The 10 Best Mario Games (You Can Play on Your Switch 2)
It’s March 10 here in Australia, which means Happy Mario Day to everyone celebrating! A few years ago, I put together a list of the 10 Best Mario Games You Can Play on Your Switch 1, and I thought it was high time we did it again for the Switch 2. Some classics from the previous list have made the jump, but with new NSO options and Switch 2 releases, there’s been a big reshuffle in the rankings!
Disclaimer: Lists are never easy, and Mario games are usually exceptional. There are plenty of amazing titles that didn’t make this list. I tried to cover a wide range of genres to show that there’s a Mario game for everyone, which meant some hard cuts. If your favourite Mario game isn’t here, let me know, and maybe we can put together a fan-favourite list too. Let’s celebrate Mario together!
Mario Tennis Fever (Switch 2)
Making its very first debut on the court of one of my lists, it’s Mario Tennis Fever! Mario Tennis Fever just came out, and even though I am now a tennis fan, I found it hard to put down. Rallies are intense, often ramped up by using Fever abilities, which fill the courts with hazards and keep you on the edge of your seat. Some people thought the adventure mode was a little short, but the tournaments, freeplay, challenge towers, and easy-to-use online mode mean you rarely run out of things to whack with a racquet. Mario Tennis Fever did debut with some hefty court fees, but it has been a solid addition to the Switch 2 library, and I highly recommend giving it a swing.
Super Mario Strikers (NSO Gamecube)
I did not get to experience Super Mario Strikers until it arrived on the GameCube app through Nintendo Switch Online, and I had a fantastic time jumping online with a friend. Think of it like FIFA, but as a full-contact sport. You will be smashing opponents into electric barriers, using items to turn the tide, and lining up Super Strikes that send the ball and the goalie flying into the net. It is pure chaotic fun and an absolute blast with friends. Nintendo Switch Online has also received a few fixes since launch that improved the input lag, which made landing those Super Strikes much easier. If you have not played since it first arrived on the service, now might be the perfect time to jump back in.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (NSO Gameboy Advance)
Making its way onto the list is Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, a classic RPG that proves Mario adventures are not always about jumping on Goombas. Instead, this one focuses on clever turn based battles, light puzzles, and a surprisingly funny story that sends the Mario brothers on a quest across the Beanbean Kingdom. What makes Superstar Saga special is the way it mixes timing based attacks with traditional RPG combat. Pressing buttons at the right moment lets Mario and Luigi dodge attacks, counter enemies, and land stronger hits. It keeps every battle engaging instead of simply selecting commands from a menu. The Mario and Luigi series fully embraced its slapstick humour and expressive animations, and Superstar Saga still feels charming all these years later. While Mario & Luigi: Brothership gives the series a more modern entry on Switch, it is still hard to beat the classic.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
Originally making its debut on the ill‑fated Wii U, Super Mario 3D World was a highlight title of the system, a colourful platformer built around cooperative play and inventive level design. It was one of the most fun multiplayer Mario experiences, letting up to four players team up to tackle a range of courses full of power‑ups. The cat suit became the highlighted mechanic in 3D World, letting you climb walls and scamper up every surface to reach hidden areas. Thankfully, Super Mario 3D World got a second chance at life on the Nintendo Switch. The Switch version also saw fit to include Bowser’s Fury, a shorter adventure that plays more like a single giant course. In this mode you explore a large, interconnected island collecting Cat Shines while a massive, angry Bowser terrorises the landscape. Cinematic stuff!
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the latest 2D Mario adventure and a brilliant reminder of just how creative Nintendo can get with the classic side-scrolling formula. Every world is bursting with colour, new power-ups, and imaginative level mechanics that keep you guessing at every turn. This game also has a special place for me personally. It was my first Mario game review, coming out just as my channel was getting started. I wasn’t receiving review keys at the time and was living in a caravan, so I stayed up until midnight, tethering my network off my phone to download it. It was so worth it. The game is accessible to all while providing plenty of challenge, and those weird and psychedelic Wonder effects make every level feel fresh and surprising. Outside of Dave the Diver, which came out around the same time, Wonder was one of the first games I would call “Certified Exceptional”. There’s a Switch 2 version right around the corner that includes a multiplayer add-on called Meetup in Bellabel Park. It releases on the 26th of March, so stay tuned for that review.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Another wonderful Mario adventure, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, is a lovingly recrafted version of the Super Nintendo game of the same name. A collaboration with Square Enix, it was a huge gamble for both parties as they were masters of their craft. Square dominated the RPG market, while Nintendo had its platformers on the ropes. The move paid off, and we got this gem of a game. I played the Switch version from start to finish in one sitting and simply could not put it down. Every battle, every story beat, and every quirky character feels magical. There’s even a cameo of Link from The Legend of Zelda. This game is a perfect reminder of how well Nintendo and Square could blend platforming charm with deep RPG mechanics.
Mario Kart World
Mario Kart World was the Switch 2 launch title to have, and it opened up the racetrack into an open-world racer that delivered some incredible cinematic set pieces. It is still early in its life, but the game has a healthy online mode. Some choices have held it back slightly, but overall, it is a fantastic experience on Switch 2. The game usually sees you complete a standard race, road trip to a new location, and then do it all over again. My first time turning the corner into DK Spaceport blew me away, and the game is full of amazing moments that pay homage to the Mario franchise. With so many roads still untravelled and secrets left to uncover, I better fuel up for another lap.
Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2
I’m going to cheat a little here, but this package gives us two of the best Mario platforming adventures on a single cartridge. Super Mario Galaxy 1 was originally tied to the very limited release of Super Mario 3D All-Stars, which made it hard to get without paying collector prices. Now, this double pack brings Galaxy 2 to the system for the first time while removing the expensive barrier to entry for the first game. Both games take Mario into outer space, with inventive level design, gravity-defying platforming, and imaginative power-ups that still feel fresh years later. Every planet is a playground of creativity. From spinning worlds to tiny microplanets, the games constantly surprise you with new challenges and clever mechanics. The music, the visuals, and the sheer sense of scale make both Galaxy adventures feel truly epic.
Super Mario 64
I can’t even put into words just how amazing Super Mario 64 is, but I better try. This was the game that truly took platforming into 3D, giving players precise analogue control for the first time and setting a new standard for how 3D games could feel. Every level is packed with things to discover and secrets that reward curiosity and skill. The stars you collect, the varied environments, and the sense of freedom make it feel like a world where anything is possible. Even decades later, Super Mario 64 still holds up as one of the most influential and outstanding platforming experiences ever created. Super Mario 64 will always go down in history as one of the greatest achievements in gaming history, and I will die on that low-poly hill.
Super Mario Odyssey
Topping the list is Super Mario Odyssey, a modern 3D Mario adventure that feels like a celebration of everything that makes the series great. The kingdoms are huge, colourful, and packed with secrets to discover, and Cappy adds a layer of creative gameplay that lets Mario capture and control enemies in ways that keep every level feeling fresh.
For Switch 2 owners, the game benefits from a small boost to performance, making the already smooth platforming even more precise and enjoyable. Odyssey balances exploration, clever platforming, and charm in a way few games ever manage. From its imaginative kingdoms to the hidden moons waiting to be collected, this game is a pure joy from start to finish and a worthy crown jewel for any Mario collection.
That’s my list of the 10 Best Mario Games you can play on your Switch 2. I had so much fun revisiting these classics and discovering new favourites along the way. Now it’s over to you, what’s your favourite Mario game? Did your top pick make it onto this list, or do you have a hidden gem you think deserves more love? Drop a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear your thoughts and maybe even put together a fan-favourite Mario list in the future!
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