Mario vs Sonic

Mario vs Sonic

Written by Zeromage 49 Comments
Last Updated:: August 10, 2008

Nintendo and Sega’s flagship heroes come face to face for the first time in this Old-Wizard melee of epic proportions. Who is the stronger hero? Mario looks like an average plumber but everyone who has ever picked up a controller knows how strong he is. Sonic looks strong with his uber-cocky attitude and his needled back that surely wreaks damage on anyone who comes his way. Just picture it, Mario in the first Mario level coming across goombas and koopa troopas and then all of the sudden there’s Sonic standing in his way preventing Mario from jumping onto the flag and into the subterranean level. Would Mario be able to knock out the confident Sonic or would Mario be kept out from the rest of the game because of Sonic’s strength? This topic will be discussed in this article. Let the battle rage on.

1. Offense

Who has the stronger offense between the two of these heroes? Sonic can jump on enemies and run through them with his spin run. Mario can also jump on enemies but can’t run through enemies (except when sliding down hill on his fat ass). So far, one would think that Sonic is stronger than Mario, but wait. Mario can break bricks with his head. He’s also drop-kicked a tower into rubble (in Super Mario World). Not only that, but he when he eats a flower he can also gain the power of the fireball spewing out fireballs at anything in his way. This is surely a major advantage over the bluetonic hedgehog who has no auxiliary power. Mario also eventually can fly across entire levels, shape shift into statues, turn into frogs, and nail enemies with a raccoon tail. With the sheer amount of powers that Mario has he would be able to take down Sonic before Sonic would be able to jump on Mario. This category goes to Mario.

2. Defense

You would think that since Sonic is a hedgehog that he would have an automatic defense system with his natural body. Enemies though can attack him from behind and his spikes don’t do anything. This takes away much of the reason why you would think that he would have a great defense system. Sonic will have to rely on collecting rings to keep him from dying. Mario needs mushrooms to keep him big and healthy and willing to take a hit from enemies. Like Sonic, Mario can keep finding his defense power throughout levels. Mario does have an advantage over Sonic here though. Beyond getting a mushroom, Mario can also get various suits. When he gets hit by an enemies he loses his suit but sometimes he still has his bigness giving him 3 chances to get hit. This is stronger than Sonic’s two. Of course, Sonic can recollect his coins when he gets hit. This is a tough one. In terms of defense, Sonic and Mario are a tie.

3. Accomplice

Mario has his brother Luigi to help him throughout their never ending battles against Bowser. Sonic has Tails. Who is more important to the main protagonists, Luigi or Tails? Luigi basically holds the same exact power as Mario excep he’s taller. Sometimes though he even possesses an enhanced jumping ability (ala Mario 2). Tails is doesn’t hold the power of Sonic but can fly around. The problem with tails though is that he can’t ever stay on the same screen as Sonic, especially when Sonic is moving a million miles an hour around the level. It’s always difficult to control Tails. Luigi on the other hand can play an entire level to himself. Mario wins with having a more flexible accomplice.

4. Appearance

One part of the equation is how threatening the two fighters look. If one of them looks particularly strong or scary, the other might have a tougher time working up the nerve to fight their hardest. Mario is a sometimes gigantic hairy Italian that does shrooms. Sonic is a fruity looking woodland creature that was apparently involved in a horrible blueberry truck spill at some point or another in his life. Now if you opened your closet and found one of these two standing there, which one would frighten you the most? And another thing: Sonic’s eyes are connected at the bottom! What sort of medical condition is that? So he’s not only incredibly un-threatening, he has a dysfunctional and disgusting eye. Mario beats that sick cyclops in this category hands down.

5. Fans

Anybody in any form of contest needs a good fanbase to rely on. Millions crowd into football stadiums every year to support their favorite NFL and college teams. Those teams need a bunch of great fans to rally their support whenever things are looking down. Fighting competitions are no different. So what sort of fans do Mario and Sonic have? Well, Mario has millions of adoring fans worldwide. In fact, if you’re reading this and you don’t like Mario, you really don’t belong on this site. Sonic, on the other hand, has only a small, but dedicated group of smelly, brain-damaged fans who most likely have not bathed in months. Now which group do you think would produce the more encouraging rally cry? I’ll tell you, because I don’t actually care what you think: its not those hedgehog-loving sickos that lurk Sega forums all day in order to avoid sunlight.

