The 7 Best Mario Games for Switch

Nintendo’s loveable mascot has had many, many adventures over the years. 2023 has been a boom year for the portly plumber, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie becoming the second-highest grossing animated film ever, and two new Nintendo Switch games carrying us into the holiday season. But just because they’re new, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better. Here’s our picks for the seven best Mario games on Nintendo Switch.

By the end of the Nintendo Switch’s console lifespan, there will be over 20 Mario games available for the console. Beginning way back in 2017, we’ve seen two or three new Mario titles released every year. These range from the traditional platform games to sports games, RPGs, party games and everything in between. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has consistently been one of the console’s best sellers, despite now being six years old. And even then, it was a simple repackaging of the Wii U game.

Oddities such as the Mario + Rabbids games, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit and spin-off Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker have also made great waves. And in 2024, we have three more titles confirmed for the console.

All Mario Games for Nintendo Switch

Here’s the complete list of all Mario games currently available for the Nintendo Switch. As well as those confirmed for release in 2024. Note, we’re limiting this feature to games available both digitally and at physical retail. If we included digital-only titles as well, the list would be near-endless…

The 7 Best Mario Games for Switch

So, from that impressive list, it’s time to boil it down. Seven unique games. The seven best Mario games for the Nintendo Switch. Honorable mentions need to be thrown out to the innovative AR title Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit and the family favourite New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. As great as these and numerous other Mario games are, we couldn’t include them all!

Below you’ll find our top picks for the seven best Mario games on Nintendo Switch. If we missed out your favourite, let us know in the comments below!

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

One of the new boys on the block, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is Nintendo’s 2023 effort to attract casual gamers. It’s wholeheartedly a game designed to appeal to both Mario fans and less committed players. The perfect game for introducing gran to gaming this holiday season. What’s more, it’s been very well received by critics. Is there any wonder that Super Mario Bros. Wonder made it onto the list?

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

Hey! You got X-COM in my Mario! Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was a surprise collaboration between Ubisoft and Nintendo. Giving Mario a gun for the first time, this is an accessible strategy game. Players take turns to move and shoot their small team of heroes, against an evil force of corrupted Rabbids. It’s simple to learn and a great 20+ hours of strategy gaming. Sadly, the sequel, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope couldn’t quite live up to the standard of the original.

Super Mario Odyssey

The first true Mario platform game released on the Nintendo Switch remains one of the best. Super Mario Odyssey took the rules established way back in 1996 with Super Mario 64 and pushed them further than ever before. New worlds, new abilities, cunning challenges and side missions. All wrapped up with a gorgeous cartoony aesthetic. Super Mario Odyssey is peak 3D Mario platforming.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

As stated above, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains one of the Nintendo Switch’s best-selling games. Despite being released way back in 2017, there’s no shying away from the appeal of Mario Kart. Couple that with continued support in the way of the Booster Course Pass, and it’s no wonder fans are still buying the game in droves. It may not be the best Mario Kart game ever, but Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still a reliably fun time.

If you’re a fan of the game, don’t forget to check out our best karts in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe guide!

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Super Mario 3D World was another title that was originally released on Wii U. The gameplay is similar to previous Mario 3D games, with players progressing through levels to reach Bowser. Up to four players can play simultaneously, each taking on a different character.

To sweeten the deal of this Wii U port, Nintendo included a new game in the package. In Bowser’s Fury, the player controls Mario and collects items to dispel a black sludge that is infecting the land, to free Bowser from its control. The Bowser’s Fury gameplay is based on Super Mario 3D World, but is a nice little addition regardless.

Super Mario RPG

The newest title on the list, Super Mario RPG is also the oldest. It’s a remake of a Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) game that never made it to Europe. As such, for those of us in European countries this could well be our first opportunity to play the classic title.

Super Mario RPG is the game that laid the groundwork for both the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi game series. It’s a comedic, turn-based adventure game that sees Mario taking on traditional RPG tropes. Level-up, gain new weapons, fight the bad guys. And have a great time doing it.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

An oddity of sorts. Super Mario 3D All-Stars was (supposedly) a limited time release. The compilation was intended to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Nintendo’s Super Mario franchise. The package offers HD ports of Super Mario 64 (1996), Super Mario Sunshine (2002), and Super Mario Galaxy (2007). All three titles are considered fantastic 3D platformers. Though Super Mario Sunshine received a bit of criticism upon its initial release, it has since been considered a classic of the era. Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy meanwhile, are widely considered two of the best titles the genre has to offer.

Now, referring to that ‘supposedly’. The compilation was released on 18th September 18, 2020. It was only available digitally until 31st March, 2021, when it was discontinued and removed from the Nintendo eShop. Exactly why Nintendo made this decision is unknown. However, the publisher has been accused of attempting to create artificial scarcity, inspiring FOMO amongst Mario fans. A questionable tactic, but the compilation is still widely available on cartridge. Albeit at inflated prices.

How do you feel about our choices? After the success of Super Mario RPG, do you think there are any other classic Mario games that should be remade for Nintendo Switch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!