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From Goombas To Blue Shells: The 20 Most Annoying Things About Playing Super Mario Games


From Goombas To Blue Shells: The 20 Most Annoying Things About Playing Super Mario Games


Not Everything About Mario Is Super

Arguably the world's most well-known game franchise, the world of Super Mario is beloved by gamers all over. Its familiar characters, amazing graphics, and easy-to-play gameplay make every Mario game a classic. But while these games are a favorite to many, that doesn't come without some complaints. Here are 20 of the most annoying things about playing Super Mario, from Mario Kart to Mario Party.

17407762547e4cd72574f318ac30874a877ddad5711925b854.jpgLernestorod on Pixabay

1. Dodging Banana Peels

Whoever added banana peels to Mario Kart is both a genius and a monster. Why? Because while it's a hilarious power up that can cause lots of despair to your opponents, it feels ten times worse when you do it to yourself. Trying to avoid these pesky peels on the road can be quite hard when you're hurtling at intense speeds already dodging other abilities and drivers.

17407753914eccf6f62c5fc2be61c855603df005e452bc8a0c.jpgSergey Galyonkin from Raleigh, USA on Wikimedia

2. Reassembling Dry Bones

While we commend the creators for this unique character design, we also really wish they didn't make it so Dry Bones felt impossible to take out. They might look like a pile of bones for a moment, but as soon as they start reassembling, it has you panicking as to what your next move should be.

174077549884248f6fe02fe87867ac4f9f4c44a7aa1ac7a46d.jpgSahand Babali on Unsplash

3. Frustrating Hit Boxes

Have you ever experienced losing a life in a Super Mario game because you "supposedly" touched something when you don't think you did? Hit boxes can always be finnicky and we know you Mario players know this especially well.

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Whether it's barely touching a fireball by the tip of Mario's hat or somehow dying to a Piranha plant because it touched the very edge of your shoe, we know the frustration all too well.

1740776181a152e7f1cb653381755f677a3a15cb4e44030d6d.jpgRoméo A. on Unsplash

4. Mario Gets All The Attention

Even if plenty of other characters come to Mario's aid like Yoshi and Luigi, the only person getting attention and recognition at the end of the day is Mario himself! We get it. He's the star of the show. But we know fans would love seeing things change for once where this red-hatted plumbers isn't receiving all the love by himself.

17407769046fea24718c3e1f28f749c98849af641ec0b68686.jpgMika Baumeister on Unsplash

5. Having To Save Princess Peach - Again

It's a tale as old as time. At this point should we even be concerned? In numerous Mario games, Princess Peach is always being whisked away, stolen by Bowser or other evil enemies. It's a classic part of the story that's iconic, but come on, shouldn't her castle be a little bit more protected by now?

1740776990ece64c0cd5a3ee7ca1bb5044db7b8466f3f5c5cf.jpgRyan Quintal on Unsplash

6. Keeping An Eye On Boo

Boo might be a fan favorite character thanks to how much more cute he looks than scary, but in Mario games, he's a lot more annoying to deal with. The moment you turn your back, that's when he'll attack! Trying to figure out the best way to proceed with the level while keeping Boo at bay can quickly turn into an annoying task rather than a fun one.

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1740777579bd63ec8ba49d5dd9aad35e6f081f8fb92d7e08b2.jpgGermanico5468504 on Wikimedia

7. Underwater Levels

The initial several seconds might have you appreciating the unique underwater world you've been thrown into, but you'll quickly learn that the unique way you have to swim and move might not be your favorite. For many, underwater levels in Mario games are not a favorite!

1740777651b12cdb5f2d57ffdcd0da55242845f0ea63956855.jpgAngga R. Putra on Unsplash

8. Be Given Bad Power Ups

As you're trying to shift towards first place in Mario Kart, you hit double special blocks praying for some good power ups when you realize you got two bananas. What's that going to do? In a way, Mario Kart is a game that consists of luck. Without some good power ups in hand, you can essentially kiss that first place title goodbye.

17407777669a36351adc4440103cb6c30c54fed892eff752f1.jpgRavi Palwe on Unsplash

9. Dying To Goombas

It's safe to say Goombas might be the most hated Mario character in the entire game universe. These giant, angry-looking shrooms don't do much, yet one little touch is able to take you out. That's why when you die to one, you likely feeling incredibly annoyed with yourself for letting that happen.

