Today celebrates MAR10 Day, recognized internationally as Mario Day on March 10 thanks to the U.S. date format. The Super Mario series features Mario in countless titles, yet many allies and foes from the Mushroom Kingdom await their own spotlight in spin-off adventures.
Nintendo marks the occasion with promotions on Mario games, though major reveals stay elusive. Whispers suggest updates for Mario Kart World. Mario occasionally yields to Luigi or Wario, but numerous residents deserve lead roles.
1. Toad
The iconic Toad, distinct from Captain Toad’s Treasure Tracker, appears as a playable hero in Super Mario Bros. 2 and various sports titles. Recent 2D platformers like Super Mario Bros. Wonder favor blue and yellow variants.
A Toad-led life simulation game, mirroring Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Pokémon games, fits perfectly. Players could build and manage a Mushroom Kingdom town, styled after the animated film’s vibrant visuals.
2. Goomba
Goombas endure stomps from Mario’s crew for decades, yet gain traction in Mario Kart World and Mario Tennis Fever on Switch 2. The Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga remake hints at potential with a strategy mode led by a Goomba.
Expand this into a full tactics game conquering the Mushroom Kingdom or craft a puzzle platformer akin to Captain Toad, infused with Pikmin-style Goomba recruitment for challenges.
3. Lakitu
Lakitus shift from Bowser’s minions to Mario allies, serving as cameramen in Super Mario 64, party members in Paper Mario, referees in sports, and race starters in Mario Kart.
A horizontal shooter like R-Type, firing Spiny shells from clouds, suits their aerial prowess. Alternatively, a relaxed fishing game draws from their Mario Kart track duties.
4. Boo
Boos stand out among Mario’s ghostly foes, differing from Luigi’s Mansion varieties and ripe for deeper lore exploration. Playable in spin-offs, they antagonize in Luigi’s Mansion.
Reverse roles in a stealth game: sneak up on Luigi for cartoonish scares, like a family-friendly Dead by Daylight. Their aversion to direct gazes offers clever mechanics.
5. Kamek
Bowser’s loyal Magikoopa since infancy, Kamek features prominently in Illumination’s Mario films. Playable since Mario Party 9, he appears in racers like Mario Kart Tour before reverting to an item in Mario Kart World.
Strategy gameplay leverages his rank, while broomstick flights and spells enable arcade shooters. Or simulate his early Bowser caregiving in a twisted Nintendogs-style life sim.
6. Waluigi
Waluigi thrives in spin-offs but skips mainline games, Wario titles, and beyond a villainous dance-off in Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix.
His eccentric vibe demands weird adventures like Tingle’s Zelda games—dungeon crawls and treasure hunts. A co-op role in Wario Land would also delight fans.
7. Princess Peach
Peach leads Super Princess Peach and Princess Peach: Showtime!, yet both fall short. The former carries unintended stereotypes; the latter feels overly simplistic.
Post-movie action-hero status calls for a robust platformer. Refine Showtime!’s formula with deeper gameplay, sharper scripts, and animation flair from Luigi’s Mansion developers.
8. Daisy
Daisy’s bold, tomboyish energy shines in spin-offs and finally reaches mainline platformers in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, 34 years post-Super Mario Land debut.
Luigi romance hints position her for Luigi’s Mansion cameos beyond damsel roles. Revive Sarasaland in her platformer or pair her with Peach in a Showtime sequel co-op.
9. Nabbit
New Super Mario Bros. U introduces Nabbit as an invincible thief-turned-beginner aid in 2D games, dodging all but pits.
Reclaim thieving roots in a Super Meat Boy-style speed platformer: bite-sized levels evading pursuers. Unpack his Mario-stalking motives, perhaps rooted in loneliness per Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
10 & 11. Geno and Mallow
Super Mario RPG’s party stars Geno—a star spirit in a doll wielding energy blasts—and Mallow, a cloud prince with weather magic seeking his frog-raised origins.
The remake boosts their fame amid Smash Bros. demands. A sequel blending Paper Mario comedy fleshes them out, or a co-op platformer like Split Fiction harnesses their abilities.
