Year: 1989 Platform: NES It might not have been the first, but Super Mario Bros. 3 is the game that really sold Mario as a franchise that would live forever. Retaining the same excellent controls and addictive gameplay of the first two games, Super Mario Bros. 3 expanded the formula with a level-select map screen, more varied, detailed environments and a number of fun minigames. The new power-ups introduced in Super Mario Bros. 3, such as Raccoon Mario and Frog Mario, have since gone on to be classics, and helped to keep the gameplay fresh. One of the most successful second sequels ever, Super Mario Bros. 3 sold over 18 million copies on the NES alone, later getting popular ports on the SNES, Wii and Game Boy Advance.
