Evolution of Hardest Super Mario Levels (1985-2023)

Evolution of Hardest Super Mario Levels (1985-2023). This video shows you the hardest levels in all main-series Super Mario Games.
►Timecodes
00:00:00 - Super Mario Bros. (1985 - NES)
00:00:56 - Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986 - FDS)
00:02:17 - Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988 - NES)
00:03:44 - Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988 - NES)
00:04:59 - Super Mario Land (1989 - GB)
00:06:28 - Super Mario World (1990 - SNES)
00:07:38 - Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992 - GB)
00:11:27 - Super Mario 64 (1996 - N64)
00:14:31 - Super Mario Sunshine (2002 - GameCube)
00:15:39 - New Super Mario Bros. (2006 - DS)
00:18:28 - Super Mario Galaxy (2007 - Wii)
00:20:19 - New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009 - Wii)
00:21:19 - Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010 - Wii)
00:26:15 - Super Mario 3D Land (2011 - 3DS)
00:30:20 - New Super Mario Bros. 2 (2012 - 3DS)
00:36:06 - New Super Mario Bros. U (2012 - Wii U)
00:37:21 - New Super Luigi U (2013 - Wii U)
00:38:15 - Super Mario 3D World (2013 - Wii U)
00:44:12 - Super Mario Run (2016 - iOS)
00:45:56 - Super Mario Odyssey (2017 - Switch)
00:58:39 - Super Mario Maker 2 (2019 - Switch)
01:00:17 - Bowser's Fury (2021 - Switch)
01:01:01 - Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023 - Switch)

[@BeardBear]

What do you think is the hardest Mario level ever?

[@sittingducks8801]

The Perfect Run (Super Mario Galaxy 2)

[@Gabry2K513]

Super Mario Galaxy 2, obviously 🎉

[@mayracordero382]

Super mario odyssey and getting out in bowser's body before everything explodes is not easy.

[@lightning13clair29]

​@@mayracordero382Zack Scott games did with ease my friend it's not hard to do

[@destinygearsx1841]

Badge Marathon is the hardest for me.

[@peytoncorserfilms199]

22:47 my man didn’t have to do Yoshi like that😢

[@shhamsD]

Fr 🥲😂

[@highgeneralkage2748]

You can literally track the progression of technology through Mario games. That's incredible.

[@Peter-wv1dx]

No shit

[@gdbros_35]

nsmb2:

[@zenodezeno454]

@@Peter-wv1dxlmao exactly what i was going to say

[@childofcascadia]

@Peter-wv1dx Beat me to it.

[@vknl99]

when a new one comes out basically every year or two with the latest technology, is that really incredible to you?

[@HanSanwich]

I’ll always love that little heartfelt speech that Cappy gives at the end of Long Journey’s End. So sweet

[@Blinkers2007GameDev]

20:30 Oh god, I remember that level. Wow. Time flies by, it really does

[@alexishernandez2419]

Which game is this?

[@Russom5428Russo]

New Super Mario Bros Wii! The hardest level in my opinion in that game is world 9-4!

[@BareKnuckleBlaze]

They should make a game called Super Mario Pros. and it could have a compilation of the hardest Mario levels from previous games, as well as some new ones, and the difficulty quickly ranks up the more you play. Maybe something similar to Luigi U, but with the different level styles.

[@Genzaijh]

Love that Idea!

[@notplaceerrorlol]

Pretty sure I wont enjoy a game where most of the levels come from super mario bros: the lost levels

[@juandi2801]

57:55 Aside of the hardest one I ever beat, this part still brings me tears. Dunno why

[@MattyStarX64]

Cappy :)

[@ultranova3598]

This lvl was really a great end to the game fr

[@user-qf4du7lc4z]

What a thrill...

[@Blinkers2007GameDev]

It was the perfect end.

[@matthewdawkins1920]

I used to believe Tubular was the hardest Super Mario World level, but after a few retries, i got over it very easily, even without a Blue Yoshi or the super cape. I'd argue Outrageous is far harder since there are a lot of mini fires in there, as well as 1 Hammer Bro (or so i think), and a big amount of Bullet Bills. It's a hassle even with a Blue Yoshi and the super cape. And i agree with The Final-Final Test Badge Marathon being the hardest level in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. It took me a lot of tries to get past it.

