In terms of the easiest Mario game to beat, I would consider Super Mario Bros. 3 as a strong contender. Here are a few reasons to support this claim:
1. Familiarity: Super Mario Bros. 3 is a classic title that has been around since the late 1980s. Many gamers, including those who haven't played it before, may have prior exposure to Mario games and their mechanics. The familiarity with the Mario franchise can contribute to a smoother and more intuitive gameplay experience.
2. Balanced Difficulty: Super Mario Bros. 3 strikes a good balance between being challenging enough to keep players engaged while not being overwhelmingly difficult. The game gradually increases its level of difficulty as you progress through different worlds, providing a comfortable learning curve for players of various skill levels.
3. Power-up System: Super Mario Bros. 3 has a robust power-up system that offers the player various advantages throughout the game. Power-ups like the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Tanooki Suit provide additional abilities or protection, enabling players to navigate levels more easily and overcome enemies and obstacles.
4. Save Feature: Unlike earlier Mario games, Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced a save feature, allowing players to save their progress and continue from where they left off. This feature eliminates the need to start from scratch every time you play, offering a more forgiving experience and reducing frustration.
5. Ample Resources: The game provides plenty of opportunities to earn extra lives and power-ups, whether through hidden bonus areas, power-up blocks, or defeating enemies. This abundance of resources can make the game more forgiving and alleviate the pressure of constantly needing to restart due to a lack of lives.
6. Level Design: Super Mario Bros. 3 features well-crafted level designs that are challenging but also offer multiple paths and secrets. This diversity provides players with options to tackle levels in different ways, potentially finding easier or more straightforward routes to progress.
These factors collectively make Super Mario Bros. 3 stand out as one of the easier Mario games to beat, making it accessible to a wide audience and providing an enjoyable gameplay experience.