Updated at: 11-05-2022 - By: Leo Hall

From racing karts to stomping on the heads of criminals, Mario has had an adventurous post-plumbing career.

Although the Super Mario games are often ridiculed, they have had a significant impact on modern platformers because of their innovative level design and satisfying gameplay.

If you’re looking for a game that’s similar to Super Mario, go no further than our list of the top 2D and 3D platformers.

This list is constantly being updated, so be sure to check back and let us know if we haven’t included any of your favorite titles!

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Switching platforms

The Donkey Kong Country series, along with Super Mario, is one of Nintendo’s best-ever platformers, and the latest entry is a welcome return to form.

Donkey Kong Country™: Tropical Freeze for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo

To save his tropical paradise from becoming a frozen wasteland, the banana-loving, tie-wearing monkey must fight a band of Arctic-inspired baddies.

It’s a great addition to an already enjoyable game, with additional goodies and an optional Funky Mode that lowers the risks significantly.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

Every huge video game company in the 1990s had to have an edgy mascot in the form of Crash Bandicoot.

The N. Sane Trilogy remaster collection shows that Naughty Dog’s 3D platforming gameplay still holds up today, even after three years.

There are many hidden trinkets and secrets to be found in Crash games despite their more linear design compared to 3D Super Mario.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

Spyro Reignited Trilogy, a compilation of remakes of the first three Spyro games, may also be of interest to lovers of Mario’s 3D adventures.

A colorful mascot for the PlayStation brand, Spyro, like Crash, was actually pretty successful, though not as much as Mario or Sonic.

As the wisecracking purple dragon, he visits magical worlds to save fellow dragons in 3D levels packed with collectibles.

New Super Lucky’s Tale

PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

This cheerful fox is the mascot of Xbox’s reimagining of classic 3D platformers, New Super Lucky’s Tale.

When it comes to Lucky’s particular talents, he uses slides and digging under the earth to travel through the levels.

There is a strong family-friendly feel to the title, making it ideal for casual play and younger audiences.

Mail Mole

PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

This next game, Mail Mole, is a 3D platformer inspired by classics like Super Mario 64, and it’s one of a growing number of indie developers making their own 3D platformers.

You take on the role of the world’s fastest delivery mole, who is on a mission to save his home, Carrotland, from destruction while still meeting his delivery quota.

Playing as a mole who can dig, climb, and even fly through the air makes for level design that rivals Super Mario Bros. in terms of fun and challenge.

A Hat in Time

PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Macintosh

A Hat in Time is a 3D platformer that draws inspiration from Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, both of which had cartoonish art styles and collectible-focused levels.

When her spaceship is damaged, the magical hourglasses that power her vehicle spread and land on other planets, stranding Hat Kid on Earth for a brief period of time.

Hat Kid, like Mario in Super Mario Odyssey, may get new skills by changing his hat (although Mario’s cap actually has the ability to possess other living entities.)

Yooka Laylee

PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mac, and Linux are all supported.

In addition to Banjo Kazooie and Super Mario Bros., Yooka-Laylee is a game that borrows heavily from both of these franchises.

Yooka is a green chameleon who can walk about, breathe fire, and curl into a ball, while Laylee is a small purple bat that can assist Yooka in flying and solving various puzzles..””

Both characters’ talents are put to good use, and the game manages to strike the proper mix between classic charm and current gameplay.

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mac, and Linux are all supported.

Pixel imagery, distinctive characters, and a combat system that revolves around employing various devices make Shovel Knight one of the best 8-bit video games ever made.

There is an unique plot in the base game that tells the story of Shovel Knight’s journey to fight the Order of No Quarter utilizing a shovel blade as his primary weapon.

A new game mode and four new campaigns are included in the upgraded Treasure Trove edition, which we suggest to everyone who remembers the original Super Mario Bros.

Super Meat Boy

PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mac, and Linux are all supported.

If you’ve ever played a Super Mario game and loved the fast-paced action, you’ll have a blast with Super Meat Boy.

As in other Mario games, you take control of the titular Meat Boy and help him save his girlfriend from Dr. Fetus’s clutches.

Despite the fact that you may have mastered a particular hazard, the game will continually surprise you with other ones, such as deadly spikes or whirling buzz saws.

Rayman Legends

Playstation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox One are all supported.

Many consider Rayman Legends the series’ best entry to date and among the best 2D platformers in recent memory.

