Super Mario Board Games

It’s a him, Mario!

Along with Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny, Super Mario (or just Mario to his friends) is arguably one of the most recognizable IPs in the world. If you were to show a picture of the mustachioed plumber to almost anybody they would be able to name him, or would at least recognize him from somewhere. Needless to say, he has left his mark on the world of pop culture, but that’s no surprise considering he’s been making appearances in video games for over forty years now. Not only that, but due to his longevity and popularity, you can find his face on practically everything.

Alongside popping up in over 200 video games with various friends and family members, Mario has been put on almost every piece of merchandise imaginable. There’s very little that he hasn’t left his mark on, and that includes board games. Although there aren’t too many original Mario games out there (and even less are easy to come by) there are plenty of licensed board games that are Mario Bros. themed. While these remain the same as their original counterparts for the most part, there are unique twists to some of them that take the original game and make them feel just that little bit different to feel like it’s own thing. Fans can also find Mario’s face on stickers and boards, which they can use to create and share their own pictures.

So whether you’re a fan of Mario, board games, or both, below are a selection of games we’re certain you’ll enjoy.

Types of Super Mario Board Games

Super Mario board games offer a diverse range of experiences, catering to different tastes and preferences. From classic board games to innovative strategy and puzzle games, there’s something for everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom. Here are some of the main types of Super Mario board games:

• Classic Board Games: These games bring beloved Super Mario characters to timeless board game experiences. Examples include Monopoly Junior Super Mario Edition and The Game of Life: Super Mario Edition.

• Strategy and Puzzle Games: These games challenge players to think critically and strategically, often incorporating elements of luck and skill. Examples include Ravensburger’s Super Mario Labyrinth and Epoch Games’ Super Mario Blow Up! Shaky Tower Balancing Game.

• Family-Friendly Games: These games are designed to be enjoyable for players of all ages, often featuring simple gameplay and colorful artwork. Examples include Pop Up Super Mario Family and Preschool Kids Board Game and Super Mario Checkers & Tic-Tac-Toe Collector’s Game Set.

• Unique Games: These games offer one-of-a-kind experiences that blend Super Mario themes with innovative gameplay mechanics. Examples include Winning Moves’ Super Mario Guess Who? and Epoch Games’ Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape!

Monopoly Gamer

Players: 2-4     Time: 45-60 minutes     Age: 8+

Monopoly with a Nintendo twist. Battle Bowser and the Koopalings while collecting properties to earn points and coins. Whoever has the most points at the end of the game is the winner!

Monopoly Gamer puts Mario and friends in the middle of the classic board game but with a few changes. As with traditional Monopoly, players roll dice and make their way around the boards purchasing properties as they go, but Monopoly Gamer incorporates a few changes. Monopoly money is replaced with coins, which is used to both purchase properties and pay rent. One of the two dice that are rolled on a players turn has symbols rather than numbers.

If the symbol related to the active players character is rolled, their special ability activates. This gives the player a bonus action on their turn, like being able to move a few more spaces or collecting extra coins from the bank. Once a player passes Go, they take a boss card and initiate a boss battle, which anyone can join in on if they can pay the correct amount. Everyone rolls the dice and the player with the highest result wins the card, which gives them a bonus like an extra property. Each defeated boss and property has a score value as do the coins a player collects along the way. Once each of the eight bosses has been defeated, whoever has the highest score wins.

A fresh take on traditional Monopoly, Monopoly Gamer takes characters, locations, and items from Mario games and switches up the Monopoly formula to make the game feel unique. With each character possessing a different ability and extra characters sold separately, it’s a great game for Mario fans to play again and again.

The Game of Life: Super Mario Edition

Players: 2-4     Time: 30-120 minutes     Age: 8+

Another classic with a Nintendo spin on it. Journey through the Mushroom Kingdom collecting coins, power-ups, and companions, and take part in a variety of minigames. Unlike the classic Game of Life where retirement or money is the objective, in the Mario iteration beating Bowser is the goal. The rules of the game are straightforward: spin the spinner, move that number of spaces, and follow the instructions on the space you land on.

There’s a variety of different spaces that allow you to do a multitude of things and branching paths to take you in many different directions. There will be items to collect, companions to join and aid you in your travels, and pipes to travel down that serve as a short cut to another part of the board. The main objective of the game is to collect a minimum of two stars, then make your way to Bowser’s Castle. You spin the dial and add the number of stars to your result. If you score a 12 or higher, you win! Less than twelve, however, and it’s back to the start.

