Last updated March 10, 2023
For 35 years, games featuring Mario, Nintendo’s iconic mustachioed plumber, have been a sure bet for quality for everyone. Parents are confident about the content of the games, children discover a cartoon-inspired universe, regular gamers know they will find the depth of play they are looking for.
However there are more than 20 Mario games currently available on Nintendo Switch, and more are of course planned in the future.
Some are suitable for young children, others require a certain dexterity and knowing how to read.
Just as Disney celebrates Star Wars every year on May 4th to make “May the 4th be with you”, the pun with the famous phrase of the saga “May the Force be with you”, Nintendo celebrates Mario on March 10. Because you can write Mar10 and it’s Mario. A totally marketing mnemotechnical way that Nintendo has found to make you buy Mario games.
But between Mario Tennis, Golf, Kart, Land, World, Galaxy, 3D, U, All-Stars…. how do you navigate between the different titles? Which ones are suitable for your children?
Games are sorted alphabetically
Table of Contents
Mario and Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Luigi’s Mansion 3
We start with one exception. This title is an action/adventure game in 3D. Luigi, Mario’s brother, must explore a haunted hotel to rescue his friends from a wicked ghost who has imprisoned them in paintings. If the theme of the game is horror, everything is of course represented in the form of a cartoon.
The main story mode lasts 20 hours, it is mainly intended for solo intermediate players.
For a single player
(2-player mode unlocks after a few hours of solo play)
(It is possible to play up to 8 players in some multiplayer modes)
Mario and Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
It’s a strategy game featuring Mario, his friends and Ubisoft’s Rabbids. The whole group and their enemies shoot at each other with fictitious pistols and laser cannons.
The game is played in turn against enemies directed by the console.
There are many jokes and a lot of energy. The player acts in turn. You have to know how to read to play this game.
For a single player (an anecdotal 2-player mode can be unlocked after a few hours of play)
Requires about 20 hours to finish the game.
More details about the game in our article.
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope (2022)
It’s a strategy game featuring Mario, his friends and Ubisoft’s Rabbids. The whole group and their enemies shoot at each other with fictitious pistols and laser cannons.
The game is played in turn against enemies directed by the console.
There are many jokes and a lot of energy. The player acts in turn. You have to know how to read to play this game. It’s the sequel to Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle and it’s even better. If you only have one strategy game to buy with Mario, this is the one to choose.
You don’t have to have played the first one, to play this one. The stories are independent, and this one also contains a tutorial.
For a single player
Requires about 20 hours to finish the game.
A demo of the game is available here.
More details about the game in our article.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
It is a compilation of mini-games inspired by the Olympic Games and featuring characters from the worlds of Mario and Sonic. A lot of reading, and dexterity to the controller necessary to triumph in the Olympic events.
From 1 to 4 players.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Boxart
Mario’s famous Kart game. Very successful, the characters of the Mario universe race in karting in wacky circuits.
A playable must-have from 1 to 4 players suitable for all ages.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
A version of Mario Kart but in real life. You have to download the game from the eshop, and buy Mario’s physical figure in his Kart so you can play it in his living room, literally. The Mario in its Kart is a remote-controlled car that is controlled by your Nintendo Switch. You will then see on your Nintendo Switch the image of the camera placed on the figurine. Quite expensive and not very effective unfortunately.
One player (or 2 players with 2 kits)
Mario Golf: Super Rush
A game of golf with Mario and his friends. It is quite elaborate and complex, and will require explanations from parents as well as a certain level of reading.
From 1 to 4 players.
Mario Party Superstars
This is Nintendo’s famous video game format board game. The characters of the Mario universe evolve on boards and advance case by case. They get bonuses and malus depending on the box. The towers are punctuated by mini-games that have made the reputation of the series.
This Superstars episode is a compilation of 5 boards taken from the games released on the Nintendo 64 console at the time. And the 100 mini-games are taken from some episodes of the Nintendo 64 and Nintendo GameCube console.
It is basically a best-of compilation, suitable for parties with friends.
Needs to know how to read. Suitable for everyone.
From 1 to 4 players
Mario Strikers Battle League
Mario Strikers Battle League features characters from the Mario universe in soccer/football matches. On the menu, frenzied and whimsical games with powers drawn from games, many characters, the ability to play multiplayer on the same console, online, or in local communication with several consoles.
1 to 8 local players
1 to 2 players in local communication (multiple Nintendo Switch consoles required)
1 to 8 players online
In France, the game is named Mario Strikers Battle League Football
Mario Tennis Aces (2018)
A game of tennis with Mario and his friends. It is quite elaborate and complex, and will require explanations from parents as well as a certain level of reading.
From 1 to 4 players.
Super Mario Odyssey
A 2-dimensional platformer with Mario and his friends. Many levels are available and some progression aids are available. Anyone can play it without any problem.
From 1 to 4 players.
Mario Paper: The Origami King
A humorous role-playing game with Mario and his friends. It is quite elaborate and complex, and will require explanations from parents, reflexes and a certain level of reading.
For 1 player.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars
A compilation of 3 old Mario games released on Nintendo 64, GameCube and Wii. These are Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy. Unfortunately the games have aged quite badly and are very frustrating and poorly calculated for today’s players. The lenses are not clear and the camera mishandles Mario in his multiple movements. It was awesome and revolutionary when the games came out, but since then, fortunately a lot of progress has been made. Consider only to complete his collection of Mario games.
For one player.
For marketing reasons, this game is no longer available in physical and virtual stores as of March 31, 2021. (It is possible to find it in stores that still have this game in stock)
Super Mario 3D World – Bowser’s Fury
Super Mario 3D World: A 3-dimensional platformer with Mario and his friends. Many levels are available and some progression aids are available.
From 1 to 4 players.
Also included is Bowser’s Fury: A 3D platformer with Mario. A lot of exploration and camera movements are needed to discover everything. Needs to know how to read. For 1 player.
Super Mario Bros 35 (2020)
The game is available for free on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
A reinterpretation of Super Mario Bros 1 released in 1985 on Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). In this online game exclusively you browse the levels of Super Mario Bros 1 several times in order to send bonuses and malus to the other 34 players in the game. The goal is to survive the longest in the game which is faster and more strewn with enemies.
For 1 player.
For marketing reasons, this game is no longer available on the Nintendo eShop as of March 31, 2021.
Super Mario Maker 2 (2019)
Super Mario Maker 2 offers you to create your own Mario levels in 2D. This is a level editor that can be designed on the themes of previous Mario games. You can then share them online and play with your friends, or play other people’s creations. Let’s be clear, the fact that all players can create their levels, is totally chaotic and fabulous at the same time. Many levels are very frustrating, and designed to trap players in a totally free way. And of course, there are pearls also in the pile. Playing this game requires a lot of dexterity, and patience, but it can be rewarding. We would have appreciated selections of the best levels. But millions and millions of levels are available, you won’t see the end of them if you hang on.
From 1 to 4 players.
Super Mario Odyssey (2017)
A 3-dimensional platformer with Mario. Many levels are available and some progression aids are available. A lot of exploration and camera movements are needed to discover everything. Requires to know how to read.
For 1 player.
Super Mario Party (2018)
A board/board game with Mario and his friends. They all evolve on boards with numbered squares and compete in mini-games to triumph in the game. Requires one joycon per player. .
From 1 to 4 players.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
A great 2-dimensional fighting game with Mario and his friends, but also many other characters and levels from other video games. A must for fans of fighting games but it is quite difficult to take in hand for neophytes, and the online mode is poorly done. Those who linger there will have a lot of fun.
From 1 to 8 players.
Article produced with the contribution of François Néron.
