Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What it says in the title. The balanced tier list. This focuses on the "Super Mario" traditional mainline series, from the 1985 entry up to the 2021 entry.
Mainline games (products) in that era:
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Super Mario World
- Super Mario 64
- Super Mario Sunshine
- Super Mario Land
- Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
- Super Mario Galaxy
- Super Mario Galaxy 2
- New Super Mario Bros.
- New Super Mario Bros. 2
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
- Super Mario 3D Land
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
NOTE: "Yoshi's Island" is officially a "Yoshi" game, and the first "Wario Land" is a "Wario" game; thus, they are not "Super Mario" games.
EXTRA NOTE: The games that were originally released on the commercially failed Wii U are excluded, making the system only for modding now.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: "Super Mario Odyssey", "Super Mario Bros. Wonder", and beyond are not purely traditional games; thus, they are excluded.
ANOTHER ADDITIONAL NOTE: This focuses on the platform mainline games, meaning no spin-off games, no role-playing games, et cetera.
When it comes to discussing the "Super Mario" intellectual property (IP) nowadays, unlike the "Sonic the Hedgehog" intellectual property (IP), the terms 'classic', 'modern', 'retro', and 'old-school' (or 'old-fashioned') are not too complicated.
What it says in the title. The balanced tier list. This focuses on the "Super Mario" traditional mainline series, from the 1985 entry up to the 2021 entry.
Mainline games (products) in that era:
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Super Mario World
- Super Mario 64
- Super Mario Sunshine
- Super Mario Land
- Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
- Super Mario Galaxy
- Super Mario Galaxy 2
- New Super Mario Bros.
- New Super Mario Bros. 2
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
- Super Mario 3D Land
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
NOTE: "Yoshi's Island" is officially a "Yoshi" game, and the first "Wario Land" is a "Wario" game; thus, they are not "Super Mario" games.
EXTRA NOTE: The games that were originally released on the commercially failed Wii U are excluded, making the system only for modding now.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: "Super Mario Odyssey", "Super Mario Bros. Wonder", and beyond are not purely traditional games; thus, they are excluded.
ANOTHER ADDITIONAL NOTE: This focuses on the platform mainline games, meaning no spin-off games, no role-playing games, et cetera.
When it comes to discussing the "Super Mario" intellectual property (IP) nowadays, unlike the "Sonic the Hedgehog" intellectual property (IP), the terms 'classic', 'modern', 'retro', and 'old-school' (or 'old-fashioned') are not too complicated.
![Super Smash Bros. [N64] - Pikachu Combos](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/E8E-LvpPtmM/mqdefault.jpg "Super Smash Bros. [N64] - Pikachu Combos
Pikachu combos in Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64.
These combos were done without the use of platforms, wall bouncing, stage hazards, items, and directional influence (DI).
These combos were done in a stage called Mushroom Kingdom. Results may vary, depending on what stage is played.
These combos were done specifically on Mario. There are other combos that Pikachu can do on different characters.
NOTE: For Thunderspike combos, dashing is important. Dash first, then immediately use up smash.
Thunderspike combos:
0% to 100% ~ 0:10
- Neutral aerial (front, with lag canceling), up tilt x4 (walk slightly, front), up aerial x2 (front), up smash, down special
0% to 104% ~ 0:23
- Up smash, up tilt x4 (walk slightly, front), up aerial x2 (front), up smash, down special
Neutral aerial combos:
0% to 114% ~ 0:37
- Neutral aerial (front, with lag canceling), up tilt x5 (walk slightly, front), up aerial x2 (front), forward aerial, neutral aerial
0% to 115% ~ 0:48
- Up smash x2, neutral aerial, up aerial x4 (front), forward aerial, neutral aerial
0% to 116% ~ 0:58
- Up smash, up tilt x3 (front), up aerial x4 (front), forward aerial, neutral aerial
0% to 117% ~ 1:09
- Up smash, up tilt x4 (front), up aerial x3 (front), forward aerial, neutral aerial
Back aerial combos:
0% to 103% ~ 1:20
- Neutral aerial (behind, with lag canceling), up tilt x5 (behind), up aerial x3 (behind), back aerial
0% to 106% ~ 1:29
- Up smash, up tilt x4 (walk slightly, behind), up aerial x4 (behind), back aerial
Note that the aerial combos can be ended earlier. Pikachus forward aerial can be escaped by using DI. However, it is extremely difficult because Pikachus up aerial can be used afterwards.
To view the playlist of the combos, click on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8H4noaCcU1gu2zswYU8WhJ2gUZHeOeaK")
![Donkey Kong Country [GBA] SR - Blackout Basement [101%]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EsHEUQtNWRs/mqdefault.jpg "Donkey Kong Country [GBA] SR - Blackout Basement [101%]
My 101% speedrun tutorial of Blackout Basement in Donkey Kong Country for the Game Boy Advance.
Full 101% speedrun tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8H4noaCcU1jt8qUOmntIhw7aTkle8zE_
NOTE: This tutorial is not meant to be friendly. There might be a bit of safeness. But to get the fastest possible time, these tricks must be performed.
Star Barrel approaching:
Jumping on the 2nd tire platform without using the 1st one can be troublesome.
After Star Barrel:
After taking out 2 Klumps, the screen-scrolling trick is done on the moving platform to delay the spawning of that other moving platform.
Klaptrap section:
If the 1st Klaptrap isnt stomped on for some reason, be prepared to cartwheel. Increase the jump height upon stomping on the 2nd Klaptrap.
Bonus Room #2 approaching:
This section can be nasty without slowing down. Jump and throw the Steel Keg into Manky Kong at the right time. Upon going upstairs, count 1 second, then jump on the Kritter at the top to get the letter G. Then re-grab the Steel Keg and use it to enter Bonus Room #2.
