Best Mario Games On Nintendo Switch

Hey guys! So, you've got a Nintendo Switch and you're wondering, "What are the absolute best Mario games I can dive into right now?" You've come to the right place! Nintendo's iconic plumber has graced the Switch with some absolute gems, offering everything from mind-bending puzzles to epic adventures. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the Mushroom Kingdom, choosing your next Mario quest can be tough with so many amazing options. We're going to break down the top contenders, focusing on what makes each one a must-play. Get ready to jump, stomp, and power-up your way through some of the most beloved titles in gaming history. We're talking about games that not only define the Mario franchise but also showcase the incredible versatility and fun of the Nintendo Switch itself. So grab your Joy-Cons, settle in, and let's find your next favorite Mario adventure!

Super Mario Odyssey: The King of 3D Platforming

When it comes to 3D Mario games on the Switch, Super Mario Odyssey is undeniably the crown jewel. This game is an absolute masterpiece, guys, and it's a must-have for any Switch owner. From the moment you start, you're thrown into a vibrant, expansive world that's bursting with creativity and charm. Unlike previous 3D Mario titles that often focused on linear progression through distinct levels, Odyssey offers huge, open-ended kingdoms begging to be explored. Each kingdom is a playground filled with secrets, challenges, and unique characters. The core gameplay mechanic revolves around Mario's new companion, Cappy, a sentient hat that can be thrown to capture enemies and objects, turning them into playable characters with their own abilities. This 'capture' mechanic adds an incredible layer of depth and variety to the platforming, allowing you to solve puzzles and traverse environments in ways you never thought possible. You could be controlling a T-Rex one minute and a sentient electrical wire the next! The sheer amount of collectible Power Moons is staggering, and finding them is half the fun. They're scattered everywhere, from obvious spots to cleverly hidden nooks, rewarding exploration and experimentation. The game is also incredibly accessible, with a 'Guide Mode' for newer players and a host of optional challenges for seasoned pros. The platforming itself is as tight and responsive as you'd expect from a Mario game, but Odyssey adds so much more. There are tons of creative boss fights, quirky mini-games, and delightful nods to Mario's past. The visual design is stunning, with each kingdom boasting a distinct art style and theme, from bustling cityscapes to lush jungles and even a food-themed world. The soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring catchy tunes that perfectly complement the on-screen action. Super Mario Odyssey isn't just a game; it's an experience. It's a celebration of Mario's legacy, packed with pure, unadulterated joy and innovation. If you're looking for the pinnacle of 3D platforming on the Switch, this is it. You'll lose hours exploring its delightful worlds and discovering all the secrets it holds. It's the kind of game that reminds you why you fell in love with video games in the first place.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: The Definitive Kart Racer

Alright, let's talk about multiplayer madness on the Switch, and you can't discuss that without mentioning Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Seriously, if you have friends or family over, or even just want to hop online for some chaotic fun, this is the game you need. It's the definitive version of Mario Kart 8, packing in all the DLC from the original Wii U version and adding some neat extras. What makes it so great? First off, the sheer amount of content is insane. You get a massive roster of characters, from Mario and Luigi to fan favorites like Link and the Inklings. Then there are the karts, bikes, and ATVs you can customize with different wheels, gliders, and bodies. But the real stars are the tracks. There are over 48 courses to race on, including classics from previous Mario Kart games and brand-new, imaginative designs. We're talking about anti-gravity sections that let you race on walls and ceilings, underwater segments, and courses that change dynamically as you race. The visual presentation is top-notch; it's incredibly colorful, vibrant, and runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, even in local multiplayer. The gameplay is classic Mario Kart: easy to pick up, but with enough depth for competitive players. Item balancing is generally good, meaning that even if you're in last place, you still have a chance to catch up with a well-timed Star or Lightning Bolt – which can be both thrilling and infuriating, let's be honest! The Deluxe version also adds a refined Battle Mode, which includes new modes like Balloon Battle and Renegade Roundup, and new arenas, making it much more engaging than previous iterations. Whether you're playing solo in Grand Prix or Time Trials, or jumping into frenetic online races with up to 12 players, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers endless replayability. It's the perfect party game, the ultimate way to settle friendly rivalries, and just plain fun. You'll be shouting at the screen, cheering for comebacks, and cursing those blue shells. It’s an absolute essential for any Switch owner who enjoys a good race, especially with friends. Trust me, this one gets a lot of playtime in my house!

Super Mario Bros. Wonder: A Bold Leap for 2D Mario

For the fans of classic 2D Mario games, get ready for something truly special with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. This game is a breath of fresh air, guys, and it’s shaking up the formula in the most exciting ways possible. Nintendo really went all out to make this feel fresh and surprising, and they absolutely nailed it. The core of the game is still that familiar, satisfying 2D platforming that we all love – precise controls, challenging jumps, and Goombas to stomp. But what sets Wonder apart are the Wonder Flowers. These magical items, when collected, completely transform the level you're playing in unpredictable and delightful ways. One minute you could be running normally, the next the screen might flip upside down, your character might turn into a mole, or the entire world could shift into a musical number! It's this element of surprise that makes every level feel unique and exciting. You never know what's coming next, and that sense of wonder is genuinely captivating. Plus, the game introduces new power-ups like the Elephant Fruit, which lets Mario swing his trunk around and spray water, and the Bubble Flower, which allows you to create floating bubbles to trap enemies or create platforms. The visuals are also a huge step up for 2D Mario. The animation is incredibly fluid and expressive, giving characters a lot of personality. The environments are vibrant and detailed, packed with charming animations and effects that react to the Wonder Flowers. Another fantastic addition is the ability to play as different characters, including Yoshi and even characters like Daisy and Wario, each with slightly different abilities. Super Mario Bros. Wonder also features a more open level design, with multiple paths and secrets to discover within each stage, encouraging exploration and replayability. You can even collect special Wonder Seeds to unlock new paths on the overworld map. It supports up to four-player online and local co-op, making it a blast to play with friends, navigating the wacky transformations together. This game is a testament to Nintendo's ability to innovate within a beloved franchise. It respects the legacy of 2D Mario while fearlessly pushing boundaries. If you want a 2D Mario experience that feels both comfortably familiar and astonishingly new, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an absolute must-play. It's packed with creativity, charm, and pure, joyful fun.

