Mario vs Zelda by Platform

[Signalstar]

Mario vs. Zelda by Platform

Mario and Zelda are two of Nintendo’s oldest, best-selling, and most acclaimed franchises. They are both well represented across Nintendo’s entire hardware history. Each has their fans but which series do you think did better when you break it down by platform?

I like both series. 

I am only considering mainline 2D or 3D games for both series. Spinoffs not considered.

Note: Yoshi’s Island is not a real Mario Bros. game and Wario Land is not a real Mario Land game. Those are just lies by Nintendo marketing to sell more games. 

Here are my thoughts. 

NES

Mario:

Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. 2 JP (The Lost Levels)

Super Mario Bros. 2 USA

Super Mario Bros. 3

VS.

Zelda:

The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda II: Link’s Adventure

Winner: Mario

Mario wins out in terms of quality and quantity here IMO. Of course the original Zelda is a classic, shame about the sequel.

GB/GBC

Mario:

Super Mario Land

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

VS.

Zelda:

Link’s Awakening

Oracle of Ages

Oracle of Seasons

Winner: Zelda

Both Super Mario Land games are fun for what they are. Link’s Awakening has had a lasting legacy. The two Oracle games are each distinct enough that both are worth playing. 

SNES

Mario:

Super Mario World

(Super Mario All Stars)

VS.

Zelda:

A Link to the Past

Winner: Zelda

This is a tough one. I give it to Zelda because A Link to the Past was the best of the franchise up to that point and a huge improvement of Zelda II. You will find some people who say SMB 3 is better than World. A Link to the Past saved the franchise.

N64

Mario:

Super Mario 64

VS.

Zelda:

Ocarina of Time

Majora’s Mask

Winner: Zelda

Super Mario 64 is incredible. Ocarina of Time is often considered the best game of all time. Majora’s Mask is highly considered too.

GBA

Mario:

No Original Mario Platformers on GBA

VS.

Zelda:

Four Swords

The Minish Cap

Winner: Zelda

Mario got a bunch of ports and re-releases on GBA that I’m too lazy to type out. So did Zelda actually. The Minish Cap was good and original though. Also Four Swords.

GC

Mario:

Super Mario Sunshine

VS.

Zelda:

Four Swords Adventures

Windwaker

Twilight Princess

Winner: Zelda

Sunshine is great. Zelda got more love on GC though. Windwaker is quite beloved. 

DS

Mario:

New Super Mario Bros.

(Super Mario 64 DS)

VS.

Zelda:

Phantom Hourglass

Spirit Tracks

Winner: Zelda

NSMB revived the 2D Mario games and was a massive hit. Both Zelda games were well liked and continued on from Windwaker though. 

Wii

Mario:

NSMB Wii

Super Mario Galaxy

Super Mario Galaxy 2

(Super Mario All Stars)

VS.

Zelda:

Twilight Princess

Skyward Sword

Winner: Mario

Mario trounced Zelda on the Wii. Not only first 2D console Mario in a long time, also first console to get two 3D Marios, both well loved. Twilight Princess was well liked but a Gamecube game migrated to the Wii.

3DS

Mario:

NSMB 2

Super Mario 3D Land

(Mario Maker 3D)

Zelda:

A Link Between Worlds

Tri-force Heroes

(Ocarina of Time 3D)

(Majora’s Mask 3D)

Winner: Zelda

Mario 3D Land is great. ALBW has a great reputation. NSMB 2 was basic. Tri-force Heroes was okay. 

Wii U

Mario:

NSMB U

Super Mario 3D World

Super Mario Maker

VS.

Zelda:

Breath of the Wild

(Windwaker HD)

(Twilight Princess HD)

Winner: Mario

Breath of the Wild arrived way too late, once the Wii U was already dead. Mario did its best to save the Wii U, being there from Day 1.

Switch

Mario:

Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Maker 2

(NSMB U Deluxe)

(Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury)

(Super Mario 3D All Stars)

VS.

Zelda:

Breath of the Wild

Tears of the Kingdom

Link’s Awakening

Echoes of Wisdom

(Skyward Sword HD)

Winner: Tie

I think this is the toughest platform to judge. Ultimately I’m going to call it a tie. Wonder refreshed 2D Mario. Odyssey was a delight. BOTW one of the best games ever but really a Wii U game. TOTK will play better on Switch 2. I call it a tie.

Final Results

Mario: NES, Wii, Wii U

Zelda: GB/GBC, SNES, N64, GBA, GC, DS, 3DS,

Tied: Switch

What do you think?

Last edited by Signalstar - on 05 May 2025