The Nintendo Switch has the privilege of being supported by Nintendo during Mario’s 35th anniversary. Now, thirty-six Mario games are playable as of this article’s release. If you want to know which of the games are the best, look no further.
10. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
A portion of the game's promotional art. (Source: Den of Geeks)
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a remake of New Super Mario Bros. U. The original was released as a launch title for the Wii U. Since the Wii U wasn’t a successful console, Nintendo decided to rerelease the game on the Nintendo Switch.
This game plays the same as the first. It makes for a fun adventure but gets boring when you have been saturated in Mario content.
The greatest difference between the remake and its original release is the expanded roster. Now you can play Toadette and Nabbit. Toadette can transform into Peachette when she encounters the Super Crown. As Peachette, she can float in the air. If you want a challenge, try sticking to Mario as Peachette makes things a little too easy.
9. Super Mario Bros.
Mario jumps over a pile of bricks. (Source: v2ex.com)
Those with a Nintendo Switch Online membership can play the original Super Mario Bros. Little has changed from the game’s debut in 1985.
The game makes Mario travel across eight worlds with four levels. There are underwater levels, underground levels, and ones that take place in the sky. The final level of each world is a brick castle ruled by one of Bowser’s minions.
Reaching the end of the game pits you against the real King Bowser. Once you defeat him, you rescue Princess Peach for the first time in a long series of kidnappings.
8. Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels
Mario strolling through a night level. (Source: GameFAQs)
Fans of games like Super Meat Boy and Celeste will feel at home with the Japanese sequel to the original Super Mario Bros. This game takes the original’s difficulty and lifts it by several percentages.
Many levels contain traps that force Mario to be at his default height. Before reaching those points, you felt proud of your platforming skills as you dodged the Goombas and Koopa Troopas. However, you can never be sure of what comes next until you experience it.
After completing the eighth world eight times and pressing the A button on the title screen, you will make it to World 9. This is the first in a line of secret worlds. Complete the secret worlds for more challenges and the true ending screen.
7. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Captain Toad above a series of floating Goombas. (Source: Den of Geeks)
Nintendo released the original Captain Toad game on the Wii U. They remade the game for the same reasons they remade New Super Mario Bros U. The key difference is its relation to Super Mario Odyssey. Scanning the Wedding amiibo unlocks bonus stages based on Odyssey. The Wii U release had stages based on Super Mario 3D World.
Captain Toad’s levels force you to navigate a cube-shaped maze without jumping. You have access to a camera that rotates 360 degrees. The end of the level contains a star. Completing a level’s puzzles is vital in collecting all of the stars.
The Switch release of Captain Toad also has a multiplayer mode. The second player takes the form of another toad who works on the puzzle with the first player. If you are struggling with the puzzles, consult another player.
6. Super Mario World
Mario rides a flying Yoshi. (Source: Wired)
Super Mario World is one of the Super Nintendo’s defining platformers. It introduced Yoshi, the green dinosaur, to the Mario franchise. When Mario finds him, he can sit on his back and use his tongue to eat enemies and fruit.
One of the game’s many charms is the world map. Dinosaur Land has a lot of secrets to uncover that influence your progression. To name a few, some secrets require you to find a colored switch on the world map. Star Roads lead you to a hidden realm known as Star World. If you want to speedrun the game, these Star Roads will take you closer to Bowser’s Castle.
5. Super Mario Maker 2
The stage creation mode. (Source: imore.com)
Super Mario Maker’s sequel expands upon the first game’s foundation in substantial ways. The greatest addition to this game is easily the multiplayer mode. You can create stages with one other person. Whether online or local, four people can play on one stage together. If you thought New Super Mario Bros could get chaotic, you haven’t seen anything yet.
Along with the first game’s themes, Super Mario Maker 2 adds Super Mario 3D World assets. The Super Bell’s powers provide new opportunities for platforming and design.
Those who love overworlds can make their own with the game’s mapmaker. When you make a detailed map to your liking, it’s almost like you are playing through a Mario game made from your fingertips.
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Super Bell Subway. (Source: Mario Kart Wiki)
Who doesn’t like a fun game of Mario Kart? This rerelease of the Wii U edition of Mario Kart comes with forty-two characters and forty-eight race tracks. Characters from Zelda, Animal Crossing, and Splatoon guest star as playable racers.
If you think 150cc is too easy, then try the 200cc engine class. Cars in this class move at a higher speed than the lower engines. Be sure you have a good handle on your cart when making turns.
People who didn’t like the Wii U’s Battle Mode will prefer the Switch’s return to form. Instead of racing through normal tracks, there are arenas designed just for this mode.
3. Super Mario 3D All-Stars
A photo of the box art. (Source: Best Buy)
To celebrate Mario’s 35th anniversary, Nintendo released three of their 3D adventures in one bundle. Its limited release window spawned a series of memes joking about Mario’s death in March 2021.
Included in this package are Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. While their models haven’t been updated since their original releases, they do have a visual definition supported by the Switch’s hardware.
2. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Mario and Bowser Jr. flee the corrupted Bowser. (Source: pcmag.com)
Super Mario 3D World’s rerelease on the Switch comes with a variety of gameplay differences. For one, the characters move much faster than they did in the first edition. They can now roll like Mario in Odyssey. Since Miiverse no longer exists, the Stamps you collect now serve as decorations for pictures in Snapshot Mode.
A new campaign mode, Bowser’s Fury, is the greatest addition to the rerelease. Mario finds a portal to Lake Lapcat and encounters a corrupted Bowser. Bowser Jr. explains that he was the one who transformed Bowser. Together, they must end Fury Bowser if they hope to live another day.
Similar to Super Mario Sunshine, collecting Cat Shines grants power to its respective lighthouse. The more Shines you find, the greater its purifying effects will prevail against the darkness.
1. Super Mario Odyssey
Mario jaywalks in New Donk City (Source: GQ)
Super Mario Odyssey is a love letter to fans of 3D Mario. It combines the world map of the 3DS and Wii U games with the open-world exploration of 64 and Sunshine.
The game’s premise is simple. Bowser steals Princess Peach yet again. But this time, he is getting married to her. Bowser flings Mario far away as he flies off with the princess.
In a distant land, Mario encounters a ghostlike being known as Cappy. He helps Mario find Bowser since his sister, Tiara, was captured. Bowser is using her to make the perfect wedding crown for the princess. Cappy becomes Mario’s new hair as he begins his adventure.
Cappy serves many purposes while exploring. He can provide vertical momentum when Mario jumps on him. Smaller enemies get moved down by Cappy’s cylindrical force. The most unique function Cappy boasts is his possession capacity. Given the right target, Cappy can possess entities and embed them with Mario’s soul. When Cappy and Mario take over a body, you can use it to solve puzzles and battle enemies.