6. Intelligence

Who wins in the battle of intelligence? Well, Mario is a plumber so he could go into any house and fix the plumbing, making your trips to the bathroom as convenient as they were before. Sonic simply moves fast and throws up his thumb when conquering a level. In this case then, Mario has more intelligence than Sonic because of his plumbing skill that gives him a modest engineering background. We have yet to see Sonic embody and of these types of skills that would count towards intelligence. This one isn’t close like defense. Intelligence goes to the plumber.

So with all this in mind, Mario wins over Sonic. This may come as no surprise to casual OW reader, but we took the time to give Sonic a fair fight against the powerful plumber. It wasn’t as easy of a battle for Mario as one might think OW would make it out to be. We welcome all different interpretations though. We fully expect the Segaheads to come down hard on us with this one.

Tomorrow: An Old-Wizard Investigative Report: Violence in Video Games Part 1: Donkey Kong

49 Comments

#1 ~ WildPony ~ says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:05 pm

Mario !!!

#2 Pingfa says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:18 pm

Some of these don’t belong, such as the Apprentice or Fans sections; it is titled Mario Vs Sonic, so the Apprentices shouldn’t really come into it. Although the case of fans is subjective, when ever I’ve asked or a random person has been asked which one they prefer, most people choose Sonic over Mario. Maybe it’s just coincidence, but figured I’d throw it out there anyhow.

If Sonic were in Mario’s way, then powerups probably wouldn’t fit into the equation, but if it did… well, Sonic can pick up powerups which make him temporarily invincible for a short time, so that is a major advantage. He can also pick up powerups that allow him to dash in the air.
For the most part, Mario would most definitely have more intelligence over Sonic; but not necessarily be as smart. After all, we all know Sonic is a QUICK! thinker.

Appearance is subjective, but if I saw a huge plumber dressed in red dungarees in my cupboard… I think that’d be scarier than a blue hedgehog. If I happen to be pitted in a fight with one, though, I’d rather fight the huge plumber than the blue hedgehog.

In short, any prejudice aside, I think it’d have to go to Sonic. Mario could jump, but that’s it. Sonic can also jump, spin dash and move much, much faster than Mario. If, however, we include powerups, Mario could shoot, but Sonic still has speed, the ever so useful spin dash, and powerups that allow him to dash at Mario while in the air, and temporarily become invincible.

I’d have to give this one to Sonic.

#3 Phil says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:07 pm

You guys really have no lives, do you?

#4 Alex says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:11 pm

^ I agree. You guys debate the most pointless topics. There’s a war going on now, a presidental race and you guys are worried about who would win in a fight between two video game characters who first came out in the eighties. I guess that’s why I like this site.

#5 George says:
March 18th, 2010 at 9:42 pm

Mario also has invincibility stars, so they both have that. Mario also is more mobile in a 3-D area than Sonic. So the crown still goes to Mario.

#6 Pingfa says:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:22 pm

Course, they are both more mobile in a 3D area. That’s just the way it works.

… and Sonic has just about every single ability Mario has, with the exception of being able to change size, but that really doesn’t help much when Sonic has mind-numbing speed and a spin dash.

I’m not biased on this matter; I’m not a Sega fanboy nor a Nintendo fanboy; I don’t hold to the view that you have to have one or the other.
… but Sonic’s got the edge here.

#7 old-wizard.com says:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:48 pm

Mario can break bricks with his head. He has drop kicked towers into a pile of rubble. Sonic is fast, but not THAT fast. Mario wins easily.

#8 Morg says:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:49 pm

Only on Old-Wizard could you have this debate.

#9 tike says:
March 18th, 2010 at 11:56 pm

You guys completely forget about super sonic. Also giving the appearance to mario????? Really? Do you really believe that the fastest hedgehog ever is worse in style than compared to an italian plumber? Sonic is more cooler than mario in a lot of ways. Also you mentioned in defense that mario can get various suits but so can sonic. He gets powers to make him double jump,immune to fire and this article doesnt even mention any of it.Also sonic would hit mario so fast he wouldnt even have time to say; Its me! Mario.

#10 yusaku says:
March 18th, 2010 at 12:27 am

You wanna know deep down who the real winner is?

The vast legion of Sonic and Mario fans who get a chance to play a game featuring their iconic characters, regardless of who’s side of the camp you are.