There’s a lot to enjoy in this game, from the graphics and level design to the character controls and the sheer volume of material.

Mario games have had their fair share of platforming issues, so take that into consideration when it comes to the multiplayer aspect of the game.

Celeste

PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mac, and Linux are all supported.

Retro-styled graphics in the style of early Super Mario Bros. games combine with Celeste’s use of bright, colorful pixel imagery to create a memorable experience.

You take on the role of Madeline, a young woman looking for a way out of her mundane existence by scaling a mountain.

Platforming levels with a focus on accurate jumps and dashes as well as riddles are required to reach the game’s climax.

Splasher

PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Macintosh

The simplest way to describe Splasher is to think of it as a 2D platformer based on Super Mario Sunshine.

You take on the role of a paint cannon-wielding hero on a quest to save his fellow Splashers and retake the factory from his villainous master.

In order to climb walls, bounce off platformers, and escape obstacles, the player must use a variety of paint sprays to solve the riddles on each level.

Antonball Deluxe

Computer (PC)

In Antonball Deluxe, chunky pixel imagery evokes the look and feel of the original Super Mario Bros.

When compared to games like Breakout, Antonball’s brick-breaking gameplay is unique in that your character must physically swing a ball against bricks in order to bust them open.

Punchball and VS Antonball, two additional modes, are included in the deluxe version, which has 21 unlockable characters and over 60 levels to choose from.

BattleBlock Theater

PC, Mac, and Linux

If you’re a fan of Mario platform games that have a co-op feature, BattleBlock Theater is a terrific option.

450+ platforming levels jam-packed with opponents and other hazards await you in this Behemoth-developed game, in which you must save your comrades from an army of wicked technological felines.

BattleBlock has a level editor similar to that of Super Mario Maker that allows you to create and share challenging levels with your friends.

Soviet Jump Game

PC and Macintosh

Despite how much we enjoy Super Mario Bros. 35, it won’t be available on Switch Online for much longer, as Nintendo plans to remove the title by March’s end.

Soviet Jump Game - Official Launch Trailer - YouTube

After that, Soviet Jump Game, a side-scrolling platformer with furious online multiplayer, is your best bet for a battle royale game.

Matches begin with up to 50 people, and as you collect power-ups, navigate challenging obstacles, and leap on the heads of your opponents, the number of players drops.

Spelunky

First published on PC in 2008, Spelunky has now made its way to Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and the Nintendo Switch. While Spelunky has had a significant impact on the roguelike genre, it has also shown customers just how good independent games might be at a time when they were shunned as inferior to AAA blockbusters.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

The newest game on this list, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, was released in June 2021. Exclusive to the PlayStation 5 and featuring some of the best visuals on the system to date, this game was a huge success.

To keep things fresh, Rift Apart adds a few new features including Rift Tether, which allows players to travel between locations without leaving their current location.

Sonic Mania

Even though Sonic is one of the most recognizable characters in video games, it’s fair to argue that the hedgehog’s portfolio of 3D games has been disappointing. Although the traditional 2D games are still fun to play today, the team behind Sonic Mania, a collection of “remixed” levels from the classic games plus a few new ones, decided to release the game.

For all that Sonic Mania lacked in innovation, it was nevertheless one of the best-loved Sonic titles of all time because it was able to simply give fans what they wanted.

Super Meat Boy

One of the most influential independent releases of all time, like Spelunky, is Super Meat Boy, a side-scrolling platformer that resurrected the genre.

Compared to the ever-expanding open-world and adventure games, platform games were languishing before the debut of Super Meat Boy in October 2010. When Team Meat decided to cut the price of Super Meat Boy to make a more traditional linear platforming game, they no longer had to worry about making a profit.

The removal of Game Over panels and the ability to rapidly restart a game after dying were both introduced by Super Meat Boy and have become standard features in modern platformers.

Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight was first launched in June 2014 on the PC before being ported to nearly every current-generation console. As with classic NES platformers, the game’s visuals are in the 8-bit style.

It was a great financial success for the crowdfunded indie game, which led to three DLC campaigns, a multi-player DLC expansion and the Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon spin-off. It’s the greatest way to get your hands on Shovel Knight right now because it includes the original game and all four DLCs.

Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair

It’s safe to argue that the Yooka-Laylee series got off to a shaky beginning. With a Kickstarter campaign that smashed records and a Metacritic score of barely 68, the PlayStation 4 version of the original game failed to live up to its hype.

