Mario games and Nintendo systems have always gone hand in hand. For decades, each major Mario release has showcased Nintendo’s inventive game design and the capabilities of its newest hardware. While a flagship Mario platformer doesn’t always launch on day one, it usually follows not long after. But the Nintendo Switch 2 may be the exception.
The system has been available for months, yet there’s been no sign of the next mainline Mario adventure. The most recent Nintendo Direct delivered plenty of 40th anniversary celebrations, but the closest thing to a new Mario title was a Switch 2 edition of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, an updated version of a two-year-old game. At this rate, I’m convinced we won’t see the next major Mario release until the 2026 holiday season at the earliest, more than a year after the Switch 2’s debut.
Still, there’s no need to get antsy. Even if the next Mario blockbuster is a ways off, the Switch 2 already offers plenty of excellent games that capture that familiar platforming magic. You can rediscover enhanced versions of beloved Mario titles or try out fresh faces in the genre. Heck, we now live in a world where even the upcoming Bubsy game, Bubsy 4D, looks promising. With that in mind, here are some charming 3D platformers to play on your Switch 2 right now while you wait for the plumber’s next big adventure.
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There’s a good reason why a major Mario game isn’t likely coming anytime soon: That team created a dazzling 3D platformer called Donkey Kong Bananza. Beyond the mascot swap, the gorilla separates itself from the plumber with an expressive move set focused on action and destruction. Why jump when you can smash and dig? At Bananza’s core, though, is superb level design that reflects its Mario lineage. Excellent and experimental, Donkey Kong Bananza is the best original Nintendo Switch 2 platformer so far.
Donkey Kong Bananza Review
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Land for the original Switch proved that the classic Kirby platforming translates beautifully into 3D. From gently floating across levels to sucking up enemies and copying their powers, the puffball’s abilities work great in expanded, diorama-esque stages. On Nintendo Switch 2, the game receives a performance boost, an improved resolution and frame rate, and remixed levels to complete. If you missed Kirby and the Forgotten Land the first time around, now’s the perfect time to pick it up.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land (for Nintendo Switch) Review
Pac-Man is famous for his iconic, maze-based arcade games, but he has also starred in several 3D platformers. Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is a loving recreation of the original Pac-Man World 2 from 2002. It’s a pretty good throwback, blending traditional platforming concepts with Pac-Man twists, such as eating dots and chasing ghosts. The impressive visual upgrade helps the retro game feel current.
Sonic X Shadow Generations
Sonic the Hedgehog’s 3D games are less acclaimed than his 2D ones. However, Sonic Generations’ celebration of the blue blur’s history remains one of his finest polygonal outings. The classic 2D sections are excellent, and even the modern 3D levels entertain with their sensational speed. However, this release adds a separate campaign starring the hedgehog anti-hero, Shadow, with stages that are even more impressive. So, let go of console war grudges from decades ago; Sonic X Shadow Generations is a great Mario substitute on the Nintendo Switch 2.
As the name suggests, Squirrel With a Gun is an action-packed romp where you play as a squirrel blasting away government agents. Furry firefights have the flair of Superhot or a John Wick movie, as you slow down time or toss the gun once you run out of bullets. But the game’s surprisingly prominent platforming elements provide more substance. Shoot the ground to gain height and extra jumps as you explore the levels for acorns. Conker would be proud.
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Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Super Mario 3D World, while a good Wii U game, slightly disappointed many people because it emphasized multiplayer antics over a single-player adventure. However, the Nintendo Switch version adds Bowser’s Fury, a side game with a bite-sized, open-world format never before seen in a Mario title. On Switch 2, the package gets a free upgrade that boosts the graphics. The result is one of the best and most varied 3D Mario platformers.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (for Nintendo Switch) Review
The Super Mario Galaxy titles are arguably the finest 3D Mario platformers ever created, two of the best games ever made. The outer space setting allows for mind-bending level design featuring shifting gravity, spherical worlds, and intergalactic enemies. The Wii games are just as good today as they were years ago, and on Switch 2, they are enhanced with 4K resolution, making the art style even more beautiful.
Super Mario Odyssey delighted Nintendo Switch players by applying a next-gen spin to classic, Super Mario 64-style sandbox level design. Instead of running through linear courses, Mario freely explores kingdoms dense with secrets and collectibles. The eclectic art style takes the plumber to several locales, including bubbling seas, sandy deserts, and a realistic human city. On Switch 2, Super Mario Odyssey received a free graphics upgrade, making it look like a contemporary release.
Super Mario Odyssey (for Nintendo Switch) Review
The Touryst is a bit of an odd fit on this list, because it’s as much about exploring tropical islands as it is about platforming inside ancient structures. Still, the game’s a hidden gem that Nintendo Switch 2 owners shouldn’t skip, with its colorful and gorgeous voxel art style. It’s not the biggest game in the world, but a nice little getaway.
The original Yooka-Laylee was an ambitious but imperfect ode to old-school 3D platformers. In fact, the developers at Playtonic Games included many veterans who worked on the delightful Banjo-Kazooie back in the day. Yooka-Replayee revamps the game with superior controls and mechanics, new progression systems, and more collectibles to unearth throughout the large sandbox worlds. It’s the best way for new players to experience Yooka-Laylee, as well as a fresh adventure for returning fans.
Nintendo Switch 2: The Switch Just Got Better