The Game of Life is a simple enough game and Mario’s version is no different. It’s fun, easy going, anyone can play, and with the Mario cast traversing the Mushroom Kingdom boards, it makes for a nice and simple game for video game fans to enjoy.

Super Mario: Level Up! Board Game

Players: 3-6     Time: 10-30 minutes     Age: 8+

Help Mario and his pals by advancing them up the Mushroom Kingdom while challenging other players in order to gather the most coins and reach the castle at the top.

Played across a 3-D, multi-tiered board, players start the game by taking a ‘line-up’ card and placing characters on different levels of the boards. This will show them what characters need to be situated on what level in order to score. Players then take turns to place the characters on any level they wish, but there cannot be more than four characters per level. If there are any levels with less than four characters, question mark blocks are placed there instead. On their turn, a player may move any of the characters up or down one level.

If they move where a question mark block is placed they can play it or keep it for later. These have a variety of uses and can be used to take another turn, go up a level, or gain points at the end of the game, amongst other things. Once a character is at the top of the board, players vote if they are happy with them being the champion. If even one player votes no, the round continues. If everyone votes yes, players will receive points based on where they managed to move their characters. The game runs over three rounds, at the end of which the player with the highest score wins.

Level Up! is an interesting game that is very simple to get to grips with and has a short playtime, but there is a degree of deduction and bluffing involved. Players must do their best to get their characters in position without being too obvious in order to score big, whilst preventing others from doing so. Definitely worth a try, but it can be hard to track down now that it is out of print.

Look for a used copy on ebay.

Uno: Super Mario

Players: 2-10     Time: 20-45  minutes     Age: 7+

Join Mario, Luigi, and all their friends for a game of UNO! It’s the UNO you love, but this version also includes a special Mario Super Star Card that makes your character invincible. Score points by being the first to get rid of all the cards in your hand. The first player or team to 500 points wins. 

Most people probably know what UNO is all about, but for those who are new to the game, here is a short breakdown of the rules. Everyone starts the game with a hand of seven cards, each featuring a Mario character, a number or symbol, and all coming in one of four colors. Once everyone has a full hand the rest of the cards are placed face down, with the top card of the deck being flipped over to create a discard pile. The first player must play a card that matches the color, number, or symbol of the card that has just been played.

If they can’t, they draw a card from the deck instead. Along the way, there will be various action cards players can use that have a variety of effects and are there to hinder opponents. These include players skipping their turns, the order being reversed, or the player being made to pick up extra cards. Additionally, there are wild cards that can be any color, super star cards that bounce the effect of pick-up cards, and customizable cards where players can make their own rules. Whoever gets rid of their hand first wins. Just remember to shout “Uno” when you’re down to your last card! 

UNO is a classic card game that’s unpredictable and great to play at parties or with a large group of people. UNO: Super Mario features plenty of recognizable characters on the cards and the customizable cards are a nice touch. Just don’t do what I let my kid do and turn it into a “Pick up 50 cards” card…that one smarts! 

Monopoly Gamer: Mario Kart 

Players: 2-4     Time: 45-60 minutes     Age: 8+

Move around the game board as familiar Mario Kart racers and buy iconic Mario Kart properties such as Bowser’s Castle and Rainbow Road. Collect coins, throw banana peels, and toss shells just like in the video game. Winning is all about winning races and when the final race is over, the player with the highest score wins.

Although there are two Mario Monopoly Gamers, both versions are just different enough that it justifies talking about. The game works in a similar way to its counterpart where players work their way around the boards collecting properties and receiving points for them. This time, instead of stages from previous Mario games, the properties are in the form of familiar race tracks from the Mario Kart games. As they’re zooming around, players will roll two dice, one that tells them how far to move and another with symbols on it. These symbols have various meanings but may also trigger a character’s special ability, which will let them move further, collect coins, or force others to drop coins.

There is also an added banana peel sign, which lets players drop a banana token. When a player comes across it they must stop and carry out the action on the space they land on. After passing Go, the player reveals a Grand Prix race card and anyone wishing to participate must pay a certain amount of coins. After everyone rolls their dice, whoever scores the highest wins the card and gains the points that come with it. There are however, bonuses for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, so even if players don’t win they will receive something. Once all Grand Prix races have been drawn, whoever has the most points from their racetracks and coins is declared the winner.

A fun game that’s as exhilarating as being in a high-speed race. There’s always something happening in this game and it feels a little more chaotic than the original Monopoly Gamer, but in a good way. This one also comes with plenty of other races to collect and is well worth a try.

