Best Mario Games of All Time, Ranked

Mario games have always kept people coming back for more. No matter what kind of Mario experience you enjoy, the franchise always seems to deliver on its promises. Whether he is saving Princess Peach from Bowser. As well as any number of antics, the beloved character always seems to find a way into players' hearts. While the games may differ in how they present their gameplay, one thing is sure. The Mario games are absolutely iconic in their own right. So, to show love to the series, here are our picks for the 5 Best Mario Games on Nintendo Switch.

5. Princess Peach: Showtime!

Princess Peach: Showtime! puts players back in control of Princess Peach. The game takes Peach on an adventure with a ribbon named Stella. She also gains the ability to become different versions of herself. This includes a ninja, detective, and mermaid. These abilities help Peach to traverse the different levels with ease. Players enjoyed the fund playstyle that the different variations of Peach offered throughout the games creative levels.

The game all takes place when the evil Grape attacks the theatre Peach is visitng. Peach, agrees to help restore the theatre, but most go through a variety of levels and challenges to do so to retrieve the Sparkles. Players looking for a different type of Mario game will be delighted with Princess Peach: Showtime!

4. Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an easy fan favorite.  The game is a side-scrolling adventure featuring Mario and friends as they try and retrieve the Wonder Flower. This takes place in the never-before-seen Flower Kingdom. There are some new abilities to play with like the ability to turn into an elephant and use bubbles to capture enemies. Players can also get a hold of a drill that allows them burrow through the ground, even avoiding some enemies.

The game uses the powers of the Wonder Flower to further create new obstacles.  These include horde spawns and wacky bending pipes. There is also a badge system in place to give players new advantages, adding further to the variety of new gameplay elements Wonder offers. The game even offers twelve-player couch co-op, with four players being able to play through a level at once. This offers a great way to spend time with friends and family and helped Wonder to become an instant hit.

3. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a classic hit remade for Nintendo Switch. The game features a robust party system with enemies becoming friends. In the game, Mario travels to Rogueport, a never-before-seen location. Soon afterward, he learns that he needs to save Princess Peach once again and gather the Crystal Stars. The game's story is told through chapters with an emphasis on lore and world-building. Mario will visit a range of towns, all inhabited by what would usually be his enemies.

The game has turn-based combat and a badge system to give Mario different abilities. Each partner has their own uses in and out of battle. There are also plenty of side activities like learning recipes or gambling at a casino. The remake takes the classic game and gives it a fresh look, with some newer visuals to help the story pop. Players who are looking for a title with a lot of action and a bit of challenge should check out Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart is a fantastic and highly-praised kart-racing series set in and around various Nintendo properties. Players will be able to play as their favorite characters as they zoom around the track. Narrowly trying to avoid obstacles. This game can be either a blast of casual fun or intensely competitive, which is excellent, as it allows the player to choose their experience. The game features quite a few tracks, all based around iconic locations from the franchise as well as many karts that the player can customize to their heart's content.

Players are able to zip around these courses, and collect power-ups, that either boos their abilities or hinder opponents. As anyone who has ever gotten hit with a blue shell at the last second will tell you, this game can certainly make enemies. It is precisely this competitiveness that has led the game to become so popular. In addition, the game has a ton of content, with several championships you can participate in called Cups. All of these elements make Mario Kart 8 Deluxe one of the best experiences you can have within the Mario franchise on Nintendo Switch.

1. Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is a Mario magnum opus. The game allows the player to possess other characters and absorb their powers. This is done through the Cappy mechanic, the sentient hat that Mario wears. Everything about this game, from its level design to boss mechanics and other design decisions, combine to make a masterwork of Mario gameplay. There are many different enemies in the world that Mario's cap can possess. This adds quite a bit of variety to the gameplay and even incorporates some puzzle elements for the player to enjoy.

Simply stated, there is a reason why this game is lauded as one of the best Mario games. That is simply because it is. Everything from how the world is presented to the gameplay itself shows a commitment to bringing players the best experience possible. While some may see the new mechanics as a risk, many feel it is one worth taking. So if you haven't played a Mario game in quite some time, definitely give Super Mario Odyssey a shot.

So, what's your take on our picks for the 5 Best Mario Games on Nintendo Switch? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.