Many people believed that the poor critical reception and lukewarm reception from fans would spell the end of the series. It wasn’t long before there was another major shift in the gameplay direction. In favor to side-scrolling action like Donkey Kong Country and Rayman Legends, the gameplay of Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair was significantly more engaging.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

The success of a console’s first year is often determined by its launch titles. Sackboy: A Big Adventure’s release on the same day as the PlayStation 5 prompted a lot of curiosity from people who had pre-ordered the console.

Sumo Digital’s Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a fine platforming experience for lovers of the genre, but calling it a console seller would be dishonest. Despite the obvious resemblances to LittleBigPlanet, the game’s mechanics are entirely unique. While LittleBigPlanet has a variety of customizability, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is focused on giving a concentrated and linear experience.

Celeste

Celeste, a platformer developed by Matt Makes Games, was published in 2018 and rapidly became known as one of the most difficult in modern gaming. To conquer the game 100 percent, players must not only complete the main game, but also the punishingly difficult B-side cassettes, which require them to collect impossible-to-reach strawberries and Crystal Hearts.

It’s hard, but the game never feels unfair because to the well-designed control scheme that makes playing Madeline feel precise and responsive even when the going gets rough. As a result, the game’s challenging difficulty never feels like a gimmick.

A Hat In Time

A Hat in Time shattered its $30,000 goal on Kickstarter with an eye-watering $296,360 pledged, making it the second Kickstarter success for a video game franchise on this list. A Hat in Time’s Kickstarter success, like the first Yooka-Laylee, resulted in a massive weight of expectation that the game was never going to meet. In spite of the fact that it doesn’t quite measure up to some of the best platforming games, A Hat in Time is a fun and wholesome experience.

In the end, both games attempted to re-create the magic of Banjo-Kazooie in their own way. The open levels in A Hat In Time were visually spectacular and well-designed, and this was one of the game’s strongest points.

New Super Lucky’s Tale

Many PlayStation owners were understandably dismayed when the first Super Lucky’s Tale was launched in 2017 that the platformer was not coming to the blue brand of machine. However, in 2020, the PlayStation 4 version of New Super Lucky’s Tale was released. Expanded version of the original, New Super Lucky’s Tale has improved level design and camera controls.

New Super Lucky's Tale

On this list, New Super Lucky’s Tale doesn’t appear to be the most difficult of the bunch, but it’s also not a particularly easy one because of the multiple objectives and collectibles scattered throughout the levels.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

When Activision revealed that they will remake the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy, orange marsupial enthusiasts were ecstatic. First published in 1996, Naughty Dog was an attempt by Sony to compete with Nintendo’s Mario and Sega’s Sonic by creating a PlayStation mascot.

Three of Naughty Dog’s platformers are still some of PlayStation’s most popular today, and they surely had a role. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy’s levels are more linear than those in Mario’s 3D adventures, but like Mario, Crash offers some of gaming’s most well-designed stages and various optional goodies to gather.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Activision published Spyro Reignited Trilogy barely over a year after the N. Sane Trilogy, another PlayStation 1 mascot whose trilogy was redone.

Mario’s platforming and the purple dragon’s move set are significantly superior in this trilogy. As a result, Spyro’s well-designed open levels are stuffed to the brim with trinkets to find, giving Mario games like 64 and Odyssey a run for their money.

Ratchet And Clank: Going Commando

Ratchet and Clank, like Spyro, was developed by Insomniac Games. Insomniac Games, in contrast to Spyro, has persisted with Ratchet & Clank and maintained the quality of the series.

Going Commando is the best Ratchet and Clank game out there, and it’s the only one on this list. In spite of the game’s gun-blasting action, it remains one of the best family-friendly platformers on the market today.

Ape Escape

This is the best Ape Escape game, period. Apes are distributed across cleverly-designed levels in the 1999 PS1 game, which is named after the apes.

Ape capture is more difficult than it appears at first glance, due to the difficulty of crossing tough platforming parts and the need to use gadgets such as the Stun Club and Rubber Raft in order to reach the apes.

LittleBigPlanet 2

In 2006, Sony found itself in a pickle. Constant delays in the PS3 were driving customers to the Xbox 360 from the once-highly anticipated PS3. Furthermore, the Halo series on Xbox had already established a mascot character, something Sony had been seeking. After a rocky start, the PS3 was finally on solid ground in 2008. Sony decided to try their hand at a mascot character again now that the PS3 was sailing more smoothly, and the result is Sackboy.

