Highlights
- The Nintendo Switch is missing some 2D Super Mario games.
- There are four main series 2D Super Mario games that can't be played on the Switch at the time of this writing.
- There are also two 3D Super Mario games missing from the Switch's library as well.
The Nintendo Switch is missing four 2D Super Mario games, meaning it's just shy of being a perfect Super Mario gaming machine. Thanks to ports, remasters, and the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service, most main series Super Mario games can be played on the Switch. There are some unfortunate exceptions, however, as there are a handful of 2D and 3D Super Mario games not playable on Nintendo's latest system.
On the 3D side of things, there are two 3D Super Mario games that can't be played on the Switch. One is Super Mario Galaxy 2, which stands out as one of the most beloved 3D Super Mario games in existence. What makes Super Mario Galaxy's absence especially disappointing is that the original Super Mario Galaxy is playable on Switch thanks to the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection. It's unclear why Nintendo has yet to pull the trigger on bringing the beloved sequel to its home console/handheld hybrid. The other 3D Super Mario game not playable on Switch is Super Mario 3D Land, the 3DS exclusive entry in the franchise.
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From RPG to racing carts, and a creative mix of 2D and 3D animations we got to see in Paper Mario, Mario games have been released in all genres.
Both Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Super Mario 3D Land were made available on the Wii U eventually, so Nintendo is clearly capable of bringing the games to the Switch, though it remains to be seen if that will ever happen. In the meantime, there are also some 2D Super Mario games that have yet to become playable on the Switch. The original Super Mario Land Game Boy game is missing from the Switch Online lineup despite the fact that its sequel is playable. The Nintendo DS game New Super Mario Bros. can't be played on the Switch, and neither can New Super Mario Bros. Wii or New Super Mario Bros. 2. Every other 2D Super Mario game can be played on the platform in one way or another.
List of 2D Super Mario Games on the Nintendo Switch
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Super Mario World
- Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
- Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Besides these games, some may also want to take into account the Super Mario Maker games. Super Mario Maker is a series of 2D Super Mario spin-offs that revolve around players building their own levels and sharing them with others online. The original Super Mario Maker is not available for the Nintendo Switch, but Super Mario Maker 2 is on the Switch and basically features all the content as its predecessor plus more. The other 2D Super Mario game not mentioned here is Super Mario Run, which was a mobile spin-off of the franchise.
At this stage of the game, it's entirely possible that the Switch will not get any further 2D Super Mario games. However, it's also possible that some of the missing games will be made playable on the Switch. The one that stands the best shot at coming to the Switch at some point is Super Mario Land, as it would be odd for it to never be added to the list of Game Boy games available through Switch Online.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
A return to the franchise's 2D side-scrolling roots, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Supporting up to four-player co-op and featuring playable characters like Princess Peach and Luigi, Super Mario Bros. Wonder revamps a classic formula with fresh twists, including a mechanic called Wonder Effects that cause stages to come alive.
- Franchise
- Super Mario
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- Released
- October 20, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
