12 Best Mario Games in 2026: Top Titles You Need to Play
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This list is regularly updated to match what’s trending and in-demand among gamers.
When we talk about the best Mario games, we’re looking into decades of pure gaming joy – from classic side-scrollers to full-blown open-world adventures. Among the modern titles, the Mario Switch games have truly revitalized the series, with him jumping, power-upping, and saving the day since the ‘80s.
Over the years, Mario’s been in hundreds of games, starred in TV shows, and even made it to the big screen with the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie. Our favorite Italian plumber is still going strong, with more Mario Switch games in the pipeline and no signs of slowing down.
But let’s be real, what keeps us coming back are those unforgettable platformers. Coming off the back of Mario‘s 40th anniversary celebrations, there’s no better time to look back at his greatest hits.
So we sat down, had a few arguments, relived some epic levels, and finally narrowed it down. Here’s our handpicked list of the 12 best Mario games of all time, focusing heavily on the best Mario games for Switch, which are also often considered some of the best Nintendo games, the ones that truly capture the magic of Nintendo’s mustachioed hero.
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Our Top Picks for Mario Games
The Mario Switch games stand out for their polished gameplay, creative level design, and timeless fun, putting them amongst the best Nintendo games of all time. For those looking for the best party games Switch, these titles showcase Nintendo’s ability to blend innovation with classic platforming and multiplayer. Let’s see a few games that make the top three category.
- Super Mario Odyssey (2017) – A groundbreaking 3D platformer with inventive hat mechanics and an expansive Super Mario world, a highlight among the modern Mario Switch games.
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (2019) – Brings classic 2D Mario platforming action to the Switch, featuring enhanced visuals and multiplayer fun for up to four players. One of the great Mario Switch games. For those looking for the best party games Switch has, this is a great option.
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023) – Introduces the innovative Wonder Flower mechanic, which radically transforms gameplay in unexpected ways.
Ready to see more? Scroll down to check out the full list of the best Mario games for Switch and find out how many Mario games stood the test of time.
12 Best Mario Games You Need to Keep on Your Radar
Mario games are the gold standard. For nearly 40 years, Nintendo has been fine-tuning the magic. This includes the collection of some of the best Mario games for Switch. They deliver video games packed with tight controls, iconic level design, and a ton of charm, like Yoshi games, or even some arcade game titles.
The titles we’re about to show you aren’t just fan favorites; they’ve raised the bar for the whole genre. We especially highlight the best Mario games for Switch. So if you’re looking for the best Nintendo Switch games, specifically the Super Mario Switch games, to get into or rediscover, this list is where the real adventure begins.
Let’s-a go!
1. Super Mario Odyssey [Best Super Mario Game Overall]
| Our score | Enebameter 10/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2017 |
| Developer | Nintendo EPD |
| Genre | 3D Platformer |
| Best for | Fans of open-world games and 3D platformers |
| Unique features | Innovative hat mechanic, vibrant worlds, seamless gameplay |
Super Mario Odyssey brought our favorite plumber into the new generation of fantastic open-world games, and is widely regarded as one of the best Nintendo games. Mario was sent on a globe-trotting adventure that felt fresh yet very familiar. The standout feature? Mario’s new hat, Cappy, lets him possess objects and enemies in this Super Mario land. This makes Odyssey a must-play among the Super Mario Switch games.
But what really makes Super Mario Odyssey shine is its great game feel. Not since Mario 64 has a 3D platformer played this smoothly while looking so stunning.
My Verdict: The hat-toss mechanic alone puts this at the top of the Super Mario Switch games pile. If you only play one Mario title on Switch, make it Super Mario Odyssey.
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2. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe [Best 2D Side-Scrolling Mario Game for Switch]
| Our score | Enebameter 9.8/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2019 |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Genre | 2D Platformer |
| Best for | Family-friendly multiplayer fun and classic 2D platforming action |
| Unique features | New Super Luigi U expansion, multiple playable characters, and local multiplayer for up to four players |
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a fresh spin on classic Mario side-scrolling fun! It’s one of the best 2D Super Mario Switch games, solidifying its place among the best Nintendo games. In this upgraded adventure, you’ll join Mario, Luigi, and pals as they dash, bounce, and wall-jump their way through over 160 colorful levels.
The game also packs in the New Super Luigi U expansion, offering an extra challenge with trickier levels and faster gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned platformer pro or just love goofing around with pals, this game promises heaps of laughs and classic Mushroom Kingdom charm.
My Verdict: Four-player couch chaos meets some of the tightest 2D level design in the series – New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is the go-to for family game night.
What do players say?