[@Onyx619]

I def agree that Outrages is truly the hardest level in smw

[@PanSangex]

Outrageous w/o flying is outrageous

[@yordansic]

Nope. Outrageous is the easiest level in the Special World.

[@Railer61]

Yeah, Tubular is easy with the blue Yoshi/cape combo. Outrageous can be tough without power ups. Once you're over the tall peach pipe, only tough part is the bullet bills near the end

[@twocalicocats5511]

I think its just that you can’t make a mistake anywhere in tubular and the idea of there being a string of p balloons all the way along the level is non obvious. You don’t think like that anywhere in the game other than here

[@lynxvsjackalope1149]

I was so scared the pachinko from Sunshine would wind up here. I feel extremely validated by the level they chose. It was the last one I finished, it was so hard x.x followed by the Chuckster one for me.

[@andytekampe8748]

Oh, the memories of me missing red coins on the Sunshine one and jumping off to land on the sides of the river and scale Mario back to where he missed said coins. 😂 Then having to jump perfectly close to the water to barely touch it so you don’t die and then he hovers across to get the coin and land safely on the other side.

[@nicholasfornaro]

Nothing beats The Perfect Run

[@odnorando8684]

About 7 years later and I still can’t beat that shit man

[@Genzaijh]

I don't think the Perfect run is that hard, it's just really really fun.

[@Genzaijh]

​@@odnorando8684maybe you can watch some tutorials to help you along the way.

[@HowToDrinkWater101]

I beat it in 7 tries on my first go

[@Jreijrdheiej]

I beat it first try

[@_G.C]

It's interesting to see how much the handheld games tried to emulate bits of recent console games. Mario land 1 had the spinning balls of mario 3, mario land 2 had the mushroom design and spin jump from world, and 3d land had a lot taken from galaxy, such as the sound effects, enemy behaviors, and even part of one of the songs too.

[@theoepicduck6970]

41:12 biggest carry of all time

[@Affarii]

very good video man! im sitting here and watched it 1 hour straight without skipping any parts! this video makes me learn much more about mario games from the 1900's till now! love this video man.. keep it going!

[@jakestinkypig]

What people also don’t realize is that for Super Mario 3D World, not only is Champions Road the most difficult, but you have to 100% the game to unlock it! I have fond memories staying up late beating that level lol; 38:15

[@Blinkers2007GameDev]

I also remember that. so much nostalgia. Although I have more nostalgia for mario galaxy, my all time favourite game

[@georgeblakely5229]

Same with the perfect run in mario galaxy 2! It’s the very last possible thing to do in the game!

[@TheWASHINGMACHINEBOY]

for those of you who wonder why the world number in the hardest level of super mario bros: the lost levels is C, it's actually world 12-3, but hexadecimal numbers can go up to 15 in one digit, with letters A-F representing numbers 10-15

[@RHVGamer]

People still think Luigi's Purple Coins is the hardest star in Galaxy 1? I found the Lava Spire Daredevil Run in Melty Molten Galaxy a WHOLE LOT harder, since you have to do one of the hardest regular missions in the game without taking a SINGLE hit. I think it took me almost an hour in my most recent playthrough, while Luigi's Purple Coins only took me one attempt. 9-7 I also somehow did first try 100%, but at least I understand why people think that one is hard.

[@ad51603]

Kinda agree with the Lava Spire being harder. Only died 5 times on LPC in my most recent playthrough as opposed to 9 on LSDR

[@supermario3459]

Luigi's purple coins is not that hard, I had more trouble with the bone pen one (Ghostly Galaxy). Lava Spire isn't that bad but I get why some people found this one hard since it's unforgiving and many parts can screw up.

[@jirachido3997]

I agree, i NEVER managed to complete the Daredevil run on Melty Molten Galaxy as a kid

[@shadowlink-wn5rh]

You make these levels look so easy good job 👍🏼

[@Captain_Teebs]

What a huge commitment!! Thank you for sharing this. I had a lot of fun watching this.

[@mikeyisbombable]

Mario Sunshine's lily pad level taught me how to rage as a kid!!