Luigi's Mansion 3: Spooky, Charming, and Deeply Satisfying

Now, if you're looking for something a bit different, maybe a little spooky but still undeniably charming, then Luigi's Mansion 3 is a phenomenal choice. This game takes Luigi, our lovable green-clad hero, and puts him in a haunted hotel, and boy, does it deliver. The premise is simple: Luigi needs to rescue Mario and his friends who have been trapped by the ghostly hotel owner. Armed with his Poltergust vacuum cleaner, Luigi must capture ghosts, solve puzzles, and explore the hotel floor by floor. What makes this game so special is its incredible atmosphere and attention to detail. Each floor of the hotel has a unique theme – a medieval castle, a tropical resort, a high-tech laboratory, a museum, and so on – and they are all designed with such creativity and flair. The visual fidelity is stunning; the lighting, the textures, the ghost designs – everything looks polished and beautiful on the Switch. Gameplay-wise, it's a brilliant mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and action. The Poltergust G-00 is your main tool, allowing you to suck up ghosts, slam them around, and then capture them. You also get the 'Jerk' ability, which lets you blast air to stun ghosts or interact with the environment. New to this installment is the Gooigi, a gooey clone of Luigi that can pass through grates and spikes, adding a whole new dimension to puzzles, especially in co-op. The puzzles are cleverly integrated into the environment, requiring you to use Luigi's abilities and the Poltergust in smart ways to progress. You'll be manipulating objects, finding hidden keys, and figuring out how to deal with different types of spectral baddies. The boss fights against the hotel's spectral staff are particularly memorable and challenging, requiring you to learn their patterns and exploit their weaknesses. Beyond the main story, Luigi's Mansion 3 offers fantastic multiplayer modes. ScareScraper allows up to eight players (locally or online) to team up and clear ghost-filled floors, while ScreamPark offers competitive mini-games. The single-player campaign is long enough to feel substantial, but never overstays its welcome, offering a satisfying progression. It’s a game that oozes charm, from Luigi's comical animations and nervous exclamations to the quirky personalities of the ghosts. If you want a game that's visually impressive, full of clever puzzles, and genuinely fun to play, Luigi's Mansion 3 is an absolute winner. It’s perfect for players of all ages who enjoy a good adventure with a touch of the supernatural.

Super Mario Maker 2: Unleash Your Inner Game Designer

For the creative minds out there, or anyone who's ever dreamed of building their own Mario levels, Super Mario Maker 2 is an absolute game-changer. This title takes the brilliant concept of its predecessor and dials it up to eleven, guys. It's not just about playing Mario games; it's about creating and sharing your own unique Mario experiences. The core appeal, of course, is the level editor. Nintendo has provided an incredibly robust and intuitive set of tools that allow you to build virtually any 2D Mario level you can imagine. You can choose from various game styles, including the classic Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. U, and even the original Super Mario 3D World style, each offering unique assets and physics. The sheer number of enemies, power-ups, items, and environmental elements you can place is astounding. You can craft challenging platforming gauntlets, puzzle-filled dungeons, or even wildly creative levels that defy traditional Mario logic. The introduction of slopes, Angry Sun, Link as a playable character (with his sword and bombs!), and the sheer breadth of customization options make this iteration far superior to the first. Super Mario Maker 2 also significantly improved the single-player component with the addition of a full story mode. Here, you play through over 100 levels designed by Nintendo, which serve as both a fun campaign and a fantastic tutorial for learning the ins and outs of the creation tools. But the real magic happens when you connect online. You can upload your own creations for the world to play, and crucially, download and play an almost infinite supply of levels created by other players. The community is incredibly active, constantly churning out ingenious, hilarious, and downright brutal levels. You can search for levels based on difficulty, tags, or popularity, ensuring you'll always find something new to tackle. The game also features online multiplayer modes, including co-op and competitive play for up to four players directly within user-created levels, which can lead to some incredibly chaotic and fun sessions. While the online features had some hiccups at launch, they've been greatly improved, making it easier than ever to share and discover levels. Super Mario Maker 2 is more than just a game; it's a platform for boundless creativity. It empowers players to become game designers and provides an endless stream of content for those who love to play. If you have a creative spark or just love the classic 2D Mario gameplay, this is an essential title.

Conclusion: Which Mario Adventure Will You Choose?

So there you have it, guys! We've covered some of the absolute best Mario games available on the Nintendo Switch, each offering a unique and fantastic experience. Whether you crave the boundless exploration of Super Mario Odyssey, the competitive chaos of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the innovative twists of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the spooky charm of Luigi's Mansion 3, or the creative freedom of Super Mario Maker 2, there's a Mario game out there for everyone. Nintendo truly knows how to deliver quality and fun, and these titles are prime examples. Each of these games showcases the versatility of the Switch and the enduring appeal of its most famous mascot. Pick the one that calls to you the most, or honestly, just start collecting them all – you can't go wrong! Happy gaming, and may your jumps always be precise and your power-ups plentiful!