Mario made its change to 3D on the Nintendo 64 and ever since then, we have seen Mario in some of his best games. Let’s take a close look at all 3D Mario Platformers Ranked From Best To Worst. For these rankings, we will use the scores the games have been given on Metacritic.
Super Mario Galaxy (97 – Wii)
Super Mario Galaxy, released for the Nintendo Wii in 2007, propelled Mario into outer space and introduced gravity-defying gameplay mechanics. The game’s spherical worlds and gravity-altering challenges created an experience like no other, offering a sense of wonder and innovation.
Super Mario Odyssey (97 – Switch)
Super Mario Odyssey, released for the Nintendo Switch in 2017, redefined the 3D platformer genre with its expansive open-world design and innovative capture mechanic. You and Mario’s new friend, Cappy, travel across kingdoms, possessing objects and creatures to solve puzzles and traverse the landscape. The game’s vibrant visuals, captivating music, and collectible Power Moons offer endless exploration and surprises.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (97 – Wii)
Super Mario Galaxy 2, the sequel to the original, expanded upon its predecessor’s celestial gameplay with new power-ups, creative level designs, and more challenging galaxies. Released for the Nintendo Wii in 2010, the game continued the tradition of defying gravity and introduced Yoshi as a playable character, adding a fresh dynamic to the gameplay.
Super Mario 64 (96 – N64)
Super Mario 64, released for the Nintendo 64 in 1996, laid the foundation for 3D platformers and introduced the concept of exploring a three-dimensional Mushroom Kingdom. The game’s revolutionary analog control and open-ended level design set a new standard for 3D gaming. You could explore paintings within Peach’s castle, each leading to a different themed world filled with stars to collect.
Super Mario 3D World (93 – Wii U)
Super Mario 3D World, released for the Wii U in 2013, introduced a cooperative multiplayer element to the 3D platforming formula. The game offers you the choice of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad, each with their unique abilities. The introduction of the cat power-up added a fun twist to the gameplay, allowing characters to climb walls and pounce on enemies.
Super Mario Sunshine (92 – GameCube)
Super Mario Sunshine, released for the GameCube in 2002, introduced the tropical paradise of Isle Delfino. Armed with the FLUDD water-spraying device, Mario goes on a mission to clean up graffiti and restore the island’s natural beauty.
Super Mario 3D Land (90 – 3DS)
Super Mario 3D Land, released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, blended the 3D Mario gameplay with traditional side-scrolling elements. The game aimed to provide a portable Mario experience that captured the essence of both 2D and 3D platformers.
If you enjoyed these rankings, why don’t you check out our ranked page? Here you can see all the games we have ranked. Please let us know what series you would wanna see us rank in the comments or on Twitter/Discord! September is Mario Month, so make sure to check that page for Mario content every day for this month.
