I think mario is more awesome than Link... but as far as story line gameplay etc. across their entire lifetimes I have to say I prefer the LoZ games over the mario games (I beat galaxy in like 7 hours... I was very saddened by this)
The mario games are easyer, while the zelda games have more things to do. all have a same story. Someone gets kidnapped, the hero(s) has to do tasks to save the person, they beat kidnappers butt, credits roll, the end.
I have always loved Zelda games. The new Mario games are really fun, but you cant beat the epic boss battles from Zelda. A fat plumber that fights turtles and mushrooms VS a warrior with a series of fancy items and fights skeletons, giant pigs, giant spiders, etc. My favorite game of all time is Ocarina of time. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is my favorite in the Mario series, but it's my fourth favorite game.
1.Zelda oot 2.Star Fox 64 3.Zelda Tp 4.SMG2 5.Zelda mm 6.Zelda Lttp 7.SMG1 8.Mario 64 9.SSB Brawl 10.Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga (I never played Mario sunshine or Zelda wind waker)
In a fight between Link and Mario, Link wiuld win because he has a large assortment of tools and weapons at his disposal. Mario just jumps on people. The legend of Zelda titles also have MUCH better stories than Mario games, and create large sprawling worlds with tons and tons of extras and side quests. That is why Legend of Zelda is better than Mario. don't get me wrong though, Mario games are also insanely addicting and awesome, it's just that Legend of Zelda is better.