Be sure to go to Candy after this level.
In order to get 101% in the Game Boy Advance version, every Bonus Room has to be found. Not only that, but every picture (as well as the K-O-N-G letters) has to be collected.")
![Donkey Kong Country [GBA] SR - Funkys Fishing 2 [101%]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FLBFvxv9Ciw/mqdefault.jpg "Donkey Kong Country [GBA] SR - Funkys Fishing 2 [101%]
My 101% speedrun tutorial of Funkys Fishing 2 in Donkey Kong Country for the Game Boy Advance.
Full 101% speedrun tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8H4noaCcU1jt8qUOmntIhw7aTkle8zE_
NOTE: This tutorial is not meant to be friendly. There might be a bit of safeness. But to get the fastest possible time, these tricks must be performed.
Crab patterns:
After the story cutscene, the crab pattern starts. It depends on how fast or slow the levels are cleared along with text skipping. The more one speedruns this category, the more the speedrunner will see some fishing patterns. Regardless, the RNG is still involved in them. In a casual playthrough, it can be random whether the crab shows up or not.
Funkys Fishing 2:
If the RNG is good, then skipping the crab is optional. If the RNG is bad, then catching the crab is optional. Skipping the crab is usually a good idea.
In order to get 101% in the Game Boy Advance version, every Bonus Room has to be found. Not only that, but every picture (as well as the K-O-N-G letters) has to be collected.")
![Donkey Kong Country [GBA] SR - Winkys Walkway [101%]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GaehnByVDc0/mqdefault.jpg "Donkey Kong Country [GBA] SR - Winkys Walkway [101%]
My 101% speedrun tutorial of Winkys Walkway in Donkey Kong Country for the Game Boy Advance.
Full 101% speedrun tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8H4noaCcU1jt8qUOmntIhw7aTkle8zE_
NOTE: This tutorial is not meant to be friendly. There might be a bit of safeness. But to get the fastest possible time, these tricks must be performed.
Level starting:
After finishing and revisiting the previous world as Donkey, he becomes pretty much useless. Diddy is faster than Donkey, so its time to switch to him. In the GBA version, like Donkey, Diddy is required to get 101%. Also, Diddy will be used for the majority of this game.
Letter O approaching:
Winky is completely useless, so he is skipped. The jumping physics are quite different from the SFC version. The hit detection is also a little more generous. Because of those little changes, the Kritter can be stomped on by jumping up immediately without having to fall down to stomp on that enemy. With this trick, the letter O can be collected without Winky.
Star Barrel:
Touch the Star Barrel. Itll show why as the level goes on.
Expresso Token:
Normally, getting the Expresso Token would require Winky. But in the GBA version, its possible to get it without him. In a normal 101% speedrun, this level is the best time to get the Expresso Token.
Expresso Bonus:
Collecting 600 tokens in order to get a picture is required to get 101%.
Back to Star Barrel:
See why the Star Barrel was touched? Because after the Token Bonus, it sends the player back to the checkpoint. Otherwise, it would send the player back to the beginning of the level. Thankfully, the checkpoint isnt that far back.
Level ending:
Finishing a level as Diddy is important. In fact, finishing a world as Diddy is important. In order to get a picture, a world (Monkey Mines) has to be finished by Diddy. Afterwards, that world has to be revisited to add 1% more to 101%.
Be sure to go to Cranky after this level.
In order to get 101% in the Game Boy Advance version, every Bonus Room has to be found. Not only that, but every picture (as well as the K-O-N-G letters) has to be collected.")
![Tomb Raider II [PS] - Intro](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GrVzy6xiT9I/mqdefault.jpg "Tomb Raider II [PS] - Intro
This is the intro of Tomb Raider II for the PlayStation.")
![Donkey Kong Country [GBA] SR - Tanked Up Trouble [101%]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HCDepm4F1Qo/mqdefault.jpg "Donkey Kong Country [GBA] SR - Tanked Up Trouble [101%]
My 101% speedrun tutorial of Tanked Up Trouble in Donkey Kong Country for the Game Boy Advance.
Full 101% speedrun tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8H4noaCcU1jt8qUOmntIhw7aTkle8zE_
NOTE: This tutorial is not meant to be friendly. There might be a bit of safeness. But to get the fastest possible time, these tricks must be performed.
Level starting:
Normally, in the SFC version, cartwheeling off of the 2nd walkway platform wouldnt be enough to get on the fueled-moving platform. This would be the case for the GBA version. But since the physics are different, cartwheeling off of the 2nd walkway platform is enough to get on the fueled-moving platform.
Bonus Room #1 skipping:
Skipping Bonus Room #1 is faster because it sets up for revisiting the level in order to do the Start+Select trick, thus skipping the waiting game.
After 7th fuel:
Use the metal poles holding the walkway platform at the bottom where the letter O was to determine when to cartwheel off of the fueled-moving platform and make that long jump. Then cartwheel off of the walkway platform into the Auto-Fire Barrel. Sometimes cartwheeling into the Auto-Fire Barrel isnt enough, so make sure to jump to avoid falling into the abyss. Stomping that Kritter after all of that should no problem. In the SFC version, none of this is possible because of how cartwheeling works.
19th fuel approaching:
This section can actually cause trouble. In order to jump at the highest height without getting hit by the Zinger at the top, anticipate the wasps movement pattern.
Shortcut approaching:
If it wasnt already obvious, the K-O-N-G letters are required to get 101%. So the shortcut is skipped to get the letter G.
Bonus Room #1:
The level is revisited to enter Bonus Room #1 and do the Start+Select trick, thus skipping the waiting game.
In order to get 101% in the Game Boy Advance version, every Bonus Room has to be found. Not only that, but every picture (as well as the K-O-N-G letters) has to be collected.")