[@crobinson2624]

I disagree with C-3 (SMB Lost levels) being the hardest level. I found it quite easy to determine where Mario would land as he tends to never cross the middle of the screen, so you can easily guide him down to a platform. I would say D-4 is harder.

[@Russom5428Russo]

I agree! It’s all because of the stupid hammer bro that gets in your way! The only way to avoid the hammer bro is by timing to pass him when he’s not throwing hammers! However, if you mess up your timing, the wind will push you right into him.

[@OnePieceObsessed]

C-4 also is quite a contender.

[@the_prado]

22:47 YOU MONSTER! WHY DID YOU DO IT?!

[@CreativeStoryteller35]

The final badge marathon took me like an hour to beat when I first did it. Then, as a bonus, I missed the golden flag, so I had to redo it. 😫

[@fnasingachaclub14]

Dang, I get the feeling missing the top of a flagpole

[@chuuexloona]

To me, as a kid 8-1 of the classic was a nightmare, I cried so hard trying to pass it alone. Growing up I had trouble with the ice levels of New Super Mario Bros DS, i know it's not that far, or was world 3 or 5, but I was and still very bad in platform games. I didn't play Wonder yet, but I guess its gonna be a nightmare like the first one, but cuttier 😅

[@machinegunlament]

Don't worry about it! What I like about wander is that it has ways to make it more or less difficult. If you're having trouble with a level you can play as Yoshi, if you want to make a level harder for yourself, you can do some of the challenges or try to get all of the big flower coins, or play the special worlds, or play with one of the expert badges! There's a lot of replayability to it and a lot of ways to change the gameplay as well, and I think it's my favorite 2D Mario game :-)

[@chuuexloona]

@@machinegunlament woooow, mario wonder is really a wonderful game! I wish i had money to buy a switch :(

[@danmeldrum312]

I'd say Tick Tock Clock and Rainbow Ride are the hardest levels in 64. I'm literally one star away in each level (Stomp on the Thwomp and Rainbow Ride's 100 Coins) in 3D All-Stars from being able to beat Bowser and finish 100%. Also, Corona Mountain is the hardest Mario Sunshine level. That stupid boat section is impossible, especially when trying to get all the Blue Coins. The Lily Pad level was easier in comparison.

[@samgreen6493]

Here’s what I feel is each game’s hardest part: SMB: 8-3 SMBLL: C-3 SMB2: 7-1 SMB3: 8-1 SML: 4-2 SMW: Tubular SML2: Final Castle SMW2: Kamek’s Revenge SM64: Rainbow Ride 100 Coins SMS: Tossup: Pachinko Machine or Lily Pad Ride SM64DS: Rainbow Ride 100 Coins NSMB: 8-7 SMG: Dreadnought Galaxy Purple Coins NSMBW: 9-7 SMG2: The Perfect Run NSMB2: Impossible Pack SM3DL: S8-Crown NSMBU: 9-2 NSLU: 9-8 SM3DW: Champion’s Road SMO: Darker Side BF: Lucky Isle SMBW: Jump! Jump! Jump!

[@leahluostarinen]

agree

[@Mdangelo22302]

I agree with all except Wonder. I believe "the final final test" was the most difficult. The final invisibility badge run is miserable!

[@Genzaijh]

​@@Mdangelo22302agree your point.

[@LukeManiac]

BeardBear: These are the hardest levels. Also BeardBear: *manages to finish it easily*

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Awesome! Thanks 😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@hidmdhd2156]

Good video man ;-)

[@BLJail]

I still have ptsd to that one lvl on mario 64

[@supermario3459]