3. Super Mario Bros. Wonder [Best 2D Platformer Innovation]
| Our score | Enebameter 9.6/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2023 |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Genre | 2D Platformer |
| Best for | Fans of 2D platforming and creative visuals |
| Unique features | Wonder Effects, shifting foreground/background mechanics |
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the first brand-new 2D Mario game in over a decade to break from the “New Super Mario Bros.” formula, and one of the best Super Mario Switch games I’ve come back to more than once. Grab a Wonder Flower and the level reshapes itself – Warp Pipes slither to life, enemy hordes flood the screen, stages tilt into something new. The Elephant Fruit, Bubble Flower, and a fully customizable badge system add even more ways to play, while Talking Flowers scattered through each course keep things light.
Bring up to four friends on one Switch or race rivals online, and it earns the highest Metacritic score of any 2D Mario in nearly twenty years – placing it firmly among the best Mario games for Switch.
My Verdict: If you want a 2D platformer that surprises you at every turn, this is the easy pick, whether you’re playing solo or wrangling three friends on the couch. That range is exactly why Super Mario Bros. Wonder stands out among the best Super Mario Switch games.
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4. Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 [Best 3D Platformers of the Wii Era]
| Our score | Enebameter 9.4/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Wii, Switch |
| Year of release | 2007, 2010 |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Genre | 3D Platformer |
| Best for | Fans of 3D platformers and gravity-defying mechanics |
| Unique features | Revolutionary 3D gravity system, cosmic level design |
The Super Mario Galaxy series, especially in its re-released form, is among the essential Mario Switch games and one of the best Nintendo games, redefined 3D platforming by introducing revolutionary gravity-defying gameplay as Mario leaps across the cosmos to save Princess Peach. Every small planet and unique celestial body offers new mechanics that keep the experience fresh and exciting, even years after its original release.
These mechanics often involve Mario running around spherical worlds and navigating inverted gravity fields, forcing players to constantly adapt to the ever-shifting perspective. The sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2, built upon this foundation by integrating Yoshi and refining the overall structure to prioritize immediate, brilliant level design over extensive hub-world exploration.
This dedication to innovative stage design cemented Galaxy 2 as a masterful sequel and a high point in the 3D Mario lineage. Widely hailed with a high Metascore, the Switch version of this title is the perfect way to catch up on one of the greatest 3D platformers ever made, cementing its status as one of the best Mario games for Switch and one of the best Nintendo games.
My Verdict: Gravity-defying level design that still holds up perfectly on Switch. Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 belongs in the library of anyone who loves a bold 3D platformer.
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5. Super Mario 3D World [Best Multiplayer Mario Game for Wii U & Switch]
| Our score | Enebameter 9.2/10
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| Platforms | Wii U, Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2013 (Wii U), 2021 (Switch) |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Genre | 3D Platformer |
| Best for | Fans of cooperative multiplayer and creative platforming, making it one of the best party games Switch has. |
| Unique features | Multiplayer co-op, cat suit power-up, Double Cherry cloning mechanic |
Not only is Super Mario 3D World one of the very best games on the Wii U, but the updated Switch version remains one of the greatest Mario Switch games and one of Mario’s greatest adventures. The enhanced Switch port makes it one of the must-play Super Mario Switch games. Building on the diorama feel of Super Mario 3D Land, it offers bigger stages, cool puzzles, and constantly changing aesthetics that keep things fresh.
Playing with up to three friends turns this into one of the best multiplayer experiences in the series. Plus, classic power-ups return alongside new favorites, like the iconic cat Mario suit and the mind-blowing Double Cherry that clones your character.
Once you’ve tried it, your Mario adventures will never feel the same.
My Verdict: The cat suit, the Double Cherry, and up to four players on one screen – Super Mario 3D World is the best reason to drag friends to the couch.
What do players say?
6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [Best Super Mario Kart Game for Nintendo Switch]
| Our score | Enebameter 9.0/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2017 |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Genre | Racing Game |
| Best for | Fans of fast-paced racing games and multiplayer fun |
| Unique features | Extensive roster, Booster Course Pass DLC, refined karting mechanics |
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is, hands-down, the best-selling Mario game on Switch, and for good reason. It’s often cited as one of the best Nintendo games for multiplayer. It’s the ultimate Mario Kart track experience, packed with dozens of racers, courses, and finely tuned karting action. It’s among some of the greatest racing games ever, and certainly one of the best party games Switch owners can buy. Mario Switch games like this are essential.
With the full Booster Course Pass now available, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe delivers a staggering 96 tracks – spanning decades of Mario Kart history and fan favorites from across the globe. It’s the most complete and refined entry yet, a true celebration of the franchise. Even with Mario Kart World now leading the Switch 2 generation, 8 Deluxe remains the benchmark.
