Yoshi is incontestably one of the most beloved characters in Nintendo’s history. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Shigefumi Hino in 1990, Yoshi was designed to be a loyal sidekick to our favorite plumbing duo, Mario and Luigi. With all of the latest Nintendo hype: the Switch 2, the announcement of The Super Mario Bros. Movie Sequel, and the soon-to-be-opened Super Nintendo World at Universal Orlando Resort – let’s go back and take a look at Yoshi’s sizable roster that attributes him to these memorable moments, starting with his gaming debut.

Super Mario World (1990, SNES)

Although Yoshi garnered plenty of appearances throughout Nintendo’s history, none were more impactful than his debut on the cover of 1990’s Super Mario World for the SNES. New mechanics were also introduced to the Mario platforming series, such as integrating more complex level designs – as Yoshi could run faster and jump higher. Other new integrations include new shell mechanics that interact with Yoshi when swallowed: a yellow shell causes a small earthquake when jumping, a red shell allows him to shoot fireballs from his mouth, and a blue shell gives him the ability to fly briefly. Yoshi’s entry was pivotal in enhancing the platforming genre, as he instantly became a lovable and unforgettable character of the Mario franchise.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (1995, SNES)

Yoshi’s 2nd appearance comes from the sequel to Super Mario World. This entry boasts beautiful backdrops on Yoshi’s colorful, tropical island. Due to his immediate popularity, it’s easy to see why Yoshi was welcomed back to the world of Mario. This  2nd appearance gave Yoshi the ability to showcase his skills in egg throwing and flutter jumping, adding even more personality to our little friend and making him the hero of this colorful, hand-drawn story. Not only that, but we’re also shown how courageous Yoshi is while he guards baby Mario from an abundance of threats. Yoshi’s Island was our first glimpse into his origins, and the aesthetic has never left us, being featured in every Smash Bros. game.

Yoshi’s Story (1997, N64)

It was becoming clear that Yoshi was a character here to stay. Less than a decade after his initial debut, he received his own game in 1997, Yoshi’s Story for the Nintendo 64.  Yoshi’s most infamous ability was born in this entry: the ability to swallow and turn someone into an egg. This ability would be seen again throughout his future appearances, most notably in the Smash Brothers Series, where you can land a carefully planned and brazen K.O. on an unsuspecting opponent.

Aside from that, this entry offers a bit more of a coherent story. Bowser Jr. casts a spell on Yoshi’s world, turning it into a pop-up storybook, all while stealing the Super Happy tree. As Yoshi, we must find a way to reclaim our stolen tree and restore happiness to the island. This story added a layer of depth to the Mario universe and gave us a new appreciation for our (now multicolored) dinosaur.

Yoshi Topsy-Turvy (2004, Game Boy Advance)

Admittedly, some of us had never heard of this title, and now we know why. The Game Boy Advance was so bloated with platformers; it’s easy to see how this one escaped us. However, upon further inspection, Yoshi’s main entry into the GBA appears interesting. Topsy-Turvy plays with gravity manipulation, forcing players to rethink how a platformer traditionally works. Most of the levels are designed around this gravity platforming fusion. It’s full of puzzle mechanics and carries a light enough narrative for anyone to enjoy.

Yoshi Touch & Go (2005, DS)

Touch & Go was Yoshi’s main debut for the Nintendo DS. It features touchscreen gameplay and sticks with the platformer DNA we’ve come to know and love but with a playful twist. Another entry full of that colorful Yoshi aesthetic, Touch & Go uses the DS formula to create an inventive and light-hearted experience for players.

Yoshi’s Island DS (2006)

Yoshi’s 2nd appearance on the DS was a delightful one full of baby versions of all our favorite Nintendo characters, not just Mario. Unlike the original Story game, Yoshi is now tasked with protecting a group of babies each of which represents major popular characters in the Mario universe. It’s another trademark entry for our favorite puzzle-solving, protective green dinosaur.

Yoshi’s New Island (2014, 3DS)

This was, for the time, a modern take on the classic Yoshi formula. We’re back where we started with his first mainline release, caring for baby Mario. In this story-driven installment, we’re transported back to the beautifully hand-drawn Island of Yoshi’s origins. The charming aesthetic of the original SNES title is here in full force, with updated mechanics and graphics for the 3DS. The story focuses on a similar theme as before: a lighthearted adventure that has Yoshi reuniting Baby Mario with his friends. Fans of the original will be eager to dive into this nostalgic journey to once again aid Baby Mario.

Yoshi’s Woolly World (2015, Wii U)

If there is one theme we’ve noticed in Yoshi games, it’s their endearing settings. In Woolly World, we are engulfed in a world wholly created by yarn. Even Yoshi is made of yarn in this fascinating tale. This is another straightforward take on the platforming formula with a delicate twist: the world is unraveling, and the player must once again undergo thought-provoking puzzles to preserve Yoshi’s handcrafted world.

Yoshi’s Crafted World (2018, Switch)

Yoshi’s latest release is another artistic masterpiece. We’ve seen hand-drawn textiles, and now we’re in a world made entirely of mini hand-constructed dioramas. Another whimsical entry, Crafted World entices its players to explore every secret path to unveil more playful platforming and artistic sections. Yoshi is no stranger to charming realms, and that’s what makes him stand out as our favorite video game dinosaur.

Conclusion

Yoshi has remained a well-deserved and recurring character throughout Nintendo’s expansive library – from all the Mario titles to the Smash Brothers series, and even gaining his sidekick spin-offs and remakes not mentioned here. Throughout several cameos and other appearances, Yoshi is solidified as one of Nintendo’s most lovable characters. From his humble beginnings as Mario’s protective companion to championing his series, Yoshi is a testament to Nintendo’s ability to craft captivating characters for fans to adore.