Since Super Mario Bros. was released on the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Mario franchise has become one of the most influential in gaming. Nintendo’s success with Mario created rivalries from other companies. Moreover, even Nintendo tools with the platforming formula that made Mario famous. Here is a list of ten games similar to Mario.
10. Glover
Glover approaches a swinging, blue bird. (Source: Video Game Museum)
Interactive Studios, a British game developer, took a shot at making a viable 3D platformer with Glover. It was released on the N64, PSX, and Windows from 1998 to 1999.
The plot involves a wizard king who rules the Crystal Kingdom from his castle. Seven crystals provide his land with magical power. Two gloves help him brew potions in his cauldron. The game begins when an explosive potion combination causes him to turn to stone.
The left glove, Glovel, is overpowered by the cauldron’s power and turns into a brown, raggedy villain. The right glove, Glover, becomes your avatar in the quest to save the Kingdom from Glovel and to heal the kingdom’s magic.
As the player, you venture across many themed levels by bouncing a star-colored ball. Garibs litter the ground and count toward your 100% completion.
This game is an interesting spin on the 3D platformer genre made popular in the late ’90s. However, it suffers from a stiff camera. Moving on floating platforms becomes much harder than it should be when the camera works against you.
The bosses also feel uninspired. You won’t struggle against them - not even the final boss.
9. The Legendary Starfy
Starfy in an ice level. (Source: Nintendo Life)
The Starfy game released in the West is the fifth in the series. The rest of the Starfy games were only released in Japan. Knowing this helps to explain the references to Starfy’s past in the later levels.
Starfy is the prince of Pufftop Palace, a kingdom resting in the clouds. One day, an alien bunny with amnesia crashes into the palace. Three shadows chase the bunny as Starfy goes to investigate. Starfy and his clam friend, Moe, spend the rest of the game in pursuit of the three shadows. The alien bunny joins them as he recovers his memories.
This game’s point of view is in 2D. Controlling Starfy mainly revolves around swimming through water. Instead of Mario’s swimming physics, Starfy glides through the water. His swimming animation resembles flying. You can attack enemies using your spin attack. Using this too many times in a row leaves you dizzy for five seconds.
The more treasures you collect, the more options you have for dressing up Starfy on the pause menu. Though he can’t wear his clothes during normal play, he does look adorable as he sways from side to side.
This game’s difficulty leaves a lot to be desired. Until you reach the endgame, you won’t even break a single drop of sweat.
8. Pac-Man World
Pac-Man travels along a wooden pathway. (Source: Game Fabrique)
Pac-Man World was the twentieth-anniversary celebration of Pac-Man and his cultural impact. It is a 3D platformer whose level design is similar to Super Mario 3D Land. Each level has a bunch of fruit, letters, and dots for the player to collect. Finding everything in a level unlocks a bonus stage.
Simply put, Pac-Man’s twentieth birthday has been thwarted by the ghosts. They kidnapped his friends and brought them to Ghost Island. His objective is to free them from the ghosts’ clutches.
The game’s first world is fun for about thirty minutes. However, the levels get tedious due to the movement glitches and backtracking. When the game’s honeymoon phase wears off, playing through the game feels like a chore. But if you are looking for a good 3D platformer to add to your roster, Pac-Man World is an option.
7. Donkey Kong Country
Diddy and Donkey swim in the ocean. (Source: Polygon)
Besides Super Mario World, Nintendo published another 2D platformer on the Super Nintendo whose legacy has stood the test of time. No Super Nintendo collection is complete without Donkey Kong Country.
The game’s premise is simple. While the Kongs enjoy life on their island, a pirate named King K. Rool steals their banana supply. Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong then venture to save their precious bananas.
The sprite work has a depth uncommon to most SNES platformers. This can be attributed to the young, driven team at Rare. They were new to the gaming industry and wanted to flex their muscles.
Each of the forty levels has a series of obstacles to overcome. The game is regarded as one of the more challenging platformers of its time. It is important to mention that the difficulty increases as Donkey Kong progresses.
The icing on this game’s cake is the wonderful soundtrack. When you get the chance, try playing some of your favorites as you read a book or type away at the office. Aquatic Ambience has a calming effect good for many occasions.
6. Luigi’s Mansion
Luigi answers an eerie phone. (Source: Cubed3)
This has to be the most “Mario-esque” on the list so far. The main character is Mario’s younger brother. Luigi’s Mansion was Gamecube’s launch title in every region the console was sold.
