Mario Without Mario? How Often Do These 5 Mario Spin-Offs Include Fun Mario Appearances?

Both Donkey Kong and Mario spawned from the same arcade game, but the ape and the plumber were quick to each go in their own direction, to the point where it’s almost a stretch to call Donkey Kong’s games Mario spin-offs. Still, the plumber has made a few appearances here and there. Mario was the villain in the Donkey Kong arcade sequel, Donkey Kong Junior, a role that he’s likely to never play again. In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, along with its Game Boy port, Donkey Kong Land 2, Mario is seen on the high score podium when you complete the game.

Mario also appears in the Game and Watch handheld game, Donkey Kong Circus, where he is a spectator at Donkey Kong’s performance, and has a cameo role in Donkey Kong Hockey, another Game and Watch handheld. In addition, Mario and Donkey Kong would face off again in Donkey Kong 94, the Game Boy reimagining of the original Donkey Kong, as well as the Mario spin-off series, Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

Wario Games

Wario’s first appearance was as the main antagonist in the Game Boy game, Super Mario Land 2: The 6 Golden Coins. After that, he grew popular enough to star in two game series, Wario Land and WarioWare, along with a few standalone titles. In Wario’s first starring role, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Mario has a cameo at the end of the game. The Japan-exclusive Super Famicom game Mario and Wario involves the player guiding Mario through obstacles set up by Wario. In addition, Mario makes frequent cameos in the WarioWare microgames, particularly in 9-Volt’s Nintendo-themed games.

Princess Peach Games

Mario’s most famous damsel in distress has gotten a couple of her own Mario spin-off games. In Super Princess Peach, the traditional Mario and Peach roles were reversed, with Peach having to save Mario, Luigi, and the Toads from Bowser. However, Mario doesn’t appear in Peach’s other standalone game, Princess Peach Showtime.

Yoshi Games

In Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, the adorable dinosaur is tasked with escorting Baby Mario to Baby Bowser’s castle to rescue Baby Luigi. Baby Mario would continue to be a prominent character in Yoshi’s Island DS, Yoshi’s Touch and Go, and Yoshi’s New Island. In addition, the NES puzzle games Yoshi and Yoshi’s Cookie featured adult Mario shuffling around enemies and cookies, respectively. In the Super Nintendo Mario spin-off game, Yoshi’s Safari, Mario rides on Yoshi’s back. Also, Yoshi’s Woolly World features an unlockable Mario skin for Yoshi.

Conclusion

The Super Mario universe is expansive, and there is room for plenty of Mario spin-offs that feature other characters. The plumber is kind enough to step aside sometimes and let his friends have some adventures without him. However, it is always fun to see him appear, even when the game isn’t about him.