The best Mario games on Switch are the bread and butter of Nintendo’s iconic hybrid console, and there’s honestly one for everyone. From racing games to RPGs, our favorite mustachioed plumber has gone on all sorts of adventures in the Switch’s lifetime, and we’re here to highlight the best of the best in this guide.
If you’re more of a party person, be sure to check out our guide to the best Mario Party games. We’ve got a heap of other Mario content, too, including a list of all Mario characters (and our top ten favorites), the best Mario Lego sets, and speculation on the next new Mario game. Yahoo!
Here are the best Mario games on Switch.
Super Mario RPG
As one of Nintendo’s most requested remakes, it’s no surprise that Super Mario RPG has earned a spot on our list of the best Mario games. This utterly charming little gem delivers a finely tuned re-imagining of the original, while also introducing some welcome updates to bring it up to modern standard.
Super Mario RPG is the product of a collaboration between Nintendo and Square all the way back in 1996, and resulted in a cherished experience that sees Mario take his first foray into the world of turn-based battles.
The remake artfully breathes new life into the original, introducing fresh ideas to the battle system while still offering a faithful, like-for-like upgrade with enhancements to the gameplay, graphics, and sound. It’s a lot of fun, and we’re sure it’ll be a real crowd-pleaser among new and returning fans alike. If you want to know more, you can check out our Super Mario RPG review, where we give it a whopping 9/10.
Super Mario Odyssey
The one that capped off the Nintendo Switch’s now-legendary launch year, Super Mario Odyssey is 3D Mario at its finest. With Mario’s new magical buddy Cappy, you go on an adventure inhabiting the beings of various creatures and machines on a planet-hopping… Odyssey. And it’s a damn good one.
If you’re just getting started, we’ve got a Mario Odyssey amiibo guide to give you a hand. We’ve also got some Super Mario Odyssey 2 release date speculations, though Nintendo’s yet to give us any solid answers yet.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Few games are so strong that they can live on multiple consoles successfully, let alone continue selling for eight years. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is just that. The culmination of many years of tweaking, this could fairly be considered the perfect Mario Kart game. Audiences think so too, with more than fifty million copies sold – that makes it the seventh best-selling game of all time. Wowza.
If you want some more info on this chart-topping game, we’ve got guides to all Mario Kart characters and the best Mario Kart tracks. We’ve also got a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Booster Course review, so you can get to grips with the game in all its glory.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Ignoring all the weird limited sales window nonsense that went on, Super Mario 3D All-Stars is an absolute dream. Two of the best platformers ever made and Mario Sunshine are all available on the go or on the big screen. Dreamy stuff, as you can see in our Super Mario 3D All-Stars review.
Unfortunately, it’s pretty hard to get a copy these days (unless you’re willing to pay a very premium price). But, if you do, you’re sure to have a great time reliving the glory days.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
“What, Mario has a gun?” If you’re anything like us, that’s what you probably said when you saw Mario with a gun. In a weird turn of events, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle started as a dream of Davide Soliani’s, one that eventually became a reality and brought him to tears at E3.
It’s a heartwarming story, worth looking up for all the lovely details. The result is Mario crossed with XCOM with some Rabbids in it. And it’s very, very good, unlike most XCOM copycats.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Another ace mainline Mario game, Super Mario 3D World is a bit of a black sheep in the family. Somewhere in between 2D Mario and full-fat, camera-controlling 3D Mario, it’s hard to categorize it. It isn’t hard to enjoy though, as it features some of the best platforming we’ve had the pleasure of enjoying.
The addition of Bowser’s Fury with the Switch re-release is another amazing surprise, showing what wonderful ideas may be in future Mario titles. All in all, it’s plenty of fun for everyone.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
This one always confuses me. Paper Mario: The Origami King came out to reviews that were . . . just fine. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s one of the best Mario games out there (and almost definitely the best Paper Mario game).
It features hilarious writing, great and simple RPG mechanics, an inventive battle system, and a gorgeous art style – there’s very little to dislike in this game.
Super Mario Maker 2
One of the best 2D Mario games ever, Super Mario Maker realised many people’s dreams. It gives you the keys to Nintendo’s oldest but most expensive car, letting you create your own 2D Mario levels. Super Mario Maker 2 perfected it, if only slightly, and the audience that built around it has since created some of the most exciting and ridiculous 2D Mario levels ever.
Super Mario All-Stars
The actual best 2D Mario game is Super Mario Bros. 3, so, of course, it has to have a place on this list. Super Mario All-Stars bundles together Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, and 3, as well The Lost Levels. All in all, it has such a large amount of Mario’s foundational elements that it is a must-play for any fan. It’s also really fun, which helps a lot.
And those are our top picks for the best Mario games on Switch. Honestly, I could keep going forever, but we’ve gotta stop this list somewhere! While your here, be sure to check out our lists of the best Nintendo Switch games and the best mobile games overall for more portable fun.