Here's my opinion about the chosen levels, and my personal hardest of all in each game: SMB : To be honest this one is tied with 8-2, which is also very hard The lost levels: I haven't played this one, but I've heard that C-3 is indeed the hardest of the game, if not the whole franchise. SMB2 : I haven't played this one much to give an objective opinion about if 5-1 is indeed the hardest IMO. SMB3 : Pretty much the same as SMB2, but I know that airship level is an absolute nightmare, so I agree with this one. Mario Land : Too bad I wasn't even able to beat 4-1 when I was younger, so I couldn't experience how hard 4-2 was Mario World : Tubular is indeed the worst of all, even if Awesome can also qualify Mario Land 2 : I hate marathon levels without checkpoints, especially if there's a boss at the end, I didn't reach this level yet but I'm sure I will hate it (Even more than space zone final autoscroller level) SM64: A game that I have played A LOT, and it seems to have two clans with this level : Those who master the wing cap, and those who doesn't. Personally, I'm from the first clan so I find this level very easy (even getting all the 56 coins). Even Hazy Maze Cave 100 coins is harder than this stage IMO. The 100 coin star in Rainbow Ride could qualify as the hardest. Mario Sunshine : I get this level is very troublesome, even reaching it isn't obvious, but honestly, I have much, MUCH more trouble with that goddamned pachinko level than this one... So yeah, the pachinko level is the hardest IMO. NSMB : That final tower is brutal, this is one of the levels I like the least in this game, especially when it's paced with something (like an autoscroller or a vehicle), and those snake bricks are a good example of what makes me dislike a level. The game is quite easy at its whole so the hardest thing is not finishing the levels but getting the star coins, in this level they are quite easy, but not the final one in 8-4 (with the mini mushroom) SMG : And this is a complete disagree IMO, I NEVER had a problem with this one, the purple coins in the bone pen, in Ghostly Galaxy, is much harder. It seems to have two clans for this level too, But if you want to make this level hard, try to get all 150 purple coins, THIS is hard! NSMBW : I knew this one would qualify, finishing the level is easy but getting those star coins is an absolute nightmare! I also had problems with 9-5. NSMB2 : I don't want to buy this pack for this reason. NSMBU : I hated those frustrating challenges so I never went too far on those NSLBU : I've heard of that one too. Mario Run : I must continue this one to give a complete review Mario Maker 2 : I don't remember that one Bowser fury : Hell yes, that one was so annoying, also that freaking lava realm too. SMG2, 3D land, 3D World, Odyssey and Wonder : Can't compete as this is the intended final level made hard on purpose. And yes, those are probably my least favorite type of levels.

[@Reiderreiter]

Darker Side/Long Journey’s End is probably at least 75% responsible for how bad the stick drift got on my first Switch Pro Controller. It’s a miracle I didn’t rip the whole thing in half.

[@dyciefisk2535]

Looking at the timestamps, I forgot how long that level was.

[@KokonutOil]

The number of times I died at the boomerang bros in The Perfect Run genuinely pissed me off

[@rubemmarchon5875]

In my honest opinion, World 8-4 of New Super Mario Bros. is harder, especially when going to take the 3 star coins. Ah, the constant rain of spiders, the 3/4 chance of dying to a spider when going to that star coin as mini Mario... Truly a challenge for a game in the DS...

[@josephdylan2424]

agreed

[@GoJoLy2301]

i spent way more time on the rhythm level in wonder than i did the badge marathon tbh

[@thurzingamer7]

awesome

[@gianlucaturner3890]

49:54 bro shifted the pitch to avoid copyright reasons

[@Mdangelo22302]

I always had a harder time with breakdown road than with darkerside imo

[@SilentKGaming]

That SMB2 level looked really easy. I swear there’s harder levels than that

[@skc4188]

5-3, for example. XD

[@epicfries6703]

57:00 genuienly teared up first time i did this

[@4Corry]

8-4 is way harder than 8-3 in Super Mario Bros. There isn’t a single power up in it and there’s a hammer bro without brick blocks under it or somewhere to land if you just wanna jump past it. It’s nearly impossible to jump on a hammer bro in Super Mario Bros without getting hit yourself and this hammer bro is at the end of the level meaning you’ll either have to save your power up from the previous levels leading up to it or time your jump near perfectly so you don’t get hit.

[@Sonic_Kirbo]

53:28 I always found this part of Odyssey so frustrating, one wrong flick and it’s over. Also the musically shifting platforms in SM3DW Champion’s Road always gave me trouble.

[@JoaoMarcosdarochaSoares]

World 7-3 and C-3 super mario bros the Lost levels Tubular super mario world

[@agustinhernandezrivas-jp7jk]

3:45 That sync.

[@user-fh2tf5zb9i]

The intensity level for the hardest courses are typically at least 9.0-9.9 (Nothing Harder!)