My Verdict: 96 tracks, a stacked roster, and the most refined karting in the series. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the best Mario games for Switch and a near-permanent fixture on any console.
What do players say?
7. Super Mario Maker 2 [Best Mario Level Creation Game for Nintendo Switch]
| Our score | Enebameter 8.8/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2019 |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Genre | Level Creation / 2D Platformer |
| Best for | Creative players and Mario fans who love level design |
| Unique features | Level creation tools, massive online community, user-generated content |
Super Mario Maker 2 is the ultimate digital toolbox for Mario fans who want to design, share, and play their own 2D Mario levels. As one of the core Super Mario Switch games, it offers endless creative freedom. This is one of the best Mario games for Switch if you enjoy endless user-generated content. While it has a single-player campaign, the real fun lies in its creative level-building features.
Players have used this freedom to craft everything from musical masterpieces inside levels to brutal, Kaizo-style challenges that push even the best Mario players to their limits. It’s a fantastic way to experience Mario in endless new ways.
My Verdict: If endless user-generated levels sound like your idea of heaven, Super Mario Maker 2 is your game. The Kaizo community alone will keep you busy for years.
What do players say?
8. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door [Best Mario RPG Remake]
| Our score | Enebameter 8.6/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2024 |
| Developer | Intelligent Systems |
| Genre | RPG |
| Best for | Fans of Mario RPG remakes and classic storytelling |
| Unique features | Paper-cutout art style, turn-based battles, rhythmic combat inputs |
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024) is a full remake of the beloved GameCube classic, making it one of the most anticipated best Mario games for Switch, bringing its charming story and innovative paper-cutout style to the Nintendo Switch with stunning visual upgrades. Its quality secures its spot among the best Nintendo games. It retains the signature turn-based combat, where timing is everything, making every battle a fun, rhythmic event.
This version reintroduces Mario to the classic, heartfelt tone of a true adventure, recruiting a colorful cast of partners to aid in his quest to open the enigmatic Thousand-Year Door. It is a faithful recreation that allows new players to experience one of the genre’s best RPGs.
My Verdict: Twenty years on, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door still sets the bar for Mario RPGs. Come for the charming paper-cutout style, stay for the writing.
What do players say?
9. Mario & Luigi: Brothership [Best Mario RPG for Nintendo Switch]
| Our score | Enebameter 8.4/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2024 |
| Developer | Acquire |
| Genre | Turn-Based RPG |
| Best for | Fans of turn-based Mario RPGs |
| Unique features | Deep combat tactics, acrobatic moves, and seafaring adventure |
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is the latest in the fan-favorite Mario & Luigi RPG series, and easily one of the best Mario games for Switch in the RPG genre. This brings back turn-based action where the Bros use hammer thwacks and acrobatic leaps to fight enemies. The combat is deeper and more tactical than ever, and the animations and playable characters look great. This latest release proves that the RPG entries are still some of the most charming Mario Switch games.
Brothership looks great from the jump. The colorful art style and super-expressive animations make every island feel fun and full of personality – it’s a joy just to explore.
The adventure is a big one, and while things can slow down a bit with some backtracking or long-winded dialogue, those moments don’t really drag it down. Overall, it’s a charming ride that fans will really enjoy.
My Verdict: Mario & Luigi: Brothership is the kind of RPG that sneaks up on you – the combat clicks quickly, the islands have real personality, and before long you’ve burned through three hours without noticing.
What do players say?
10. Mario Strikers: Battle League [Best Mario Sports Game]
| Our score | Enebameter 8.2/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2022 |
| Developer | Next Level Games |
| Genre | Sports Game |
| Best for | Fans of chaotic, fast-paced sports games |
| Unique features | Over-the-top soccer action, character taunts, and multiplayer fun |
Mario Strikers: Battle League brings Mario and friends back to the soccer pitch with a wild, over-the-top twist. What really sets it apart are the hilarious in-game taunts and outrageous cutscenes, like Wario butt-slamming the ball into oblivion, which is just classic chaotic fun.
The gameplay is fast-paced and full of energy, perfect for both solo sessions and competitive multiplayer. If you want a Mario sports game with plenty of personality and laughs, this is the one to pick among the Mario Switch games, as it’s one of the best Nintendo games in the sports genre.
My Verdict: Wario butt-slamming the ball into oblivion tells you everything you need to know about Mario Strikers: Battle League. Pure competitive chaos, best served with rivals.
What do players say?
