Mario Day: 12 essential Mario games you can play on Switch 2 right now

Super Mario waving from a gold ring

AaronP/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor via Getty Images/Super Mario waving from a gold ring

By Zak Wojnar

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In the realm of video games, there are stars like Sonic the Hedgehog, Lara Croft, Solid Snake, and Master Chief. They are all household names, but they can't hold a candle to the one-and-only Super Mario. Since his debut in the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game, Mario has since gone on to star in literally hundreds of games, from platforming classics to spin-offs involving kart racing, sports like golf, baseball, and tennis, and even RPG adventures like the "Paper Mario" games.

If you own a Nintendo Switch 2, you have access to a whole bunch of Mario's greatest adventures. Here are some of the greatest Mario games that are available to play right now on the Nintendo Switch 2. How many of them do you think you can get through before the release of "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" on April 1? Keep in mind, this is not an exhaustive list of great Mario games, but a starting point for Mario newcomers and franchise enthusiasts who may have missed a game or two over the decades.

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Super Mario Bros

After the success of "Donkey Kong" in arcades, a second arcade game, "Mario Bros," was released, which introduced his twin brother, Luigi. However, the series truly hit its stride and found its identity with the 1985 release of "Super Mario Bros." on the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES. This is the game that introduced millions of players to the idea of running to the right and dodging enemies, navigating tricky platforms, and uncovering secrets and warp pipes. It's a little basic compared to what would come later, but it's still a ton of fun and is available in multiple forms on Switch. On the Nintendo Switch Online platform of NES classics, you can play the original version. On the SNES selection of the NSO roster, you can play the "Super Mario All-Stars" version, which updates the visuals to 16-bit standards, but makes some changes to the physics that bother old-school fans to this day. While you're at it, be sure to check out "Super Mario Bros. 2," which offers a completely different style of gameplay, and "Super Mario Bros. 3," which pushed the NES to its absolute limits, creating the ultimate Mario game for its generation.

Super Mario World

When the Super Nintendo released in 1990 (1991 in the US), it launched alongside "Super Mario World," which utilized the power of the new hardware to create a game that looked like a cartoon come to life. This is the game that introduced audiences to Yoshi, Mario's trusted steed, as well as the Koopalings. It also took the World Map idea introduced in "Super Mario Bros. 3" and took it to its logical extreme, creating a true "World" for players to explore, with secrets galore. Many stages have secret exits to discover, there are different-colored Yoshi variants to rescue, and entire secret worlds like Star Road and the Special Zone to discover. There aren't as many power-ups as in "Mario 3," but the Flower and Feather are far more universally useful than the overly-specific power-ups from "Mario 3," many of which are only useful in a single stage. Plus, Mario looks so handsome with that fancy yellow cape! Debates rage on to this day as to whether "Mario 3" or "Mario World" is the superior 2D side-scroller, but for my money, it's "Mario World" all the way. On Switch, you can play either the SNES original or the Game Boy Advance remake, which has some new bells and whistles but also suffers from screen crunch that can make the game a little claustrophobic and more difficult to play at times.

Super Mario 64

The original "Super Mario Bros." revolutionized the 2D side-scrolling platformer. In 1996, Nintendo did the same thing with 3D platforming. "Super Mario 64" launched alongside Nintendo's next-generation hardware, and set a standard for 3D gaming that has arguably yet to be surpassed. Sure, the camera control is a bit wonky, but aside from that, "Mario 64" is a pretty perfect game. Rather than navigating linear obstacle courses with optional secrets, "Mario 64" tosses its hero into a hub world, Princess Peach's castle, and tasks him with finding all 120 Power Stars hidden in the castle and its fifteen unique courses. The courses are like mini open worlds. Mario can explore freely and is able to find many Power Stars even if they're not the designated one chosen by the player before jumping into each course. "Mario 64" would be remade for the Nintendo DS, adding 30 new Stars and Luigi, Yoshi, and Wario as new playable characters. Unfortunately, the remake is still locked to the DS (or Wii U, if you bought it before the online store closed down). If you want to play the original on Switch, you can do so via the N64 emulator available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. A quasi-remaster of the game was also released as part of "Super Mario 3D All-Stars," but alas, that version was only a limited release and has been out of print for years. "3D All-Stars" also includes "Super Mario Sunshine" and "Super Mario Galaxy," but we'll get to that one later.