Sackboy may not have become the household name that Sony had hoped, but he has appeared in a slew of memorable titles, the best of which is undoubtedly LittleBigPlanet 2. Many wonderful 2.5D platforming levels can be found in the series’ second game, which also includes a wide range of customization options, including the opportunity to design stages.

Rayman Legends

Rayman Legends is an excellent replacement for Mario’s side-scrolling adventures. When Rayman Raving Rabbids was released, it appeared as if Rayman had given up his platforming career and embarked on a new one in the party game genre.

Rayman, on the other hand, made a triumphant return to platforming with Ubisoft’s Rayman Legends, the follow-up to Rayman Origins. The games established that 2D platformers could still be relevant in today’s gaming landscape, and the PS5 is likely to see the series return.

Rayman 2: The Great Escape

Rayman 2: The Great Escape is a must-have for fans of Rayman’s 3D adventures, as opposed to Rayman Legends, which is a must-have for Mario side-scrolling aficionados.

Rayman 2: The Great Escape is so different from its 2D predecessor, Rayman, that it’s hard to tell the two games apart. The game was a fantastic response to Nintendo’s Super Mario 64, and it was even listed among the greatest games of all time by Gamespot.

Jak And Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

In Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jak was fighting adversaries the old-fashioned way before he learned the development of guns in Jak II. The original game isn’t only about roundhouse kicks; it boasts some of the best-designed collect-a-thon segments available on any Sony platforms.

Classic platforming fun may be had by collecting power cells and precursor orbs at each stage.

Glover

Approaching a swaying, azure bird, Glover sighs. (Source: The Video Game Museum)

Glover is a 3D platformer developed by Interactive Studios in the United Kingdom. Between 1998 and 1999, it was made available on the N64, PSX, and Windows platforms.

There’s a wizard king in charge of the Crystal Kingdom, and the story revolves around him. His land is endowed with magical prowess thanks to the seven stones that adorn it. To make potions in his cauldron, he uses two gloves. An explosive potion combo sets the stage for the game.

The cauldron overpowers the left glove, Glovel, and transforms him into a brown, ragged villain. Glover, the right glove, serves as your mascot as you attempt to defeat Glovel and restore the kingdom’s magical balance.

By bouncing a star-colored ball, you go through a variety of themed levels. Your 100 percent completion is achieved by collecting all of the garibs that litter the ground.

As a 3D platformer, this is an intriguing twist on the genre that became popular in the ’90s. However, the camera is a little too sluggish. When the camera is working against you, moving around on floating platforms becomes considerably more difficult than it should be.

In addition to the employees, the management has a lack of motivation. You won’t even have to fight the final boss to get through them.

Pac-Man World

Pac-Man World commemorated Pac-20th Man’s anniversary and the cultural influence he has had. Super Mario 3D Land’s level design is evident in this 3D platformer. Fruit, letters, and dots are scattered across each level for the player to collect. A additional stage is unlocked if you complete the level.

Pac-Man World 2 PS2 Gameplay HD (PCSX2) - YouTube

Pac-20th Man’s birthday has been ruined by the ghosts. Ghost Island was the destination of their captivity for him and his companions. His goal is to rescue them from the clutches of the ghosts.

For around thirty minutes, the first world of the game is entertaining. The backtracking and movement bugs make the levels tedious. During the game’s honeymoon period, the experience becomes tedious. Pac-Man World, on the other hand, is an excellent 3D platformer to add to your collection.

Donkey Kong Country

Other than Super Mario World, another 2D platformer released for the Super Nintendo has endured. Donkey Kong Country is a must-have for any fan of the Super Nintendo.

Simplicity at its finest. A pirate dubbed King K. Rool takes the Kongs’ banana supply while they are having fun on their island. In order to save their prized bananas, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong set out on an adventure.

Most SNES platformers lack the depth of this sprite work. This is due to Rare’s energetic, young staff. Newcomers in the gaming sector were eager to show off their new-found skills.

Each of the game’s forty levels has its own set of challenges. One of the most difficult platformers of its era, it is hailed as one of the best. The complexity of Donkey Kong grows as the game goes.

This game’s soundtrack is the icing on the cake. While you’re at the workplace or reading a book, put on some of your favorite tunes. Many people find the relaxing impact of Aquatic Ambience to be useful in many situations.

