The TRUE first Mario game - Part 2

Okay, there seems to be an issue with the Mario Bros. (1983) game. While I am well aware of the game's existence and it's place in Mario's history, I chose not to include that game because it didn't do anything big for Mario. The game itself was basically a simple extension of the two previous games featuring Mario: Donkey Kong (1981) and Donkey Kong Jr. (1982) As well as being a cosmetic variation of Joust (1982) from the year before.

I'm talking about milestones; meaning games that have had a HUGE impact on the gaming community. While the original arcade Mario Bros. introduced series staples like Luigi, Koopas, pipes, coins, and the POW Block, it didn't do much for the character Mario. While these are interesting tidbits and all, it's pretty much all just filler for the real deal that would come in Super Mario Bros. (1985). That game was the line between Mario in the arcade and Mario in the home. And, it just so happened that Super Mario Bros. would become legendary for more reasons other than to greatly expand on the platforming experience from the arcades. In other words, Super Mario Bros. was the first major breakthrough for Mario since his first appearance in 1981 on Donkey Kong in which he not only appeared for the first time, but also pioneered the platformer genre. I guess what I wanted to get from you guys is which game do you consider a bigger deal for Mario; in terms of pioneering game design.

So, now that we have that out of the way, let's try this one more time. Which do you think is the TRUE first Mario game? Should it go to the game where he first appeared? Or the game that made him a superstar?


I would personally pick Donkey Kong. But you're free to object as long as you can back-up your argument.

i like donkey kong becouse mario would be like "he ON me like Donkey Kong!"

Super Mario Bros., because it developed the standard Mario gameplay we know and love. Perhaps you could add a poll?

EDIT: Caught double posting red-handed!

Your other two threads were closed because there wasn't much room for discussion. I don't really think there's much room for any here either. So yeah.