If you’re a Sega guy, put aside your differences and play with Mario and his friends, the same goes for the Nintendo guys, I don’t care just have some good ol’ fashion fun.

In the end, the consumer is the real winner.

Didn’t expect that answer from a Sega guy, now did ya?

#11 Pingfa says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:06 am

Wether Sonic is “THAT fast” or not is irrelevant, because the matter at hand is how fast he in comparison to Mario.
As aforementioned by Tike, chances are Mario wouldn’t get a chance to do anything before Sonic runs straight through his ass.

I do like Mario, but Sonic would definitely have the edge in this fight.

#12 Micheal says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:11 am

Sonic’s speed is his only advantage Mario has multiple. Mario wins

#13 Ryan Rigney says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:42 am

@tike

super sonic = lame DBZ type thing.

#14 Kazuki says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:59 am

You just pretty much said through the whole first half of your post that Mario wouldn’t have a chance against Sonic without using hundreds of bland gimmicks. The debate is regular Sonic vs. Mario. No rings, no mushrooms, no lame ass suits, ect.

Sonic>Mario

There. NOW it’s non-debatable.

#15 jimmy says:
March 18th, 2010 at 2:23 am

In all honesty mario has access to fire without the fire suit like in superstar saga and smash bros i think theres others but if they were to go at it it would be a tie they would knock each other out.

#16 911 Gaming says:
March 18th, 2010 at 3:17 am

This article is biased. Duh.
But besides that fact, I’m not going with either. How would they even get into a fight?
Hypothetically, Sonic is a mutated hedgehog the size of a four year old. Mario is an overweight plumber who wears overalls and speaks italian … and is also the size of a four year old.
Now, usually, overweight Italian midgits don’t fight oddly large cycloptic blue hedgehogs, but if they did, then it would make no sense, be totally pointless, and extremely stupid.
Besides, everyone knows Hedgehogs can’t speak Italian!

#17 Mighty the armadillo says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:49 am

Are all of you forgetting that sonic has been in movies most directers like sonic, go look at the movie of jingle all the way there is a sonic float in the perade at the end.

Also on jackie chan movies he has a game gear cause he even said in an interview he is a sega fan and sonic fan lol.

Also there are other films that have sonic making an appearences.

#18 Des says:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:53 am

Dude you are an idiot, if you’re going to do an equal comparison you should bring Mario’s powerups into the equation because let’s be honest when Sonic becomes Supersonic he is equally invincible…In a straight up battle without any bullcrap powerups or special add-on suits, Sonic would whoop Mario’s slow rotund ass. It wouldn’t even be close.

#19 Des says:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:54 am

*Should Not Bring Powerups Into the Equation*

#20 SPOONANA says:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:26 am

You also forget how big the bosses are in sonic and in size comparison sonic is tiny and wins every time. I don’t see Mario doing that.

#21 sonic's evil twin says:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:52 am

sonic v mario ? i find myself asking what is the point i mean is this just another stab at sega for anti sega opp’s i mean old wizard

#22 Neil says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:21 pm

Mario is higher tier than Sonic in Smash Bros.

#23 Neil says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:24 pm

Sorry forgot to add this:
To be honest it’s not Nintendo’s fault they didn’t make an overpowered plumber. That’s why they put proper power-ups in the game.

#24 lalala says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:42 pm

There’s an obvious Nintendo slant running throughout the whole article. It’s clear the writer prefers the Mario series.

If you look at it logically, or at least as logically as a hedgehog fighting a plumber can be looked at, I think you’d find that no matter what powerups Mario had, Sonic’s speed would still win out. This article ignores how fast Sonic is actually supposed to be. Mario would be out cold half a second after the bell rang, before he could even blink. Sonic is just that cool

#25 Anonymous(seriously) says:
March 18th, 2010 at 3:59 pm

Peh, this seems biased.
Don’t forget sonic is still alive, with a loyal fanbase after *how many?* failures.

#26 F***you says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:06 pm

Kinda one sided, huh.

“Luigi has an entire level to himself”

Flash news, Tails too. All you have to do is go to options, smartass. You can play as Sonic, Tails or BOTH.

Luigi can jump higher? Whoopdeedoo, Tails can FLY. :O

Article creator needs to get off his biased ass and play more Sonic before he has any say in the matter.

