Hey guys! Let's dive into the wonderful world of Mario games on the Nintendo Switch. If you're a long-time fan or a newbie eager to jump into the Mushroom Kingdom, this guide is for you. We'll explore the must-have titles, hidden gems, and everything in between to ensure you get the most out of your Switch gaming experience. So, grab your Joy-Cons, and let's-a go!

Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is an absolute masterpiece and a must-own for any Nintendo Switch owner. This game takes Mario on a globe-trotting adventure far beyond the Mushroom Kingdom. The sheer creativity and innovation packed into every corner of Super Mario Odyssey are astounding. Forget the typical damsel-in-distress plot; this time, Mario is chasing after Bowser, who plans to forcibly marry Princess Peach (again!). But Mario isn't alone; he's joined by Cappy, a sentient hat who can possess various objects and creatures throughout the game. This mechanic opens up a whole new world of possibilities, allowing you to control everything from a T-Rex to a Goomba.

Each kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey is uniquely designed, with its own distinct atmosphere, challenges, and secrets. Whether you're exploring the bustling Metro Kingdom, the sandy Tostarena, or the lush Wooded Kingdom, there's always something new and exciting to discover. The game encourages exploration, rewarding you with Power Moons hidden in every nook and cranny. Collecting these Power Moons is addictive, driving you to scour every inch of the environment. The controls are tight and responsive, making Mario feel incredibly agile and fun to control. The addition of Cappy adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, allowing for creative problem-solving and inventive platforming maneuvers. The game's vibrant graphics and catchy soundtrack further enhance the experience, creating a world that is both visually stunning and aurally pleasing.

Beyond the main story, Super Mario Odyssey offers a wealth of post-game content to keep you engaged long after you've rescued Princess Peach. New areas open up, and existing kingdoms are repopulated with even more challenging Power Moons to find. The game also features a cooperative mode, where one player controls Mario and the other controls Cappy, allowing for a fun and collaborative experience. Whether you're a seasoned Mario veteran or a newcomer to the series, Super Mario Odyssey is a game that will captivate and delight you from beginning to end. Its innovative gameplay, stunning visuals, and sheer sense of fun make it a true masterpiece of the platforming genre and a standout title on the Nintendo Switch.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the definitive Mario Kart experience on the Nintendo Switch, and it's an absolute blast for both casual and hardcore gamers. This game takes everything that made Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U great and enhances it with new characters, tracks, and features. Whether you're playing solo, with friends on the couch, or online with players from around the world, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers endless hours of fun and competition.

The game boasts a massive roster of characters, including all your favorites from the Mario universe, as well as some welcome additions like the Inklings from Splatoon. Each character has their own unique stats, allowing you to customize your kart to suit your playstyle. The track selection is equally impressive, with a mix of classic courses from previous Mario Kart games and brand-new tracks that take full advantage of the Switch's hardware. From the gravity-defying twists and turns of Moo Moo Meadows to the underwater adventures of Dolphin Shoals, each track is beautifully designed and packed with surprises.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe introduces several new features that enhance the gameplay experience. The most notable is the addition of the Double Item Box, which allows you to hold two items at once, giving you more strategic options during races. The game also includes a variety of battle modes, such as Balloon Battle, Bob-omb Blast, and Shine Thief, providing even more ways to compete with friends. The controls are tight and responsive, making it easy to drift, boost, and pull off daring maneuvers. The game also supports a variety of control options, including the Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller, and even the Wii Wheel, allowing you to play in whatever way feels most comfortable.

Beyond the core gameplay, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers a wealth of customization options, allowing you to tweak your kart's stats and appearance to your liking. You can unlock new parts and vehicles by collecting coins during races, adding a sense of progression to the game. The game also features a robust online multiplayer mode, allowing you to compete with players from around the world in a variety of different modes and tournaments. Whether you're a seasoned Mario Kart veteran or a newcomer to the series, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a game that will provide hours of fun and excitement. Its accessible gameplay, stunning graphics, and wealth of content make it a must-have title for any Nintendo Switch owner.

Super Mario Maker 2

If you're the creative type, Super Mario Maker 2 is your ultimate playground on the Nintendo Switch. This game puts you in the driver's seat, allowing you to design and build your own Super Mario levels using a vast array of tools and assets. Whether you want to create a traditional platforming challenge, a puzzle-filled maze, or a chaotic auto-scroller, the possibilities are endless. With Super Mario Maker 2, you can unleash your imagination and share your creations with the world.

The game features a robust level editor that is both intuitive and powerful. You can choose from a variety of different themes, including Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. U, and Super Mario 3D World, each with its own unique set of assets and mechanics. The editor allows you to place blocks, enemies, items, and contraptions with ease, and you can even customize the behavior of certain elements to create truly unique challenges. The game also includes a variety of helpful tutorials and tips to guide you through the level creation process.

