
| rowspan="4" | 1986 || Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels || I Am a Teacher: Super Mario Sweater || Example
|-
| rowspan="3" |  || All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros. || Example
|-
| Super Mario Bros. Special  || Example
|-
| VS. Super Mario Bros. || Example
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1987 || Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race || Family Computer Golf: Japan Course || Example
|-
| rowspan="4" |  || 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
|-
| rowspan="3" | 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
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1989 || Super Mario Land || Tetris || Example
|-
| Alleyway || rowspan="2" |  || rowspan="2" |
|-
| Golf
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1990 || Dr. Mario || VS. Dr. Mario || Example
|-
| Super Mario World || Nintendo World Championships 1990 || Example
|-
| rowspan="4" |  || Nintendo Campus Challenge || Example
|-
| Mario's Egg Catch || Example
|-
| Luigi's Hammer Toss || Example
|-
| Princess Toadstool's Castle Run || Example
|-
| rowspan="7" | 1991 || Mario the Juggler || NES Open Tournament Golf || Example
|-
| Yoshi || Super Mario Bros. Print World || Example
|-
| rowspan="5" |  || 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
|-
| rowspan="10" | 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
|-
| rowspan="7" |  || 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
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1993 || Yoshi's Safari || Super Mario All-Stars || Example
|-
| Mario & Wario || Mario's Time Machine || Example
|-
| rowspan="4" |  || Koopa Taiji || Example
|-
| Būbū Mario || Example
|-
| Mario Undoukai || Example
|-
| Mario's Early Years! Fun with Letters || Example
|-
| rowspan="11" | 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
|-
| rowspan="7" |  || 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
|-
| rowspan="9" | 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 || rowspan="2" |  || rowspan="2" |
|-
| Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
|-
| rowspan="9" | 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
|-
| rowspan="5" |  || Donkey Konk || Example
|-
| Super Mario Attack || Example
|-
| Mario's FUNdamentals || Example
|-
| Mario Teaches Typing 2 || Example
|-
| Super Mario 64 || Example
|-
| rowspan="7" | 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
|-
| rowspan="2" |  || Super Mario 64 (slot machine) || Example
|-
| Super Mario Collection Screen Saver || Example
|-
| rowspan="4" | 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
|-
| rowspan="5" | 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
|-
| rowspan="7" | 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) || rowspan="3" |  || rowspan="3" |
|-
| Donkey Kong Country
|-
| Mario Party 3
|-
| rowspan="5" | 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
|-
| rowspan="5" | 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
|-
| rowspan="2" |  || Donkey Kong-e || Example
|-
| Mario Bros.-e || Example
|-
| rowspan="10" | 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 || rowspan="2" |  || rowspan="2" |
|-
| Donkey Konga
|-
| rowspan="12" | 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 ||  || 
|-
| rowspan="15" | 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
|-
| rowspan="8" | 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
|-
| rowspan="3" |  || Mario vs. DK 2: Cannon Kaos || Example
|-
| Tetris DS Puzzle Mode || Example
|-
| Donkey Kong: Banana Kingdom || Example
|-
| rowspan="9" | 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 || rowspan="4" |  || rowspan="4" |
|-
| DK: Jungle Climber
|-
| Super Mario Galaxy
|-
| Mario Party DS
|-
| rowspan="6" | 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! ||  || 
|-
| rowspan="15" | 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
|-
| rowspan="10" |  || 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
|-
| rowspan="3" | 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 ||  || 
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2011 || Super Mario 3D Land || Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games || Example
|-
| Mario Kart 7 || Fortune Street || Example
|-
| rowspan="3" |  || AR Games || Example
|-
| StreetPass Mii Plaza || Example
|-
| New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World || Example
|-
| rowspan="5" | 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 ||  || 
|-
| rowspan="9" | 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 || rowspan="3" |  || rowspan="3" |
|-
| Mario Party: Island Tour
|-
| Dr. Luigi
|-
| rowspan="7" | 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
|-
| rowspan="2" |  || Nintendo Badge Arcade || Example
|-
| Club Nintendo Picross Plus || Example
|-
| rowspan="7" | 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 ||  || 
|-
| rowspan="4" | 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
|-
| rowspan="8" | 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 || rowspan="3" |  || rowspan="3" |
|-
| Super Mario Odyssey
|-
| Mario Party: The Top 100
|-
| rowspan="7" | 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 ||  || 
|-
| rowspan="8" | 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
|-
| rowspan="4" |  || Arcade Archives: Pinball || Example
|-
| Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online || Example
|-
| Arcade Archives: Golf || Example
|-
| Dr. Mario World || Example
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2020 || rowspan="2" | || Arcade Archives: VS. Wrecking Crew || Example
|-
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Arcade Edition || Example
|}

Revision as of 13:58, 4 January 2021

A list of the current canon games can be found here.