[@Equalizer2922]

What’s with games going up to 999 or 9.9. Why not just round up the number to 1000 or 10.0

[@user-fh2tf5zb9i]

Intensity 10.0 does not exist, Intensity 9.9 Is the hardest it can get. @@Equalizer2922

[@Cur7y_445]

22:46 The way he just throws Yoshi of the level is so unnecessary 😂

[@DanielTorres-hi3ic]

Love how no one mentioned that this guy had to get friends to beat champions road the struggle is real

[@Blinkers2007GameDev]

For me, Super mario galaxy is the best game ever made

[@tomastognetti6916]

For me the hardest level ever is the last level of Mario Wonder

[@Willchannel90]

It made kids rage alot, until grown up they revenge it until success. Crazy life.

[@ratofanatico4829]

Someday, this video gonna have 1 million of views

[@maxwellbernardes2213]

The Mario World stage that appeared in the video is not the most difficult, the most difficult is awesome

[@valdoesgaming138]

I am genuinely upset you made it through the last one straight through 😂😂 took me DAYS to beat that Final Final Badge level 😅

[@Faar22]

I had the most problems with The Perfect Run from SMG2. It is extremely punishing: 1 hitpoint and no checkpoints Although I personally think one level not on this list is harder: SM3DW Mystery House in Star World, where you have to complete all rooms in 10 seconds. So not only do you have to stay alive, you also have to be quick. This the only mario game I didn't reach 100% completion due to this level 😢

[@JaretBro]

Watching 4 players try to complete Champions Road is hilarious.

[@IceGunter]

Mario sunshine and mario 64 still gives me nightmares

[@mayracordero382]

They must have the hardest levels!

[@odnorando8684]

I didn’t have that many issues when I got to 100% 64, Galaxy 2 has been the most challenging for me, haven’t played Sunshine yet though.

[@robonick37]

Will never understand why Luigi’s Purple Coins is considered the hardest star in SMG. There’s 150 coins and you only need 100

[@Russom5428Russo]

30:22 The hardest level in Mario history! If there were no checkpoints in that level, this pack will truly be impossible!

[@AdvancedSonicPlayerSG]

Mario's jump on SML2 sounds like Fix-It Felix's jump.

[@MasterMewtwo239]

Mario 3: that's what you consider the hardest level? A P-Wing and you cheese it; even going in with a Raccoon tail, you're easy.

[@sep9664]

Hello BeardBear I'm Jelly77.I was have a question, what's your friend cude?

[@yotube4895]

20:20 he made 9-7 look like a cakewalk

[@chelliahtheni5414]

The second star coin from new super mario bros wii's 9-7 traumatised me

[@richfutrell753]

Okay, whoever played these played with very little confidence until Special Road 2 and played that one like I have never thought possible. Also, any Clock challenge in 64 is harder than the 8 red coins there.

[@darknass5901]

The Mario Galaxy 2's last level it's the most simple that i did lmao😂

[@chrisbeach423]

Warios castle was a nightmare my first time playing it 😅

[@danielmoravia1049]

Level 8-4 was way harder to me, discovering the right path was infuriating.

[@latoyaconley6180]

I love you❤

[@Showa1973]

Well, the special world in Super Mario 3D Land is definitely harder than I remembered. 😐

[@RyneMcKinney]

For Mario Advance 1, the hardest level would be the one where you ride the menacing birds. The screen crunch is evil

[@sleepingvortex9324]

Ik that super mario sunshine that person was YELLING YES

[@diegobisono8869]

I honestly don’t get why people find Luigi’s Purple Coins the hardest star in Mario Galaxy. Like, it’s not that hard to collect the purple coins and plus, I think they made it harder in Mario Galaxy 2 since you now have Cosmic Marios following you. Imo I think Purple Coins in the Bone Pen is the hardest because you literally only have 1 minute to get 100 purple coins while having to use the blue sling stars as fast as possible while making very little mistakes.

[@macethorns1168]

55:55 Having to do all of that in a single run is absolutely atrocious.

[@NewRetroGame]

Tubular can be so easy. Use a cape and a blue yoshi and you fly smooth through this level.

[@cgk1276]

The Impossible Pack is hardest and it’s not even a debate. Those levels are designed to be BS and they’re allowed to be because they’re not needed to 100% the game like these other levels are.

