The 9 Best 3D Mario Games, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Super Mario games deliver the 3D platformer beloved by fans and critics, taking Mario through unique worlds with collectibles and challenges.
• Super Mario Sunshine was divisive with its gimmicks, Super Mario 64 revolutionized 3D platforming, and Super Mario Odyssey introduced 800 Moons. Yes.
• The Super Mario Galaxy series has become a beloved classic for many, offering innovative mechanics, characters, and level design.

while mario Although he is primarily known for his 2D side-scrolling games, part of his universe consists of 3D platform games. They take Mario and throw him into a variety of worlds full of collectibles and exploration challenges for all ages, making it an ideal family game.

3D gaming has become a beloved part of the many Mario games, with some games becoming some of the highest-rated games in the franchise among fans and critics. They take Mario across the Mushroom Kingdom, to Peach's Castle, and even into another dimension. Each game has elements that are considered better than the others, helping them stand out.

9 super mario sunshine

Tropical entertainment that divided fans with its gimmick

Generally, super mario sunshine Doing the right thing for the fans, super mario 64 However, it is set in a tropical island setting, a hub world where you collect Shines by taking Mario to other worlds. The game is still entertaining to many thanks to its visuals, gameplay, and slight twists in the story, cementing its place as a Nintendo GameCube classic for many.

But you can't deny the fact super mario sunshine It's a divisive game in the long line of Mario games. This is mainly due to disappointing camera controls, certain overly difficult puzzles, and, most notably, how much effort Nintendo put into the game's special effects. Mario's water spray pack, known as FLUDD, was released by some gamers who felt it messed up some of Mario's controls.

8 Super Mario 3D Land

Sequel possible with walking Mario game

Super Mario 3D Land is a Mario game that gets overlooked even more because it's exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS, but that doesn't mean it lacks quality. Most people feel that taking a classic side-scrolling adventure and implementing it into a 3D environment with more explorable linear levels adds to the fun of the game.

Although the established formula would later be improved upon in other games, Super Mario 3D Land He still receives love and affection from fans. It's a short but sweet 16 world-hopping game that showcases the capabilities of the 3DS and the flexibility of the Mario franchise.

7 super mario 64

The 3D Mario game that marks the beginning of all 3D Mario games

The world wouldn't be where it is today without 3D Mario games. super mario 64. It didn't invent 3D visuals, but it combined them with innovative controls to demonstrate the potential of 3D platforming. Many games have been used since its release. super mario 64 As a template for creating other 3D platformer classics such as Donkey Kong 64 and Banjo-Kazooie.

super mario 64 It was the first game to introduce a hub world, using Peach's castle as a nexus to access various worlds hidden within its walls. Each world has a number of stars that can be collected through objectives, which has become the standard for up to 3D Mario games. super mario odysseyShows how revolutionary it is.

6 Super Mario 64 DS

Nintendo went above and beyond with this remake.

The original game was so well made that Nintendo fans expected a 1:1 port for the Nintendo DS. Super Mario 64 DS It turned out to be even more impressive than that. Not only were three new characters introduced to control, but new levels featured a mix of all the familiar characters, and even the familiar ones were changed to fit the four characters.

Sometimes simple additions go a long way in making a new game enjoyable, Luigi, Yoshi, and Wario are examples. However, Nintendo has gone further with power-ups that weren't present in the original, and each character has a specific purpose to earn certain stars. Except for the more limited movement of the Nintendo DS; Super Mario 64 DS This is a properly updated remake that respects the original.

5 Super Mario 3D World

4 characters created for 4x the fun

With the appearance of Bell the cat and other power-ups, Super Mario 3D World what did you take Super Mario 3D Land We took parts of the original, built on it, and improved on it. super mario bros 2 It consists of four playable characters, each with unique abilities. This culminated in another 3D side-scrolling adventure that became a huge hit on the Wii U and later the Switch.

Super Mario 3D World 2D side-scrolling games came out at a time when many felt a bit dated, even though they were still well-made. Gamers therefore appreciated the new formula that introduced new worlds, enemies, and gameplay elements, and were therefore lucky enough to get a remaster on the Nintendo Switch.

4 super mario odyssey

Collect 800 moons and the game lives up to its title.

super mario odyssey This time it's massive, with 800 main collectibles in the form of moons, and each world has different objectives to find them all. With Switch’s new, beautiful visuals, super mario odyssey It was a sight to behold for fans of the franchise, as it took the parts fans loved from previous games, fused them together, and then cut out the fat.

Mario's Gameplay super mario odyssey He's given classic moves like long jumps, dives, wall jumps, and more, but thanks to the new abilities granted to a hat called Cappy, he can do much more, from grappling enemies to extending his traversal moves.

3 Bowser's Fury

Lake Lapcat Gives Fans Their First Open World Mario Journey

What could have been a lackluster mod thrown in? Super Mario 3D World The remaster turns out to be the first truly open world Mario game. Bowser's Wrath. it takes Super Mario 3D World Use the engine and its mechanics to create a unique adventure in which Mario and Bowser Jr. work together to rescue Bowser from his inky Godzilla-sized state.

Not only is the title Fury Bowser instantly memorable, but the game is a fun journey through several islands to explore and collect Cat Shines. Players are free to roam in any direction and collect Shines in any order they wish. This earned it a reputation for being a more comfortable experience and doing no harm, with gamers quickly falling in love with Bowser's Fury.

2 super mario galaxy 2

More of the same, but in the best way possible.

It's not often that a Mario game gets a direct sequel. super mario galaxy 2 This is one of those rare cases. It needs to be everything people love about the beginning. super mario galaxyIt expanded the formula of the first game by adding y, Yoshi, new power-ups, and new level design. Both Mario and Yoshi feature exclusive power-ups like clouds and light bulbs, adding variety to gameplay.

super mario galaxy 2 Rather than focusing on exploring the Observatory hub world, it's a simpler adventure and streamlines the galaxy into a more classic Mario progression. On the one hand, fans consider it a near-perfect sequel because it maintains what many enjoyed about the first game, but on the other hand, it's often considered closer to an expansion pack. super mario galaxy.

1 super mario galaxy

Placing Mario in space creates a title loved around the world.

One of the most loved games on Nintendo Wii super mario galaxyIt took Mario out of his own world and into a sci-fi/fantasy hybrid adventure. Not only did it give players new mechanics to work with, as Mario raced across planets and tackled all sorts of gravity-based puzzles combined with tons of unique power-ups, but it also gave players never-seen-before level design.

Fans were also blessed with new characters like Lumas and the mysterious space fairy godmother Rosalina, who became a major character in various Mario spinoffs. Combined with some of the critically acclaimed music from the franchise, super mario galaxyIt was well received by fans and critics and became a beloved Wii classic.