Platformers

Join Mario on Isle Delfino, where he uses the FLUDD water pack to clean up graffiti, solve puzzles, and battle quirky enemies. The vibrant 3D worlds blend platforming precision with sandbox exploration, offering fresh challenges for both newcomers and veterans. The game introduces new mechanics like water-based traversal, hidden collectibles, and dynamic weather, creating a memorable experience that balances classic Mario charm with innovative gameplay.

✦ Best for family gamers seeking fun adventures

Super Mario 3D Land brings classic Mario platforming into a 3D space, blending depth and precision for handheld fun. Players guide Mario through colorful worlds, collecting stars and power-ups while mastering new mechanics. The game offers inventive level design, touch-screen controls, and a mix of solo challenges that keep both newcomers and veterans engaged. Its polished visuals and tight gameplay make it a standout title in the Mario franchise.

✦ Best for mario fans on legacy handhelds

Super Mario 64 redefined 3D gaming when it launched in 1996, inviting players to guide Mario through Princess Peach’s castle and its many magical worlds. With its revolutionary analog controls and open‑world design, the game set a new standard for platformers and adventure titles. Even decades later, the game’s charming level design, memorable music, and timeless challenge continue to captivate both new players and nostalgic fans, cementing its place as a cornerstone of video game history.

✦ Best for classic platformer fans

Super Mario Land takes the iconic plumber to the tropical kingdom of Sarasaland, where players must rescue Princess Daisy from the alien invader Tatanga. The game delivers classic platforming in a compact, portable format, featuring new power-ups and memorable level design. Despite its simple graphics, the title introduced fresh mechanics like the Mario Flyball and showcased Nintendo's ability to adapt the Mario formula to new hardware. It remains a beloved retro classic that continues to be enjoyed through modern re-releases.

✦ Best for retro gamers and kids

Super Mario Galaxy 2 builds on its predecessor's innovative gravity-defying gameplay, delivering new worlds, power-ups, and challenges that push the limits of imagination. Players guide Mario through vibrant, rotating planets and cosmic puzzles while rescuing Peach from Bowser's clutches. The game introduces fresh mechanics like the Spin Attack, new Yoshi abilities, and a robust co‑op mode, offering both solo and shared experiences that keep the fun fresh for newcomers and veterans alike.

✦ Best for wii owners seeking 3d platformers

Super Mario Galaxy takes Mario beyond the Mushroom Kingdom into a vibrant, star‑filled universe where each planet offers unique gravity and challenges. With stunning visuals and inventive level design, players navigate floating worlds, collect Power Stars, and rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s interstellar lair. The game blends classic platforming with innovative mechanics like orbital movement and motion‑controlled spin attacks, delivering a fresh yet familiar experience that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

✦ Best for mario fans and platformer enthusiasts

New Super Mario Bros. 2 brings the beloved side‑scrolling Mario experience to handheld gaming, focusing on massive coin collection and fast‑paced levels. Players dash, jump, and power‑up through vibrant worlds while competing for high scores. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer, letting friends team up locally to tackle challenges together. With polished controls and a variety of power‑ups, it offers endless replay value for both newcomers and longtime fans.

✦ Best for classic platformer fans craving coin-collecting and local co‑op

Crash: Mind Over Mutant puts the iconic marsupial back in a chaotic adventure where he must rescue his family from a mutagenic threat. The game blends classic platforming with new combat mechanics, offering both solo and cooperative fun across vibrant levels. The title delivers colorful worlds, quirky enemies, and a blend of puzzle‑solving and beat‑em‑up action, staying true to the series' comedic roots while introducing fresh gameplay twists for both newcomers and longtime fans.

✦ Best for classic platformer fans

Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure brings the classic Crash charm to handheld gaming with colorful levels, quirky enemies, and fast‑paced action. Players guide Crash through a series of themed islands, collecting wumpa fruit and rescuing his sister while mastering precise jumps and spin attacks. The game blends nostalgic platforming with new challenges like time trials and hidden collectibles, delivering a fun experience for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

✦ Best for young platformer fans

Donkey Kong Land brings the beloved jungle adventure to the Game Boy, delivering vibrant levels and tight controls in a portable format. Players guide Donkey Kong through treacherous terrain, battling enemies and collecting bananas to rescue his friends. The game captures the spirit of its console predecessor while offering new puzzles and secret areas, making it a timeless title for both nostalgic players and newcomers seeking a challenging platformer.

✦ Best for retro platformer fans

Marble Arena 2 drops you into vibrant, physics‑driven tracks where you control a rolling marble through platforming challenges and competitive races. With both single‑player challenges and online multiplayer modes, the game offers endless replayability for skill‑based fun. Developed by Brightside Entertainment, the title runs on Linux, PC, and Mac, delivering smooth cross‑platform play and a robust level editor that lets the community create and share new arenas. Its indie spirit shines through quirky visuals, customizable skins, and a focus on skillful maneuvering.

✦ Best for indie platformer fans

Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth brings the iconic 8‑bit vampire‑hunting experience to a new generation with vibrant graphics and tight platforming. Players control Christopher Belmont as he battles through gothic stages, wielding a whip and a variety of power‑ups to defeat monsters and the ultimate foe, Dracula.

✦ Best for retro castlevania fans