The best selling videogame franchise must be doing something right- new games with his face on it appear every year, but people continue to buy them. My question is, what do you feel is the most important factor regarding why Mario games tend to sell very well?

- The quality of the games, due to Nintendo not wishing to "pollute" their most succcessful franchise?

- The controls? For platforming, I've never seen better controls than in a Mario title

- The innocence/friendlyness of the franchise? It can be an attractive purchase for those who might otherwise be intimidated by videogames

- Any other reasons?

Nintendo Has Mario Spinnoffs off the wazoo... Some of them high quality, some of them, not.

The friendlyness of the franchise helps, when I was kid, I wanted to play mario!

I have no idea why it sells this well, nor do I understand pokemon, or call of duty.
But Pokemon and Mario Have been selling well for a long time.
COD probably won't.

Platforming of the highest standard in both 2D and 3D..... simple as that really.

It's mostly due to simplicity, excellent controls and level design. Charming characters and great soundtrack are also a big help.

Mostly because of what Ronster316 said. Mario had, has and will probably continue to have one of the best controlling schemes and playability of any 2D and 3D platforming game in existance.

As for the spin-offs, most thrive only in the licensed name of Mario and quietly go down in sales after a few iterations, yet some also create one of the best gameplays in it's genre, like Mario Kart and Mario Tennis (and for me, particularly, the forgotten Mario Golf).

What else are Nintendo console owners going to play.

























P.S Just kidding

Nintendo has basically created the platform genre with that game and kept the ultra high standard of quality during all the serie. That how you have success.

People know that when they buy a Mario, they buy an high quality title that will not disappoint them. The brand power is made by the trust of the consummers.

Unmatched control, gameplay, and level design.

This says all that needs to be said. They fine-tune the controls and gameplay mechanics to a science, and then build worlds to reflect that.

What makes Mario so good? Adherence to simple and fundamental design elements that are married to the best and most refined controls in the business.