Super Mario Maker 2 is not just about creating levels; it's also about playing them. The game features a vast library of user-created levels that you can browse and play, ranging from simple and straightforward to incredibly challenging and complex. You can rate and comment on levels, allowing you to provide feedback to creators and help them improve their designs. The game also includes a variety of challenges and objectives to complete, adding a sense of progression to the experience. The game features a robust online multiplayer mode, allowing you to play user-created levels with friends or with players from around the world. You can compete in cooperative challenges or race against each other to see who can clear a level the fastest.

Beyond the core gameplay, Super Mario Maker 2 offers a wealth of customization options, allowing you to personalize your profile and showcase your creations. You can create a Maker Profile to share your creations with the world. Whether you're a seasoned level designer or a newcomer to the series, Super Mario Maker 2 is a game that will provide hours of fun and creativity. Its intuitive level editor, vast library of user-created levels, and robust online multiplayer mode make it a must-have title for any Nintendo Switch owner.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is a fantastic two-in-one package that offers both a delightful multiplayer experience and a thrilling open-world adventure. Super Mario 3D World, originally released on the Wii U, is a charming and colorful platformer that supports up to four players simultaneously. Bowser's Fury is a brand-new adventure that takes Mario to a vast and interconnected world where he must contend with a gigantic and enraged Bowser.

Super Mario 3D World is a classic Mario game with a unique twist. The game features a variety of different characters to choose from, each with their own unique abilities. Mario is an all-around character, Luigi can jump higher, Peach can float in the air, and Toad is the fastest runner. The game's levels are cleverly designed and packed with secrets to discover. The game also features a variety of power-ups, such as the Super Bell, which transforms characters into cats, allowing them to climb walls and scratch enemies. The multiplayer mode is where Super Mario 3D World truly shines. Playing with friends or family is a chaotic and hilarious experience, as you work together to overcome obstacles and compete to collect the most items. The game's difficulty scales dynamically based on the number of players, ensuring that the challenge remains consistent regardless of how many people are playing.

Bowser's Fury is a departure from the traditional Mario formula. The game takes place in a vast and interconnected world called Lake Lapcat, where Bowser has become corrupted by a mysterious black goo. Mario must team up with Bowser Jr. to stop Bowser and restore peace to the lake. The game features a dynamic weather system, with storms that can transform the environment and trigger Bowser's fury. When Bowser becomes enraged, he grows to a gigantic size and unleashes a barrage of attacks on Mario. Mario must use the Giga Bell to transform into Cat Mario and battle Bowser in an epic showdown.

Beyond the core gameplay, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury offers a wealth of content to keep you engaged. You can collect Green Stars and Stamps in Super Mario 3D World to unlock new levels and challenges. In Bowser's Fury, you can collect Cat Shines to unlock new areas and power-ups. Whether you're a fan of classic Mario games or you're looking for a new and exciting adventure, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is a game that will provide hours of fun and excitement. Its charming graphics, engaging gameplay, and wealth of content make it a must-have title for any Nintendo Switch owner.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe brings classic 2D Mario action to the Nintendo Switch. This game is a polished and refined version of New Super Mario Bros. U, originally released on the Wii U, and it includes both the base game and the New Super Luigi U expansion. If you're a fan of traditional side-scrolling Mario games, this is a title you won't want to miss.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe features a vast and varied world map, with over 160 levels to explore. The game's levels are cleverly designed and packed with secrets to discover. The game also features a variety of power-ups, such as the Super Acorn, which transforms characters into flying squirrels, allowing them to glide through the air and cling to walls. The game supports up to four players simultaneously, making it a great choice for playing with friends or family. The multiplayer mode is chaotic and hilarious, as you work together to overcome obstacles and compete to collect the most items.

New Super Luigi U is a challenging expansion that remixes the levels from the base game and adds a new time limit. In this mode, you play as Luigi, who has a higher jump and more floaty movement than Mario. The levels in New Super Luigi U are shorter and more difficult than those in the base game, requiring precise platforming and quick reflexes. The game also includes a variety of new challenges and objectives to complete, adding a sense of progression to the experience. The game features a robust online multiplayer mode, allowing you to compete with players from around the world in a variety of different modes and tournaments.

Whether you're a seasoned Mario veteran or a newcomer to the series, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a game that will provide hours of fun and excitement. Its classic gameplay, charming graphics, and wealth of content make it a must-have title for any Nintendo Switch owner.

These Mario games on the Nintendo Switch offer something for everyone, from thrilling adventures to creative level design. So, grab your Switch and get ready to jump into the Mushroom Kingdom!