Section 1 – Publisher Rules

Rule 1 – Must be published by Nintendo

1.a – Video games published by Nintendo and set in the Mario Universe are canon, this includes US-only releases or web browser games. Licensing is not enough.
Examples: Super Mario Bros. 2 and Donkey Kong Circus are canon, Mario is Missing and Hotel Mario are not;
1.b – "Game-adjacent" media made by the developers of the game (not by third-parties) is also considered canon.
Examples: Game manuals, official websites and Word of God are canon, Prima Guides are not;
1.c – If the publisher is unknown, then the canonicity is determined on if canon games reference it
Examples: Mario Kart Wii references Mario Kart Arcade GP;

Addendum A - The Mario Universe consists of the Mario franchise, Wario franchise, Yoshi franchise and DK franchise.

Section 2 – Crossover Rules

Rule 1 – Mario games that feature crossovers from other franchises

1.a – A game that features crossovers (characters from another franchise) is canon if it isn't considered a game for the franchise "crossing over" to Mario.
Examples: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe isn't considered a Zelda game; Mario Hoops 3-on-3 isn't considered a FF game;
1.b – However, if the crossover title can be considered a game for the other franchise, but doesn't in any way interact with the canon of that franchise, the game can still be considered canon to Mario.
Examples: Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix does not connect to any other DDR game, and so is considered canon to Mario;
1.c – If a game is presented in a way that places both franchises equally, then it is not canon to Mario.
Examples: Wario Blast feat. Bomberman places more importance in the Wario franchise than the Bomberman franchise, so it is canon; Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games holds Mario and Sonic to the same level; Super Smash Bros. holds multiple franchises to the same level neither are canon to Mario;

Rule 2 – Other games that feature crossovers from Mario

2.a – Similarly, a game that features Mario elements in it, but isn't generally considered to be a Mario game isn't canon.
Examples: Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening isn't considered a Mario game; NBA Street V3 isn't considered a Mario game;

Addendum A - For the sake of simplicity, "Mario game", or "Mario franchise" includes other Mario-related franchises such as Donkey Kong, Wario and Yoshi.

Section 3 - Retcon Rules

Rule 1 – Newer remakes retcon older content

1.a – Newer remakes overrides previous titles and content, as if the original never happened. This includes changes such as: Characters, locations, story and names;
Examples: Super Mario All-Stars retcons the originals; Super Mario Advance series retcons Super Mario All-Stars; Mario & Luigi DX retcons the originals; Super Mario 64 DS retcons Super Mario 64;
1.b – Older content can still be considered canon if it doesn’t explicitly contradict with newer content.
Examples: The backstory in the original Manuals for Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World; levels based on Super Mario 3D World in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker;
1.c – Simple ports of older games do not count as remakes, and therefore don't fall under 1.a, and don't count as canon over previous remakes.

Examples: Super Mario 64 DS still takes precedence over the Super Mario 64 port in the 3D All-Stars Collection;

Rule 2. – Revisiting locations aren’t retcons

2.a – Changes to old locations that are revisited in new games (that aren't remakes) are considered in-universe changes and not retcons.
Examples: Tracks revisited in Retro Cups in newer Mario Kart games or in Mario Kart Tour; The giant Kong head not present in newer versions of DK Island;
2.b – Newer changes that causes contradictions to older content due to technical limitations in hardware can be disregarded. The older appearance takes precedence over the newer content. (i.e. the Double Dash Exception)
Examples: GCN Mushroom Bridge lacking references to Mushroom City in Mario Kart DS;
2.c – Locations that are radically different from previous appearances to the point that they can’t be explained as in-universe changes, (that aren’t covered by Exception 2.b), can be considered retcons. The newer appearance takes precedence over the older appearance.
Examples: Super Mario Odyssey’s globe retcons older references to Mario’s planet as our Earth (e.g. Rainbow Roads); N64 Choco Mountain and DS Airship Fortress in Mario Kart Tour; Cheese Land in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; New Donk City retcons older New York City references;

Addendum A - Whether a location revisited is the exact same location or simply around a general area should be decided on a case by case basis Examples: Star Hill seen in Super Mario RPG and in Partners in Time aren't the exact same location, while retro tracks is the Mario Kart series generally are.

Addendum B - A list of the current Mario Kart race tracks can be found here.

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