[@kyledinsmore9984]

That level in NSMBW is fucking insane😭 hands down the hardest part of the 100% completion

[@ShadowDragon-cw7wb]

For sunshine, you should have also shown how to even get to the level!

[@CaaaramelApples]

I wished they would’ve added Galaxy 2 to the switch collection

[@Railer61]

I have to disagree about SMB2, 5-3 I think should have that spot

[@DanielP-jq4dj]

‘Outrageous’ is the hardest level in Super Mario World

[@johncraw8572]

Awesomeness video could you please do sonic and the secret rings for Wii 100% please thanks 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@csconnor5160]

I would say Corona Mountain is purely skill-based harder but the leaf river is definitely more bullshit.

[@kokomohtinsley8716]

Watching someone beat the Mario wonder badge level in one go is triggering 😂😂😂😂😂

[@maximumfainstein3335]

However The Perfect Run - Grandmaster Galaxy is around six times harder than a 9.9 Intensity.

[@Russom5428Russo]

14:40 The number of lives you have in Super Mario Sunshine is my age! I’m 19 years old!

[@xavierkittreles2711]

25:44 Do you guys see that star far away from here?!

[@matiaspereyra9375]

The creators of sunshine should go to jail for what they did. This and the pachinko machine

[@paulshumilin]

6:27 Super Mario bullet hell space shooter

[@GigaJinGaming3711]

Let's start a number counting chain, i start: One

[@Yuliana_Agafonova]

Idi nafig so svoimi chislami

[@robbieclark1784]

Luigi's Purple Coins with Luigi is the hardest of all time.

[@rassilontdavros3004]

What's with the audio during the Steam Gardens part of Darker Side?

[@ThisGuy4697_]

Copyright issues

[@Flumpty_bumpty_egg]

To me I think the super Mario bros wonder one could be better than a badge challenge

[@dacueba-games]

Tubular isn't hard if you know about the third balloon.

[@Yuliana_Agafonova]

15:39 It was hard, but only for me, because I play this level on sensor screen of my phone

[@Lalapopsy]

It's The Perfect Run. It's always been The Perfect Run. Anyone who disagrees is just wrong.

[@Faar22]

Agree. It is extremely punishing.

[@HowToDrinkWater101]

I beat it in 7 tries on my first go

[@Bertinator-nm9ld]

That was a good level, but not the hardest on the list, I don't think. I beat The Perfect Run. I did not beat Champions Road, in 3D World. Maybe I'm just bad at 3D world, though.

[@HowToDrinkWater101]

@@Bertinator-nm9ld it's subjective

[@Bertinator-nm9ld]

@@HowToDrinkWater101 Difficulty is subjective? Maybe a bit, I guess, but I feel like we could also find some objective measurements to compare, if we really tried...

[@diegobisono8869]

I disagree with Wing Mario Over the Rainbow being the hardest in Mario 64 because I don’t think it’s that bad. I actually think getting 100 coins in Rainbow Ride is the hardest because of that one section with the red coins where at the far left there’s a blue coin switch that you have to ground pound and the blue coins are spawned at the the top of the section and because you can’t slide down walls, you have to make precise wall jumps and do it at a fast pace just to get the blue coins otherwise you won’t have enough coins to get 100 coins. That alone makes it the hardest for me.

[@dylanbanning]

Question, how do you unlock the final level in super Mario Bros wonder I believe that it was last level of showcased.

[@marioluigibros.8176]

get every purple coin, wonder seed, and top of the flagpole. aka 100%!

[@dylanbanning]

@@marioluigibros.8176 thx

[@jaydenh922]

@@marioluigibros.8176Specifically the 10-flower coins.

[@mlpluss9939]

That includes the secret exits as well

[@kingbob548-uh2nk]

i think the hardest mario level ever is kingboo97s 1-1 with a extra twist

[@RavensSoTired4081]

😂😂 makes me feel old

[@Zorgot.]

wait wait wait, no way is C-3 the hardest in the lost levels, that was pretty easy ;-; since you know mario is always in the middle when going forward you can pretty much still keep track of where he’s at during it. the only hard part of it is where sometimes a platform despawns if lakitu is still alive