Canon

A list of the current canon games can be found at List of Canon Mario Games.

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 region-exclusive releases, though not 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 and Instruction Booklets, official Japanese websites and relevant developer statements in interviews are canon, Prima Guides are not;

1.c – If the publisher of a title is unknown, then its canonicity is determined by whether it is referenced within canon games.

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 simply features crossovers (characters, locations or items from another franchise) is considered canon if it isn't considered a title for the franchise "crossing over" to Mario.

Examples: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe isn't considered a the Legend of Zelda game; Mario Hoops 3-on-3 isn't considered a Final Fantasy 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 Dance Dance Revolution game, and so is considered canon to Mario;

1.c – If a crossover title is presented in a way that places both franchises equally, then it is not canon to Mario.

Examples: Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U hold multiple franchises to the same level, neither are considered 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: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening isn't considered a Mario game; NBA Street V3 isn't considered a Mario game; Neither is considered canon to Mario;

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 releases of titles such as enhanced ports and remakes override previous titles and content, as if the original never happened. This includes changes such as: characters, locations, story and names;

Examples: The remakes of Super Mario All-Stars retcon the original Nintendo Entertainment System titles; Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3 retcons Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island; Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions retcons Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga; Super Mario 64 DS retcons Super Mario 64;

1.b – Older content can still be considered canon if it isn’t explicitly contradicted by newer content.

Examples: Details of the story within the original Instruction Booklet for Super Mario World are still valid, despite not all of said details being retained in Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2; levels based on Super Mario 3D World in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker;

1.c – Newer changes that cause contradictions with older content due to careless promotional reasons can be disregarded. The older content takes precedence over the newer content. (i.e. “the Captain Toad Exception”).

Examples: The ending of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS ports of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker blatantly contradicts Super Mario Odyssey and severs the original game’s connections to Super Mario 3D World; Despite otherwise being canon, the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS port’s ending is ignored in preference of the Wii U version’s ending, which is closer to developer intent;

1.d – Ports of older versions of games do not supersede remakes, therefore don't fall under Section 3, Rule 1.a, and don't count as canon over previous remakes.

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

Rule 2. – Revisiting locations aren’t retcons

2.a – Changes to old locations that are revisited in new, non-remake titles are considered in-universe changes and not retcons.

Examples: Tracks revisited in Retro Cups in Mario Kart titles; Gorilla Glacier from Donkey Kong Country being replaced with the Volcano in Donkey Kong Country Returns;

2.b – Newer changes that cause 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 (ie. that aren’t covered by Section 3 Rule 2.b) can be considered retcons. The newer appearance takes precedence over the older appearance.

Examples: N64 Choco Mountain and DS Airship Fortress in Mario Kart Tour; Cheese Land in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe; Super Mario Odyssey’s globe retcons older placeholder graphics representing Mario’s Planet with Earth or generic landmasses;

Addendum A - Whether a location revisited is the exact same location, simply around the same general area or in an entirely separate region altogether should be decided on a case-by-case basis. Examples: Star Hill seen in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars and Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time aren't the exact same location, while GCN Yoshi Circuit is the same location throughout its various appearances in Mario Kart.

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