Summary
- Despite the lack of depth in some Mario games for Switch, each offers a unique experience worth exploring.
- Mario games like Strikers and Tennis Aces have solid gameplay but lack in online multiplayer functionality.
- Mario's appearances in RPGs and party games continue to be well-received, showcasing his versatility as a character.
Few video game characters are quite as recognizable as Mario. Since making his debut back in the early eighties, the Italian plumber has gone on to appear in hundreds of video games, as well as a variety of other mediums, including comic books, cartoon series, and a couple of big-budget movies. He has countless spin-off games under his belt as well, helping to ensure the series' place as the best-selling video game franchise of all time.
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From RPG to racing carts, and a creative mix of 2D and 3D animations we got to see in Paper Mario, Mario games have been released in all genres.
Given the overwhelming popularity of Nintendo's mustache-sporting mascot, it should come as no surprise to learn that there are plenty of Mario games for Switch. There are 16 of them in total, and that's not including spin-offs based around other Mario characters such as Yoshi's Crafted World, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and Luigi's Mansion 3. They all offer something a little different, but the very best Mario games for Switch find ways to set themselves apart from the crowd.
Updated June 12, 2024, by Tom Bowen: Every Mario game for the Switch offers something a little different. Most tend to draw their success through their pixel-perfect platforming mechanics, but thanks to the plumber's various spin-off adventures and the wide range of genres in which he's now featured, there's a Switch Mario game for just about everybody. Some are of course better than others, though, making things a bit more complicated for those hoping to find the best Mario game on the Switch.
This list will not include classic Mario titles that are available through Nintendo Switch Online, nor will it cover Super Mario Bros. 35, which is no longer playable.
20 Mario Strikers: Battle League
Metacritic Rating: 73
Like several of the other sports-themed Mario games that are available on the Switch, Mario Strikers: Battle League suffers from a rather severe lack of content. At launch, there were just ten playable characters to choose from, though more were added further down the line. The single-player experience on offer is also an incredibly brief one, with very little incentive for players to replay it after completing it for the first time.
Mario Strikers: Battle League
- Released
- June 10, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Next Level Games
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Sports
19 Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Metacritic Rating: 69
Like the actual event itself, which ended up being delayed by a year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 didn't quite live up to some of the great installments of yesteryear. To be clear, it can still be a lot of fun when played with friends and loved ones, but the single-player experience lacks depth despite some of the slight improvements found in the game's Story Mode.
Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
- Released
- November 1, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
18 Mario Golf: Super Rush
Metacritic Rating: 70
Credit where credit is due, the Golf Adventure story mode in Mario Golf: Super Rush is actually pretty good and the decision to release free post-launch DLC for the game gave players a compelling reason to dive back in. However, the online experience offered here is pretty atrocious for a game that was released in 2021, with players having to jump through far too many hoops just to play online with their friends.
Mario Golf: Super Rush
- Released
- June 25, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Camelot Software Planning
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Sports
17 Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Metacritic Rating: 76
Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a remake of a classic Game Boy Advance game that combines puzzles and platforming to great effect. Although some will perhaps feel as though the price is a little on the steep side, there's more than enough content on offer here to justify the game's price tag, particularly for completionists who enjoy uncovering all of the secrets that a stage has to offer. The game supports co-op too, making it a great option for those looking to work out their brains while also spending time with a friend or loved one.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024)
- Released
- February 16, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Puzzle
16 Super Mario Party
Metacritic Rating: 76
Nintendo has always been a little behind the curve when it comes to network functionality, and this is once again evident in Super Mario Party. In addition to its substandard online multiplayer offerings, the game also suffers from a severe lack of content, with only a handful of party boards, several of which are disappointingly small. Some of the mini-games are pretty decent but only one or two deserve a place on a list of the series' best.
Super Mario Party
- Released
- October 5, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- NDcube
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Party Game
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15 Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
Metacritic Rating: 75
On paper, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit sounded like an excellent idea, but the execution left a lot to be desired. Sure, putting together elaborate and creative courses can be a lot of fun, but actually racing through them often feels hollow when compared to playing a real Mario Kart game due to the technical limitations of the hardware. It can be enjoyable in short bursts but loses its magic a little too quickly to really justify the high cost of admission.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
- Released
- October 16, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Velan Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Racing
14 Mario Tennis Aces
Metacritic Rating: 75
Like many of its predecessors, Mario Tennis Aces is a perfectly serviceable tennis game. In fact, when it comes to content, it's one of the better examples, serving up a wide variety of mini-games and a decent selection of fan-favorite Mario characters for players to hit the court with. Granted, the gameplay is fairly basic and the online support is pretty bad, but those looking for a decent tennis game to play with friends could definitely do a lot worse.
Mario Tennis Aces
- Released
- April 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Camelot Software Planning
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Sports
13 Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Metacritic Rating: 82
When Nintendo announced that it would be porting three of the best 3D Mario games of all time to the Nintendo Switch, excitement levels were pretty high. Sadly, the actual release of Super Mario 3D All-Stars wasn't quite as well celebrated, with many disappointed by the way that some of the games ran and bemused by the time-limited nature of the game's physical release. The games themselves are understandably pretty dated by modern standards, but can still be enjoyable for those able to cope with the many camera and control issues.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
- Released
- September 18, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
12 Paper Mario: The Origami King
Metacritic Rating: 80
The Paper Mario series has been around since the turn of the century and has seen installments on every Nintendo home console since the N64. Paper Mario: The Origami King is nowhere near as good as the series' first few releases, but can still be a lot of fun thanks to its crisp visuals, tight controls, and well-thought-out levels. As far as single-player experiences go, it's one of the best Mario games for Switch and a must-play for Paper Mario fans.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
- Released
- July 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Intelligent Systems
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure
11 Mario Party Superstars
Metacritic Rating: 80
Released just a few years on from Super Mario Party, Mario Party Superstars addresses a lot of its predecessor's biggest issues. Rather than trying to rework the series' formula, the game instead celebrates the ones that came before it, bringing back five classic boards and many of the most fondly remembered Mario Party mini-games of all time. As a result, it's arguably the best Mario Party game ever made and one of the best Mario Switch games to play with friends or loved ones.
Mario Party Superstars
- Released
- October 9, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- NDcube
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Party Game