The career of a video game icon demands constant reinvention. Even the most established characters in the world of gaming have to constantly evolve when it comes to their abilities, their backstory and even their fashion if they want to keep up in the ever-changing video gaming landscape. Like the greatest icons in other fields like music and movies, Mario has had plenty of looks over the years and seems to double his wardrobe with every new game.
It started with a handful of suits that came with special abilities, but as the years have gone on, Mario has amassed more suits than a lawyer’s funeral. Some of these suits are useful, but some of these don’t even give him special powers (other than slaying). We’ve taken on the monumental task of ranking Mario’s most iconic suits and the suit at the top may come as a shock to traditionalists.
8
Frog Suit
An example of function far outpacing fashion. This suit, which first appeared in the groundbreaking “Super Mario Bros. 3,” lets you jump higher, swim faster, even resist the flow of a mighty river. It also, unfortunately, makes you look like a big dumb frog.
7
New Donk City Suit
“Mario Odyssey” gave us many things but most important among them was an absolute explosion of new looks for our favorite Italian plumber. Snazziest among them is the black suit Mario obtains in the Mad Men-inspired land of New Donk City. Does this suit provide any advantage of any kind for Mario? Not unless you consider crisp, clean lines and an impeccable silhouette advantages (I do).
6
Football Suit
Caught in the Super Mario Odyssey trailer: Mario as a football player.
Looking like a Chargin' Chuck! Hah.#E32017 #NintendoE3 pic.twitter.com/4jI1lapC1S
— Dom (@DomsPlaying) June 13, 2017
Like the New Donk City suit, this outfit has no special powers or abilities of any kind but it’s extremely funny to imagine Mario playing full-contact American football. I particularly appreciate the scuff marks all over the helmet. Mario is the big man on campus and you know those pass rushers are aiming for his head every time.
5
Metal Mario
This suit has become a staple of many Mario games since first appearing in “Super Mario 64” and, in addition to making Mario look like a short Italian variant of the Silver Surfer, it comes with loads of useful power-ups including immunity to poison and making you sink to the bottom of a lake.
4
Tanooki Suit
It hasn’t been a great year for the real tanuki, the adorable Japanese raccoon dog that some scientists speculate may have been the origin of Covid-19, but they should take pride in their species for inspiring one of the most fun and bizarre costumes Mario has worn to date. For reasons I do not fully understand, the Tanooki Suit allows Mario to turn himself into an invulnerable statue, a very useful skill when you just need to take a breath and chill during a particularly intense gaming session. It also causes Koopas to worship you as a god, in case you ever feel like you need an ego boost.
3
Bee Suit
One of the most fun additions to the Mario wardrobe without a doubt. Not only does the Bee Suit allow you to fly but you can also crawl on honeycombs, land on flowers, and even walk on clouds! It makes you a little bumblebee! Adorable!
2
Fire Flower
What do you want me to say here? It sells itself. You can shoot fireballs out of your hands when you’re wearing this thing. This is the kind of suit that can only be trusted to a morally responsible man like Mario.
1
Raccoon Suit
The perfect blend of fashion and function, the raccoon suit comes off as more of an accessory, adding a tail and some cute little ears to Mario’s traditional red-and-blue look. Not only does the tail function as a short-range weapon, it also allows Mario to take off and fly, something that an actual racoon absolutely cannot do.
