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Mario’s biggest leap involved bursting out of his 2D world and into the third dimension. It took 25 years for Mario to make the move to 3D, but since then he’s never looked back and has given us some of the very best video games there have ever been. Here are all the 3D Mario games ranked from worst to best.
7Super Mario 3D Land(2011, 3DS)
You can’t have a list of 3D Mario games and not include one that literally has 3D in the title. However,Super Mario 3D Landfeels a lot like a 2D Mario game with an extra dimension thrown in. That’s not a criticism; the game is intended to be the missing link between the 3D Mario titles ofSuper Mario 64and beyond and the 2D platformers that came before.
To be honest,Super Mario 3D Landis a perfect fit for theNintendo 3DS. The 3D effect doesn’t feel like a tacked-on gimmick but a key part of the game, and there are some great levels. Unfortunately, there had to be one 3D Mario game that ranked last, and as good as it is, the other games on this list are simply better.
6Super Mario 3D World(2013, Wii U)
Super Mario 3D Worldhas the sameisometric feelasSuper Mario 3D Land, but once again Nintendo offered something new. This was the first 3DMariogame withco-op multiplayer, meaning you could enjoy the ride with up to four players, while also being a great solo game.
Super Mario 3D Worldbuilds on all that was good inSuper Mario 3D Landand if this game doesn’t make you wish you could have your own real-life cat suit, then you don’t have a heart.
The biggest issue withSuper Mario 3D Worldis that it was the first 3D Mario console game after the near-perfection of theSuper Mario Galaxygames. It was almost inevitable that whatever came next would never feel quite as good.
5Super Mario Sunshine(2002, GameCube)
Super Mario Sunshinegets a lot of criticism, and it’s not all unreasonable. FLUDD, the water cannon that’s an essential part of theGameCube game, is not to everyone’s tastes. The levels where you play without FLUDD can make returning to using FLUDD feel even more grating. It also felt like it had been rushed out, with more glitches than you expect from aMariogame.
I have a real soft spot forSuper Mario Sunshine, however. It lives up to its name; it feels like a ray of sunshine, and there is something incredibly satisfying about cleaning up all the goop. Possibly the biggest reason that it gets so much hate is that it came on the back ofSuper Mario 64,which would be a hard act to follow for any game.
4Super Mario Odyssey(2017, Nintendo Switch)
Nintendo may not make the most powerful consoles or themost visually stunning games, but where the company has always shone is in terms of inventiveness. Sony had a smash hit with the PS2, and then made theessentially same console againwith a Blu-ray player in the PS3. Nintendo produced the GameCube and thenripped up the script with the Wii, tried something new again with the Wii U, and then again with the Switch.
The same is true of Nintendo’s first-party games. Most game companies would have considered Mario’s cap just part of his attire. Nintendo decided to make it the key game mechanic inSuper Mario Odyssey. Using Cappy, you’re able to play as a Goomba, Bullet Bill, or even a T. Rex, which is as much fun as it sounds.
Exploring the different kingdoms is hours of fun. They all have their moments, but I challenge you not to fall in love with Metro Kingdom.
3Super Mario Galaxy 2(2010, Wii)
Honestly,Super Mario Galaxy 2might be a better game than the original. It took the brilliant ideas of Super Mario Galaxy and expanded on them, so you never feel like you’re just playing more of the same.
You also get even more for your money, with a brand-new set of stars to collect after the first 120 rather than having to collect the same 120 again. In total, there are 242 stars to collect in Super Mario Galaxy and every one of them is a joy.
The only reason thatSuper Mario Galaxy 2doesn’t rank higher than the original is becauseSuper Mario Galaxywas exactly that: original. It gave us something we’d never seen in aMariogame before and whileSuper Mario Galaxy 2is arguably a better game, it could never have quite the same impact as playing the original for the first time.
2Super Mario 64 (1996, N64)
It’s easy to forget that 3D games in which you’re able to control the camera as well as your character weren’t always a thing.Super Mario 64was the first major titlewhere you could control the camera position in real-time, something we do these days without a thought.
Even the way that Nintendo introduced the concept was genius, by having Lakitu appear as the camera operator who follows Mario around. It was a clever way to introduce players to the new concept of a moving camera that was necessary to play the game.
PlayingSuper Mario 64now isn’t the greatest experience as the camera system was far from perfect. For many people, however, this was their first experience with any 3D platformer, and it felt truly mind-blowing. Even with the frustrating controls,Super Mario 64is still a fun ride packed with iconic levels.
1Super Mario Galaxy(2007, Wii)
This is about as close to perfection as a platformer can get. In every previousMarioplatformer, both 2D and 3D, there was one major enemy and that wasn’t Bowser. Gravity was the true enemy, making you fall short of making that leap or bringing you down too soon to land on that Goomba.
InSuper Mario Galaxy,gravity doesn’t just pull you down in one direction, it holds you on a planet’s surface, allowing you to roam over the entire sphere. Mario can even escape a planet’s gravity with the help of Sling Stars and be captured by the gravity of another planet.
The level design is excellent and the urge to collect the full 120 stars is strong. When you do, you’re rewarded with the opportunity toplay through the entire game again, but in a very different way.Super Mario Galaxyis a true joy from start to finish and deserves the title of the best 3DMariogame there is.
Moving a hugely popular franchise likeMariofrom 2D to 3D was a massive challenge. Thankfully, Nintendo absolutely smashed it on its first try, withSuper Mario 64showing just how much fun movement in a 3D space could be.
Since that early success, Nintendo has never looked back, somehow managing to continue to improve and innovate with almost every release. While you can argue endlessly about the order that these games should be ranked, most people will agree that the list includes seven genuinely excellent games, some of which have to be in the conversation when talking about the best games of all time.
Based on Metacritic scores, two of this list are in thetop five games ever. I’m genuinely excited to see what Mario’s next 3D adventure involves when theSwitch 2is released.
