Every 3D Super Mario Game Ranked From Worst to Best

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For nearly as long as video games have been around, Super Mario has played a significant role in the gaming world. He first appeared in the original Donkey Kong game, which was launched on arcade machines back in 1981. At that time, he went by the name Jumpman and navigated platforms and climbed ladders to save Pauline from Donkey Kong.

Over the course of his career, Mario has experienced numerous transformations, with one major shift being his move into three-dimensional gaming. Here’s a rundown of all the Super Mario games in 3D, ranked from least favorite to top pick:

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5) Super Mario Galaxy 2

Super Mario Galaxy 2 serves as the next installment following the popular success of its predecessor, Super Mario Galaxy. Released in 2010 for the Wii console, this game was initially envisioned as an upgrade to the original, but it ultimately expanded into a separate sequel within the series.

In essence, while Super Mario Galaxy 2 delivers an enjoyable family-oriented experience, it doesn’t significantly push boundaries when compared to its predecessor, Super Mario Galaxy, in terms of innovation. The core elements of navigating through different clusters of 3D planets within a galaxy and gathering Power Stars are still crucial. Players continue to employ the Star Pointer for collecting and firing Star Bits, with gravitational physics also remaining a key factor. However, not many new features are introduced in Super Mario Galaxy 2, aside from the exciting addition of riding Yoshi and using his tongue to attack enemies or gain power-ups based on what Yoshi consumes.

Although it may not be the most innovative title in the 3D Mario series, Super Mario Galaxy 2 remains an enjoyable game to play. Compared to other Mario games that introduced something fresh and groundbreaking to players, it ranks lowest.

4) Super Mario Sunshine

Super Mario Sunshine faced a tough challenge living up to the success of Super Mario 64. Luckily, it managed to do so in an outstanding manner. Super Mario Sunshine surpassed expectations by selling more than five million copies on the Nintendo GameCube.

One captivating aspect of Super Mario Sunshine lay in its fresh take on the Mario series, with the innovative F.L.U.D.D. (Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device) gameplay mechanic serving as a key attraction. This F.L.U.D.D. system was designed to tackle the problem of the island’s pollution by toxic goop, called Isle Delfino. Beyond cleaning, it granted Mario the abilities to hover, combat enemies, and manipulate various switches and contraptions. Notably, this game shares similarities with other 3D Mario titles as players must gather Shine Sprites, an essential item, to advance through the story and enter new levels.

One often-overlooked aspect of Super Mario Sunshine is the introduction of new characters to the series, such as Petey Piranha and Shadow Mario, who made their debut here. Moreover, the innovative F.L.U.D.D. mechanic, introduced in this game, paved the way for further exploration and evolution of the gameplay mechanics in subsequent Mario games.

3) Super Mario Galaxy

Exploring space with Super Mario! In “Super Mario Galaxy,” Mario ventures into a cosmic setting for the first time following Peach’s abduction by none other than Bowser, the ruler of all Koopas. The main hub of the game is centered around the Comet Observatory, which serves as a spaceship transporting Mario through and across various galaxies within the game.

In the game “Super Mario Galaxy,” set in space, the concept of gravity plays a crucial role, shaping the fundamental gameplay. By manipulating gravity, Mario can move from one celestial body to another, exploring planets in different orientations such as right-side up, upside down, and everything in between. The game was initially released on the Nintendo Wii, where the Wii Remote and Nunchuk were used to operate the Star Pointer for gathering Star Bits to defeat enemies and engage with various in-game features.

In the game Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina, the mother of Lumas, was first introduced. Although she played a significant role in this game, she later became a recurring character across various Nintendo franchises such as Mario Kart, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Mario Party, and Super Smash Bros.

2) Super Mario Odyssey

In contrast to some previous Mario games that were known for their challenge, Super Mario Odyssey shines by offering an innovative twist within the franchise, captivating the imaginations of future gamers. By building upon the successes of Super Mario Sunshine, this game introduces a highly creative feature with Cappy – Mario’s sentient hat-like companion that expands Mario’s platforming abilities, offers new attack options, and most significantly, allows temporary control over various characters. The ability to take over diverse characters such as Goomba towers, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Hammer Bros., and numerous other NPCs is what truly sets Super Mario Odyssey apart, offering a delightful gaming experience.

In a nod to the classic Greek epic “The Odyssey,” Super Mario Odyssey places Mario in a predicament where he must journey home to save Princess Peach from Bowser’s forced marriage proposal, much like Odysseus had to return to Ithaca. Along the way, Mario accumulates Power Moons, reminiscent of the Power Stars from Super Mario 64, which fuel his spacecraft, the Odyssey, enabling him to travel through different realms en route to confront Bowser.

It’s interesting to point out that Nintendo infused playfulness into the character of Mario and his signature red hat in Super Mario Odyssey, something not commonly seen with established brands when it comes to their iconic characters. Unlike many other instances where a character’s appearance remains unchanged, Cappy, who personifies the red cap, has eyes and can also adopt various forms within Super Mario Odyssey, such as a sombrero. This results in Mario acquiring unique appearances that were previously unseen.

1) Super Mario 64

There are those who might voice criticisms about the challenging gameplay or tricky camera adjustments of the classic game “Super Mario 64“, but this game stands out as a monumental achievement in transitioning one of gaming’s most beloved characters into the future. As technology progressed and we moved from two-dimensional worlds on Super Nintendo to three-dimensional environments on Nintendo 64, not all legendary series managed to adapt as seamlessly as Mario did. Iconic franchises like Mega Man, Donkey Kong, Sonic, among others, have faced difficulties in replicating the success they enjoyed in a three-dimensional setting, thereby underscoring just how remarkable “Super Mario 64” truly is.

In “Super Mario 64”, one of the pioneering games, Mario embarks on a journey where he navigates through various worlds that are nested within each other. The story unfolds as Bowser attacks Princess Peach’s castle in the Mushroom Kingdom. To save the day, our protagonist, Mario, must find and collect Power Stars scattered across these diverse worlds depicted within the castle’s paintings. Some of these memorable levels include Bob-omb Battlefield, Cool Cool Mountain, Big Boo’s Haunt, and 12 other unique landscapes.

The fundamental structure of “Super Mario 64” continues to influence today’s 3D Mario titles, serving as the blueprint for games like “Super Mario Odyssey,” “Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2,” and “Super Mario Sunshine.” These subsequent games have built upon the original gameplay mechanics of “Super Mario 64” and updated the concept to appeal to contemporary gamers. Therefore, it’s undeniably one of the finest examples in the series of 3D Super Mario games.

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2025-06-27 20:10