11. Mario Party Superstars [Best Super Mario Party Game for Nintendo Switch]
| Our score | Enebameter 8.0/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2021 |
| Developer | Nd Cube |
| Genre | Party Game |
| Best for | Social gamers, party game fans, and anyone wanting the best party games Switch has to offer |
| Unique features | Classic Mario Party boards and minigames, easy controls, multiplayer fun |
Mario Party Superstars is my go-to whenever a social gathering calls for some friendly competition, as it represents the best party games Switch has. Also, it reminds me a bit of the Super Mario Sunshine game – bright, playful, and full of that classic Nintendo magic, solidifying it as one of the best Nintendo games in the party genre.
The simple, retro-style controls make it accessible to everyone, whether you’re a hardcore gamer or new to the world of party games. It’s basically a Mario Party hall of fame, and might be the only one you really need these days.
My Verdict: Mario Party Superstars cherry-picks the best boards and minigames from across the series – this is the one to put on at a party when nobody can agree on what to play.
What do players say?
12. Super Mario Party Jamboree [Best Mario Party Game with Online Multiplayer]
| Our score | Enebameter 7.8/10
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| Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Year of release | 2024 |
| Developer | Nd Cube |
| Genre | Party Game |
| Best for | Mario Party fans, online multiplayer lovers |
| Unique features | New boards and modes, Pro Rules to reduce luck, 20-player online Koopathlon mode |
Super Mario Party Jamboree is easily the best Mario Party experience and one of the best party games Switch has to offer. The new Pro Rules tone down the random elements, making the game less frustrating and more skill-based. This helps cement it as one of the best party games Switch players can get.
Plus, Koopathlon mode takes things online with a wild 20-player battle, perfect if you can’t get your friends together in person but still want that Mario Party original game vibe.
My Verdict: The Pro Rules tone down the luck factor just enough to reward skill, and the 20-player online Koopathlon is unlike anything else in the series. Super Mario Party Jamboree is the one to get if you play online.
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How to Choose the Best Mario Game in 2026
Switch vs. Switch 2: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Switch 2 offers significant performance enhancements, including DLSS and ray tracing, making it the superior choice for new, visually demanding games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. However, if you use physical media, some original Switch games may need an additional patch or may not be fully compatible. The decision depends on prioritizing future performance or perfect backwards compatibility with older titles.
2D or 3D Mario: Which Style Fits You?
If you love precision jumping, classic side-scrolling, and chaotic local co-op, 2D titles like New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe are the perfect fit. These are solid Mario Switch games. Alternatively, 3D entries like Super Mario Odyssey offer vast, open-world exploration and innovative mechanics, prioritizing freedom and discovery over linear stage completion.
How to Play Classic Mario Games on Switch
A large selection of classic Mario titles from the NES and SNES eras can be played on the Nintendo Switch through the Nintendo Switch Online service. This subscription provides access to an expanding library of retro titles, allowing you to enjoy the originals without needing an emulator.
My Overall Verdict
After going through the full list, one thing is clear: Nintendo keeps raising the bar for what a platformer can do, and the best Super Mario Switch games here prove that Mario has never been more versatile – solo adventures, couch chaos, deep RPGs, and creative sandboxes all live under the same red cap.
The top three are easy to defend:
- Best for open-world exploration → Super Mario Odyssey. Cappy opens up a level of freedom that still feels unmatched, and the globe-trotting world design gives it more replay value than almost anything else on the Switch.
- Best for families and couch co-op → New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. 160+ levels and four-player local co-op in one package is hard to argue with.
- Best for something fresh → Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Wonder Effects keep every level unpredictable from start to finish, and the badge system adds a layer of personalization the series has never had before.
Any of these three will remind you why Mario has stayed relevant for over 40 years. If you’re only picking one, start at the top – Super Mario Odyssey remains the definitive place to begin your journey through the best Mario games for Switch.
FAQs
According to most fans, the best Mario game, and arguably one of the best Nintendo games, is Super Mario Odyssey for its open-world feel, unique hat mechanic, and pure platforming joy that appeals to both longtime fans and new players. It’s certainly one of the best Super Mario Switch games.
Though Mario became really famous with Super Mario Bros in 1985, Donkey Kong (1981), where Mario was first introduced as “Jumpman,” was where it all began.
The latest major releases, which represent some of the best Mario games for Switch, include the turn-based RPG Mario & Luigi: Brothership (2024), the party game Super Mario Party Jamboree (2024), and the 2D platformer Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023).
Super Mario Switch games like Super Mario 3D World are highlighted as one of the best multiplayer experiences in the series. Other excellent choices are Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, for competitive racing, and Mario Party Superstars, which is great for social gatherings and friendly competition, making them among the best party games Switch offers.
Yes. Classic Mario games, such as those from the NES and SNES era, are available to play on the Nintendo Switch through the Nintendo Switch Online service, which includes a library of retro titles.
