5 Best Nintendo 3D Platformers That Aren’t Mario

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Nintendo first became famous with Mario, arguably the most iconic video game character ever and a pioneer of the platforming genre. Since then, they’ve become known for platforming games that are smooth, creative, and fun to play again and again. While Mario is central to this reputation, Nintendo has also created a fantastic series of 3D platformers that are excellent games in their own right.

I’ve always loved how Nintendo gets to really try new things when it’s not a Mario game! Even if the basic jumping and running feels familiar, they completely change up the objectives, how the game flows, and the overall vibe, making everything feel new and exciting. That’s where Nintendo truly shines – they take what works in platforming and build something totally different around a new character or idea. If you’re like me and looking for amazing 3D platformers on Nintendo consoles, these five games really show just how creative they are, proving they’re capable of so much more than just Mario!

5) Captain Toad Treasure Tracker

While not a typical 3D platformer, Captain Toad Treasure Tracker still delivers a fun sense of adventure. Instead of jumping, you carefully move around and solve puzzles. The game started as an idea within Super Mario 3D World and first came out on Wii U in 2014, later becoming available on Nintendo Switch and 3DS. It’s made up of little, detailed levels that reward players for looking closely rather than reacting quickly.

Each level is designed like a small, intricate puzzle. Players need to look around, find secret routes, and manipulate objects in the environment to collect a Power Star. This makes the game slower and more deliberate than many other platformers, and shows how Nintendo can create levels that feel full and detailed even when they’re compact.

The real joy of this game is figuring out each level in a smart and satisfying way. You can take your time – the fun isn’t about speed, but about understanding how everything connects. If you enjoy puzzle platformers or appreciate clever level design, this is one of the best 3D platformers on the Nintendo system, and it does it all without relying on typical platforming tropes.

4) Wario World

Unlike previous Nintendo games, Wario World has a unique feel. Released in 2003 for the GameCube, it’s more focused on fighting and exploring than jumping and running. While most 3D Mario games are about skillful movement, Wario World puts a greater emphasis on Wario’s strength and how he physically interacts with everything around him.

The game focuses on picking up and throwing enemies, and slamming them around. Wario has strong attacks that make fighting a key part of the experience, not just something extra. Levels are designed with both open arenas and winding paths, rewarding players who search for treasure and secret items.

What stands out about Wario World is how fast-paced and action-packed it is for a Nintendo game. It cleverly combines platforming and fighting into a distinct and engaging flow. Though it might not be as refined as some platformers that came after it, Wario World is still a noteworthy and creative game, and an important piece of Nintendo’s platforming history.

3) Donky Kong 64

Released in 1999, Donkey Kong 64 is a sprawling and ambitious platformer for the Nintendo 64, created by Rare. The game is known for its large, open levels packed with items to find, puzzles to solve, and special abilities unique to each of the five playable Kongs. Switching between these Kongs and utilizing their individual skills is key to moving forward, giving the game a feel similar to Metroidvania titles.

For its time, this game was remarkably large and detailed. It featured huge worlds, lots of things to do, and a ton of collectibles, creating a depth that still stands out. This ambitious design also made the game quite complex, requiring players to control several characters and explore the same areas repeatedly. While this could become repetitive on later playthroughs, it was a key part of what made the game so appealing when it first came out.

What really sets this game apart is how incredibly ambitious it was. It was among the first platformers, and especially Nintendo platformers, to offer players so much to do that it could feel overwhelming. Even though some parts haven’t held up over time, Donkey Kong 64 is still a key example of how Nintendo and its development teams really stretched the boundaries of 3D platforming back then.

2) Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Released in 2022 for Nintendo Switch, Kirby and the Forgotten Land was a significant evolution for the Kirby series. It was the first main Kirby game to be fully realized in 3D, moving away from the traditional side-scrolling gameplay while still being easy to pick up and play. This breakthrough could pave the way for other classic Nintendo characters, such as Yoshi, to star in their own 3D games.

Players can explore wide-open, three-dimensional worlds packed with enemies, hidden items, and tricky platforming sections. Kirby’s signature ability to copy enemy powers is back, letting players tackle challenges in creative ways. A new feature called Mouthful Mode adds even more variety to the gameplay, keeping things fresh and fun without being too difficult.

What really stood out in Kirby and the Forgotten Lands was how seamlessly it blended new ideas with classic gameplay. The controls were easy to pick up, but the game world felt huge and vibrant. This perfect balance made it a fantastic 3D platformer, appealing to both people new to the series and longtime fans.

1) Donkey Kong Bananza

Donkey Kong Bananza shows Nintendo’s commitment to offering more than just Mario platforming games. It takes what players love about previous Donkey Kong games and adds fresh ideas with its 3D worlds and gameplay. Importantly, the game really highlights Donkey Kong’s unique personality and surprisingly reintroduces the character Pauline in a significant role.

The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is an ideal platform for the fast-paced, action-packed gameplay of Donkey Kong Bananza, judging by the overwhelmingly positive response the game has already received. Building on the foundations of past Donkey Kong titles – focusing on fluid movement, building momentum, and interacting with the surroundings – Bananza delivers a fresh experience with impressive visuals and scale. Nintendo has clearly innovated, creating what is shaping up to be one of their best new games of the year.

As a long-time fan, it’s amazing to finally see Donkey Kong back in a full 3D adventure after so many years since Donkey Kong 64! And honestly, it’s good – really good. It just proves Nintendo still reigns supreme when it comes to 3D platformers, even though Astro Bot is seriously impressive. What I love about Donkey Kong Bananza is that Nintendo isn’t afraid to try new things with the formula, keeping their 3D platformers fresh and fun.

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2026-03-25 01:16