So if you feel like playing a Mario game that doesn’t involve a screen and controller, those are some great options to start with. There are some more obscure Mario games from the 90’s or early 2000’s out there, but it’s very difficult to come across much information about them. However, if you’ve played them yourself or if there’s any at all you’ve tried that we haven’t mentioned, we’d love to hear about them and what you think of them.

Classic Board Games

Classic board games are a staple of the Super Mario franchise, offering a nostalgic and familiar experience for fans of all ages. These games often feature beloved Super Mario characters and iconic locations from the Mushroom Kingdom. Here are some examples of classic Super Mario board games:

• Monopoly Junior Super Mario Edition: A kid-friendly version of the classic Monopoly game, featuring Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. Players move around the board, buying properties and collecting coins, all while encountering familiar faces and places from the Mario universe.

• The Game of Life: Super Mario Edition: A whimsical journey through the Mushroom Kingdom, where players choose their favorite character and navigate through iconic destinations. Spin the spinner, collect power-ups, and race to defeat Bowser in this delightful twist on the classic game.

• Super Mario Checkers & Tic-Tac-Toe Collector’s Game Set: A versatile game set that includes checkers with Mario and Bowser and Tic-Tac-Toe with Yoshi and Luigi. This set offers double the fun with two classic games in one, perfect for family game nights.

Strategy and Puzzle Games

Strategy and puzzle games offer a more challenging and engaging experience for Super Mario fans. These games often require players to think critically and strategically, using elements of luck and skill to advance. Here are some examples of strategy and puzzle Super Mario games:

• Ravensburger Super Mario Labyrinth: A maze-filled adventure game where players race against other players to collect treasures and power-ups. Navigate the shifting pathways of the labyrinth, using your wits and strategy to outmaneuver your opponents and claim victory.

• Epoch Games Super Mario Blow Up! Shaky Tower Balancing Game: A thrilling experience where players build a tower of Super Mario-themed blocks and carefully remove pieces without toppling the tower. Test your steady hand and nerves in this exciting game of balance and precision.

• USAOPOLY Super Mario Chess Set: A collector’s edition chess set that combines the timeless game of chess with the beloved Super Mario universe. Strategize and plan your moves carefully as you lead your favorite characters to victory on the chessboard.

Also Read: Best Puzzle Board Games for All Ages

Family-Friendly Games

Family-friendly games are designed to be enjoyable for players of all ages, often featuring simple gameplay and colorful artwork. These games are perfect for families and young fans of the Super Mario franchise. Here are some examples of family-friendly Super Mario games:

• Pop Up Super Mario Family and Preschool Kids Board Game: An interactive board game where players join Mario and his friends on a pop-up adventure. Simple rules and engaging gameplay make this a hit with younger players and families alike.

• Super Mario Checkers & Tic-Tac-Toe Collector’s Game Set: A versatile game set that includes checkers with Mario and Bowser and Tic-Tac-Toe with Yoshi and Luigi. This set offers double the fun with two classic games in one, perfect for family game nights.

• Mattel Games UNO Super Mario Card Game: A classic card game with a Super Mario twist, where players match colors and numbers while playing special Super Mario-themed action cards. Join Mario, Luigi, and friends in this fast-paced and fun card game that’s great for all ages.

Unique Games

Unique games offer one-of-a-kind experiences that blend Super Mario themes with innovative gameplay mechanics. These games are perfect for fans looking for something new and exciting. Here are some examples of unique Super Mario games:

• Winning Moves Super Mario Guess Who?: A unique twist on the classic Guess Who? game, where players challenge their opponents to uncover the mystery Super Mario character by asking strategic yes-or-no questions. Use your deduction skills to identify the hidden character and win the game.

• Epoch Games Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape!: A fast-paced and suspenseful game where players navigate through a maze of pipes, avoiding dangerous Piranha Plants to rescue Toad. Quick thinking and strategy are key to escaping the clutches of the Piranha Plants and saving the day.

• Ravensburger Super Mario Brothers Memory Game: A memory game where players test their memory skills by flipping over cards featuring beloved Super Mario characters. Match pairs of characters to win, and enjoy the colorful and charming artwork of the Mushroom Kingdom.

By incorporating these new sections, the article now provides a comprehensive overview of the various types of Super Mario board games available, catering to different preferences and age groups. Whether you’re a fan of classic board games, strategy and puzzle challenges, family-friendly fun, or unique gaming experiences, there’s a Super Mario board game for everyone to enjoy.

Super Mario Board Games FAQs