Luigi’s Mansion

The most “Mario-like” of the bunch, if you ask me. Mario’s younger brother is the protagonist. There were no regional differences when it came to the Gamecube’s premiere game, Luigi’s Mansion.

Luigi discovers a spooky home. When he meets Professor E. Gadd, he learns that the mansion appeared out of thin air. A swarm of ghosts, including those who kidnapped Mario, has taken over the mansion. Luigi fights his paranoia about ghosts by using a vacuum (the Poltergust 3000) to search for his lost brother.

Although the game takes place in a single estate, each part of the mansion is distinct. The mansion’s floors can roughly be divided into one of two general types: first floor and second floor. There are, of course, exceptions to any rule.

For the greatest possible outcome, prioritize collecting as much money as possible. The bigger Luigi’s house gets at the end of the game, the more money you have.

Though it’s only a few minutes long, it’s a terrific way to spend a few hours in the day.

Mega Man

Dr. Light instructs Mega Man to follow a sophisticated robot, Mega Man, as he does so. In this futuristic vision of the early twenty-first century, robots play a central role in daily life. Because of this, Dr. Wily enlists Mega Man to help him destroy the rogue robots and Dr. Wily himself when they take over Light’s creations.

Before Mega Man can enter Wily’s castle, he must defeat each of the six Robot Masters. The arrangement of the stages is entirely at the discretion of the player. Defeating each Robot Master gives Mega Man a new ability.

Each Robot Master is vulnerable to a certain Robot Master weapon, and this is the vulnerability that defines them. Mega Man is constantly experimenting to see which of his abilities can deliver the most harm to the toughest foes.

Those hoping for a more challenging experience will find it here. When it comes to the NES platformer era bosses, the Yellow Devil stands out as one of the toughest. Make sure you understand that death is a part of this game.

It may be argued that it increases the difficulty of the task. But the restrictive controls in this game make it more difficult than necessary.

Kirby Super Star

Another classic SNES title, Kirby Super Star, has earned a spot on this list. There are a number of minigames that may be accessed from the main menu. Each minigame has a specific goal and a distinct narrative. There is one thing they all have in common—Kirby!

Kirby is a pink, spherical alien with the ability to inflate himself. In addition, he has the ability to snare his adversaries. Kirby will consume anything is in his mouth if you press the downward direction. Absorbing enemy abilities depends on how much he consumes.

CPU partners can be made from opponent abilities that aren’t needed. During a battle with a boss, your allies can come in handy as a second attacker.

In comparison to Starfy and Luigi’s Mansion, the difficulty level isn’t too high, but the balance is better here.

Banjo-Kazooie

3D platformer Banjo-Kazooie is one of the greatest games ever made in the genre. Each level has a unique aesthetic and atmosphere that encourages exploration. When the player discovers another jigsaw piece or Jinjo, they feel a burst of delight.

Gruntilda, an ugly witch, has kidnapped Banjo’s sister, Tootie. Gruntilda is infatuated with Tootie’s beauty and longs to emulate it. Tootie’s best traits are being drained from her by a massive machine that she and Klungo built. When Banjo and Kazooie set out to rescue Tootie, they embark on their first adventure together.

Gruntilda’s Lair is the central focus of the game. You can enter new worlds with its portals. The more golden jigsaw pieces you collect, the more areas of the lair you can access. At the pinnacle of Gruntilda’s pointed hat, the last showdown will take place.

Banjo-Kazooie tham gia gói mở rộng của Switch Online tuần này - VI Atsit

This is a great game if you’re wanting to amass a collection. Music notes, Jiggies, Jinjos, and extra lives abound on each level. At the conclusion of the game, those who have gathered everything will be rewarded.

FAQS:

Is Super Mario Galaxy the best game ever?

In the United Kingdom, it appears that Super Mario Galaxy is on course to become the most highly rated game of all time. Gamerankings.com data shows that Mario Galaxy has the highest overall average review score of any title ever released — 97.9 percent.

What games is after Mario Odyssey?

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  • Super Mario 3D All-Stars is my fave.
  • Paper Mario: The Origami King is a must-have for any Mario fan!
  • Luigi’s Mansion 3 is the other half of the duo.
  • Newt One’s colorful adventure
  • Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is an example of worlds colliding.

What do I play after Mario?

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is our favorite out of the rest since it provides the Mario series a new spin, much like the Paper Mario games do. In addition to being kid-friendly, it’s entertaining, and each character has their own personality. Choose Yoshi’s Crafted World to keep things light, charming, and homemade!