Every single article is easily refutable. Some may end up in a tie, but this guy chooses to go with Mario.

And for all I know he’s the sicko who lurks in MARIO boards all day. :/

#27 Mighty the armadillo says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:31 pm

Sonic is so stong that he doesn’t need powerups mariio needs them because he is weak with out them, plus with the emeralds sonic can go so fast he can go and time warp not only that but sonic has been to space lots of times and mario has only gone to space once out of all his games so sonic wins.

#28 sonic's evil twin says:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:16 am

ahh the greatness of old wizard the nintendo loveing git

#29 ryan says:
March 18th, 2010 at 9:09 pm

MARIO SUCKS BALLS sonics better in every way plus im a big fan of him

#30 ryan says:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:44 pm

and sonic is not a cyclops

#31 ryan says:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:45 pm

hes a hedgehog

#32 cat says:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:44 pm

sonic is way cooler than that bak stabbing red headed over sized nose big mustage ugly old timer mario. but I.. do think is true mario sucks dicks he sucks and sonic was and is better than mario cause he is a loser LOSER by the way who has a show is sonic not mario here I have a little ryhme for mario M=ost
A=JUST FORGET IT HE SUCKS
R=
I=
O=

#33 subtalvik says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:55 am

They’re both my most favorite video game characters of all time I don’t give a shit who I like more I just know that I grew up with them and that they’re in video games.

#34 dhfdfdgf says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:16 pm

that doesnt rhyme retard

#35 dhfdfdgf says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:17 pm

so fuk u mario hating pricks

#36 dhfdfdgf says:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:18 pm

all sonic fans are stupid fukin fags with no lives and they all suk dick

#37 Your Mother says:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:46 pm

I like both. But this battle has to go to Sonic. Sonic is WAY cooler than Mario. Mario may have those mushrooms, fire flower, etc. But Sonic has the chaos emeralds to turn into Super Sonic. Leaving Sonic the winner.

#38 Wolf says:
March 18th, 2010 at 1:17 pm

I like the Mario games alot better but in characters Sonic wins Sonic is a blue hedgehog with superspeed Mario is a plumber who saves a princess and in the offense section sonic can turn into super sonic and in the teammate you’d rather have a guy identical to you than a guy that can fly as an ally?
if your so intent on trashing sonic just go play SSBB as Mario and set Sonics difficulty at 1 and have fun with your sonic smashing

#39 Joey from Holland says:
March 18th, 2010 at 3:56 pm

This article is 100% right. Sonic would suck out big time to Mario

#40 SONIC FAN NO.1 STUPID WHIZERD GUY says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:47 pm

SONIC IS 90000000000000000000000999999999999999999999999 TIMES BETTER THEN A STUPID PLUMER WHO NEEDS POWER STUFF SO WHATEVER

#41 SONIC FAN NO.1 STUPID WHIZERD GUY says:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:48 pm

SONIC IS 90000000000000000000000999999999999999999999999 TIMES BETTER THEN A STUPID PLUMER WHO NEEDS POWER STUFF SO WHATEVER.

#42 fawfulmk-II says:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:36 am

LOL @ these biased comments. It’s also funny with people saying Sonic can Win By going Super sonic, while obviously ignoring the fact that there are NO POWERUPS AT ALL. anyway, in a no item fight, Mario would win. why? because how many hits can Mario take be fore dying in current games? at least 6. how many hits can Sonic take? ….only one. even if Sonic tries running circles around him to attack, all Mario has to do is use a Ground Pound or do a spin jump to end him. without items, Sonic vs.Mario is like a fly vs. a frog- even if one moves almost 10x faster, the other one only needs to hit them once to end them, so what’s the point?

#43 3S Hedgehogs says:
March 18th, 2010 at 4:04 am

Mario fans are dumbasses. Have you guys ever seen Sonic’s enemies? For instance, Dark Oak is the master of Matlisx. He can blow up entire universe srsly. Giant Mario? Bullshit Sonic can beat the gigantic enemies such as dark gaia, perfect chaos, solaris)
Oh yeah, one more thing. Even Mephiles can beat Mario characters. Mario fans don’t even realize about hyper sonic. Hyper sonic is upgrade version of super sonic. In other words,
super sonic- invincible
hyper sonic- god
I don’t understand why mario fans humiliate and curse sonic. Do you guys know about shadow and silver? If you guys don’t know, just shut up.

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