Summary
Mario’sadventures take him through many bright and colorful locations throughout the Mushroom Kingdom. Sometimes he ventures further, out of the comfort of its familiarity, though things tend to remain cheerful and vibrant. However, not every place in the Mario world is full of sunshine and rainbows, and things tend to get a bit creepy.
Boos wander haunted houses. Dry Bones rise up from piles of scattered bones. Swoops chatter as they fly down from the ceiling, and Magikoopas cast wicked spells. Yet, despite this, all locations in the Mario world still retain an element of whimsicality. Even if things get a little spooky, you’re still joining Mario on a fun, exciting adventure, after all.
9Dark Bloo Inn
Paper Mario: Color Splash
Dark Bloo Inn from Paper Mario: Color Splash wasn’t always haunted, but it certainly is now. The owner tried to get the ghost-busting hero Luigi to help, but he never picked up the phone. That leaves us to take his place. The music really helps set the eerie tone for the adventure we’re in for.
Ghostly Toads do it all here, from trying to find a place for their luggage to demanding fresh sheets. They’re not so bad once you get to know them. All they really wanted was a ghostly tea party. Though, the giant Scaredy Rats running through the halls still leave this place with some spooky charm.
8Horror Land
Mario Party 2, Mario Party Superstars
Horror Land first appeared as one of the boards inMario Party 2. The players become wizards, complete with fitting costumes, to decide who will become the Super Star of this haunted forest. The board was later reused inMario Party Superstars.
The board cycles between day and night, where the ghostly souls of the undead come to life to party at night. Big Boo, or King Boo in Superstars, is even hidden in the top right corner behind a Skeleton Key. He can steal coins and stars from all players for triple the price of a normal Boo. Other horror staples in the Mario series like Mr. I and a haunted mansion with a Magikoopa living inside can be found here, too.
7Ghost Houses
Super Mario World
Ghost Houses made their debut inSuper Mario World, but have appeared in several games since then, including Super Mario 3D Land andSuper Mario 3D World. In their first appearance, even if you were riding aYoshiupon entering the level, you cannot bring the friendly green dinosaur inside. Some fans think it’s because Yoshi is afraid of ghosts.
Inside these haunted manors are a wide variety of spooky enemies, especially a wide variety of Boos and other ghosts. Many of these levels tend to be puzzle-based, requiring you to find the correct path to progress. They’ve since became a staple in the Mario series.
6Cap Kingdom
Super Mario Odyssey
The first kingdom you find yourself in after falling from the heavens inSuper Mario Odysseyis the Cap Kingdom. This gloomy, monochromatic land feels like it would fit right into aTim Burtonmovie, perhaps The Nightmare Before Christmas. A brilliant full moon hangs overhead, lighting the kingdom with its golden glow.
The Cap Kingdom is inhabited by a race of ghostly hat-wearing beings, called Bonneters. They may look a little spooky, but they mean well and do their best to help Mario get a working ship and begin his odyssey.
5Ghostly Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy
Ghostly Galaxy fromSuper Mario Galaxyappears from the outside as a giant haunted house. Poor Luigi somehow managed to find himself trapped inside, holding the Galaxy’s first Power Star. The galaxy consists of a haunted mansion, phantom tower planets, and even floating bones.
The enemies here are all suitably eerie, including enemies that appear in nearly no other games, include Jack O’Goombas, Spanglers, and Bomb Boos. A fun fact is that the galaxy’s background - along with Bonefin Galaxy and Boo’s Boneyard Galaxy - use a slightly edited version of the one from the Ghost Ship in theLegend of Zelda: Wind Waker, another suitably spooky location.
4The Underwhere
Super Paper Mario
InSuper Paper Mario, Chapter 7 brings our heroes to the depths ofthe Underwhere. Peach is the only exception in our party of four, having gone to the Overthere instead. The Underwhere, being a play on the Underworld, has plenty of references to Greek mythology. The River Twyz is full of Underhands, skeletal hands which will attack Mario. The ferryman Charold can help you cross safely. Queen Jaydes rules over these dark lands.
The Underwhere is full of ghastly Shaydes, who are basically inhabitants of Purgatory, as they’re neither too evil to become a Skellobit or good enough to become Nimbis in the Overthere - Super Paper Mario’s version of Heaven. While some Shaydes may seem happier with their “aftergames”, it’s still horrifying to think the Mario brothers and Bowser wound up in Hell.
3Forever Forest
Paper Mario 64
East of Paper Mario 64’s cheerily vibrant Toad Town is a haunted forest. Like a darker version of the Lost Woods, taking the wrong path will just leave you going in circles. You’ll wind up back at the beginning and have to find your way through these maze-like woods all over again. Flowers laugh at you as you attempt to find your way. Faces flash in the darkness.
The path past here is just as full of spooks and scares. Once you finally make it out of Forever Forest, you’re met with a three-story mansion full of Boos who delight in scaring and pranking you. Past there is a desert Boo village, followed by a manor inhabited by a monster who finds ghosts delicious. Chapter 3 definitely isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to its scare factor.
2Big Boo’s Haunt
Super Mario 64
Big Boo’s Hauntis a three-story haunted mansion you can access through a small birdcage in the courtyard at Princess Peach’s castle inSuper Mario 64. As the name suggests, the mansion full of Boos galore, but those aren’t the only spooky foes Mario will find here.
There are large floating eyeballs named Mr. I and books with sharp teeth that attempt to chomp on you. Perhaps the most terrifying of all is thePiano.
On first approach, it appears to be an ordinary piano. However, suddenly, its lid will begin to crash against it, revealing sharp teeth. Its keys sound like someone is slamming their hands against it as the piano attacks. It’s certainly given several children their fair share of nightmares.
1The Last Resort
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Imagine getting invited to an all-expenses paid resort to celebrate your heroic endeavors. Now imagine it’s run by your greatest enemy’s biggest fan. That’s the situation Luigi and his friends found themselves inLuigi’s Mansion 3at The Last Resort, a hotel run entirely by ghosts for the sole purpose of imprisoning Mario and company in paintings.
The resort consists of fifteen main floors, two basement floors, and a roof - each with its own delightfully spooky theme. From a pharoah’s pyramid to a haunted pirate ship and everything in between - The Last Resort has it all.
Unfortunately, saving your friends means destroying the hotel. You and the friendly ghosts who remain work to rebuild it, but it certainly loses the scare factor in the process.
