One video game that justifies the price of a Nintendo Switch is “Super Mario Odyssey,” which debuted the same year as the console itself in 2017. To date, it’s the last major 3D platformer starring Mario, and the game has the Nintendo icon pursue Bowser, aided by his new sentient hat Cappy. In contrast to more level-driven progression in “Super Mario” titles, the game offers a more open-ended experience letting players explore the various worlds at their own pace. With its smooth handling and memorable design, “Super Mario Odyssey” is one of the best “Super Mario” video games of all time.
Nintendo has made plenty of games like “Super Mario Odyssey,” with its emphasis on 3D platforming and multi-objective environments. While many of these titles also star Mario, there are other Nintendo mainstays that have received their own 3D adventures. The games we’re mentioning here also have a family-friendly presentation and solid handling that Nintendo has become known for.
These are the five best video games like “Super Mario Odyssey,” each offering their own 3D platforming thrills.
Super Mario 64
The 3D platformer that started it all for the “Super Mario” series still sets the template for all subsequent titles following in its footsteps. A launch title for the Nintendo 64 in 1996, the game has Mario visit different worlds through magical paintings throughout Princess Peach’s castle. Gathering Power Stars in each world, Mario progresses deeper into the castle, battling Bowser several times across the story. Power Star objectives range from beating a boss to precise platforming into the hidden corners of a given world.
“Super Mario 64” is the best-selling N64 game ever made, and a lot of that comes to the sheer wow factor of seeing Mario in a richly rendered 3D adventure. But more than just ushering Mario into a new, immersive field of play, the amount of moves that Mario is capable of, even this early 3D outing, is impressive. Because of the cartoonish art design, the game also ages considerably better than most of its contemporaries that strove for greater visual realism. That makes “Super Mario 64” still run great 30 years later, while showcasing the template that informed “Super Mario Odyssey.
Super Mario Sunshine
While it has its flaws, “Super Mario Sunshine” is arguably the best 3D platformer on the GameCube. The game opens with Mario, Peach, and the Toads taking a vacation on the tropical Isle Delfino only for Mario to be framed for vandalism. Outfitted with a water-powered cleanup device, Mario sets out to clean up Isle Delfino and its interconnected worlds, battling a shadowy doppelganger along the way. The backpack device, F.L.U.D.D., adds to the platforming mechanics, able to shoot jets of water to help propel Mario and allow him to temporarily hover.
“Super Mario Sunshine” is the heir apparent to “Super Mario 64” and fills a void on the GameCube that “Luigi’s Mansion” couldn’t quite replace. The 2002 game really emphasizes tighter platforming than its predecessor, upping the overall difficulty level of the experience considerably. That can be understandably frustrating for more casual platforming players, but Mario has had his move list upgraded too, largely thanks to F.L.U.D.D. Unlike the “Super Mario Galaxy” games that followed, “Super Mario Sunshine” boasts a more open-ended experience and traditional platforming gameplay, unlike its follow-ups cosmic gravity changes.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
The reason that “Super Mario 3D World” makes this list isn’t the main campaign, with its linear side-scrolling platforming with friends, but rather “Bowser’s Fury.” An ambitious new feature in the Switch version of “Super Mario 3D World,” “Bowser’s Fury” goes back to sandbox-style progression. Mario and Bowser Jr. traverse a set of islands, with Mario collecting Cat Shines to advance. This is done through a set of platforming challenges, all while braving the fiery wrath of Fury Bowser, a kaiju-sized version of the villain looming over the islands.
“Bowser’s Fury” feels like a completely different game from “Super Mario 3D World,” tacked on to encourage sales when the 2013 Wii U game was ported to the Switch. But that doesn’t detract from the quality of the experience itself, of course, offering a bite-sized 3D platforming tale. “Bowser’s Fury” is also the most recent, at the time of this writing, 3D Mario release since “Super Mario Odyssey.” A bonus worth the price of admission, “Bowser’s Fury” makes the “Super Mario 3D World” double-dip justifiable.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
As wild as it may sound, not counting spin-off titles, 2022’s “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” is the first 3D platforming entry in Nintendo’s long-running series. The game is also the first time Kirby has a gun in his history, and frankly, we’re here for it. The Nintendo Switch title follows Kirby as he explores the titular realm to rescue kidnapped Waddle Dees from a villainous ensemble known as the Beast Pack. Kirby retains his ability to copy swallowed enemies’ moves and allows for two-person cooperative multiplayer, with a second player controlling Bandana Waddle Dee.
“Kirby and the Forgotten Land” is the most ambitious title in the series yet, taking Kirby to new heights. The game evokes other classic Nintendo 3D platformers, while very much staying a distinctly Kirby release. From upgradeable copy abilities to a whole line of optional challenges to complete, there is an enormous amount of depth here matching the game’s scope. One of the best games in the series, “Kirby and the Forgotten Land,” gives Kirby the 3D adventure he’s deserved all along.
Donkey Kong Bananza
The first new Nintendo 3D platformer on the Nintendo Switch 2 is “Donkey Kong Bananza,” released a month after the console in 2025. The game is something of a prequel of sorts, detailing the origins of Donkey Kong’s friendship with a younger Pauline. With his simian strength, Donkey Kong is able to tear through environments as he recovers Banandium Gems. Portions of the game also feature side-scrolling sequences evoking classic “Donkey Kong Country” titles but it really excels with its 3D platforming.
“Donkey Kong Bananza” is one of the best video games of 2025, and it’s certainly the best Switch 2 game in its first year on the market. Cutting loose as Donkey Kong and ripping through the ground and walls with his bare hands never loses its thrill. The levels are immaculately designed around this destructible environment mechanic, while the visuals are among the console’s most impressive. A fun-filled redesign of Donkey Kong and the type of gameplay he can get into, “Donkey Kong Bananza” is a rip-roaring good time.
