The Best Mario Characters to Bring on a Beach Vacation

Feature image credit: Nintendo

Imagine playing Mario games on your Nintendo Switch, and the characters pop out of the screen. Suddenly, you’re faced with a choice: who do you take on your upcoming beach trip? It’s not exactly an easy decision, so you should take it seriously! Luckily, there’s enough information about each one to decide. Here’s your guide to the best Mario characters for beach vacations. 

The Best Mario Characters for a Beach Trip

From Lakitu to Luigi, all Mario characters and enemies have a case. However, these 10 stand out as the best for your vacation. 

10. Kamek

Kamek might not be the first Mario character on your mind, but he’s among the best for your beach vacation. The old Magikoopa has special powers that could be worthwhile. His magical wand could bring shady clouds to lower the temperature if the sun is too blazing hot. 

Kamek’s magical wand means there’s not much he can’t do. For instance, he could bring you sandwiches and sodas for a tasty lunch if you’re low on snacks. Ask him to create some magic platforms to transport your feet when the sand gets too hot. 

9. Petey Piranha 

Experts say you need water-resistant sunscreen before jumping in the hotel pool or ocean. What if you leave it in your room? Petey Piranha has your back because he provides excellent shade. After all, he’ll be happy to absorb those UV rays. 

Yes, Petey Piranha is typically a Mario antagonist. However, he said he’ll behave for the trip if he gets to play his favorite sports. Just take him to Top Golf or the batting cages, and he’ll be satisfied. Plus, if anyone gives you trouble, he’ll spray goop and take care of business. 

8. Monty Mole 

Sometimes, you bring guys on your trip for a specific purpose. In Monty Mole’s case, he’s a highly skilled digger. Therefore, he’ll be handy when building exceptionally complicated sandcastles. He’ll have no problem digging the moat around your castle and letting the water flow in. 

He’s switched between ally and rival in the various Mario games, but he can be a friendly character. For instance, Monty is one of Mario’s teammates in Mario Superstar Baseball. The only downside is he might get too into digging and leave everybody behind.

7. Bullet Bill 

Traffic is among the worst road trip delays because you’re sitting in a car with nothing to do. When you could be getting a tan, you’re stuck listening to local radio stations and cheesy commercials. Fortunately, Bullet Bill is the best Mario character for navigating traffic.

This character is full steam ahead, regardless of what’s in front of him. Bullet Bill is most advantageous on holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day and July 4. He’ll get you through traffic jams and onto the white sands faster than you can blink! 

6. Mario

How can you have a Nintendo beach trip without Mario? He’s the titular character of numerous video games and is responsible for many of your childhood memories. Plus, he can be the de facto leader of your group. If you need help, he’s the one to save the day. 

Imagine somebody in your group goes missing or is accidentally left behind at the restaurant. Mario will do everything he can to save them if you tell him they’re friends with Peach. Plus, his clout will get you into nearly every exclusive club in town.

5. Luigi

If you’re bringing Mario, you can’t forget Luigi. The guy in green overalls is a lovable character whose friendliness and goofiness cannot be overstated. While he’s shy and quirky, he’s an incredible athlete and an irreplaceable part of your sports teams. 

What puts Luigi over the top is his ghost-hunting ability. He might not be a Phasmophobia ace, but he can get the job done. He’ll be helpful if your beach vacation takes you to haunted locations, such as Savannah, Georgia, or Pawleys Island, South Carolina. 

4. Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong is another guy who toes the line between good and evil. However, you must bring him on the trip because he’s among the original friends. After all, the best Mario characters wouldn’t exist without the big ape!

Nintendo released Donkey Kong in 1981, so there are over four decades of history with him. His track record suggests he’ll bring plenty of bananas to the beach trip! Plus, his strength will be handy for carrying picnic baskets and playing team sports.  

3. Yoshi

You aren’t just bringing people on a beach trip — you’re bringing their personalities. Therefore, you must consider whom you want to be around for a few days. Yoshi fits the bill of an easygoing, happy-go-lucky guy bringing optimism and fun to beach trips. 

Yoshi’s swimming ability varies across games, so it’s not guaranteed he’ll go in the water with you. However, you’re getting a great baseball, football and soccer teammate. 

2. Pianta

Piantas are the life of the party, and they’ll ensure your beach vacation is worth every minute. These characters are always celebrating in Super Mario Sunshine (until Shadow Mario steals their shine sprites). 

If the sunshine is intact, they’re easily among the best Mario characters for beach vacations. Don’t hesitate to go clubbing with them at night and play beach volleyball in the morning. Yes, their temper can be problematic, but they’re a fun bunch! 

1. Peach

You can’t go wrong with Peach because she literally owns a beach. Gamers get a glimpse of her resort town in Mario Kart: Double Dash, the franchise’s installment for the GameCube. 

Peach has the royal connections and will make your trip unforgettable. Every Toad in the Mario universe works at her command, so you’ll have ready and eager servants. If you want a California lemonade for beach refreshments, you’ll get it with no questions asked. 

Who Would Be the Worst Mario Characters on Your Trip? 

You now know the best Mario Characters for beach vacations, but what about the worst? Here are a few you should leave at home and not bring gifts for:

• Wario: There’s no point in playing any beach game because Wario will find ways to cheat. The same goes for his cohort, Waluigi! 
• Bowser: Bowser will ditch the group to kidnap Princess Peach, so the trip will become a criminal investigation. Plus, Bowser is notorious for bad handling, so he might wreck before you drive. 
• Bowser Jr.: If Bowser can’t come, his son definitely shouldn’t either. He’s the mischievous child who would knock down your sandcastles and cry about every inconvenience. 
• Lakitu: Lakitu seems like a fine individual, but he’ll spend way too much time rescuing people from the ocean. Saving lives is great, but you won’t get much time to spend with your friend. 
• King Boo: King Boo is excellent for Halloween parties and haunted houses, not your beach trip. Don’t let him ruin the experience for others by scaring everybody away!

Taking the Best Mario Characters to the Beach

Going out of town means everybody needs to be on their best behavior, so only bring Mario characters you can trust. Therefore, Hammer Bros and Blooper will have to stay home. Beach trips are about having fun, relaxing and escaping reality. Bring the Peaches and Luigis of the world because you know they’ll maximize fun without the chaos.