1740778257017d5730b2410ac9fe4ad88ad3a53e52a1759dcd.jpgZarateman on Wikimedia

10. Getting Blue Shelled

As a power up that only targets those in first place, the blue shell is feared by all who lead the race in Mario Kart. One hit and your position might just be lost for good! It's an exceptionally annoying addition to the game that does leave the door open for plenty of twists, turns, and unexpected wins though.

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1740778561dfa3ec66eada88c39b06ddf035212e4ca4c50787.jpgjackmac34 on Pixabay

11. Getting Stars Stolen In Mario Party

Mario Kart isn't the only game that's capable of ending friendships - we'd argue Mario Party is just as high on the list. That feeling when a supposed friend of yours steals away one of your valuable stars? The betrayal is indescribable.

1740778637350923287857f3557b3499f39e7a9f1fe899159c.jpgThe Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA on Wikimedia

12. Miscalculating Your Jumps

From accidentally jumping into Piranha plants to falling right next to green shells that wipe you out or gaps that are actually a lot wider than you thought, miscalculating your jumps in any Mario game might just be enough to make you rage quit. Especially if it sets you back a lot further than anticipated.

174077874614ff14f3c5cd66712db2ac37d402cbdf050044b8.jpgOzzy Oswald on Unsplash

13. Losing To Someone Using Bullet Bill

Just imagine this: you see the finish line right up ahead, you can smell the sweet scent of victory, when suddenly, Toad whizzes past you and beats you to the punch. And while you're stuck there wondering how you let your win get away, all you can blame is Bullet Bill. Doesn't it always feel like Bullet Bill is there for everyone else except for yourself when you're in a moment of need? 

17407750445c933954e4a40661fdeae88a5c4ae211da51c97a.jpgkinkate on Pixabay

14. Thwomps Ruining Our Day

Not only do Thwomps look especially mean and scary, they're equally annoying too! Taking up so much space, falling with a huge bang, and making us question how much time we really have to get past it, these massive stones can really make or break our successful runs.

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1740778831a152e7f1cb653381755f677a3a15cb4e44030d6d.jpgRoméo A. on Unsplash

15. Getting Hit By A Green Shell

You might be wondering why we're not complaining about red shells and here's why. While red shells can be frustrating to deal with, they lock onto their targets and there's only so much you can do. But with green shells, you can totally avoid them with skill and failing to do so just proves your own inabilities. Now that's something to find super annoying.

1740778852ebd84e911f851ba661696ac92955416bf628cb25.jpgAlexas_Fotos on Pixabay

16. No Save Points

In many of the older Super Mario games, if you make a single mistake in a level, you're catapulted all the way to the beginning again, forced to restart. This can be especially frustrating for players who are used to modern gameplay where save points or checkpoints are the norm. 

174077896315ef9ca479e25bd629b9cc4f684585757a791b24.jpgEESOFUFFZICH on Unsplash

17. Cookie Cutter Gameplay

Many fans of the Mario universe these days are beginning to complain that everything released now feels a bit like they're from a cookie cutter mold. In other words, they're lacking some freshness. With the new Mario Party and Mario Kart releases feeling a bit uninspired by many, people are looking for some new creativity.

17407790421554ca0b0edc00a45647c2c7c8fda7e226909e9c.jpegPixabay on Pexels

18. Toad's Voice

Toad might be one of the cutest characters in the game, but the moment he opens his mouth, it has you immediately wishing he was off the screen. Though the voice has seen many transformations throughout the years, the gruff, oddly deep and raspy voice definitely sends chills down people's spines.

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And not in a good way.

174078041830bf3ec5f65f46660637ff7f3c0bea40b90931df.jpgRoméo A. on Unsplash

19. Missing The Boost At The Start Of The Race

No matter how closely you watch Lakitu count you down at the beginning of the race, timing your start correctly so you get the extra boost in Mario Kart is easier said than done. Sometimes, mistiming it can really feel like you cost yourself the entire game already. 

1740775209b2d66a73edbbcaf2e6d7241ed8bb8d53239381d9.jpgRavi Palwe on Unsplash

20. Falling Platforms

Imagine taking a leap, celebrating your success, and then seeing Mario fall to his demise out of nowhere? Those annoying falling platforms sure make us doubt everything. They're annoying little obstacles that provide a lot of fun, but are no doubt a pain to deal with.

174078074047f9c3e2a03b7c758db7105e99bf1bf9802a1c81.jpgrodrigomullercwb on Pixabay