Super Mario RPG

Not every Mario adventure is rooted in the platforming genre. While it has its fair share of jumping, "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars" is not a straightforward 'run-and-jumper.' Instead, it's basically "Mario" meets "Final Fantasy," right down to being developed by "Final Fantasy" developers Squaresoft. It utilizes turn-based combat like "Final Fantasy," but also adds a new system called "timed hits," using this degree of reflex-based action to add some pizzazz to classic RPG mechanics. Upon its initial release, "Super Mario RPG" was overlooked, in part due to its release just months before the launch of the Nintendo 64. Still, to those who played it, "Mario RPG" is fondly remembered as an excellent RPG that appeals to both genre newcomers and veterans alike. The game introduced characters like Mallow and Geno, who instantly became fan-favorites, and told a fun story with tons of humor and wacky characters. "Super Mario RPG" was remade for Nintendo Switch in 2023. The original version of "Mario RPG" is not available to play on Switch 2, though the remake is, and it's just as good as the original. If you like it, then definitely try out the pseudo-sequel, Paper Mario, which is available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online N64 catalog.

Mario Party Jamboree

If you're in the mood for some friendly competition, the "Mario Party" games combine bite-sized minigames with a luck-based board game for some manic multiplayer Mario madness. The series started out on Nintendo 64 and has been a regular staple on every Nintendo console since, even the handheld ones. In 2024, "Super Mario Party Jamboree" was released, bringing a combination of new and returning maps, as well as over 100 minigames, many of which are completely new to the series. The game boasts 22 playable characters, including fan-favorites Birdo, Shy Guy, Rosalina, and Bowser Jr... But no Roy Koopa, in what must have been some kind of oversight. If you have a gang of four total players, you're going to have a lot of fun with Mario Party Jamboree. The game was updated for Switch 2, but the Switch 2 edition honestly isn't worth the upgrade. Just stick with the Switch 1 version or wait for a sale to get the Switch 2 upgrade. The original three "Mario Party" games are also available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online N64 catalog, and the Switch also played home to "Mario Party Superstars," which released in 2021 and is also worth playing if you can't get enough "Mario Party."

Mario Kart World

One of the best-known "Mario" spin-offs is the "Super Mario Kart" series, which began on the Super Nintendo before fully blossoming in the Nintendo 64 and GameCube eras. The most recent entry in the series, "Mario Kart World," launched alongside the Switch 2 in 2025. It added open world elements to the classic "Mario Kart" formula, effectively reinventing the franchise for the Switch 2 generation. If open world driving isn't really your style, you can also play "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe," which initially released during the Switch 1 launch window back in 2017. While technically a port of the Wii U's "Mario Kart 8," the "Deluxe" version featured additional racetracks and would eventually get the "Booster Course Pass," which added a whopping 48 new tracks to the game, many of them sourced from the mobile game, "Mario Kart Tour." By the end of its life cycle, "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" featured 96 racetracks and 50 racers. Ultimately, "Mario Kart World" and "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" provide such different experiences that the only reasonable solution is to buy both! You're rich, you can afford it.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

During the Game Boy Advance era, Nintendo wanted a new RPG-style "Mario" game, but wanted to do something different from the "Paper Mario" games, which were also turn-based RPGs. The result was "Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga," the first entry in what would become the "Mario & Luigi" series. The gimmick here was that players could control both Mario and his twin brother, Luigi, using their combined powers to solve puzzles and in turn-based battles. The gameplay, overall, is very inspired by that of "Super Mario RPG," so if you love that game (and you probably do), you're bound to enjoy this one, too. The story is even more overtly comedic than "Mario RPG," and is fondly remembered by fans as one of the best Mario stories out there. "Superstar Saga" is available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy Advance collection. Sadly, the Nintendo DS and 3DS sequels are, as of this writing, locked to that platform, though I imagine it's only a matter of time before they either remake those games or add DS/3DS emulation to the Nintendo Switch Online service.

Super Mario Land

The Nintendo Switch 2 is special because it's a system that can either plug into your television or utilized as a handheld in the tradition of the DS and Game Boy line of systems. Speaking of the Game Boy, Mario left his mark there with 1989's "Super Mario Land" and its 1992 sequel, "Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins." The 1989 original is infamous for being weird. Weird graphics, weird levels, weird enemy designs... Everything's weird! But that's hardly a bad thing. Simply put, there's nothing else in the canon quite like "Super Mario Land." It's enough to make up for the admittedly wonky platforming. "Super Mario Land 2" is a bit more traditional, with better visuals that are more reminiscent of "Super Mario World," if still limited by the Game Boy hardware. It even has a pretty expansive World Map, inspired by "Super Mario World" that facilitates a wide variety of level themes. These games are a bit lesser-known to younger players, so it's nice that they're included as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy catalog. Eventually, the "Mario Land" games would be supplanted by the "Wario Land" series. A spin-off of a spin-off, if you will, but those had an entirely different gameplay style and can only tangentially be considered "Mario" games. They're more "Mario-Adjacent," since Mario himself isn't even in them, save for a cameo in the ending of "Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3."