Luigi stumbles upon a mysterious mansion. He meets Professor E. Gadd, who says that the mansion came out of nowhere. Inside the mansion lies a swarm of ghosts, including Mario’s captors. Using a vacuum (Poltergust 3000), Luigi struggles against his fear of ghosts to find his missing brother.
Though the game centers around one mansion, the mansion is split into areas. For the most part, each floor of the mansion roughly equates to one area. However, there are exceptions to this.
If you want the best ending, focus on grabbing as much money as you can find. The more money you have at the end of the game, the bigger Luigi’s house becomes.
Though the game is short and easy, it makes for a great afternoon experience.
5. Mega Man
Fire Man's Stage. (Source: Moby Games)
Mega Man follows an advanced robot, Mega Man, as he follows orders from Dr. Light. In this version of the early 21st, robots serve humanity in everyday life. So when Dr. Wily takes control of Light’s creations, he sends Mega Man to defeat the rogue robots and Dr. Wily.
Before entering Wily’s castle, Mega Man must defeat all six Robot Masters in their respective stages. The stage order is up to the player. With each Robot Master defeated, Mega Man gains a new power.
Each Robot Master has a weakness that corresponds to a specific Robot Master weapon. Part of Mega Man’s experimentation involves figuring out what ability deals the most damage to a boss.
For those looking for a harder game, you are looking in the right place. The Yellow Devil is one of the hardest bosses from the NES platformer era. Be aware that death is inevitable in this game.
Some might say that it adds to the difficulty. However, the rigid controls in this game make it harder than it needs to be.
4. Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Star's title screen. (Source: Moby Games)
Kirby Super Star is another premiere SNES game to make it to this list. The gameplay focuses on several minigames accessible through the main menu. Each minigame has its objective and story. They all have one thing in common - Kirby!
Kirby is a pink, round alien who can inflate himself like a balloon. He can also suck in enemies. Pressing the downward direction makes Kirby eat whatever is in his mouth. Depending on his intake, he can absorb enemy abilities.
Extra enemy abilities can be turned into CPU partners. If you need an extra fighter during a boss encounter, rely on your partners.
The difficulty isn’t too great but it has a nicer balance than that of Starfy and Luigi’s Mansion.
3. Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic is thrust upward in Star Light Zone. (Source: Sonic Wiki)
During the ’90s, kids from around the world debated which video game mascot was the best. Those who liked Nintendo preferred Mario. Nintendo’s rival at the time was none other than Sega. Their flagship character was - and is - Sonic the Hedgehog.
While Mario prioritizes exploration, Sonic the Hedgehog encourages the player to run as fast as they can through the level. Instead of coins, Sonic collects rings. Collect enough rings at the end of an act and you will find a massive ring that transports you to a minigame room. Beating six minigame rooms in one save file unlocks the good ending.
2. Metroid Dread
Samus races through Artaria. (Source: Nintendo Everything)
Metroid Dread was thought to be dead for over fifteen years. But when Nintendo revealed that the game was nearing completion, the Internet erupted.
The 2D Metroid games focus on Samus Aran as she scouts areas for her objectives. In this game, she lands on the planet ZDR. She fights a Chozo named Raven Beak, who grabs her face while chanting in his native language. She undergoes physical amnesia as she tries to return to her ship above ground.
A combination of great level design and atmospheric soundtrack make for a great experience. The game invites exploration and creativity. For those looking to speedrun, many in the community have discovered sequence breaks that the developers designed special animations for the creative player.
1. Banjo-Kazooie
Here lies a Jiggie high above Click Clock Wood. (Source: Strategy Wiki)
Banjo-Kazooie is one of the best 3D platformers of its time. Each level feels inspired and welcoming to exploration. A sense of joy ignites once the player finds another jigsaw piece or Jinjo.
Banjo’s sister, Tootie, has been kidnapped by an ugly witch named Gruntilda. Gruntilda envies Tootie’s beauty. She and Klungo build a giant machine to drain Tootie of her best features. Banjo and Kazooie’s first adventure begins when they set out to rescue Tootie.
The game’s hub world is Gruntilda’s Lair. It provides doors to other worlds for you to explore. As you collect golden jigsaw pieces, you unlock more sections of the lair. The final confrontation with Gruntilda is atop the statue’s pointed hat.
For those looking to collect, this game doesn’t disappoint. Each level is full of music notes, Jiggies, Jinjos, and extra lives. Those who collect everything are rewarded by the end of the game.
