The Mario Universe Is Home To So Many Characters

We'd venture a guess and say all gamers love or can at least appreciate the Mario Universe. After all, for many of us, it was our first introduction to the gaming world. With so many iconic game titles, toys, and now even Hollywood movies, Mario has made such an impact on the world, not just the gaming community. And so, today we'd like to explore just a few of the many characters that have a part to play in this universe. There are some we love, and then there are some that don't exactly put a smile on fans' faces. Here are the 10 best & 10 worst Mario characters; do you agree with our list?

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1. Mario

Of course, the Mario universe with all its games, movies, and toys would not exist without its titular character. It's impossible to hate on Mario. With his recognizable catchphrases, his iconic mustache and hat, and strong fighting spirit, all you need to see is red and blue to know which video game character it is. 

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2. Toad

As one of Mario's sidekicks, Toad has received plenty of love over the years. His mushroom head has become something iconic, easily recognized by anyone you show it to. It definitely helps that Toad is absolutely adorable both in appearance and personality. He's been a popular character from the start, and we don't see that changing anytime soon. 

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3. Yoshi

We'd argue Yoshi is likely in everyone's top 3 favorite Mario Universe characters. Why? This adorable little green dinosaur is so faithful and loyal, it's hard not to love him! As the starring sidekick in many Mario games, people have grown to love Yoshi's cool abilities, fun design, and adorable nature. You never have to worry when he's around to help you out!

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4. Bowser

Although he looks incredibly menacing, Bowser has somehow stomped his way into fans' hearts all across the globe. As the main villain in most Mario stories, Bowser is the culprit behind every mission. While the main antagonist doesn't normally get so much love, it's a different story with Bowser. People adore his cool design, fun and terrifying personality, and all the challenges he throws our way. 

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5. Boo

With furrowed brows, sharp teeth, and an evil-looking smile, we'll always be amazed at how the Mario creators managed to make Boo so likeable and cute. This iconic little ghost featured in many Mario games, especially Luigi's Mansion, has garnered his own little fan club. We just love his playful and mischevious personality.

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6. Luigi

We know you've been waiting for him to show up on this list. Of course, we can't make a list of the best Mario characters without including the often overlooked brother, Luigi. While Luigi is always joked about being hidden behind his brother's shadow, we'd argue he's only gotten more and more popular over the years. Many people might even say he's a better character than Mario! He's clumsy and timid, but we love that about him. Not everyone can always be so brave in the face of danger.

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7. Donkey Kong

Best known for his lively, larger-than-life personality, Donkey Kong is a common favorite for most Mario players. Not only does he have his own series of games (which are excellent), making him a character worthy of being the star, fans are always excited to see him in Mario Kart, Mario Party, or even Mario Tennis. It's just impossible not to love this character with his cool moves and unique design.

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8. Kamek

Next to Bowser, the second most iconic villain to come out of the Mario Universe is Kamek. You normally see this flying koopa in blue robes alongside Bowser, making them an evil duo to look out for. While he doesn't look very frightening, never underestimate his magical spells - they can definitely catch you off guard!

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9. Shy Guy

We don't quite know exactly what Shy Guy is, but what we do know is that he's incredibly beloved by everyone who plays these games. These little Mario villains are super quirky, dressed in their colorful robes and strange masks. We think people love this character because of all the mystery surrounding him. No one knows much about Shy Guy, but they do love his funny look and silly behaviors. 

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10. Luma

First appearing in the beloved hit game, Super Mario Galaxy, Luma stole everyone's hearts not just because of how cute it looks, but also because it was a great side-kick. Lumas are all the star-like creatures, but we specifically want to shout out the yellow one which first got our attention. It's hard not to love these adorable helpers!

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1. Goombas

These annoying little mushrooms feature in so many Mario games, causing us problems and getting in our way. They don't have much personality or much about them that make them stand out. They're simply little evil creatures that love blocking our path to success. With their angry brows and sharp teeth, it's safe to say no one's a huge fan of these little shrooms.

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2. Daisy

One quick Google search is all you need to do to find out that Daisy is one of the most hated characters in all of the Mario Universe. And given how many there are, that's pretty impressive. If you're wondering why this is the case, the biggest argument is that she has no personality. She doesn't have a significant role and she just seems so plain and generic.

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3. Baby Mario

While we're just pointing out Baby Mario, we have to say, the entire baby line in the Mario Universe gets a lot of hate from fans. People just don't really understand the reason behind them! And specifically for Baby Mario, people who played Yoshi's Island growing up are seriously tired of having to save him or hear him crying. 

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4. Princess Peach

Are you surprised to see Princess Peach listed here? Well, given that she's the main love interest of Mario in pretty much every game, we were surprised to put her here ourselves. But let us explain our reasoning - Princess Peach simply gives off too strong of a damsel in distress vibe. She needs saving every single time and she's too often portrayed as helpless and needs Mario to save her. 

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5. Waluigi

Too many times have we heard this man cry "wah" in every Mario game. The reason why so many people hate on Waluigi is because his character doesn't really have any purpose. He's meant to be an evil counterpart to Luigi, but Waluigi just has a "meme-y" feel to him that makes him a joke every single time. Even his brother gets his own title game!

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6. Piranha Plants

How many times have you had to redo a level in a Mario game thanks to these annoying Piranha Plants? While they do have a cool design and are certainly iconic to the Mario Universe, they can just be so frustrating to play against! 

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7. Thwomp

Alright, be honest with us. How many times have you played Mario Kart where you're in the lead, only to be surprised by a massive Thwomp falling down on you and costing you the game? These spiky stone blocks are some of the greatest hurdles to avoid in the game, making them one foe we could definitely do without.

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8. Rosalina

You guys said it, not us! As it turns out, Rosalina is seriously disliked by the Mario community. From claiming she shouldn't have such a big role to saying she pushed Daisy out of the spotlight, there are a lot of arguments made online about why she's a bad character.

Matias Tukiainen from Espoo, Finland on Wikimedia Commons

9. Birdo

With a little research, we quickly found out that Birdo is disliked by the community because of some controversial arguments over the character's gender. People find this pink dinosaur to be incredibly confusing, with some even claiming Nintendo overcomplicated its purpose. Not to mention, not everyone is a fan of the weird snout!

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10. Lakitu

Here's a funny one - we don't have anything against Lakitu, but he's definitely the last character you want to see when you're racing in Mario Kart. Reminding you of your mess ups, this referee always has a watchful eye on you!

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