Luigi's Mansion

Speaking of "Mario-Adjacent," what about "Luigi's Mansion?" Sometimes, it's good for a series to mix it up and experiment with entirely different gameplay styles, and that's exactly what Nintendo did with "Luigi's Mansion," originally released as a launch title for the GameCube in 2001. Mario and his brother, Luigi, usually run and jump everywhere, but not in "Luigi's Mansion." Luigi doesn't run (his movement can be charitably described as a light jog at best) and there is no jump button. Instead, the entire game is set at a mysterious eponymous mansion, with Luigi tasked with using a vacuum cleaner to suck up ghosts while on a quest to rescue Mario from King Boo. The end result is a delightful game that's "horror-themed" without being too scary for little kids. A sequel was developed for 3DS in 2013 (and ported to Switch in 2024), and a remake of the original was made for 3DS in 2018. Then, in 2019, "Luigi's Mansion 3" was released for Nintendo Switch in 2019. If you have a Switch 2, you can play the whole trilogy. The original game is included as part of the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube catalog, while the two sequels have bespoke Switch versions. Here's hoping "Luigi's Mansion 3" gets a proper Switch 2 upgrade with a 60 FPS framerate option.

Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2

Finally, there's the "Super Mario Galaxy" duology, which serve as the main inspiration for the upcoming "Super Mario Galaxy Movie," due out on April 1. "Super Mario Galaxy" launched for the Wii back in 2007, with the sequel following in 2010. These two games made tremendous use of the Wii's unique hardware to create a Mario experience that simply wouldn't have been possible on the GameCube. In fact, that became a bit of a problem when it came time to port them to the Switch. The original Wii version used an IR sensor to detect movement, while the Switch uses gyroscopic control. It's an entirely different system of motion control. You can still get used to it with a bit of practice, but old-school purists swear by the Wii original and decry the Switch ports. In my opinion, yeah, playing "Galaxy" on Switch fees different from playing it on Wii, but if you're playing "Galaxy" on any Nintendo platform you're gonna have a good time. The original "Super Mario Galaxy" was included in the now out-of-print "Super Mario 3D All-Stars," but it was re-released with additional content as either a stand-alone purchase or bundled with its sequel. Both games also have upgraded visuals on Switch 2, and their art style was so beautiful to begin with, they look absolutely incredible on Switch 2.

Super Mario Odyssey

While there were plenty of 3D Mario games after "Super Mario 64," it wasn't until 2017's "Super Mario Odyssey" that we got a true successor to that legendary N64 game (that's not a knock on "Super Mario Sunshine," it's got its own, separate vibe). Rather than 120 Power Stars, Mario is tasked with finding 999 Power Moons. Rather than picking a challenge before jumping into a course and exiting the course every time you find a Star like in "Mario 64," "Odyssey" drops players into massively expansive levels and lets them explore to their heart's content, finding dozens of Moons at a time. It truly feels like an "Odyssey," with how large some of these levels are. The new gimmick this time around is Cappy, Mario's new sentient hat, which he can throw to effectively make a new platform in mid-air. Mastering Cappy will allow players to reach insane new heights and cover incredible distances without ever touching the ground. Oh, and you can also use Cappy to possess enemies, including a friggin' T. Rex. "Super Mario Odyssey" feels completely different from every Mario game that came before, which might turn off some fans, but if you take a chance and enjoy the leisurely pace and embrace the sense of discovery, you'll be rewarded with the biggest, most unpredictable adventure in Mario's history. Best of all, "Odyssey" got a comprehensive upgrade on Switch 2, so even if you've already spent a hundred hours jumping around on Switch 1, there's reason to do it all over again on the Switch 2.

Super Mario Wonder

To date, the most recent mainline Mario game is 2023's "Super Mario Wonder," which takes the basic foundation of the 2D side-scrolling Mario games, codified by the long-in-the-tooth "New Super Mario" sub-series, and gives it a complete visual overhaul. As good as the "New Super Mario Bros" games may be, their visuals are a bit bland and generic. "Wonder" is anything but, with every pixel soaked with whimsical energy and, well, "Wonder." The graphics are 3D, but the gameplay of "Wonder" is rooted in the 2D roots of the NES games, with the added wrinkle of the new 'Badge' system, which allows players to modify their playstyle with a modifier like a parachute cap, faster swimming, a higher, floatier jump, and tons of other effects. Like the "New Super Mario Games" and the superb "Super Mario 3D World," you can play with up to four players in co-op, though the action gets pretty chaotic if you have four characters running around on screen. Then again, a little chaos is good for the soul, especially if you can share it with friends in the same room. "Super Mario Wonder" will get a paid Switch 2 upgrade on March 26. The upgrade will improve the visuals and add a bunch of new multiplayer modes for both local and online play, but it remains to be seen if it will be a veritable game-changer or just a "nice to have" like the "Super Mario Party Jamboree" Switch 2 upgrade.

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