Salnax 1 day ago
In terms of quality? Very tricky...
To organize my thoughts, I'm going to go through the two series, platform by platform, and compare contemporary entries.
- NES - Both series have a revolutionary debut followed by a "black sheep" successor. The difference is the Super Mario Bros 3 provided a larger and more refined version of the original's formula, whereas, Zelda wouldn't get something similar until the SNES. (Winner: Super Mario)
- GB - Super Mario Land has aged badly, but SML2 is very solid. However, I think Link's Awakening takes the edge here. And it appears Nintendo agrees, seeing how they thought the game was a solid basis for a full budget game in 2019. (Winner: Legend of Zelda)
- SNES - I'm not going to say Super Mario World and Link to the Past are anything but equal. (Winner: Tie)
- N64 - Super Mario 64 was more revolutionary and important, but I find Ocarina of Time more fun to actually go back to. Maybe it's because SM64's controls compare unfavorably to newer entries, whereas Legend of Zelda puts more of an emphasis on dungeon design than controlling Link? Also, Majora's Mask. (Winner: Legend of Zelda)
- GBC - Link's Awakening DX + Oracle Duology is better than an NES port with screen crunch, extra features or not. (Winner: Legend of Zelda)
- GBA - The Super Mario Advance series is a stronger overall package than the Zelda games on GBA, but it's hard to give Mario credit when Zelda was the only one not relying on ports. It helps that Four Swords and Minish Cap are fun experiences in their own right. (Winner: Legend of Zelda)
- GC - I haven't played through all of Super Mario Sunshine, but I doubt that it would beat the GameCube LoZ games. Wind Waker and Twilight Princess are beloved for a reason. (Winner: Legend of Zelda)
- DS - This is a relative weak point for both series, but I think NSMB is better than either Phantom Hourglass or Spirit Tracks. (Winner: Super Mario)
- Wii - Skyward Sword is not considered the best Zelda, and Twilight Princess only gets some credit as a port. Meanwhile, the Galaxy duo are considered some of the best 3D platformers ever made, and NSMB Wii was a step up from the already-good DS outing. (Winner: Super Mario)
- 3DS - This console's Super Mario games feel a bit like worse versions of Wii U games that were released shortly afterwards, and that have since gotten better versions on Switch. Even ignoring the two very solid N64 remakes, Link Between Worlds was the best 2D Zelda in 20 years. Triforce Heroes... came out. (Winner: Legend of Zelda)
- Wii U - For Mario, we had the fourth NSMB game in six years and 3D World. For Zelda, we had two solid HD remakes and the version of Breath of the Wild hardly anybody played. I would give this to Legend of Zelda on the back of Breath of the Wild, except I've heard the game runs a bit worse on Wii U, and haven't played that version. And 3D World is possibly my favorite 3D platformer ever. (Winner: Tie)
- NS - I don't really know how to judge this. Breath of the Wild is one of the best games ever, but it's technically a Wii U port. Super Mario Odyssey and Tears of the Kingdom are both great but disappointing games. Bowser's Fury was a great experience, but wasn't a full title. Super Mario Bros Wonder was the best 2D Mario this century, but I don't think it was quite top tier. And I haven't played Echoes of Widsom yet. (Winner: Tie)
Total Score: Super Mario wins 3 times, Legend of Zelda wins 5 times, and we have 3 ties.
I guess that means I prefer Legend of Zelda.
