Super Mario turns 30: here are 10 of his greatest hits

By Tim Biggs
Updated November 29 2015 - 10:08am, first published September 12 2015 - 11:00am
The original <i>Super Mario Bros.</i> debuted on September 13, 1985.
The original <i>Super Mario Bros.</i> debuted on September 13, 1985.
Though it didn't begin life as a Mario game at all, many elements of the Western sequel have since been folded into the series.
Though it didn't begin life as a Mario game at all, many elements of the Western sequel have since been folded into the series.
Mario's racoon form was just one of many transformations in the third game. He also became a frog and a tanuki.
Mario's racoon form was just one of many transformations in the third game. He also became a frog and a tanuki.
Everything was bigger and better on the Super Nintendo, including Mario's enemies.
Everything was bigger and better on the Super Nintendo, including Mario's enemies.
Mario entered the third dimension in <i>Super Mario 64</i>.
Mario entered the third dimension in <i>Super Mario 64</i>.
Nintendo's GameCube console gave unprecedented graphical fidelity to Mario's world.
Nintendo's GameCube console gave unprecedented graphical fidelity to Mario's world.
Mario went back to his 2D roots in 2006, and it proved to be his most popular outing in years.
Mario went back to his 2D roots in 2006, and it proved to be his most popular outing in years.
Sci-fi influences were a perfect match for the futuristic Wii controller in <i>Super Mario Galaxy</i>.
Sci-fi influences were a perfect match for the futuristic Wii controller in <i>Super Mario Galaxy</i>.
2D Mario games can be played anyone and sell well, while 3D games please hardcore fans. Nintendo did both at once with <i>3D World</i>.
2D Mario games can be played anyone and sell well, while 3D games please hardcore fans. Nintendo did both at once with <i>3D World</i>.
Super Mario Maker hands the game design over to the gaming community with powerful level editing tools and online sharing.
Super Mario Maker hands the game design over to the gaming community with powerful level editing tools and online sharing.

Sunday, September 13 marks the 30th anniversary of the Super Mario series. Making up the core of the world's number one best-selling (and arguably best known) game franchise, Super Mario has frequently changed the face of video games as we know them since the first entry in 1985.

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