Mario games are typically known for their simpler gameplay so that anyone at any skill level can pick up a controller and start playing. Most Mario games are pretty easy, but that doesn’t mean Mario games haven’t left out some difficult aspects. Once you beat Bowser and reach the bonus worlds, the difficulty starts to increase, and this results in some of the hardest levels in each game. So, let’s take a look at the 7 hardest levels in the main-line games. Without further ado, let’s-a-go!
#7: Pachinko Game – “Super Mario Sunshine”
What sets the secret Pachinko Game level in Super Mario Sunshine from the other difficult Mario levels is that its difficulty mainly comes from the controls. In the level, Mario must use the FLUDD pack to hover across the pegs and openings on the Pachinko machine to collect the eight red coins. That might not seem too bad, but the wonky Super Mario Sunshine controls don’t help make it any easier. For some reason, Mario is sometimes pushed to certain areas of the machine, which can lead to him falling to the bottom and out of the machine, costing a life. The physics of the machine are some of the weirdest I’ve ever seen in a video game, making the level harder than it seems at first glance.
#6: World 8-Airship – “Super Mario Bros. 3”
This is one of those levels that’s difficult because of how much is going on. In this level, Mario will have to carefully jump across small airships firing tons of cannonballs, flames, and filled with Rocky Wrenches to avoid. Pairing that with the quick autoscroll makes this one the hardest 2D Mario levels of all time. There is so much to avoid, there are so many small platforms to jump on, and you have to do it super quick, too. At the end of the level you’ll finish by fighting Boom-Boom, which is easily the easiest part of this brutally challenging level.
#5: The Final-Final Test: Badge Marathon – “Super Mario Bros. Wonder”
In each world of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, players can find a secret path to the special world, which includes a level for each world, containing elements from that world in a long and tricky bonus stage. After beating those levels, the first of the three final levels is unlocked. While all three of them are difficult, the true final level is undoubtedly the most challenging. Mario will have to make his way through tons and tons of sections utilizing different badges. Each section is unique, but arduous at the same time, forcing players to play at an expert level with each badge. The last few segments are the most difficult, which include Mario using the spring badge to hop across tons of firebars, as well as using the invisible badge to jump across bouncy platforms. However, even though the level is extremely difficult, there is one thing that makes it a bit easier: checkpoints. Unlike the next four levels we’ll be discussing, this level includes checkpoints flags every third of the way through. Otherwise, the level proves to be extremely difficult.
#4: Special 8-Crown – “Super Mario 3D Land”
Depending on how good you are at Super Mario 3D Land, as well as how much you’re used to playing on a 3DS (which I was not), this level might be easier or difficult for different reasons. Similar to other levels on this list, Mario will have to face a multitude of challenges in one go with zero checkpoints. While the level is long, a lot of its sections are fairly simple and easy to get good at. Most of the sections focus on careful platforming, such as jumping across goombas to progress. I find precarious platforming to be a bit easier than having to avoid tons of deadly objects, which made the level a bit easier for me. However, this level is still challenging, and it’s very easy to mess up if you aren’t being careful (especially when playing as Luigi).
#3: Darker Side – “Super Mario Odyssey”
After finding 500 Power Moons through Super Mario Odyssey’s many kingdoms, you’ll unlock the Darker Side of the moon. Mario must re-enter the Moon’s core where a new challenge awaits. Darker Side is one of the longest levels without checkpoints in Mario history. There are so many challenges Mario must conquer to reach the final Multi Moon in the game. The level starts simple, including fairly simple platforming and sections using some of the game’s captures; however it gets increasingly more difficult the farther you venture. Thankfully, Mario Odyssey didn’t have the audacity to give Mario only one hit point (like a level I’ll discuss soon), and it’ll take three hits for him to have to restart. However, the game also gives players hearts throughout, along with two sections where Mario can get a Life-Up Heart, giving him six hit points maximum. However, the level is still challenging, especially once you reach the Glydon and Burrbos sections.
#2: The Perfect Run – “Super Mario Galaxy 2”
You truly have to be an expert at Super Mario Galaxy 2 to complete The Perfect Run. This marathon differs ever so slightly from the other levels on this list for one particular reason: Mario only has one hit point. One. If you die at any point, in any way, you have to restart the entire game. This also can’t be made easier by bringing in power-ups, and any power-ups in the level don’t give Mario an extra hit point. Personally, I didn’t find the sections to be quite as difficult as some other levels on this list, but one hit point can change all of that. You’ll really have to be perfect when playing this level if you want to beat it. It’s extremely difficult.
#1: Champion’s Road – “Super Mario 3D World”
I first unlocked this level when I finally met all three conditions to unlock the Crown world during the pandemic, and I first beat the level just this past year. It took me three full years to beat one level. Anyway, Super Mario 3D World’s Champion’s Road is one of the levels playable when you unlock the Crown world, and it does not disappoint. From precarious platforming to super fast Beep Blocks, to Ant Trooper and Piranha Creeper jumping, to extremely careful swimming, to dash panels paired with shockwaves, there is so much packed into this massive stage. I couldn’t beat the level without going into it with power-ups, as I need a tanooki suit and a backup cat suit to finish the job. The level is difficult from beginning to end, and it’s easily one of Mario’s hardest challenges yet.
What do you think is the hardest Mario level? Let me know below.
Ryan’s Fortress Twitter: @RyansFortress